Last Tuesday was the launch party for Chicago Fashion Incubator’s pop-up shop at The 900 Shops Michigan Avenue, showcasing the designers CFI mentored last year and introducing the new 2010 Designers-in-Residence. It was a great event, a fantastic showing of support for Chicago fashion.
Now through April 18, The 900 Shops Mall will house the alumni designers and introduce the next 6 designers-in-residence on the 5th Floor with special events and a retail space. It’s a great opportunity for us to see what’s coming up in Chicago fashion.
But it’s important for other reasons. Every region needs to support their local fashion industry because each area has its own unique fashion voice. At a time when we are seeing designers become so similar, we need to keep those regional influences alive. If all the designers are from NYC, we would start seeing uniform looks – sadly already happening. And then we get bored. There is a reason Rodarte is so fresh and coveted, they stayed in their own region (Pasadena might not be glamorous, but the looks from Rodarte definitely are).

Being realistic, I know that most successful US designers will eventually need to go to New York. But if they have already cemented their identity, the chance of staying true to their own vision increases.
Homogeneous fashion is boring. What’s really in right now is having your own voice and style. Here’s to the new local designers!

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Upcoming Events at the CFI pop-up shop –

March:
Friday, 26th, 8 – 11 p.m. – Anna Hovet Fall 2010 Fashion Show
Saturday, 27th, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Zamrie Spring 2010 Trunk Show
April:
Saturday, 3rd, Noon – 6 p.m. – Nora del Busto Trunk Show & Champagne Reception
Thursday, 8th, 7 – 10 p.m. – Kristin Hassan Summer 2010 Show & Event
Friday, 9th, Noon – 6 p.m. – Yana Collection Trunk Show Fall 2010
Saturday, 10th, 11 – 4 p.m. – Evil Kitty Trunk Show
Thursday, 15th, Noon – 8:30 p.m. – Agga B Trunk Show
Saturday, 17th, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Anna Hovet Trunk Show
Every Friday you can get fitted for a custom Kate Boggiano shirt.

Chicago Fashion Incubator mentors 6 emerging Chicago designers for a year. CFI provides resources and the Designers-in-Residence complete a core curriculum of workshops for a year. It’s a part of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s initiative to promote the Chicago Fashion Industry – and to help keep our designers here in the city by providing them the necessary resources to succeed.

2010 Designers in Residence

• Christina Fan
• Donaldo Smith
• Jonnie Rettele – Nonnie Threads
• Leah Fagan – PELOTON
• Miriam Cecilia Carlson – M.C.C.
• Stephanie Kuhr

2009 Designers in Residence (Alumni)

• Cynthia Ryba
• Jess Audey- AUDEY
• Ashley Zygmunt- Zamrie
• Catherine Furio
• Anna Hovet
• Nora Del Busto