I was excited to hear that CFDA’s partnership {Fashion Incubator} with W Hotels Worldwide was going to make a stop in Chicago, and what a wonderful evening it was Thursday night (10/6) to see and celebrate these emerging talents.
So why was CFDA in town last week? Through their partnership with W Hotels, The Council of Fashion Designers of Americas’ incubator program is taking select next generation American designers across different markets, globally. These designers, who are already producing and selling their products in boutiques and stores, but CFDA helps them with greater brand visibility and teaching them the business side of fashion as well as connecting them with mentors in the industry.
CFDA President Steven Kolb along with W Hotels’ Anthony Ingham, who’s the EVP of Luxury & Design brands along with the designers and several Chicago influencers and fashion lovers were in attendance for the event. (Our interview with both to come).
The designers that picked to showcase their wares and talent in Chicago were footwear designer Isa Tapia, womenswear designers Kaelen Haworth of KAELEN and Yara Flinn of NOMIA, bag and accessories designer Sarah Law’s brand KARA.
The event began with a cocktail reception where we had the chance to browse and speak with the designers.
Isa Tapia, who began her fashion career at Oscar De La Renta and then Ann Taylor makes luxury high end shoes without the super huge price. On getting her first dept. store order, a Vogue editor advised her to rent a room at the Empire Hotel during NY fashion week which was right across from Lincoln center and invite as many people. The fashion director at Saks heard about her awesome shoes, saw it and within 5 hours she had her first order.
Isa Tapia shoes are stocked at Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, Saks Fifth, ShopBop & Bloomingdales. The other great thing about her shoes is that she designs for the woman that wants the look of a sexy shoe but not suffer to wear it. Though known for her kitten heel designs, some of her high heeled shoes offer padding in the ball of the foot for that oh so clutch support.
The women’s wear offerings from Kaelen and NOMIA featured a mixture of textures and designs. Kaelen Haworth’s brand KAELEN is in its 10th season but is grateful for the opportunity because it helps form business development. In forecasting where she hopes her brand to be in 5 years, she noted about wanting to have a brick an mortar store in order for people to get a vibe and tactile relationship with the brand and clothes.
The fashion show commenced with models showcasing the designs.
