Happy Holidays from the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street!

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DIR Christina Fan's line C/FAN generates media buzz!

Source: People via Shout Social

DIR Christina Fan's fashion line C/FAN is gaining some serious media attention these days.  The designer's look was featured in People Magazine's Style Watch Dec '10/Jan '11 issue.  

The designer was also profiled by fashion blog Chictopia recently.  The article discusses how Christina got into the fashion industry, her inspiration and who she'd love to design for.  Check out the profile to learn all these details and more!

To view more of Christina Fan's looks, visit the C/FAN website!

DIR Miriam Cecilia Carlson featured on CChicChicago

Chicago fashion blog CChicChicago raves about DIR Miriam Cecilia Carlson!  Check out the blog post and learn more about this promising young designer!

Source: CChicChicago

Visit Miriam's website  to view looks and learn more information about our DIR!

CFI Featured in the Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal featured The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street (CFI) and 2008 Alumna Kate Coxworth in an article about the incubator model and its potential to help new designers launch their own businesses.

Source:  Sally Ryan for The Wall Street Journal
Above, Kate Coxworth, owner/designer of Kate Boggiano LLC, participated in the Chicago Fashion Incubator in 2008. The program helped launch her business.

The article highlights how the resources and guidance that incubator programs such as CFI provide help to get new designers' businesses off the ground.  Read the article to learn a bit more about our program and the impact CFI is making on the industry.

10/28 CFI Application Open House 12pm-2pm & 5pm-7pm

Date: Thursday October 28th

Location: Macy's on State Street 11th Floor - Enter through the State & Randolph doors, take the employee elevator between TOUS and LINKS to the 11th floor.

Times: Afternoon 12pm-2pm, Evening 5pm-7pm

What: An informal Open House where you can view the space and ask questions about the Chicago Fashion Incubator and How to Apply.  Plus, meet our Designers in Residence and preview their Spring 2011 collections in person. 

RSVP by 10am Thursday October 28th to cfidirector@gmail.com

Please indicate the afternoon (12pm - 2pm) or the evening (5pm - 7pm) Open House.

Application Deadline: November 8th.

Application available online at:

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=x7efjudab&et=1103837278669&s=693&e=0016g8b4mmruBC5FAzi0mnyl1huWIQURi8POqu9zTBGj7kfxLLQLRNso3i_0pTqzWZn5obZmb3ZhjtHesJi5Tcuz1TKlVMPKg4gNVYpbpC2JaHegke6_zTk8fJxydTgpjOgKOSJ38uqB1kQnv8h0KpVLQ==

Lara Miller

The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street

cfidirector@gmail.com

312-781-5267

The Chicago Fashion Incubator | 111 N. State Street 11th Floor | Chicago | IL | 60602

CFI at Fashion Focus: In Review



Photo from Chicago Sun-Times



CFI designers started off Fashion Focus last week to rave reviews at the Chicago Fashion Incubator Designers Past & Present, presented by Macy's and CS Magazine.  Thirteen of CFI's current and alumni designers showed at the event to a packed tent in Millennium Park.  Notable attendees included Commissioner of Public Affairs Lois Weisberg and "King of Nightlife" Billy Dec.

The designers' spring 2011 collections were called "sexy" by the Chicago Sun-Times and the "highlight" of Fashion Focus by ChicagoNow.

Thank you to everyone who attended this successful kickoff to Fashion Focus 2010!

Designers:

Kristin Hassan


Kate Boggiano


Evil Kitty


Agga B.


Anna Hovet


Nora del Busto


Audey


C/Fan


Killian Gui


Alidade


Dottie's Delights

Nonnie Threads


Miriam Cecilia

To see more pictures, check out this great review and slideshow on the Chicago Sun-Times website and this photo gallery in Time Out Chicago!

Visit these websites for additional media coverage of CFI at Fashion Focus 2010:

• Chicago Reader Blog Review

• Photos of the show on NBC Chicago

• Glowing fashion review on ChicagoNow

• Where to shop for CFI designer looks on Chicago Sun-Times blog

Remember to visit our Facebook and Twitter pages for more updates!

