(cough… me.)

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Last night, Chicago’s own Christina Fan premiered a sample of her Fall 2010 collection in the posh West Loop Dubhe Carreno Gallery for GenArt members, fashion insiders and media. C/FAN, which was also featured in last years Fresh Faces fashion show, presented an unusual assortment of vests, dresses, shorts, and skirts that have a work-to-play versatility that can fit any lifestyle. The models glowed on the tiny viewing space/runway (adorned with an art installation (Le Cirque de L’Armée Rouge) featuring scary brown babies) while the garments swayed effortlessly on their figures. The lightweight fabrics looked comfortable even as the quality was rich and luxurious. Fan’s pallet was simple, focusing on grays and blacks with an occasional pink to spice up the party. The aesthetic was rocking, and the tone was unapologetic—the right combination for a new decade in woman’s wear.

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DRESS CODE 2009
Friday, Oct. 23
Millennium Park, Chicago

F Newsmagazine and NDH attend Fashion Focus Chicago to see Dress Code 2009. The runway debut of top students from Chicago’s fashion design schools: The School of the Art Institute Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, The Illinois Institute of Art–Chicago and The International Academy of Design & Technology Chicago.

Interviews/Concept by Quintin Roper
Camera/Edit by Casilda Sánchez

Friday night got a little warmer as Horacio Nieto debuted his spring 2010 collection of men’s and womenswear at EnVent. The runway layout placed a linear rectangle in the middle of the room for the models to navigate through and a massive dynamic screen projection turned the cozy wooden palace into a fierce theatrical event. With the right combination of music, atmosphere, and positive energy, Nieto successfully executed a charming experience that left the public wanting more.

The show benefited from the inclusion of menswear, not necessarily one of Chicago’s strong points. The garments presented in the show’s first half were cute-meets-edgy and well-tailored. Aside from a glitchy tan boxer brief that practically exposed a little bit too much of one model, the collection of men’s clothing was a hit. Skinny-fit shorts were paired with electro-glossy trench jackets, and lean cut sports coats layered over V-necks in an array of inspirational colors that included purple, navy, aqua, and even pink. It was the reinvention of prep and a re-imagination of cool. The array of prints and textures—which is rarely seen in menswear—was epic. Nieto was able to create looks that were signature but, more importantly, possessed the craftsmanship and structure that many menswear designers never achieve. Finally, a Chicago prospect has something to offer Midwestern men that is boutique quality and damn sexy.

The second half of the show presented Nieto’s womenswear which took the night to another level. Models angrily strutted down the runway in gorgeous fantasy pieces that had just about every women in the facility mesmerized. The prints were urban, ethnic, and hip. From exaggerated royal sleeves to fairy-like neck lines, nothing seemed impossible. He gave new life to the ideas of the evening dress, bridesmaid attire, and work wear. Clever pleating combined with youthful prints and an amusing pallet of color made this Nieto line stand out. Its beauty pushes boundaries and flaunts the female form as a divine structure. Haracio Nieto understands a woman’s desire to be desired.

For more information on this designer please visit the TimeOut Chicago Website.

It was a night full of surprises at this year’s Fresh Faces fashion show presented by Gent Art. The event, which showcases Up-and-coming Chicago designers, served as the grand finale for the city’s Fashion Week. There were glorious highs and a few lows that made for an interesting affair.

Starting off the show was C/FAN, a pop inspired brand led by Christina Fan (who’s also modeled for TOC). Her collection featured a lively play with silk ensembles varying in skirts, dresses, blouses and vests. Her aesthetic was impressive, considering the difficulty in manipulating this particular fabric, and the cuts and shapes of the garments were unusual. Mostly monochromatic melodies, they possessed a flowy yet fitted quality that represented stylish leisure.

Kristin Hassan brightened things up with a delicious spectacle of shimmering fun. Cupcakes, candy, and confection took the shape of dresses and girly shorts with trimmed tops, reminiscent of frosting, and accenting hats that added a little more spice to the party. Kristen Hassan proved itself to be a label that represents sweet flirtation and audacious spunk.

The fashion show did hit a speed bump midway when the stylings of DORSIA took over the runway. The menswear line got off to an awkward start when an over-confident model took a considerable amount of time to pose for the cameras, strut for the audience, and look for his reflection in the universe. It recieved some snickering but the circus continued as another model charged forward to the end of the runway and seductively threw out a polaroid photo into the audience. I guess he thought it was cool?

As for the actual clothing, it’s nothing new. Any attempt at innovation was masked by ego which was disheartening considering the low number of Chicago’s menswear designers.

Saving the evening was JLee Silver who completely changed the room’s atmosphere. The models had incredible swagger to match the alluring pieces they were wearing. The fresh collection used a beach inspired color theme that literally had members in the audience gasping at its beauty. Garments included beautifully draped summer gowns, tribal printed skirts, and bitchin’ accessories that added luxury and a new level of sophistication. JLee Silver may be a new line but it demonstrates years of skill, knowledge, and more importantly, imagination to pull off a sexy introduction to the brand.

Adding a touch of urban galore to the runway, Imaginary People presented beautifully crafted wear that definitely requires a confident woman to pull it off. Some of their notable pieces included a series of high-waisted opaque leggings with wild black and white print and a gorgeous short black skirt that seemed to glide angelically as it cleverly concealed the model’s rear. What is most unique about Imaginary People is the amount of risk the designers took in pairing items in the show. Various prints and colors kept the audience on their toes and at the conclusion of their presentation, two models walking side by side in butterfly halter dresses merited applause and cheers.

