by Rachel Yeomans

Photos by: Abigal Harenberg

5p1t

Chicago has been faced with a profound conundrum. The Marshall Field flagship store on State Street was officially taken over in September 2006, and is now known as Macy’s on State Street. Chicago is a stubborn city, and does not take to change well. As a Chicagoan myself, I admittedly still call the flagship Marshall Field’s, just as I replace U.S. Cellular Field with Comiskey Park, and most recently Willis Tower with its rightful namesake: Sears Tower.

However as stubborn as Chicagoans may be, fault was incredibly difficult to find during the Macy’s runway show to kick off the local fashion week, Fashion Focus Chicago. Twelve designers sent down their Spring 2010 collections within the crowded tent in Millennium Park this past Thursday, and I found myself thanking Macy’s for its fashionable contribution to showcase these fantastic Chicago fashions (at least under my breath). 

Lara Miller (www.laramiller.net ) ingeniously crafted the merging of the infinity scarf and necklace via rope adorned on her garments.  Blake Standard (www.blakestandard.com ) used black sequin berets and bright hues to add a Parisian flare to his exemplary collection. The 5p1t (www.5p1t.com ) collection didn’t use adornments, however. Those would be much overshadowed by the Kelly green peplum jackets and multi-colored ruffled frocks, which spoke loudly and enthusiastically for themselves.  

We in the Midwest proudly tout the description of “melting pot”. All shapes, all sizes, we embrace them all. Thus how refreshing was it when Tennille White (http://www.tennillewhitechicago.com/) showcased somehttp://www.laurenlein.com/) who boasts the skill of taking a simple garment and making it her own - and her Spring 2010 collection showcased her craftsmanship beautifully.  

Lara Miller

 amazing plus-sized designs amidst her fashion forward collection? Following White was the genius of Lauren Lein (

And what is a fashion spectacle without a little bit of show? Lee Allison (www.leeallison.com) and The Tiebar (www.thetiebar.com) showcased their latest collection of pristine shirts and ties that were so fantastic they decided that the addition of pants would just get in the way. Jermikko (www.jermikko.com ) took the comedic break in stride with jackets, bubble hemmed dresses and a tweed halter gown with ribbon train that would turn any head. 

Anna Hovet (annahovet.com) brought some punk to the runway with her color blocking and creative workings of the hooded sweatshirt. Every model showcasing the designs of Zamrie (http://www.zamrie.com ) not only flaunted statement red pumps, but also sashayed ever so elegantly in swing coats and silk gowns. Nora del Busto (http://web.mac.com/wolverine17/iWeb/Site/home.html) worked together champagne and lace to give the sleeveless dress the perfect amount of peek-a-boo attitude. Wood bangles and fashion-forward necklines flaunted the talents of Cynthia Ryba (cynthiaryba.com). And to wrap up the amalgam of fashion talents was Audey (www.audey.com), featuring petticoats the color of the rainbow accompanied by parasols to add the perfect amount of class that one would expect from a fashion-forward Chicago

woman.

Lauren Lein

Audey

Zamrie