And thank you so much to our show's incredible sponsors!

Macy's


CS Magazine

OfficeMax

VitaminWater and VitaminWaterZero

KIND SNACKS

Frost

Blue Plate

Ciroc

Hawaii Tourism and Convention Bureau

Factor Models

Pascal Pour Elle

DJ Sye Young

City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs

Fashion Focus Chicago

Market

10/24 Fashion Focus Chicago Industry Day & Thursday 10/28 CFI Open House

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Interested in applying for the Chicago Fashion Incubator? Join Executive Director Lara Miller along with CFI Alumni and Designers In Residence for a Question and Answer Session. October 24th 11am - 12pm at the Chicago Cultural Center  78 E. Washington St. 5th Floor Washington Room Advanced Registration is Closed but we will be accepting attendees on a first come first serve basis. Thank you for your support of the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street! The number of people that came out to support our designers at the CFI runway show last Tuesday evening was incredible.  Unforeseeable circumstances prevented some from seeing the show, and for this we sincerely apologize.  Please join us for our Open House this Thursday October 28th to learn more about the Chicago Fashion Incubator, to meet our Designers in Residence and to have the chance to preview their Spring 2011 collections in person.  RSVP by Wednesday October 27th to cfidirector@gmail.com Lara Miller The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street cfidirector@gmail.com 312-781-5267

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Round Table at CFI

Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen and Steve Dool from BPMW Agency stopped by CFI for an amazing round table discussion last night at Macy's.  2010 Designers in Residence along with some of our Alumni and our Associate Designers had the chance to speak with Micah and Steve followed by an awesome trunk show at Macy's on State.

Thank you to everyone who came out!!

CFI DIR Miriam Cecilia Carlson Profiled for Dominican University

CFI Designer in Residence Miriam Cecilia Carlson was profiled in a video package for Dominican University, where she graduated in 2009.

See Miriam hard at work in this great profile!

The 2011 CFI Application is LIVE!

Just as a reminder to anyone interested in becoming a Designer in Residence with the Chicago Fashion Incubator, the 2011 application is online NOW!

Visit http://www.chicagofashionincubator.org/ to download the application today!

Application Deadline is November 8

 Eligibility:

• Reside in the Chicagoland Area - which includes the following counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will.

• Be 21 years of age or older.

• Provide a minimum of three (3) images of your garments. Ideally work that best reflects your vision for your brand. If called back for an interview plan to show these samples.

• Either plan to start, or have already started, a fashion business in the City of Chicago.

• Submit an application fee of $75.00.

• Be able to commit to CFI completely, utilizing all available resources, similar to a full-time job.

About the Program: This Chicago Fashion Incubator is a home to a year-long program that provides six designers with the resources, workspace, showroom, curriculum, and mentoring to grow their business while establishing networks in the community. The designer's also have the opportunity to showcase their lines at local events and fashion shows. Along with all of this the designers get a chance to learn the business of fashion to ensure they can successfully launch their own company.

Stephanie Kuhr of Dottie's Delights Profiled on New City!

Current CFI Designer in Residence Stephanie Kuhr is profiled in New City by Nicole Briese this week!

The designer talks about the birth of Dottie's Delights, her time at CFI and plans for the future of her budding lingerie line.

Visit New City's website to read the article.

To learn more about Stephanie and Dottie's Delights, visit her website at dotties-delights.com

CFI current and alumni designers present at Italian Expo

Visit the Italian Expo at Navy Pier to see fashion shows featuring amazing Chicago designers including CFI current and alumni Designers in Residence!  Eight local designers will compete in the Fashion Competition Runway Shows for the title of Italian Expo Fashion Icon.

The public is invited to vote for their favorite designer during the Friday and Saturday shows, and the top four picks will compete on Sunday before a panel of high-profile judges.

CFI designers Miriam Cecilia Carlson, C/FAN and Agga B. will be showcasing their talent at this local event.

