On a whim, I decided to look up information on the upcoming Chicago Fashion Week. As it is undoubtedly about time to start planning for 2010 Spring Fashion shows, I was growing concerned about the lack of coverage surrounding the 2009 Fall Fashion week that should have occurred sometime in February. Well, one quick trip to the Chicago Fashion Week web site told me all I needed to hear. Cancelled.
Though I am encouraged that the event appears to be on for 2010, I do not feel entirely swayed. As someone who’s entire purpose for attending graduate school for journalism was fashion, I am not pleased with the blatant lackadaisical attitude Chicago has taken to these events. Any fashion maven will tell you that the veritable display and artistic ingenuity that is involved in fashion week is something that should be expected in any metropolitan community. Even Cleveland has one!
From Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC. Zac Posen.
Unidentified designer from Chicago Fashion Week.
When I searched online for possible reasons for this travesty, I found that it was for lack of funding for this privatized event. What a shock.
According to BizBash.com, the show was postponed due to low ticket sales. However, the article insinuates that the event’s sponsor MasterCard had backed out of the production. Even more of a surprise. It seems that nobody is escaping the wrath of our jilted economy. Especially the designers, who had already planned for the event.
My only hope is that this “new and improved” fashion week I’ve been reading so much about will not suffer the same fate. Looking for some sort of reason to justify my foray into the journalism community, this would be the perfect event to cover.Though this would be Chicago’s proverbial maiden voyage into fashion fair, I whole-heartedly believe it would be a success. Where there is beauty, there is inspiration. And I do think that we all could use a hearty dose of visual distraction to get our sense of creative wonder pumping again.
-Ileana
10 comments
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23/03/2009 at 5:13 pm
deniz and elle
what’s on the girl’s head in the bottom pic? russian hat, wig, mop, or legit hair?
23/03/2009 at 9:46 pm
makingchicagohome
Oh honey, if you have to ask, then you’re overdue for a trip to Chicago :)
30/04/2009 at 4:13 pm
Ka
It is a shame, I am new to Chicago and was hoping to attend it. I was wondering why their website isn’t giving me any information, now I know. I feel a lot of the designers have a lot of potential here, but sometime I start to doubt myself.
22/06/2009 at 9:53 am
Milenka
Just as FYI : Chicago Fashion Focus is very much alive and preparations are under away for October, 2009.
Chocago Fashion Week is different. As it was explained to me that is private production where Chicago Fashion Focus is initiative from the city hall Chicago.
check http://www.chicagofashionresources. com
Also, there are other fashion shows – like one at the Soul Music Festival.
05/08/2009 at 6:56 pm
Lizzy
I have lived chicago my whole life and now that i will be down in the big city for school this year i am very very upset that Fashion Week will not be happening this year. I am going into fashion design and as that being my major i see it as Chicago taking away a learning experience for young designers.
18/08/2009 at 1:15 pm
CC
Fashion Focus Chicago is the only “Chicago Fashion Week” that I have been aware of and it is still on for 2009: http://www.explorechicago.org/city/en/things_see_do/event_landing/events/tourism/fashion_focus_chicago.html
18/08/2009 at 1:25 pm
makingchicagohome
Oh yes, we are well aware of the preparations for the 2009 event. See the Fashion Focus entry that I did last month for more details :)
-Ileana
08/10/2009 at 11:35 am
events in Chicago
“Outfit Events continue to get some of the best entertainment in the country to perform live at our events in Chicago.
“
30/12/2009 at 1:25 am
Anthony
Being from California (born and raised in Hollywood) I was so pleased to see that the Midwest HAS style ( you go girls and boys!!!! ) .
Just the fact that we ( I live here now ) have to layer and put together outfits for the day , we transcend the mundane mornings to the happening events through out the evening in this cool city all the while respecting our fellow fashionistas ( glimpses from across the “L” stops ) and their sense of style …….
I certainly hope this Chicago Fashion Week does happen , image makers across the board deserve to showcase their talent with a high energy forum for those us who live, eat and drink STYLE!!!
OH! does anyone know who will be facilitating this event I was going to help out with the one in 2009 that was cancelled ( I found out through a designer in Florida it was cancelled)
ARS LONGA VITA BREVIS
06/01/2010 at 3:52 pm
B. Martin
The model’s name is DEE-Jay. She was featured on Bravo’s The Fashion Show. She is a veteran in the game and a great human being