Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Breakfast

As they say, "the early bird gets the worm....", but in this case, we should say: "the early bird gets a fabulous fashion preview"!  This morning at the Hilton Chicago, our current DIR and past CFI alumni designers had the opportunity to showcase their pieces on the the runway at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Breakfast.  The event, themed "Chicago: The Great Global Marketplace", highlighted the city's business driven creativity and innovation.  The keynote speaker of this event was Macy's Chairman, President and CEO: Terry Lundgren who was being honored for his dedication and innovation in the retail industry.  Another attendee, our city's Mayor Rahm Emanuel, spoke on issues in the Chicagoland business arena as well.  CFI is honored to be apart of such an exciting Chicago event!

Future Founders at CFI

Future Founders, Stitches Fashion Program and CEC made their annual visit to The Chicago Fashion Incubator to partake in a panel discussion with our six Designers in Residence.  The discussion centered around how to start and operate a business, potential obstacles and available resources.

Future Founders is a program that helps motivated high school students by leading them through four hands-on areas of discovery: 

1. Exposure to the benefits of careers in entrepreneurship

2. Mentoring by entrepreneurs, sponsors, partner organizations and the CEC to help students create and present viable business plans

3. Participation in business plan competitions

4. Continued entrepreneurial exposure for the program’s top students through a summer business camp

The Stitches Fashion Program is a program run by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center that helps fashion entrepreneurs through advisory services, business plan counseling and mentoring to address the unusual difficulties that fashion business people face.

Special thanks to all those involved!  What an important day!

Welcoming in the New Class

Tonight was a special night, our first Designers in Residence welcomed in the new 2009 class and the wonderful ladies over at second city style were amongst the first to get the word out. Here's a snippet of their coverage, please click on the link to read the whole story.


http://secondcitystyle.typepad.com/second_city_style/2009/02/meet-the-2009-designers-chicago-fashion-incubator-at-macys-.html
Melissa Gamble introduced the 2009 designers. Left to right: Ashley Zygmunt, Alonzo Jackson, Cynthia Ryba, Catherine Furio, Jess Audey and Nora Del Busto. Photo courtesy of Second City Style.


"Last night there was a changing of the guard at Macy's. It was a celebration to wish the class of 2008 Chicago Fashion Incubator designers well, and to say hello to six designers who will be occupying their studio space within the offices of Macy's on State Street. The outgoing class included Kate Coxworth - Kate Boggiano, Yana German - YANA Collection, Kristen Rosynek Hassan - organiK Revolution, Glenn Mallory - 6Ace by Glen Mallory, Agga Raya - AGGA B and Lidia Wachowska - Evil Kitty."


On March 1st, 2009 we'll welcome in the brand new class! Stay tuned to meet:


Alonzo Jackson
Ashley Zygmunt
Catherine Furio
Cynthia Ryba
Jess Audey
Nora Del Busto