Jewelry Designer Tracey Mayer (picutred left) wins in Accessories Category The Jake Guys: Owners of hip boutique Jake, Jim Wetzel (pictured right) and Lance Lawson (left) have taken retail to a whole new fashionable level.

Left: Accessories Category Winner Price Walton Right: Elston and Estes Interiors presented by Oprah's Interior Designer Nate Berkus

Donald Lyons of Salvatore Ferragamo

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Fashion Group International Honors Chicago’s Top Design Trendsetters
By Danielle Vega

 On May 12th 2005, Fashion Group International of Chicago selected Chicago’s top innovators of 2005 at the fifth annual Style Makers & Rule Breakers event at the W Chicago. Those honored were chosen for their influence on fashion, beauty, design and retail in the city.

“Style Makers & Rule Breakers is the place to find the hottest leading talent Chicago has to offer. Chicago has continued to produce some of the fashion industry’s brightest stars, and Fashion Group International is proud to honor the city’s emerging visionaries as they follow the path to huge success,” said Peggy Lanigan, regional director of FGI.

The cutting-edge fashion and design event began with a cocktail reception at 6 pm, following an award presentation. Categories for the awards received included apparel, accessories, beauty and wellness, interiors and architecture, and retail. Trisha Tunstall of pg.45, Donald Lyons of Salvatore Ferragamo, Stacy Wallace of Chicago Magazine, Oprah’s interior designer Nate Berkus and Joesph Cartagena from the Genacelli Salon were among the well-known experts to announce the awards.

Double Stitch, Shane Gabier, and Vatit Itthi were honored in the apparel category. Twins Erika and Monika Simmons of Double Stitch have really taken their crocheted designs to the next level with their one-of-a-kind construction, limitless use of color, plush fabrications and silhouettes that flatter all body types. Shane Gabier is a modern designer that uses his talents to give direction to his students at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Vatit Viashpanth and Itthi Metanee of Vatit Itthi have been costume designers for more then a decade, gaining high profile clients such as the Bangkok Playhouse, Mazda, Nokia, Kawasaki, Fuji, Nissan and Christian Dior Thailand.

The three designers who received awards in the accessories category were Cheena Chandra, Tracey Mayer, and Price Walton. Alica Keys, Brandy, Hope Davis, Brooklyn Sudano and Saira Mohan love Cheena Chandra’s feminine jewelry designs melded with Indian cultural influences. Tracey Mayer is one of Factio’s favorite designers because her style is unpredictable as she constantly finds new ways to put a twist on Eastern traditions. Roger Price and William Thomas Walton are strong leaders in the Chicago community that have designed ensembles for Hollywood entertainers and musicians like Veruca Salt, The Kronos Quartet, Nora Dunn, Victoria Jackson and Cher.

Honorees for the beauty and wellness category included Michael & Michael, Ruby Room Boutique & Spa, and Lisa Trunda. Michael & Michael, owned by Michael Jacobson and Michael Crowley has been named a Chicago Beauty Best by several prestigious publications. Ruby Room is a Healing Sanctuary to many Chicago residents that are looking to relax. Lisa Trunda has worked as a makeup artist for several fashion spreads as well as the Oprah show.

Elston & Estes Interiors, Jeanne Gang and Martial were honored in the Interior & Architecture category. Melanie Elston and Hillery Estes of Elston and Estes Interiors form a sophisticated design team that pays close attention to detail while demonstrating both traditional and modern elements in their designs. Jeanne Gang, founder of Studio Gang, has received national and international awards for her creations. Martial is an avant-garde architect responsible for the design of OPA restaurants in suburbs of Chicago as well as the lounge for the Chicago Contemporary and Classic Art Show at the Navy Pier.

Chicago stores that received awards include Abode, Jake, and Psycho Baby. Abode, owned by Jason Ballew, brings contemporary, yet edgy furniture that was missing in Chicago’s marketplace. With the extensive retail and fashion backgrounds of owners Jim Wetzel and Lance Lawson, there is no questioning why Jake, a Lakeview denim boutique, has become a favorite among Chicago shoppers. Marlo Hoffman and Lisa Starbuck, founders of Psycho Baby, focus on individually and creativity when buying merchandise for their children’s store.

Fashion Group International is a global non-profit organization with 6000 members worldwide in the fashion industry including apparel, accessories, beauty and home. The main goals of FGI are to advance professionalism in the fashion industry, to provide important national and global information, such as trend forecasts to industry members and to recognize achievement within the industry.

Sponsors for the Style Makers & Rule Breaker event included Aveda, Chicago Magazine, W Chicago, Grey Goose Vodka, Ford Models and Rider Dickerson Printing.