At Fashion Focus Chicago 2006,
The Focus Is … Fashion!
By Barbara Samuels

Daley wants to make Fashion Focus Chicago 2006 an annual event, and he is determined to do so. “It is a wonderful way to support the city’s fashion community, highlight the talented artists who are living and working here, and draw people to Chicago neighborhoods to shop at the many independent boutiques that carry their work,” he states.

(Mayor Daley kicked off this year’s festivities with the announcement of a Fashion Advisory Council — a select group of respected designers, educators, and industry leaders. N’Style is a member of the group.)

A number of ethnic designers will show their garments and accessories in public for the first time as part of this massive, citywide endeavor in a variety of fashion shows and events. Others are also participating in the prestigious “CHICAGO is … Red Hot!” extravaganza, and “The Designers of Chicago at Macy’s on State Street.”

Some of the couturiers whose work will be highlighted include: Tommy Walton of Price Walton; Alice Berry of Alice Berry Studio; Tangee Harris Pritchett; Michelle Tan; Reginald Thomas of Reginalds; Erika and Monika Simmons of Double Stitch; Cyndi Chan of ORI’EN; Orlando Espinosa Sujata Gazder; Diego Rocha of Diego Rocha Handbags; Vatit Itthi; Cheena Chandra; and James De Colon.

In addition to the afore-mentioned events that will showcase Chicago’s finest, other outstanding, crowd-pleasing shows include World Fashion Chicago, presented by the Chicago Sister Cities International Program. This show will provide a unique and exciting convergence of fashions and designers from around the world whose designs are available right here in Chicago.

On October 15th, Chicago Sister City of Accra, Ghana will present “Tapestry” at the Chicago Cultural Center. Leading and student designers will create contemporary garments made of fabrics that were sent to Chicago directly from Ghana in West Africa.

The BIG show is the annual “Glamorama 2006 – Glamosphere.” This extravaganza is famous for bringing in the hottest stars in entertainment. Macy’s on State Street surpassed all previous events this year by bringing in Beyonce Knowles and her designer mother, Tina Knowles. They will introduce their apparel line, House of Dereon to their Chicago fans. Sorry, but tickets are sold out. Another sold-out event is Gen Art’s “Fresh Faces in Fashion 2006,” one of Chicago’s hottest showcases that will highlight some of our city’s emerging and brightest stars in the fashion universe.

Fashion Focus Chicago 2006 is a huge and exciting undertaking that shows every sign of being a roaring success. That’s why Mayor Daley’s FASHION FOCUS 2006 initiative makes sense - in the sense that our local designers bring a deep-rooted, Midwestern-ethnic to the runway. Their collections are attractive, easy-to-understand, and most of all wearable.

Top Chicago Designers

We hate to separate, but several of Chicago’s top designers represent a variety of ethnicities — African American, Asian, and Hispanic. Their designs are symbolic of their nationalities, and the results are beautiful. Luxurious fabrications, exciting color mixes, and easy-to-wear silhouettes are prevalent in their work, and each designer boasts a large following.

Some of the designers that are highlighted in this Fashion Focus 2006 overview are new, and some have been around for quite some time. Industry vets like Jermikko, Barbara Bates, Haj Gueye, and others have led the way for many of today’s young couturiers.

Fashion Focus Chicago 2006 is the perfect vehicle to showcase their artistry.

Here’s a quick look at some of their creations:

Tommy Walton — You might recognize Walton from his appearance on the Tommy Hilfiger reality show on television. Well-known in Chicago for opulent eveningwear, Walton, along with partner Roger Price, creates some of the most elegant gowns and evening wear seen on the red carpet scene.

Alice Berry — A member of Mayor Daley’s Fashion Advisory Council, Alice Berry is best known as the designer of innovative separates and scarves that work for a variety of figure types. Great mixes of colors and fabrications permeate the Alice Berry Studio collection. Berry has been in business for 20 years.

Tangee Harris Pritchett — Tangee’s handbags are small, distinctive, and bear such embellishments as lace, ruffles, beads, and other great details. Her latest line is filled with beautiful designs expressly suited for evening and special occasion wear.

Michelle Tan — If you’re looking for cutting-edge fashion, Michelle Tan is the designer for you. She recently opened a self-named boutique and the shop is definitely paying off — fashionistas clamor for her well-crafted black separates, coats, and dresses.

Reginald Thomas — This man definitely does not need an introduction. His free-flowing apparel is easily recognizable as a “Reginald” design. Lettuce-edged finishing is his trademark. Plus, his plus-size collection is hugely successful, bearing witness that big girls want to have fun, too.

Erika & Monika Simmons — The twins have proven to the masses that success can come in twos. Media darlings, the Simmons twins create sexy crocheted pieces that brave, real women with style look fabulous wearing.

Cyndi Chan — Chan’s apparel is architectural and feminine at the same time. Wonderful coats, dresses, and separates in rich fabrics dominate her collection.

Orlando Espinosa — His sleek jersey dresses make you wish for the good old days when you were thin; they’re that gorgeous. Classic silhouettes with body-skimming fit bring back a touch of Hollywood glamour.

Sujata Gazder — The first thing you admire about Gazder’s collection is the wonderful way she works fabrics. Her artistry combines the best in colors and textures that are appropriate for any skintone. Lush embellishments complete the picture.

Diego Rocha — Rocha creates beautiful handbags that are classic as well as modern. Unusual handles and materials set this line apart from the overdone, over-embellished handbags we see everywhere. These bags are stylish enough to be worn for years … they won’t go out of style.

Vatit Itthi — The name on the label represents two designers: Vatit Virashtanth and Itthi Metanee. Their combined talents reflect beautiful handwork, and great attention to delicate trims and detail — all at couture level.

Cheena Chandra — A grand master at creating beautiful pieces hand-crafted in precious gems accented by gold, Chandra is known for producing jewelry that is unique, colorful, and highly feminine.

James De Colon — Known as “the Chicago Valentino,” De Colon takes the color red to a new level. His sensuous designs are worn by celebrities, and other movers and shakers across the United States and Puerto Rico. This man is truly versatile — he also produces an excellent line of day and career wear.

For more information, visit www.fashionfocuschicago.com, or call 1-877-CHICAGO.

(Cover designers’ names provided by The Apparel Industry Board Inc. of Chicago.)