Reminder CFI Open House 7-21-10

Chicago's Small Business Expo

While at first glance the Chicago Fashion Incubator might seem to be just a haven for designers to create beautiful garments, there is actually much, much more happening here.  The designers are learning the essential components to developing a successful company.

Lucky for us, we are in a city who embraces our small businesses.  Chicago's office of the City Treasurer is hosting its ninth Small Business Expo which will give a number of workshops to cover topics important to local entrepreneurs such as our Designers in Residence.

If you were unable to attend, follow their website to still access the pdf's from the lectures!  What a great resource!

http://www.chicagocitytreasurer.com/smallBusinessExpo/smallBusinessExpo.htm

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!

Donaldo Smith on Featured on Boutiqueville!

Read New City's profile on CFI DIR Donaldo Smith and his line, Killian Gui, on  Boutiquville.com!

New City Profiles Christina Fan

New City's fashion blog Boutiqueville.com gets the inside scoop on CFI's DIR Christina Fan and her line, C/FAN!

Check out the in-depth profile!

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!