by Rachel Yeomans

The local neighborhood boasting of meat markets, loading docks and a smattering of five star restaurants and lounges had something else to boast about last Friday. For the first time in the Chicagoland area, 26,000 square feet of West Loop warehouse space brought forth both contemporary and vintage fashions for the shopper’s perusal and purchase. Modern Vintage Chicago was kicked off with a runway show and preview party on Friday, October 16th, and lasted through the weekend. Proceeds from the pre-party benefited the Chicago Fashion Foundation (CFF), which provides academic scholarships to Chicago-area college students majoring in fashion-related studies and coordinates educational programs for the fashion community.

Sally Schwartz, Executive Producer and Founder of the Randolph Street Market - the creator of Modern Vintage Chicago - said that, “fashion today is creative and follows fewer rules, especially when it comes to blending items new and old.” Modern Vintage Chicago fashionably represented that statement. Vintage dealers and designers including J. Brett Benson, Heidi Hess, Shernett Swaby and Paoo, showcased their fashions, jewelry, handbags, textiles, patterns and much more to both consumers and connoisseurs.

This may have been the first Modern Vintage event for Chicagoans to enjoy, but luckily it won’t be the last. Another warehouse space will be filled again April 17th and 18th to bring forth even more fashions of the eras that, as stated by Schwartz, “will blow fashionistas’ minds.”