Fashion Entrepreneur Report – Delivering the business of fashion from Nolcha: Fashion Busi

Independent Retail Week Chicago is a Huge Success

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 0 comments

After a week of shopping events though out the city, Chicago retailers report Independent Retail Week is a huge success.

From the kick-off at the Chicago Cultural Center on Monday Oct 19th, consumers flocked to grab guides and goodie bags which sent them on a shopping tour of the city.

With 80 Participating Boutiques and 19 Exclusive events there was a lot to do in neighborhoods all over the city.

"As apart of both Nolcha's Independent Retail Week and Chicago’s Fashion Focus, AKIRA looked at this opportunity as the time to shine as Chicago's local boutique. With the City of Chicago's efforts to boost local commerce for upcoming designers, Nolcha created a parallel opportunity for boutiques seeking the same awareness, making a statement for Chicago fashion. The tremendous support of these agencies led to an exciting event with a fresh take on a pop-up store and made an impactful buzz among consumers". Said Maggie Morgan, VP of Marketing, Akira Chicago.

Aveda, one of Independent Retail Week’s National Sponsors threw an event which in only two hours garnered close to $1,000 for their Breast Cancer awareness charity and more than $2,200 in sales. Prettycity.com had over 450 women come through the door at their event where Independent Designer Anastasia Chatzka was the winner of the Nolcha Designer booth and got to show her collection to a new demographic of women.

“It was interesting to interact directly with the consumer as they sampled our product and gave immediate feedback. Working with Nolcha allowed us to place our brand in the hands of a captive demographic we do not always have the ability to meet. We look forward to the future of Independent Retail Week. – David Rybacki, President, Jomada Imports

The boutiques all reported positive sales, from people coming in specifically to shop at stores on the guide, to return clients who with a spark of interest from the weeks events, came in to shop their favorite boutiques and take advantage of the much needed sales.

“We had a busy day with lots of people popping in the store. A few came just for the show but most of the traffic seemed to just be out on the street” boasted Tamara Chaponot of Clever Alice who hosted an amazing trunk show by Veronica Riley Martens where she not only unveiled a new collection, but re-worked customer’s old jewelry as well.

With driving the economy in a positive direction for fashion businesses as one of Nolcha’s main goals, the Chicago market where community and camaraderie is so important, really only echoed the entire sentiment of the Independent Retail Week as a whole.

“The launch of Independent Retail Week in Chicago was truly amazing. The events were well planned and generated a lot of excitement for the individual retailers and the timing was perfect as it coincided with Fashion Week. Where Chicago looks forward to a larger partnership next year.” stated Patti Ruesch - Regional Vice President, Where Magazine.

Now on to New York…

fashion business, fashion entrepreneur, independent fashion designer, independent retail, independent retail week, nolcha | |

Fashion Focus Chicago: Horatio Nieto

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Sunday, October 25, 2009 0 comments

Tones of Lilac, grey and powder blue made up the stand-out pieces in the opening segment of Horatio Nieto’s menswear for Spring 2010.

Lots of tech happy jackets and blazers with beyond the knee bermudas. It was an homage to the guy on the go (including the blade sunglasses to complete his trend).

For the women, it was all about a night on the town. Very understated cocktail dresses each with a different motif (some sheaths, some empire-waisted swing dresses, some one-shoulders) came one after the other down the runway, closing with a mermaid gown fit for Old Hollywood royalty.

It is clear that Nieto’s man and women are going to two different places… will they ever meet in the middle? One will never know.
-Lynn Furge

Photos by Bryna Faye Shields for Nolcha.com

fashion designer, fashion season, fashion show, fashion trends, Fashion week coverage | |

Fashion Focus Chicago: Gen Art Chicago Fresh Faces in Fashion

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Sunday, October 25, 2009 0 comments

For the 7th Annual Fresh Faces in Fashion and Chicago Fashion Focus’ grand finale, six clothing designers and three accessory designers took to the tents to be discovered like many who came before them (Zac Posen and Rebecca Taylor to name a few).