The winner will be announced in CS Magazine on Sunday, September 19.  The lucky designer will win a free trip to Italy's top fashion school, the Polimoda Institute of Design in Florence.


The stakes are high so attend the shows, vote and support our local designers!

Visit the Italian Expo website to see the schedule of events and more on the featured designers.

Designer Spotlight: Stephanie Kuhr is Interviewed for Studio-808

Current Designer in Residence Stephanie Kuhr is featured in the Studio-808 blog, talking about her vintage-inspired lingerie line Dottie's Delights.

Read about where she draws inspiration, upcoming events and where you can buy pieces from Dottie's Delights in this interview.

Dottie's Delights featured in Studio-808

To learn more about Dottie's Delights, check out the website at http://dotties-delights.com/

Fashion's Night Out Windows!

The 2010 Chicago Fashion Incubator Designers became a part of the incredible history of the Marshall Field's now Macy's on State Street Windows!  On September 10th, 2010 our six DIR spent the day and the evening draping, sewing, and creating in the windows on the corners of State and Randolph Streets. To see more images of the windows, including ABC7 filming our designers, check out our Facebook page! While you're there, go ahead and "like" us!

Fashion's Night Out Video

The oh so talented photographer and videographer Daniel Tomei of Tutto Bene Photography did this awesome documentary of Fashion's Night Out in Chicago. I'll post the video as soon as I can, but for now, you can view it on Facebook... Thanks for the great post Daniel!

Fashion Focus Chicago!

Fashion Focus Chicago, a celebration of the city's thriving fashion industry, returns for its sixth year in October!  From October 18-24, Fashion Focus Chicago 2010 will showcase the city's top designers and upcoming talent.  Enjoy runway shows, industry seminars and exclusive shopping events in Millennium Park and venues throughout the city!


The Fashion Focus Chicago 2010 line-up includes:

Headlining Runway Shows at Millennium Park

•Macy’s presents the Chicago Fashion Incubator Designers Past & Present with CS Magazine

Tuesday, October 19, 7:30 pm

•smartwater® & Chicago Magazine present Mario, Make Me a Model and WAVE OF FASHION

Wednesday, October 20, 7:30 pm

•Dress Code

Thursday, October 21, 7 pm; $10-$25

•StyleChicago.com Presents the Art of Fashion 2010

Friday, October 22, 7:30 pm; $35-$95



Independent Designer & Fashion Events:

•Horacio Nieto “The Desert & The Sea” Fashion Exhibition

Monday, October 18, 7 pm; $25

•Fashioning Desire: Chicago Fashion Photographers Reception

Tuesday, October 18, 6 pm

•Borris Powell “Life of Two Fairies” Runway Show

Wednesday, October 20, 9 pm; $15-$40

•Make A Statement: Design for a Cure

Thursday, October 21, 9 pm; $50



Shopping:

•Bloomingdale's “Love Where You Live” 15th Annual Charity Event

Wednesday, October 20 & Thursday, October 21, 10 am - 10 pm; $10

•Studio-808 presents the Accessory Style Lounge

Thursday October 21, 3 - 6 pm

•The Apparel Industry Board Inc. presents the Chicago Fabric and Trim Show

Thursday, October 21, 9 am - 5 pm & Friday, October 22, 9 am - 4 pm

•Modern Vintage Chicago: Fall Fashion & Jewelry Explosion

Saturday, October 23 & Sunday, October 24, 10 am - 5 pm; $10

•FashionChicago® presented by StyleChicago.com

Saturday, October 23 ,10 am - 6 pm



Industry Events:

•Education Day hosted by the Mayor’s Fashion Council

Sunday, October 24, 10 - 4 pm





Fashion Focus Chicago 2010 is a collaboration between the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Macy's, the Chicago Fashion Incubator, Mario Tricoci, StyleChicago.com and the city's four fashion design schools: Columbia College Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago, the International Academy of Design and Technology and the School of the Art Institute Chicago.

