Seamlessly taking style from the sidewalks straight to the runway, the Chicago Fashion Foundation proudly presents the 5th annual Future of Chicago event, titled “Street Style: Chicago Fashion through Chicago Communities.”
On Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 from 6 – 9 p.m., guests are invited to the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington Street) for an evening of cocktails, music, fashion, and scholarship hosted by Corri McFadden, owner of eDrop-Off and star of VH1’s new reality show, “House of Consignment.”
Maintaining its tradition of providing scholarship through style, the Chicago Fashion Foundation will showcase the work of ten local fashion students, who will present a full ensemble representative of the signature street style of a local Chicago neighborhood, for the chance to win academic funding. Judging the looks will be Candace Jordan (Chicago Tribune columnist), Peach Carr (“Project Runway” contestant), Andrea Schwartz (Vice President of Media Relations at Macy’s), Jon Cotay (owner of Akira), and Catie Keogh (host of “24/Chicago”).
Starting at 6 p.m., mix and mingle with Chicago’s chicest set inside of Preston Bradley Hall (located on the third floor of the Cultural Center), while enjoying delicious bites and complimentary specialty cocktails from Tito’s vodka. After the reception, grab a seat as the runway will light up at 7 p.m. to begin the show. Witness the student street style looks inspired by neighborhoods, such as: Rogers Park, Chinatown, Andersonville, and the Ukrainian Village (to name a few). Immediately following the show, former finalists Vanessa Lambert and LaTonya Williams will preview recent looks, and Peach Carr will debut her newest collection. Kalina Fernandez, Director of Global Artistry at Too Faced Cosmetics, will be showing off the skills that gained her the reputation as one of the industry’s most sought after makeup artists by creating all of the beauty looks for the evening.
At 8 p.m., the judges will deliberate, and the student winners of the show will be announced. The first place recipient will receive a $5,000 design scholarship and earn the title of “Future of Chicago Fashion 2012 Winner”; the second place holder will take home $1,000; and the third place contestant will be awarded $500. This year’s student contestants include Kara Fenoglietto, Elaine Hoang, Tosha Sherman, Michelle Castellano, Kendel Kennedy, and Crystale Crubaugh, who are all enrolled in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Illinois Institute of Art students Elizabeth Leukuma, Raven Norman, and Stacie Randall, as well as Elena Bobysheva of Columbia College, round out the competition.
Following the announcement, guests are encouraged to stay and celebrate with music by DJ Justin Dahl, cocktails, and cupcakes from Guilty Pleasurez, as well as bid on silent auction items. Sponsored by Michigan Avenue Magazine, the evening is set to bring street credibility to the local style scene… without skipping a stitch.
Tickets for “Street Style: Chicago Fashion through Chicago Communities” can be purchased at the door or online at www.chicagofashionfoundation.org; prices are as follows: $25 for a student ticket (with a student ID), $35 for a general ticket, and $55 for a premium ticket, which includes a VIP gift bag (while supplies last).
