The Art of Fashion

October 25, 2013 in I On Luxury Lifestyle

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The Art of Fashion featured ten Chicago-based designers showcasing ten looks each from their 2014 Spring Collections. Over 1,000 people attended the sold-out show which began with a VIP reception.

Designer Hector-Javier Monarrez for Hector-Javier Monarrez

Designer Borris Powell for Borris Powell

Deaigner Shalini Sharma (on right) for Shalini

Jonathan Smith, founder, and owner of Stylechicago.com was the evening’s emcee. He welcomed guests, sponsors, and the ten designers, finishing with a congratulatory shout-out to Maria Pinto, one of the designers, who successfully raised over $250,000 through Kickstarter to launch her new label, M2057. Then it was showtime: The lights dimmed, music filled the tent and under the expert direction of Tracey Tarantino, founder of Zzazz Productions, the stage came to life with models wearing the newest looks for Spring 2014.

In addition to Maria Pinto, other presenting designers included the following: Calvin Tran, Eva Pazola, Boris Powell , Lily & Migs, Michelle Tan, Hector-Javier MonArrez, Mark Roscoe, Shernett Swaby, and Shalini Sharma.

Jennifer Barrons, Designer (on left) for Lily & Migs

Designer Shernett Swaby (on right) for Swaby

Designer Michelle Tan (on left) for Michelle Tan

Designer Mark Roscoe for Mark Roscoe Design

Johnathan Smith, Founder & CEO of StyleChicago

Designers, in Friday’s runway, show The Art of Fashion, attended and also participated in other fashion events during the week. The week leading up to Chicago Fashion Week, Mark Roscoe served as a judge for Next Generation Fashion Design Challenge, a juried competition for young, next-generation fashion design students. On Tuesday, October 15, Maria Pinto and Shernett Swaby were featured designers in the official kick-off celebration for Fashion Focus week – Inspiration: Designer + Muse. The event, held at Untitled, was hosted by the City of Chicago and Michigan Avenue magazine the official media sponsor forThe Art of Fashion.

The Art of Fashion: Chicago’s Fashion Week is presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events (DCASE) and programmed with the assistance of the Mayor’s Fashion Council. Very special thanks to Ann Hickey, Director of Program Development, Cultural Affairs and Special Events-Events Programming and Jonathan Smith, founder/owner of StyleChicago.com.

Photography Credit: Ernest Collins

About Margaret O'Connor

Margaret J. O’Connor is the founder/owner of MarCon Communications, a public relations and special events firm which handles the publicity and event needs for a diverse range of clients. She’s involved with numerous charities in Chicago and is active in its lifestyle and social scene. She grew up and was educated in Africa, Australia and America and holds degrees in marketing and finance from the University of Illinois. She is a contributing writer to many print and digital publications and her focus is lifestyle, culinary and nonprofit events. Read more from this author.