Dorsia

by Rachel Yeomans

Photos by: Stefan Klapko and Collin Pierson of Collin Pierson Photography

The bars, clubs and restaurants were shockingly scant of crowds this past Saturday evening. That probably was because all of Chicago was crammed into the fashion tent that was about to showcase the final runway to strut Millennium Park during this year’s Fashion Focus Chicago.

For the seventh year, Gen Art Chicago hosted its annual “Fresh Faces in Fashion” runway show. But before the six designers showcased their collections, an accessory designer reception distracted show-goers attentions. An hour before the models strutted down the runway, we were able to see the types of accessories they would be flaunting from designers Emma Carroll (emmacarrolletc.com) , Fab Studio (http://fabstudiodesigns.com/home.html) and Kling Handbags (http://www.klingbags.com/index.php).

Imaginary People

With the tease of the fantastic accessories, we were finally ushered into the giant tent cast over with a blue hue from the giant Gen Art sign backing the runway.  And before we were able to dig through the blue tissue of our swag bags, the show began.

C/Fan (http://www.cfan-designs.com/ ) featured light muted neutrals with the recurring racer back vest statement piece while Kristin Hassan (http://kristinhassan.com/) went the opposite route with loud colors paired with metallic gold and even a hat or two. Next came the menswear line of the evening, Dorsia (www.dorsiacollection.com), which conveyed the fashion-forward attitude of a businessman “letting loose.” JLee Silver (http://lookbook.jleesilver.com/ ) followed suit not with looks that didn’t personify a businessman letting go, but rather a fashionista working it up. Exposed zippers and the molding of the jump suit and the flowing dress kept me wanting more.

Imaginary People (www.imaginarypeopleonline.com ) followed with halter dresses, bright spring colors, and leggings that I would have loved to pre-order directly after the show. And to end this year’s Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion runway show was Red Doll (http://www.reddollbytm.com/). Red Doll designer Tatyana Merenyuk took the concept of fairy tail and made it modern and made it become a dream come true. When the lights came up, we were taken back to reality. But the fantasy fashionably lives on.

Imaginary People

JLee Silver

Kristen Hassan

Red Doll

Red Doll

Red Doll