SAIC WALK 2012 & AFTERPARTY

The annual School of the Art Institute of Chicago student fashion show-WALK 2012 was held last Thursday and it was the largest show to date! Everything from the fashion show, the sponsors, emcee Paper magazine’s Mickey Boardman, SAIC Legend of Fashion honorees Bill Powers & Cynthia Rowley, and the after-party was exquisite. I missed the cocktail reception preceding the fashion show but the moment I entered the tent the first two people my eyes landed on were Bill Powers and Mickey Boardman who graciously allowed me to take their picture.

This year’s walk was Co-chaired by John Jones and Kate Neisser. Members of the 2012 fashion committee that I spotted in attendance were: Teri Tkachuk, Lynne Bredfeldt(Park Hyatt), Les Coney, Greg Cameron, Amy Dubois Barnett(EIC Ebony), Ikram Goldman(IKRAM), Shirley Massey, Carrie Lannon, Linda Johnson Rice (Chairman JPC), Amy Tara Koch, Ellen Sandor, Roopa Weber, Mary Ann MacLean. Other notable names that were in attendance were: Desiree Rogers who sat in the front row next to Ikram, Julie Lasko, Neal Zucker,M.J Pritzker, Linda Johnson Rice and Amy Dubois Barnett; John Carroll(Modern Luxury), Swarovski Chicago team.

Presentations began with the Sophomore class’ collections which showed a good deal of rising talent. The Junior Class collection followed with notable pieces from Taylor Larson(her pieces had a Calvin Klein clean influence),  Chaeyoung Lee(a bit early Marc Jacobs/Perry Ellis). Caira Lee Conner‘s piece reminded me of something Nicki Minaj would perform in.

The Senior pieces show a lot of matured talent with notable pieces from: Macie Francis whose collection looked pulled together and could be easily incorporated into any working girls wardrobe. Tamara Malas‘s pieces, I coined Gypsy Chic and especially loved the bone necklace one of the models wore. Nicole O’Malley set the tone for her collection with the song selection of M.I.A, her clothes seemed geared towards a badass female with confidence to wear whatever she pleases. Lesya Blyzniouk’s pieces could work for any fashionable Chicago guy for sure. Jasmine Tang‘s collection seemed a bit Rick Owens meets Commes des Garçons. Michael Walls‘ collection was a crowd favorite with Ikram Goldman applauding fantastic!

Alex Ulichny who won the Eunice Johnson $25,000 fellowship had the one of the best collection of the night. David Cantu‘s pieces closed out the show and for good reason, he’s talented! The concept of the collection was reflected in the final product especially those leggings(I WANT!), Nick Cave was the Fashion Show Director, Shane Gabier(1/2 of Creatures of the Wind) was creative coordinator.

Retiring SAIC Faculty Andrea Reynders, who was Cynthia Rowley‘s instructor, was honored for her dedication to the students and how during her tenure, Dr. Massey noted, she “oversaw tremendous opportunities and unmatched talent.”

In his introduction speech, Jerry Saltz explained that “the secret to Bill & Cynthia’s success is energy, they put off more energy than they consume. They are full of enthusiasm and not defined by rejection they do their own defining. They speak in forbidden voices of sincerity.”

Mr. Powers addressing guests in attendance thanked Nick Cave for making this night happen. Cynthia, a bit emotional, walked us through her journey to her current state of success noting it wasn’t easy but in order to achieve success there’s no halfway. She closed the speech by dispensing some helpful hints:

See Also

What to Wear to a Gala-Boys & Girls Club Of Chicago Summer Ball

1)Think Positive
2)Be a pathological optimist
3)Surround yourself with smart people
4)Fake it til you make it
5)Be thankful for everything
6)Enthusiasm is contagious
7) No rules, hard work DOES pay off

The strolling dinner at the Harris Theater rooftop was also exceptional with lots of food, libations and yummy desert. The designers walked around greeting guests with models wearing their creations in tow.  Chef Alain Njike, of soon to open Alain’s, worked the room. Guests included: Marc and Liza Brooks, Amy Creyer, Les Coney, Ralph Hughes, AJ Johnson, Kiran Advani, Amy Dubois Barnett, Jennifer Lake, Laura Schwartz.  The scene stealer of the night was Isabel.

A night like this would not have been possible without all the hardworking students and staff and support from generous sponsors like: Swarovski, The MacLean Family, CS magazine, Factor Model, Maybelline New York, Ariel Investments, Mesirow Financial, Moet & Chandon.

*top picture courtsey of SAIC-Sara Condo