Shanel Regier

pictures by Factio Media

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The Pearls of Millennium Park

Set in Millennium Park’s North Chase Promenade, Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion 2006 provided an up-close peek at some of the Midwest’s freshest talent. The evening kicked off Fashion Focus’s string of shows in cutting edge style: the show featured the work of nine up-and-coming designers, and many audience members enjoyed their first look at the work of Shanel Regier, Marlena Maree, Sujata Gazder, Joynoëlle, Daniella Siahou and Vatit Itthi.

Four years old and counting, the Fresh Faces fashion show was the propelling force behind the careers of some mighty haute designers--to wit: Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor and Milly debuted their couture creations on the Fresh runway. One of our favorite events of the year, Fresh Faces always makes Factio feel on the pulse of rising fashion, and we await the opportunity to say “we knew them when” as these designers splash onto the pages of Vogue.

As the stylish evening began, guests congregated at an open bar to toast with top-shelf libations: Beck’s, Ciroc, Johnny Walker and Red Diamond Wines kept front-row fashionistas in festive spirits. The cocktail reception featured an exhibition of goods by local accessorizing kings and queens: Factio found new obsessions with Elizabeth Brady shoes, obi sashes by Vanessa Pena Obi, ribbon-laced sandals by Mohop and vintage-inspired fripperies by student designer Kit LaCroix.

As the lights dimmed in the towering, two-story tent, Factio took our seats before the 60-ft runway and prepared for the onslaught of dynamic duds. The show began with a speech by Kelly Ryan O’Brien, director of Gen Art, who announced that one of the audience members would win a blackberry pearl. Amongst our favorite pieces to saunter down the runway: a green, satin dress by Shanel Regier, long sweaters in a pearlized cotton blend by Marlena Maree, gold lace dresses by Sujata Gazder, a boldly colorful coat by Joynoëlle, silky gold tops by Danielle Siahou and handmade gowns by Vatit Itthi. "It was thrilling to see Chicago designers so well-represented.  I especially enjoyed the Vatit Itthi collection……very elegant and chic.  Sujata Gazder gave us very feminine, sophisticated pieces.  Just another reason to look forward to Spring ’07 in Chicago!" said Kathy Hart from the Eric & Kathy morning show on The Mix.

In the front row, some of Chicago’s most influential buyers and tastemakers analytically ogled the designs: we spotted Jim and Lance of Jake, Stacey Jones of Chicago Magazine and Nena Ivon of Saks Fifth Avenue.

After the show, guests headed to the Gold Coast’s James Hotel for a hoppin’ after party. Factio continued to have fun with Ciroc and busted out our best moves on the dance floor as old-school party songs (think Salt n’ Peppa) kept us up past midnight.
- J.B.