CFI Opens Its Doors to the Public

Thank you for all who came out and joined us at our open house, it was a real success!
CFI started the day with our monthly board meeting and then opened the doors to the public to show off the space and the amazingly talented 2010 Designers in Residence.
Thanks again POP CHIPS, FUZE, KIND SNACKS, and SMART WATER for poviding us and our guests with snacks for the afternoon.
For those of you who were unable to attend or are out of town, please stay tuned for our website launch in mid August at http://www.chicagofashionincubator.org/

Reminder CFI Open House 7-21-10

Party at The Loft!

The 2010 DIR and the City of Chicago had a blast on Friday night at the final night of a three-evening event at the pop-up Don Julio Loft at 1956 W. Grand Ave.  Don Julio provided three featured drinks for the evening including their "Can't-Pass-Up Ginger Margarita!"  The designers displayed their designs which were inspired by the different bottles of Don Julio!  Amazing!

The DIR also had the opportunity to showcase their collections in a fashion show complete with Spanish-inspired runway music, gorgeous Ford models, and the unseen organized chaos of backstage!

        

Shiny Toy Guns gave a rockin' performance and have quickly become a Chicago favorite in the fashion scene.  Upstairs, guests waited in line to take their costumed group photo in the free photo booth and eagerly waited for their on scene screen printed t-shirt from Black Market Caviar while they shopped CFI alum's, Anna Hovet t-shirt line.

A special thank you to all involved, Don Julio's Loft was a complete success!

Join CFI for the CS Don Julio Loft 7/7 and 7/9!

CFI launches Pop-Up Shop!

The Launch/CFI Pop Up Shop at the Shops at 900 officially opened their doors today to the public. Come visit the store, located on the 5th floor of 900 N. Michigan Ave., where Chicago Fashion Incubator Alumni and the 2010 Designers in Residence will show and sell their designs through April 18th!

Pop Up Shop Schedule:

March:

Tuesday, 16th, 6 – 8 p.m. Launch event – to purchase tickets visit  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/100699

Thursday, 18th, 6 - 10 p.m. – Furio Fall/Winter 2010 Collection Launch

Saturday, 20th, Noon - 6 p.m. - Cynthia Ryba Trunk show

Saturday, 20th, Noon - 8 p.m. – 2010 New Designer Trunk Show

Sunday, 21st, Noon - 2 p.m. – Afternoon Tea & Dresses Showcasing Audey's Fall 2010 Collection

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

Every Friday come get fitted for a custom Kate Boggiano shirt!

***Store hours: Starting March 18th, the retail store will be open 10 – 7 p.m. each Thursday through Saturday and Noon – 6 p.m. on Sundays.



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 come get fitted for a custom Kate Boggiano shirt!

***Store hours: The retail store will be open 10 – 7 p.m. each Thursday through Saturday and Noon – 6 p.m. on Sundays through April 18th.


Special thanks to all the blogger and media support from the event!  Click on their links to see the coverage:

• Chicago Reader Blog
• Chicago Mag
• Evil Kitty Blog
• Factio Magazine
• Sun Times
•  Urban Daddy
• Chicagoist
• Chicago Collection Magazine
• Style Chicago
• Stockyard Magazine
• Pretty City Blog
• Style Admirer

Farewell Class of 2009, Welcome DIR 2010

2009 was a busy year for our very talented DIR and we send them off with best of wishes for their futures!  CFI will continue to work with the alumni through city events, shows, and workshops.  Continue following these great designers through their web pages and blogs!

As we move forward, CFI proudly introduces DIR class of 2010:

• Donaldo Smith: Killian Gui
• Miriam Cecilia Carlson: m.c.c.
• Leah Fagan: Peloton
• Christina Fan: C/Fan
• Stephanie Kuhr: Dottie's Delights
• Jonnie Rettele: Nonnie Threads

Stay tuned for individual profiles on all our CFI designers!

FASHION FOCUS 2009 SCHEDULE

Make sure to catch Fashion Focus 2009 starting October 22!  Check out the schedule of events.

