A Chicago Fashion World Exists!

If you haven't noticed yet, I began my fashion journey in Chicago. While this isn't a city known for its fashion week, it does offer several opportunities to gain industry experience. I am going to list a few of the resources I have found pertaining to this city's fashion industry, so that when the time comes to get that big fashion magazine internship, you will have done a few things to give you a competitive advantage on your resume.

Chicago Fashion Week
[Make sure to get on their mailing list... once you hit "Go" it will give you the option to select send emails about intern opportunities.]

There are several, several opportunities for students to help out at Chicago's Fashion Week; dressers, backstage management, public relations. As soon as fashion week dates are announced for 2010, you should email the producers of the show ASAP and tell them that you are interested (in whatever you think you could help with).

Chicago Fashion Incubator
The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street is Chicago's version of the CFDA's Fashion Incubator. In this program, six upcoming designers have the opportunity to access exclusive fashion resources and mentoring. The chosen designers also take workshops which will aid them in launching their design careers.

There is a ton of good information on the Incubator blog for anyone looking to go into fashion. You may also find events listed here that make offer great local networking opportunities.

Stiches Fashion Program
"The Stitches Fashion Program is the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's (CEC) program that has been developed to provide Chicagoland's fashion entrepreneurs with business counseling, mentoring, and resources. On their website, you will find a lot of information about what you can do in Chicago to get a fashion career off the ground (and lets you know about any opportunities to meet people that can help you reach your goals). They also have great packets you can download like the "Fashion First Steps Packet" and the "First Steps for the New Retailer."

Chicago Fashion Resource
The Chicago Fashion Resource contains a suitcase full of information. You can find internship listings (event post your intern resume), job opportunities, discover local designers and boutiques, and get informed about upcoming events.

+ DIY: Passion for Fashion Wall Art

Sometimes when I have had a stressful and busy week and haven't been able to open up my WWD Week in Fashion E-Newsletter, or scan more than a few fashion ads, I go into craft mode and decide to submerge myself in a project. This past week, the project was to get through some magazines I have been stockpiling for the past few months, and move the fashion from the pages to my walls where I can see them more regularly. I figured I would share the project in case you are having a "show your passion for fashion" block.

1. Find a frame displaying a picture you are kind of tired of and empty the frame.

2. Pull out all the magazines and catalogs you can find (Urban Outfitters and H&M Have some editorial-like images.

3. Flip through the pages, find interesting wording, poses, designs, images.

4. Cut out the images and begin placing them in the frame.

5. Last tips:

+ Fill in the gaps with scraps of bright colored paper.
+ The paper cutter I use is amazing... I've had it since freshmen year of high school. Here's a good one I found on Amazon in case you are in the market for a paper cutter Click Here.



6. Find somewhere to hang up the frame so it doesn't have to sit on the floor like mine had to.