Fashion Focus Chicago

By Damian McKnight / FashionSchools.com Editor

While the fashion world's eyes were on the "Big Apple" in September for New York Fashion Week, the focus moves to the "Windy City" in October for "Fashion Focus Chicago."

Fashion Focus is a celebration of Chicago's thriving fashion industry, returns for a sixth year in 2010. From Monday, October 18 through Sunday, October 24, Fashion Focus Chicago 2010 showcases some of the city's top designers and upcoming design talent. Enjoy runway shows, industry seminars and exclusive shopping events in Millennium Park and venues throughout the city.

Fashion Focus 2010 is back with four headlining runway 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.
• Oct. 20: smartwater and Chicago Magazine present Mario, Make Me a Model and Wave of Fashion. Five model finalists will walk the runway with professional Ford models wearing pieces from Chicago designers. Mario Tricoci will announce the winner in the grand finale of this ongoing contest.
• 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.

“Fashion in Chicago is evolving and it is exciting to see a wide range of businesses involved with the industry—from a national department store along with a local nonprofit, major beauty brand, the four fashion design schools, and an on-line media outlet—more invested and involved in the City’s efforts to support the local designers and independent boutiques in Chicago,” stated Mayor Richard M. Daley.

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.