C/Fan

Big pockets, racing stripe leggings. Pretty Silky Basics in mauve, peach and grey. The bloomer shorts were cute and a nice take on the 1940’s type of short short we saw all over the runways in September. The Harem Pant with a sheer overlay was a bit disappointing as that trend has already gone, come and gone again, but the necklaces which one by one spelled out “ARE YOU A FAN” averted the eyes up anyway, presenting an overall simple but cohesive collection.

Kristin Hassan
Kristin Hassan Gen Art Fresh Faces

With an elevated runway, the designer has to be careful of hemlines and the opening segment for Kristin Hassan was definitely too short… but Hassan made up for it with her cute bow necklines and a femmy collection which seemed to be a modern take on the 80’s Material Girl. We loved the bright fuchsia and metallic combos. So cute!

Dorsia
Dorsia’s designer Andrei Savtchenko took us on a trip to Lake Placid. The palettes were rich in olive, navy and classic chambray blue. Like a weekend away there was an equal mix of torn denim, wellies, plaid and buttery “putter vegan leather” motorcycle jackets. Don’t get me wrong, this collection wasn’t just for the cabin. There were plenty of perfectly tailored blazers, traditional button downs and that classic cardigan done in, well… lake front blue. Think East Coast preppy mixed with Abercrombie for grown-ups. What real men should wear!

JLee Silver
Lenna Lee Fowler and Melanie Manego make up the duo that turned out a collection that was supposed to be inspired by the Hamptons. Their column dresses were their strongest pieces. Flattering, languid, and breezy like the lazy days of summer. The rest did not match the tie-dyed scarf bohemian moment they started at the beginning. The separates were cute, but nothing memorable.

Imaginary People
Imaginary People Gen Art Fresh Faces

Imaginary People Gen Art Fresh Faces 2009

Opening with a swing dress seemed safe, but then the model turned and revealed a stunning “Y” back which set the tone for a show from designers Telo Dunne and Olivia Shanks, stocked full of gorgeous modern “downtown” girls. Hip draping done in easy jersey…cool graphic python printed leggings, lots of black and white. The slouch vests (made of bamboo to give the collection a sustainable edge) were a stand-out and it would be easy to name at least 20 starlets who would want them on their backs immediately. The last two dresses in the end broke up the entire feeling of the show and were completely unnecessary, but all in all, a great show.

Red Doll by Tatyana

Known for her ruffles, pleats and different fabric combinations Tatyana designed Red Doll to be playful but still wearable. The opening gown of white tulle and brocade metallic accents was a fairy princess dream. The ice blue gathered dress looked like a million ruffles and was oh so current to Spring 2010 trend, and the red flowing rose gown was a show stopper. Tatyana understands a woman’s waistline (evident even in her military coat). Look out “B” someone’s about to take over your closet… xoxo.
-Lynn Furge

All Photos by Alissa Lane for Nolcha.com

fashion designer, fashion season, fashion show, fashion trends, Fashion week coverage | |

Fashion Focus Chicago: Dress Code

Posted by fashionentrepreneurreport On Saturday, October 24, 2009 0 comments

Katherine Swanson Illinois Institute of Art

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
Alexis Aprati Columbia College Chicago

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
Anna Brown Columbia College of Chicago

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
Kaely Garcia Columbia College Chicago

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
Maureen Sullivan Columbia College Chicago

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
Bas Talaga Columbia College Chicago

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
Bese Guzeldere Illinois Institute of Art

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
Amber Johnson Illinois Institute of Art

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
Angie Ortega Illinois Institute of Art

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
Kelsey Heininger Illinois Instute of Art

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
Katherine Swanson Illinois Institute of Art

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
Olivia Kim School of the Art Institute

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
Genevieve Clifford School of the Art Institute

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
Jessica Mikesell School of the Art Institute

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
Tina Park School of the Art Institute

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
Kelly Kroener School of the Art Institute

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
Philip Gueorguiev IADT Chicago

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
Meranda McNeill IADT Chicago

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
Rebecca Diaz IADT Chicago

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
Jemelyn Smith IADT Chicago

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
Fraley Le IADT Chicago