Chic Chicago design competition

Brentano and Chicago History Museum to sponsor

-- Casual Living, 2/23/2009 1:43:00 PM

When the Chicago History Museum decided to sponsor a fashion design competition built around the Chic Chicago exhibition of couture garments, they turned to Brentano to provide the fabrics.

The innovative manufacturer of outdoor fabrics, high performance upholstery, Crypton and faux leather joined forces with the Museum for a competition that not only challenges designers to use materials differently, but also creates a unique opportunity to fuse fashion and interior design. 

Initially, five dresses were selected from the Chic Chicago exhibition to serve as inspiration pieces. Each designer submitted sketches, complete with Brentano fabric samples, to the panel of judges. Judges have determined which three dresses will be fully brought to life using Brentano fabrics, and the winning garment will be announced at the FashioNext finale event to be held April 17. 

Brentano Design Director Iris Wang will participate as a judge alongside a panel including Timothy Long, costume curator, Chicago History Museum; Andrea Kalish Reynders, professor, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Dr. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator, the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology; Gaynor Strachan-Chun, senior vice president of marketing, Ovation TV; and Noren Ungaretti, president, Costume Council of the Chicago Historical Society. 

Tickets for the FashioNext finale party can be purchased from the Chicago History Museum. The leading design will win a place in history as a permanent part of the Museum’s costume collection, and will be displayed as part of the Chic Chicago exhibition until its closure on July 26.