Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz at Angels and Kings

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz were in Chicago last night for the opening of new club Angels and Kings where Pete is a partner with Chicago's Matt Eisler (Empire Liquors, Victory Liquors) and Stephen Westman (Lakeview Broadcasting Co.) and celeb gossip blogger Perez Hilton. Pete also heated up Chicago fashion on Monday at a press conference announcing the participation of his other endeavor, clothing company Clandestine Industries, which will show during Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion during Chicago's Fashion Focus.
Ashlee looked great in her basic, short black dress by Moon Katz. We love how this Helmut Lang, Oversized T-shirt dress ($265) would seamlessly fit into anyones wardrobe. Summer is all about effortless chic, and Ash nailed it with this type of dress. NET-A-PORTER.COM
We loved Ashlee's huge link necklace by Lanvin. This Black Onyx Link Necklace by Kara Ross ($1,600), is just the piece! Shop Vivre.
We fell for her Lanvin's which made her legs look long and lean! These, so-easy-to-wear Christian Louboutin Catenita platform pumps can take you from season to season for only $895. Shop the Christian Louboutin extravaganza at NET-A-PORTER.COM Her vintage clutch was a great addition to her lovely accessories.

Pete Wentz Meets the Fashion Press

Fashion Focus Preview Show
Photo by Factio Media

The main event is months away despite many anxious industry insiders, but the June 16^th kick- off for Chicago’s prime fashion event Fashion Focus 2008, was held at the Hard Rock Hotel to project a sneak peek into this year's week of chic and to get everyone excited for what is to come.Today's event left no one anxious, as speakers such as Melissa Gamble from the Department of Cultural Affairs, Mayor Richard M. Daley, Lancôme makeup artist Alex Sanchez, Pivot Boutique owner Jessa Brinkmeyer and Clandestine Industries’ Pete Wentz excited the crowd for the fabulous events to come (Factio also spotted his new wife Ashlee Simpson in the front row showing her support).

Musician Pete Wentz addresses the fashion press on June 16
Photo by Alyssa Blanchard for Factio Media

Gamble and Daley touched on the growing fashion community that is Chicago and its current prominence in national headlines, which makes it a perfect time to steal the show. Sanchez announced Lancôme as the official sponsor of Fashion Focus 2008 and promised a very secretive but alluring new line from the brand to be sold exclusively at Fashion Focus partner, Macy’s. Brinkmeyer stressed the importance of supporting an eco-friendly fashion world as Pivot does and proved to the audience that it is possible to look great and help out Mother Nature while you’re at it.

Wentz, a world-renowned rock artist who calls Wilmette his hometown, was an exciting reminder that high fashion is not all about New York or LA, and he promoted that even further when he decided to start his clothing line Clandestine Industries out of Chicago. Yet, as if these speakers were not convincing enough, a short fashion show previewing some of the looks that will be shown this fall followed the announcements featuring nineteen inspiring designers with highlights from Elda de la Rosa, Katrin Schnabl, Anna Fong, Abigail Glaum-Lathbury and Paul Sista.

Fashion Focus 2008 will be held October 1st through the 8th, but it is suggested that you start the countdown now. This event has rocked Chicago for the past few years but as far as things are looking now, it might be the best, most innovative year yet. Stay tuned on all things Fashion Focus this fall by signing up at www.factio-magazine.com. We'll have up-to-the-minute news during the shows, event VIP invites and more.
-Nora Silver

Here's a peek at what we saw today!