Concluding the show was Red Doll by Tatyana. The dresses were elegant and had a playful quality that was both youthful and mature. They told the story of a Romantic child-like fantasy that morphs into the tale of a diva’s reality. A jaw dropping moment came when a bright red gown appeared on the stage. The long dress, which had two big red flowers on the shoulders and a black satin belt, was only to be outdone by the finale of the show which was an equally long black dress with cutouts on each side to expose the back and abdomen. The two dresses were epic and perhaps the most enlightening of the night.

View the mentioned fashions at TimeOut

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The Panel:

QXR Art Journalist

Nicole Briggs Shrink Boutique

Courtney Williams Public Relations

Leave comments below if you have the urge :)

We are back and ready to fight another war as Nobody Dances Here enters its third season of 90 minute radio banter. Airing live every Saturday, join Quintin Roper and Neha Khanna (now the regular co-host!) for topics including art, entertainment, dating, celebrity culture, fashion, self improvement, and of course…. CHICAGO!!!!

Mathew Santos, famous for his collaborations with Lupe Fiasco, is giving us the scoop on what it’s like to fly solo in the music industry. After being nominated for a Grammy with several live performances under his belt, Santos is aiming higher with an upcoming album that is unlike anything you have heard before!

And Chicago’s own celebrity fashionista, Nicole Briggs of Shrink Boutique, stops by to tell us about Chicago fashion and the journey we all must take to look good, be individuals, and NOT overdo style. Hair, accessories, shoes, and even attitude are discussed as Nicole gives us the rundown on the do’s and don’ts of Fall 2009.

Be sure to comment below, we love community feedback and if you haven’t done it already subscribe to the iTunes podcast now by clicking here!

For more information on DJ Hish and his music, check out the following links!
Twitter
MySpace Music

You can also download tracks from Last.FM!

PR courtesy of Courtney L. Williams
MBA – Clarke College

Oh, and Britney is coming back to Chicago September 9th! I still love that hoe…

Beauty calms me down.  I have a board of inspiration in my office here and another board with photographs from the 1930s and 40s.  I like to keep pictures of artwork, dancers, and things that I find intriguing.  One of my favorite pictures is this Olympic athlete suspended in the air.

Pinto graduated from SAIC in 1990 and has been sending shock-waves through the country with her impeccable clothing, which has graced the bodies of women of all varieties—but most notably, Michelle Obama. Pinto’s work has become famous for her ingenious use of texture treatments, experimentation with color and her undeniably keen eye for luxury. Women who wear Pinto’s unleash the goddess within, in part thanks to the effect her genius for fabric–who could help but feel divine in her beautifully crafted clothes?

Pinto recently donated a sheer pink dress from her archives to SAIC’s Fashion Resource Center. I saw it and immediately needed to be next it. Her talent is an enigma; her creations are perfect in their balance of pure art and wearability. It is approachable high fashion, which makes the Maria Pinto brand successful. Typically, big shiny things, odd shapes and non-traditional patterns intimidate Americans. But not even the dullest Judd could deny the gorgeous complexity of a Maria Pinto garment.

Because of her genius and her recent accomplishments, Pinto was honored as this year’s SAIC Legend of Fashion Award recipient. This followed the launch of her Spring 2009 collection, which is sexy, feisty, and unlike anything you have seen before. The shapes alone are enough to make your jaw drop.

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While interviewing Maria, I noticed that she is not only one of the most inspiring figures in Chicago but she is also genuinely nice, charismatic and still retains the street smarts of a strong woman in a cold city. A business woman, an innovator, an artist, a revolutionary in Chicago fashion, Maria Pinto is a trailblazer whose fashions everyone should 
indulge in.

QXR: What was your first big break?

MP: During the early ‘80s and ‘90s, Joan Weinstein 
included some of my pieces in her boutique, which was a very big deal at the time. If she bought your collection, it was a testimony. It opened up many, many doors for me. After that I started selling at Barney’s, Sacks Fifth and Neimans.

QXR: What is your day like?

MP: It is so crazy. And I try to schedule in time for myself regularly. I love what I do. I want to get in the office and work. In the morning I try to have time for myself and I go to the gym to do yoga. And I have to designate design time within my work day. Some designers will design at home or after work. I put it into my work day so that I can use my free time to recover and relax.

QXR: Everybody seems to agree that Michelle Obama is gorgeous, but why? What exactly is it that makes Michelle Obama gorgeous?

MP: Well, with any woman, it is self-confidence and that comes through in anything. It’s about movement and physical expression. It doesn’t matter if you spend 200 dollars on a pair of jeans. It’s about how comfortable you are with yourself. There was an article a while back that asked one of my clients why she enjoyed wearing my clothing, and she said “Maria’s clothing makes me a better version of myself.” But she was already a fabulous person to start with, and my clothing just helped to bring that out. Beauty first comes through you. That’s why it’s good to be in good health. What’s most important is that you still have that foundation. Knowing yourself and knowing who you are. And what you have to remember is to find that beautiful part of you.

QXR: Could you offer any words of wisdom to college students who aspire to be like you in a few years?

MP: Be patient. And be committed to your studies. A lot of the time we think, “Ah, I just want to get through this!” But it’s not much different when you get out of school. School is the one time where you get to experiment. And when you do finish you have to think twice about what you are doing. You should use this time in school to embrace the opportunities. The reason I am so grateful about my experience at SAIC is that it taught me to work as an artist first.

This interview was featured in the May issue of F News Magazine. For more information about Maria Pinto and her clothing click here.