Photography by Rachel Hanel (@rachehanelphoto)
Styled by Sal Yvat (@salsogroovy)
Produced by Anna Hovet (@chicagofashioninc)
Shot at Color Factory (@colorfactoryco)
What if “Sex and the City” happened in Chicago? And what if we had undergone a major paintball attack? This fashion editorial created by the Chicago Fashion Incubator is here to help us answer those pressing questions. Wardrobe stylist Sal Yvat had the challenge of creating a cohesive aesthetic while mixing garments from eight different designers-in-residence at the CFI. “I was inspired by New York City and how simple yet detailed people dress. I thought a lot about Carrie Bradshaw.” The background for the photos couldn’t be more dopamine-inducing: Color Factory, an interactive art experience in the Willis Tower.
This editorial is one of the initiatives the CFI offers to give valuable experience to its designers-in-residence and alumni. Currently mentoring six local designers who are either building their existing fashion lines or getting ready to launch their businesses, the incubator accepts new designers each quarter and takes applications year-round. Prospective designers must have a fashion business that has been established for at least one year, with proof of sales and a clear brand vision. Neither wholesalers nor fashion design students are eligible.
A beacon of hope for local designers since 2008, the Chicago Fashion Incubator has added the Driehaus Entrepreneurial Center, which has provided educational tools, research assets and programming to their designers-in-residence since 2017. “CFI offers the designers-in-residence access to education, mentors, manufacturers and physical space to help them launch or grow their fashion lines. Our current designers-in-residence and alumni designers are continuously involved in shopping events, fashion shows, and other community events, which we promote through our social media. Local fashion designer Jamie Hayes, designer of Production Mode, is our design mentor. “She meets with the designers one-on-one to help them navigate the design process and brainstorm sales outlets,” says executive director Anna Hovet Dias.
Hovet Dias also lists some other success stories involving their alumni, such as Shavonne Dorsey (selling her garments on HSN), Alyssa Bertrand (featured in Vogue’s “The United States of Fashion” book), and Project Runway contestants Rakan Shams Aldeen, Kahindo Mateene and Katelyn Pankoke. “CFI helps by supporting and promoting my dream. It’s wonderful and humbling being surrounded by fellow inspiring designers and mentors in the business, always ready to lend their expertise and encouragement,” says designer-in-residence Holly Garrard, who is developing her shoe line. “CFI helped professionalize and focus my work by connecting me with professional resources that have been instrumental in producing a quality collection,” says alumna Anna Brown, who runs a successful contemporary clothing line. Kate VanAsten of eco-conscious brand Wulfka adds that the Chicago Fashion Incubator makes her feel like she’s part of a community even though she works alone in her studio: “They have helped me become a better designer and a more focused businessperson and encouraged me when entrepreneurship becomes overwhelming.”
—Isa Giallorenzo
Additional Credits
Hair and Makeup Artist: Carol Wood (@carolwood_beauty)
Models (10 MGMT): Ali (@ali_garey) and Cyndnee (@cyndneemame)
Participating designers-in-residence (not all featured in photos):
Pam Kendall (@quicollection), Amy Taylor (@msamytaylor), Holly Garrard (@hollydayfun), Lola Osire (@lola.elan), Kahindo Mateene (@kahindo_nyc), Goli Parvinian (@goli_june), Kate VanAsten (@wulfka), and Anna Brown (@anna_brown_studio).
Journalist Isa Giallorenzo was born in São Paulo, Brazil and has elected Chicago as her beloved home since 2009. She runs the street-style blog Chicago Looks and wants to see this town become one of the fashion capitals of the world.
