Gen Art Fashion Show 2009 Review
Review by Terrence Chappell
Photos by Billy Rood

If there were any doubt about Chicago’s developing fashion scene, then Gen Art annual runway show killed such late thinking.

Gen Art, one of the nation’s leading arts organizations, hosted its 7th Annual Fresh Faces in Fashion Show at Millenium Park as the grand finale to Chicago Fashion Focus Week. Six emerging designers were showcased in this year’s show: C/Fan, Imaginary People, Kristen Hassan, JLee Silver, Red Doll by Tatyana, and Dorsia.

“This year’s show features designers who are facing the most challenging economic climate in Gen Art’s history, and doing it with style, creativity, and serious business savvy,” says event director Lauren Hurley.



Gen Art rolled out the red carpet for Chicago’s fashion elite. The Milleninum Park tent featured a jewelry reception with designs by Fab Studio and handbags from Kling Handbags. Once seated, attendees were treated to a gift bag of goodies that included health and beauty products, tasty treats, and my personal favorite, lip Spritz Appeal lip balm. The organization teamed up with Sephora to provide such delights. Earnest Street, whose music was featured in the fashion show is proud that Gen Art is stepping up the city’s fashion game.

“The fashion show was a great touch to the hopefully emerging fashion and model scene in Chicago but we need and I demand more,” says local fashion designer and DJ Earnest Streeter.



From Tatyana’s fun and flirty Red Doll clothing line to Anderi Savtchenko’s casual chic Dorsia brand, the fashion show exposed guests to the best in local, cutting edge designers. Other designers included J Lee Silver’s Hampton beach inspired line of pieces for the girl who knows what she wants. Telo Dunne and Olivia Shanks’ timeless, wearable clothes were another staple in the show. At only 24-year-old, Kristen Hassan’s girly, sweet tooth pieces were also a feature on the run way. Guest April Callen sat front row at the runway show felt that the show was well received by the audience.



“I thought it was a lot of fun, high energy, with an extremely supportive vibe from the audience,” says guest April Callen.

The night concluded with an enthusiastic applause from the audience as each fashion designer struted down the runway for the famous welcome walk. Afterwards, guests joined the designers, models, and other fashion industry people for an after-party at Enclave. All in all the Gen Art fashion show was a great step forward to Chicago developing into a competitive contender in the realm of fashion.