Chicago Fashion Connect

During the second Fashion Focus headlining show at the Millennium Park, presented by Mario Tricoci and vitaminwater®, five designers each showed 10 designs from their collections.

The show opened with the performance of Chicago’s own singers-songwriters Brandon Marx and Lucas Marx. Brandon discovered his love for music at the very young age. Taking piano lessons at the age of 6 and learning to play guitar at the age of 12, he started writing his own songs at the age of 14. Lucas is currently recording his album that will be available in 2012.

Imaginary People founded by Tello Dunne and Olivia Shanks in 2009 aiming to make highly functional, versatile and elegant pieces. The line is build around a core collection of slinky jersey knits and comfy cotton blends that are carried out and added-to each season. At the InspireDesign fashion show Imaginary People presented their third collection Fall 2011

Michelle Tan has been making her name known since 2000, when she launched her first collection. Michelle designs can be found in her boutique as well in 60 stores across US and abroad.

Michelle’s collection presented at the InspireDesign show had that girly look with an edge. You can undeniably wear her clothes and feel like a lady while still looking like you mean business.

“Spring/summer 2012 collection inspired by speed, like motorcycle. It’s a little punky.”

– Michelle Tan

J.Cheikh founded in 2009 by husband and wife, the brand’s focus is to modernize the fundamentals of classic menswear. Cheikh Lam and Sophie Lin draw their inspiration from European silhouettes and American ease.

The collection presented during Fashion Focus of casual to business casual pants and jackets brought the words “Arabian adventure” to mind, but with a modern twist. Here is what one of the creators of the line told us about their inspiration:

“The SS12 Collection was inspired by the Dakar Rally. It celebrates the multi cultural influences of the journey and takes elements from Senegal, Morocco, Spain and France. It is the interconnection of style.”

-– Sophie Lin, Creative Director at J. Cheikh

Narcisse exploits the inner ego blurring the lines of fantasy and reality. Creating unique couture for those who want to make a matchless impression. Always pushing the envelope with avant garde fabrics and nontraditional materials.

“What is our ideal client? “Ego plays a big role – hence the name Narcisse”. Narcisse customers are fashion forward individuals who want to create a matchless impression. Stong, sexy and confident women “Our pieces are not products, but investments, like art. If you buy a dress from Narcisse, you can wear it for years, since each piece is custom made staying true to the “art” of couture not the trends of this year’s fashions.

The result is a small but highly sought-after clothing line that is both sophisticated and cutting edge, showing up in the closets of celebs, starlets, fashionistas and socialites.”

— Veronika Kotlajic, Narcisse Designs

The 2011 collection was seductive and provocative using black, green and burgundy fabrics with metallic shine and with feather accents. Few dresses made out of see-through draped fabric. The collection was accompanying by very unusual accessory pieces, the most notable would be the daggers strapped to the model’s thighs. Veronika shared with us where the inspiration came from:

“The collection was inspired by the seductive dangerous femme fatale. The femme fatale is an archetype of literature and art, which has existed in nearly all cultures through history. The inspiration for our interpretation of femme fatales through history stems from the Sirens of Greek mythology which was half woman/half birds to the 1940’s archetype of the femme fatale in film noir such as Veronica Lake, Rita Hayworth Ava Gardner to the modern day femme fatales in movies and art such as the animated secret agent Aeon Flux.”

— Veronika Kotlajic, Narcisse Designs

The last designer at the InspireDesign fashion show was Reddoll by Tatyana Merenyuk who grew up in Kiev, Ukraine loves to make flattering, playful, elegant creations that are easy to wear.

Photography during the Fashion Focus headlining fashion show was done by Julian Favela. Visit his website at Favela Studios.

Imaginary People

Michelle Tan

J. Cheikh

Narcisse

Reddoll