By Rachel Yeomans Second City Style
Model: Lexis Noel
Sashaying down two red carpets on the east and west sides of State Street this Wednesday were a handful of Ford models donning featured designs by Chicago's very own future artists. The Street Beat fashion show, sponsored by the Chicago Loop Alliance, catered to the Loop lunch crowd between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Styles were created by students from Columbia College Chicago, the International Academy of Design & Technology, the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago, and The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
I was pleasantly surprised by the soiree of designs by our
city’s up-and-coming stylists. Many, I admit, would probably not make Project Runway (oh the dangling threads
from those unfinished hems!), but
there was still something to be taken from the show. At first, the featured
designs were playing it safe with the many-a mini tube dress, but after the
first hour, the event took the runway turn to inspire, impress and at times
flaunt the form kicking function off the red carpet.
Main disappointments: The music could have used some work. The
jump from rap to pop music—I believe I heard “1985” by Bowling for Soup thrown
in there—was almost distracting while trying to concentrate on the clothing at
large. Also, I was a bit disappointed in the lack of variety in the attire. As
I mentioned before, tube dresses were plentiful, I think I saw two pant/top
sets throughout the entire show, and then came the ball gowns. I don’t know
about you, but I’m way past my prom days.
Model: Anita
Designer: Anna Wilkerson (Academy of Design & Technology) - Model: Veronica
