Lineup Unveiled for Chicago's Fashion Focus

Nolen James

While the eyes of the fashion world are focused on New York this week, Chicago has quietly unveiled plans for its own ode to the stylish set.

Fashion Focus Chicago returns for its sixth year on October 18-24, and features some of the city's top designers and boutiques.

Despite some uncertainty over the event due to the resignation of the city's fashion czar, Melissa Gamble, and the demise of GenArt, who produced last year's closing runway finale, Fashion Focus is back with the usual three headlining shows.

• October 19: Macy's and CS Magazine present the Chicago Fashion Incubator Designers Past & Present runway show. The show features Spring 2011 collections from 14 designers.
• October 21: "Dress Code" features the top students from Chicago's fashion design schools -- Columbia College, The Illinois Institute of Art, The International Academy of Design & Technology and the School of the Art Institute.
• October 22: StyleChicago.com presents the runway finale, "The Art of Fashion 2010" featuring contemporary to couture Spring 2011 collections of accomplished Chicago designers Elda de la Rosa, Lara Miller, Paul Sisti and more.

Additional events include a reception for the city's fashion photographers, Chicago designer Borris Powell's "Life of Two Fairies" runway show that he debuted at New York Fashion Week, and a variety of shopping events showcasing local designers.

Some of the events are free, but tickets are needed to attend the bigger shows. Log on to ChicagoFashionResource.com for the full lineup of events and for ticket information.

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/around-town/fashion/Lineup-Unveiled-for-Chicagos-Fashion-Focus-102905919.html#ixzz0zUSOHsTJ