Fashion Focus Chicago Features Local Designers and Wet Weather

Perhaps the theme of this year’s Fashion Focus Chicago should have been wet weather. The celebration kicked off Thursday night under a big white tent-turned umbrella in Millennium Park, with Macy’s Presents the Designers of Chicago as the first headlining show. As drops momentarily crept through the ceiling to our seats, models scrambled back stage to dry off clothes, shoes, hair and we were told the runway show would be running a bit late. Would spring 2010’s collection include rain boots and trench coats? We’d have to wait a bit longer to see.

According to our program, last year Macy’s launched 21 world-class women’s apparel and accessory collections, and 14 of those ‘next great American designers’ would be featured this evening. Last year’s collections of apparel, jewelry, handbags, accessories and neck wear are currently located on the 1st and 3rd floor of Macy’s on State Street. I thought about walking a couple of blocks down Madison or Randolph to get a preview, but alas, we were finally told that the show must go on!

Lara Miller’s line featured strap dresses, ruffle wrap dresses in hand-loomed bamboo, as well as mesh sweater and mesh sweater dresses both made with recycled and organic cotton in colors like burnt mauve and midnight blues. Blake Standard’s line began with a fitted Parisian feel of black and white stripes, red vests and continued with berets, brighter colors of red and orange and fitted leggings. J’adore his pocketed pencil skirts. 5P1T featured waist-cinched dresses in vibrant greens and flower patterns, while Tennille White’s fuller-figure wear included an elegant black and gold duster jacket and cream flutter sleeve dress with bud belt.

The evening continued with exciting collections by Lauren Lein, Lee Allison, Jermikko, Anna Hovet, Zamrie, Furio, Nora Del Busto, Cynthia Ryba and Audey. However, the crowd will probably make their first purchases from The Tiebar at Macy’s as that collection showcased half-naked men in small round hats, tie and a briefcase; cause that’s what we all want our men to wear to work or the bedroom for that matter. Women shopping for themselves will love Anna Hovet’s Kylie Minogue-esque inspirations, and I’ll look to Furio, because I look great in something fitted, short and white. As for right now though, my first purchases will be from designer Jermikko because his line included a trench coat, and designer Audey, because her spring petticoat dresses came complete with umbrellas.

Fashion Focus Chicago returns for the fifth year, from Thursday October 22 – Sunday, October 25 and celebrates with the city’s best designers. It includes around town trunk shows, shopping extravaganzas, educational seminars and my favorite: VIP receptions with posh accoutrements, h’or dourves, things like vintage cocktails, meet-and-greets with talented designers and post parties. Reservations are required, but you can still logon to www.chicagofashionresource.com for tickets, events and more information.