THE LOOP — FashionBar Chicago, a fashion strategy and consulting firm, hosted a Chicago Fashion Week kick-off event to showcase Chicago designers as well as to raise money for Avanse, a nonprofit organization for children in poverty.
Held at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago, the event featured cocktails, live entertainment and high fashion, all to celebrate Chicago designers. But the runway show featured two designers: Anastasia Chatzka and Prina Bagia of PRIN Designs.
Chatzka hails from Detroit but is based in Chicago, and she credits the Detroit music and art scene for inspiration for many of her designs, including her dresses' and garments' colors, prints and textures. She is most known for her dresses and separates, and her designs encompass everything from ball gowns to intimates to intimate-inspired dresses.
Models walked the makeshift runway through the lobby and art gallery areas of the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel.
Bagia is known for her garments with unique and detailed embellishments, flowing materials and eccentric style lines. Her inspiration for her designs comes from her culture as well as her daily life, and she strives to create new art the world can wear and appreciate for each collection.
This event kicked off a "fashionable" weekend in Chicago: The Annual Portfolio Show debuted Sunday, featuring more Chicago designers, including Christopher DiGiorgio, Kristina Giedra and Nadia Dovidi Designs, at the Drake Hotel.
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