For more information visit http://www.explorechicago.org/

CFI 2010 DIR as Macy's Live Window Display for Fashion's Night Out!

As a part of Fashion's Night Out, our 2010 DIR will be a live installation in the windows of Macy's on State Street.  They will be hard at work sewing, sketching, draping, and drafting on the corner of Randolph and State with their interns for all of Chicago to see.  Get an inside look at a day in the life of a designer and then head up to the third floor to shop their collections!  We look forward to seeing you there!

Chicago's First Ever!

The 7th Annual Rising Star Awards

One of our 2008 CFI Alumni has been nominated as an FGI Rising Star!

Congratulations to Kate Coxworth of Kate Boggiano!  We're so proud of all of your accomplishments!

Join FGI and celebrate all of Chicago's Rising Stars!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hotel SAX Chicago

333 N Dearborn Chicago, IL

Cocktails: 6:30pm

Dinner: 7:15pm

Presentation: 8:30pm

Tickets: $135 per person

To make reservations go to chicago.fgi.org

Information call 312-527-7751 

Resources

Have an industry or business question and don't know who to ask?  We are so lucky to have a city full of amazing resources! Here are just a few of the websites and organizations we work with.  Have the following websites on your favorite list to have at your fingertips:

Women's Business Development Center
AIBI
City of Chicago
Chicago Fashion Resource
Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
Illinois Department of Commerce
Illinois Business Portal
SCORE Chicago
Chicago Community Ventures
Chicago Center for Green Technology
Fashion Group International Chicago
Jules F. Knapp Entrepreneurship Center at IIT
Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at Depaul University
Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago
Accion Chicago
Illinois SBDC Duman Microenterprise Center

Registration Open for Chicago TechExpo

Chicago's 2nd annual TechExpo will be held at the UIC Forum on October 6, 2010.  This is a one day conference and workshop exposition that will be dedicated to teaching small business owners how to effectively use technology to grow their company.  The exhibits will focus on web development, e-marketing, e-commerce as well as business management tools for day-to-day operations.  To effectively compete in today's market, it is crucial that our small business (even our fashion designers) keep up with all the advancements in technology.  

Follow the link to find out more event details!
http://chicagotechexpo.net/index.html

Spotlight on Leah Fagan

Did you see our very own Leah Fagan of PELOTON on Boutiqueville.com by New City? Thanks again Nicole Briese for another great interview of CFI 2010 DIR!

http://boutiqueville.com/2010/08/10/by-design-peloton/

Glamorama

Macy’s Passport invites you to attend 2010’s Glamorama on August 18th at 8:30pm. This event features fashions from world renowned designers Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel, Issey Miyake, Just Cavalli, Sportmax, Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti, Tommy Hilfiger, Material Girl, Jezebel, Felina, 2(X)ist, and Jean Paul Gaultier. This years event benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

For more inforamation visit macys.com/glamorama

Open House in Qlix Mag

Thanks Qlix magazine for the great coverage of our open house last month. If you missed the meet-and-greet, check out the story below.

http://qlixmag.com/2010/08/03/intern-tanious-chicago-fashion-incubator-meet-and-greet/

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/

ABC 7 Gives Shout to CFI Alum

Thank you ABC for highlighting our CFI Alum, Anna Hovet and Evil Kitty, and their t-shirts!

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources&id=7562658

Nonnie Threads in the Spotlight

Nicole Briese interviews 2010 DIR Jonnie Rettele for New City's style blog, Boutiqueville.com.
Read Jonnie's profile here and learn more about her line, Nonnie Threads.

CFI Alum at Sidewalk Sale

Come out and support our local Chicago talent!  Shop local designer collections including pieces from some of the CFI DIR and Alumni!  Sponsored by Fashion Focus Chicago this is the fourth annual sidewalk sale and is a part of the Mayor's Fashion Initiative which helps to support the over 400 local designers here in Chicago.  To learn more about the local fashion industry and the sidewalk sale visit http://www.chicagofashionresource.com/