The DIRs meet Maria Pinto!

Maria Pinto, renown fashion designer, who has designed clothes for Oprah, and the current first lady, and the Joffrey Ballet, visited the Chicago Fashion Incubator on Wednesday July 25th to meet with the Designers in Residence! She spent two hours at the Incubator, talking to the designers about her experience in the industry and dispensing advice.  "Do what you love, money will come" advised Pinto. She talked about perfection of production and her "less is more" strategy of "staying small and well edited." The designers also got to hear about her upcoming exhibit at the Field Museum. Lastly, she took a look at each designer's collection and advised. It was time well spent and advice well received. CFI thanks Maria Pinto!

Alumni Update
630 Fashion Show to feature Kahindo Mateene

      "This year’s event, a benefit for 360 Youth Services, will showcase celebrity designer Kahindo Mateene, 2011 designer in residence in the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street."

Shout out to current Designer in Residence LaTonya Williams! 

"RISING DESIGNER: Elizabeth Smith Fashionsby LaTonya Williams. Elizabeth Smith Fashions is a label produced by LaTonya Williams. Current a Chicago Fashion Incubator Designer, this rising star is making waves with her new innovative white blouses. This out-of-the-box designer is REINVENTINGthe way women today wear that traditional white blouse. Keep an eye open because before you know it the name Elizabeth Smith Fashions will be a household name."  -- see the full article at Chicagonow

Alumni Advice
Having trouble dressing for the heat? Take a peek at Kate Coxworth, founder and fashion designer of the label Kate Boggiano, and CFI Designer In Residence alumni's redeye dress tips! 

DIR Alumni News

Check out DIR alumni Anna Hovet's Effen Vodka bottle inspired dress! 

Source: Fashionista Chicago

Designer Spotlight

News

The Chicago Sidewalk Sale at Daley plaza featured CFI Designers in Residence past and present, Brooke Conrady, Agga Raya, Anna Hovet, Kahindo Mateene, Miriam Carlson, and Kate Coxworth. At noon today, the sale held a fashion show, where CFI was announced as a headliner for Chicago's Fashion Focus 2012. 

 Brooke Conrady’s piece in the show 

The DIR 2012 crew

Alumni News
Former CFI designer Anna Hovet's ROOF Runway show was a huge success! If you missed it, take a look here! 

Click on the photo to look at more photos of the show via Flickr photostream

Check out our fabulous 2012 Designers in Residence!