Headlining Runway Shows:

Macy’s presents the Designers of Chicago
Thursday October 22, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Millennium Park – Chase Promenade North

Dress Code
Friday October 23, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Millennium Park – Chase Promenade North

Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion
Saturday October 24, 2009, 8:00 p.m.
Millennium Park – Chase Promenade North

Vert Couture, Springtime in Chicago: An Evening of Fabulous Eco-Fashion and Environmental Responsibility
Sunday October 25, 2009, 6:00 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center – Yates Gallery, 77 E. Randolph St

Designer Runway Shows:

Invention and the Obsolete: Abigail Glaum Lathbury
Thursday October 22, 2009, 9:00 p.m.
Prarie Productions, 1314 W Randolph St.

Horacio Nieto/Arlo Menswear
Friday October 23, 2009, 9:00 p.m.
EnVent Studio, 1376 W. Carroll Ave.
Le Jardin de L’Amour, Borris Powell Design Spring 2010 Collection
Saturday October 24, 2009, 9:00 p.m.
EnVent Chicago, 344 N. Ogden Ave.

Shopping Events:

Independent Retail Week’s Hot Spot
Monday October 19 , 2009, 5 – 7 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St

Fashion Fix: Squasht by Les Fall-Winter Collection Trunk Show
Thursday October 22, 2009, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Style Stop, 72 E. Randolph St

Elda De La Rosa
Thursday October 22, 2009, 4 – 6 p.m.
Style Stop, 72 E. Randolph St

Independent Retail Week’s Hot Spot
Friday October 23, 2009, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Watertower Pumping Station, 806 N. Michigan Ave
Fall Shopping Extravaganza
Friday October 23, 2009, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Style Stop, 72 E. Randolph St

Fashion Focus: Local Designers Emerge for the Cure
Friday October 23 – 24, 2009, 12 – 7 pm
Heidi Hess Showroom., 210 N Halsted

Tassels and Fringe
Friday October 23, 2009, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Ellie Thompson + Co., 8 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 2203

Technicolor Lover
Saturday Oct 24, 2009, 10:00 am – 6:00 p.m.
Harris Theater Rooftop, 201 E. Randolph St

TZEN Couture Jewelry Trunk Show
Saturday October 24, 2009, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Style Stop, 72 E Randolph St.

Veronica Riley Martens Vintage Jewelry Trunk Show
Saturday October 24, 2009, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Clever Alice, 1920 N. Damen Ave.

Silver Elements Collection
Saturday October 24, 2009, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S Michigan Ave.

Julia Failey Jewelry at Grasshopper 510
Saturday October 24, 2009, 12:00 p.m. – 4p.m.
Grasshopper 510, 1944 N. Damen Ave.

Boudoir, Bourgeois and Boheme: Elise Bergman Fashion Installation
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fashion presentation at 3:00 p.m.
Roslyn, 2035 N. Damen Ave.
Modahnik Debut
Saturday October 24, 2009, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Style Stop, 72 E Randolph St.
Pick Your Poison presented by B Boutique
Saturday October 24, 2009, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Poison Cup Wine and Art Boutique, 1114 W. Armitage Ave
Sporty Chic – Fashion, Comfort and Style in Peachy Tan Resort and Active Wear
Saturday October 25, 2009, 11 am – 1 pm
Style Stop, 72 E Randolph St

Industry Seminars

International Sourcing – the Ins and Outs of Getting Your Product Sourced, Produced & Delivered
Sunday October 25, 2009, 10 am
Chicago Cultural Center

The Ultimate Design Challenge: Finding a Job
Sunday October 25, 2009, 12 Noon
Chicago Cultural Center

Meet The Designers
Sunday October 25, 2009, 2:00 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center

Marketing and Sales Strategies in Today’s Environment
Sunday October 25, 2009, 4:00 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center

Other Events

The Nature of Diamonds
October 23, 2009 – March 28, 2010, Daily 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (last admission at 4:00 p.m.), Closed Christmas Day

The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
1400 S. Lake Shore Drive

ABC 7 Chicago

Meet the 2009 CFI Designers In Residence

Second City Style wasn't the only site to quickly post the news about the CFI "passing of the torch" on 2/11/09. Our friends at Style Chicago and Runway to Retail were also quick to note all of the talent passing through the Incubator.


And now may we present...... drum roll please....... The Chicago Fashion Incubator Class of 2009!


Alonzo Jackson (Fashion Geek), Ashley Zygmunt (Zamrie), Catherine Furio (Furio), Cynthia Ryba (Cynthia Ryba), Jess Audey (Audey Dresses), and Nora Del Busto (Nora Del Busto).


Stayed tuned for a little more information on each of our new designers!