The four fashion schools of the City of Chicago came together in one tent tonight to showcase the best new student designs. Columbia College Chicago, Illinois Institute of Art, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and International Academy of Design and Technology Chicago all quartered off a section in the 10,000 square foot tent cheering on their peers as each look down the runway and if the start of the presentation (Columbia College respectifully) was any indication of what was to come, it has to be said the students are giving the professionals a run for their money.
Alexis Aprati
A braided corset paired with a plaited skirt of waving petals opened the show. The skirt was a little “Leann from Project Runway” but we rapidly forgot about that when textured knitwear all with that same swirl pattern entered the runway. The cream pants were fit so perfectly one ponders whether Aprati literally knit them right on the model.
Anna Brown
The popular “side pouf” seen on many runways for Spring 2010 appeared here with Brown’s Origami-esque shapes. The dresses were cotton and executed well. The pop of orange at the end was a welcome twist to the pale blue the opened her collection
Kaely Garcia
Gorgeous Maxi Scarf, cool slouchy pants that drooped the bottom instead of that harem pant trend we saw last spring. The swing vest opened the collection for a larger demographic and the swing coat secured the fact that Garcia will be easily saleable upon graduation.
Maureen Sullivan
A collage of brights and texture. London street style at its best. The motorcycle jacket that spawned into woven knits was the clear stand-out.
Bas’ Talaga
Metallic accents that were sculpted into corsets and breastplates. A beautiful fan detail appeared with each piece. Think warrior/flower mix done in a modern way.
Metallic accents that were sculpted into corsets and breastplates. A beautiful fan detail appeared with each piece. Think warrior/flower mix done in a modern way.Bese Guzeldere
Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles, but the rust/black and grey color palette toned down what could have been too frilly and girly of a collection as did the asymmetrical balance of the placement. A truly lovely collection.
Ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles, but the rust/black and grey color palette toned down what could have been too frilly and girly of a collection as did the asymmetrical balance of the placement. A truly lovely collection.Amber Johnson
Plaited tweed in almost an homage to a modern gladiator, Johnson turned out a collection that was heavy on texture in a good way. The first two pieces dazzled but the last one fell a bit short. More with the tweed squares would have been just right.
Plaited tweed in almost an homage to a modern gladiator, Johnson turned out a collection that was heavy on texture in a good way. The first two pieces dazzled but the last one fell a bit short. More with the tweed squares would have been just right.Angie Ortega
Exaggerated balloon skirts, upside down tiered skirts, brocade and jacquard this collection red like a 1950’s inspired fall lady. It didn’t hurt that Ortega had Bailey of Elite to walk her most-stunning piece down the runway to clinch the aesthetic.
Exaggerated balloon skirts, upside down tiered skirts, brocade and jacquard this collection red like a 1950’s inspired fall lady. It didn’t hurt that Ortega had Bailey of Elite to walk her most-stunning piece down the runway to clinch the aesthetic.Kelsey Heiniger
Urban preppy with plaid hoodie shrugs and zipper pants. Denim mixed with cotton shirting and a Member’s Only style jacket with the sleeves cut off completed a menswear inspired collection.
Katherine Swanson
Denim corset with belts stitched all around to resemble straps, leather windowpane Goth gowns and the finale of a dramatic evening ball gown fashioned from t-shirts and tulle complete with red train and west coast chopper logos. This is a Goth girl’s dream come true.
Olivia Kim
The first student to unveil menswear, Kim’s collection was conceptual but lovely. It seemed to represent road-warrior meets athlete with new takes on the fanny pack (double on hip shown here) and the sweatpant (long-john knit hybrid). Each knit piece was buttery soft.
Genevieve Clifford
Draped green and brown tones of the earth, but don’t think “hippie chic” this collection had bursts of illuminated grass green with quirky digital printing . The models with green bobbed wigs looked like little forest nymphs. The ivory piece with petal shrug read like a pixie or fairy which ended the collection magically.
Jessica Mikesell
Knitwear, where the second dress, a take on the collegiate lettermen’s jacket complete with red and white piping and tiered ruffle skirt stole the show. The pants also had that football inspired American athleticism that seems to be a growing trend for Spring 2010.
Tina Park
Collage capri’s razor slit pants and asymmetrical lay-out to the entire collection. The camel coat was gorgeous and reminiscent of a young Yohji Yamamoto as was the maxi coat. The true treat however was in the little details of the button placket which was also skewed asymmetrically to hit the bust perfectly.
Kelly Kroener
Fully covered, like an art instillation version of a Burka, the pieces were a shocking change to the actual… well clothes. Looking beyond the lack of face like one would at a Maison Martin Margiella show, the fabrics were printed with cool water spotting details and slightly amphibious patterns in a pastel palette.
Philip Gueorguiev
Pretty grayscale palette with sculptural lines, the horizontal block dress was obvious, but the pieces where the gradations actually stood beyond the dress were amazing.
Meranda McNeill
A bit Westwood or Scottish flirt, the palette of red, black, emerald and royal purple was perfect assuming this collection was supposed to be for Fall 2009 and the grouping of ruffles are great for holiday.
Rebecca Diaz
Asymmetrical antique gold and navy the metallic accents were minimal in terms of the finish, but still made the basic silhouette pop. The sweeping sash shape was lovely.
Jemelyn Smith
Banana peel dresses where the details peeled at the waist… the entire collection was a little court jester. Sure, it was tailored well, but chances are slim that a woman would want to wear something peeling off of her middle.
Fraley Le
Basket-woven fabrics to create an aquatic scenario. Like a real life mermaid, the gowns were feminine, whimsical and red carpet ready.
-Lynn Furge
All Photos by Alissa Lane for Nolcha.com
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