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!