The Fresh Faces

Gen Art did it again by delivering a beautiful runway show and an intimate after party that featured the newest young designers Chicago has to offer. The show was held in Millennium Park in the Promenade Tent that was packed with attendees. Before the runway show, three accessory designers showcased their newest collections. Among them were Kate Mitchell of “Twig designs” with her nature and urban environment pieces, Sara Czosnyka of “Samsara Design” with her accessories that were classic and sleek and Tonia Kim of “Toki Collection” with her travel and fairy-tale influenced jewelry line. The runway show started off with spring lines featuring Sophia Reyes, Frei Designs, Shorty Clothing, Elise Bergman, Eskell, and Phillip Sparks. The show ended but the buzz continued on at the after party at En-Vent, a raw space in the West Loop that was transformed into a haven where guests chatted up the show they had just seen.
-Katie Davidson

Checking in

Pete Wentz

Backstage

Lancome's Alex Sanchez Backstage

Shorty
Frei
Sophia Reyes

Philip Sparks

Eskell

Elise Bergman

Tonia Kim Toki

Tian Shuai and Patrick Clark

Sara Tomich and Anjelie Anzuree

Fresh Faces in Fashion is Coming!

Sophia Reyes

Frei Designs

Elise Bergman

Blackberry and T-mobile are presenting the opening fashion show for Fashion Focus this year at Millennium Park on Wednesday, October 1st. There will be a cocktail reception featuring the evenings accessories (Sara Czosnyka - Samsara Design, Kate Michell - Twig Designs and Tonia Kim/Toki Collection). Following, there will be a runway show featuring six designers including, Elise Bergman,Eskell, Frei Designs, Sophia Reyes, and Shorty Clothing for womenswear and Phillip Sparks for menswear. This year’s Fresh Faces will feature collections from nine designers in total from the hottest accessories to next season’s “must have” items.

A surprise addition to this year's Fashion Focus is hometown hero Fall Out Boy’s, Pete Wentz, who has launched Clandestine Industries; a full-fledged lifestyle brand. Wentz is a new partner with Gen Art and Chicago’s Fashion Focus, and he will be the host of the event. Gen Art is focusing on promoting local artists and Fresh Faces in Fashion is known for showcasing the brightest emerging stars in the fashion industry and for launching the careers of many successful fashion labels.

Fresh Faces in Fashion’s title partners will be working with Gen Art to expand the exposure in Chicago by creating a micro-site capturing photography taken from the show delivered from cell phones from backstage, the runway, and the red carpet.

Gen Art and its partners are excited about the new faces they have brought on for Fashion Focus 2008 and expect something new and innovative.
-Katie Davidson