WINDY CITY CHIC: CHICAGO’S FASHION WEEK!

…PLUS JHIRMACK’S SILVER SISTERS; FRYE’S 150TH; ABOUT FACE THEATRE'S SUPPER CLUB GALA; LINDA AND DESIREE’S PUMP ROOM BASH; BETRAYAL’S CAST PARTY; ART INSTITUTE’S SNAP GALA; RADIO HALL OF FAME; F.A.M.E.; BEST BUDDIES; HALLOWEEN IN CHICAGO; FELIX MAG; AMIE’S BARBIE BASH; BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAYS AND SO MUCH MORE! 

Chicago is pulling ahead of the competition for the most fashionable city! One of the hottest events in town, Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week (October 15th through 20th) was a citywide celebration of Chicago’s fashion industry
presented in conjunction with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and the Mayor’s office. Highlights during the week included a variety of runway shows in
Millennium Park showcasing the latest trends in menswear, emerging and established designers, shopping events and much more. “Fashion Focus is a great way to showcase our great city as well as highlight the achievements of talented, up-and-coming local designers,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I’m proud that Chicago is home to this
flourishing creative industry and look forward to continuing to cultivate its growth.” DCASE Commissioner Michelle T. Boone said, “This year, Fashion Focus highlighted fashion within the creative industries, emerging designers and menswear while still spotlighting Chicago’s top talent. The city has a vibrant fashion community that we want to share with the rest of world
and perhaps further enhance its status within the industry.” I say amen to that! The week kicked off on October 15th with Designer and Muse. Hosted by the City of Chicago and Michigan Avenue Magazine, the opening event partnered with local celebrities in the creative industries (music, culinary, film, theater and dance) with a
designer who created a look for his or her “muse” that was showcased throughout the evening. Pairings included Maria Pinto and Jeanne Gang (architecture), Azeeza Kahn and Alpana Singh (culinary), Shernett Swaby and Mindy Segal (culinary), and Diego Rocha and Naomi Beckwith (visual arts) among others. (The event was by invitation-only.) The following afternoon, designer Julius LaCour featured his
designs for women and men at Maison De LaCour Fashion Presentation. Luxury Management produced this event in the Chase Promenade North tent at Millennium Park that was free to the public. On October 16th, Fashion Focus: Taking it to the Streets could best be described by a quote from fashion icon Coco Chanel, when she
famously said, “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” This fashion extravaganza welcomed international designers Sarah Stevenson from Toronto Fashion Incubator and Christine Phung from the Atelier de Paris, an incubator program in the City of Light. Chicago
designers included Lagi Nadeau, Shelby Steiner Agnes Hamerlik, Randall Hill, Laura Takataka, Nicole Puszynski, J. Toor and Chicago Playground. On October 17th, the Urban Shapeshifters debuted in Chicago, focusing on menswear and featured local, national and international menswear designers J. Cheikh, Michelle Tan and Jack Cave
from Chicago, Brandon Scott from Los Angeles and Rana Rojo from Miami. In partnership with Chicago’s Gallery Aesthete, international designers participating included Boris Bidjan Saberi
from Barcelona, Ann Demeulemeester from Antwerp and Comme de Garcons from Tokyo and Paris. The Art of Fashion Runway Show returned for its sixth season presented by StyleChicago.com. This popular show featured 10 spring 2014 looks from 10 Chicago-based designers who included
Maria Pinto, Calvin Tran, Eva Pazola, Boris Powell, Lily & Migs, Michelle Tan, Mark Roscoe, Hector-Javier MonArrez, Shalini Sharma and Shernett Swaby. On October 19th, designers, industry professionals and fashion entrepreneurs were invited to network and share ideas during Industry Day at the Chicago Cultural Center. The day featured keynote speakers, panel discussions and workshops that
advised attendees about the newest business strategies and trends in the fashion industry. Northern Grade, a new pop-up market in Millennium Park, brought menswear to the Chase Promenade South tent on the weekend of October 19th and 20th. (Northern
Grade is a mobile menswear market featuring vendors of products manufactured in the United States; items for sale include clothing, footwear, gear, games, paper goods, grooming supplies and much more.) During this weekend, Fashion Focus 2013 presented FashionChicago, the StyleChicago.com designer shopping event in Millennium Park. This shopping
extravaganza featured more than 30 of Chicago’s best apparel, jewelry and accessory designers and included AndreaGems, Anna Hovet, Archer Townsend, Atir Design, Barbara Keisman, Bourdage Pearls, Buckle Up Babe,
Brynn Capella, Calvin Tran, House of Gemmes, Jennifer Reeves Designs, Jules, K. Amato, Lil & Migs, Michelle Tan, Nade Baer, Nomadic Ant, Jewelry, Nora del Busto, Sevigne Atelier, She Beads, Shruti Kirti, Squasht by Les, Susan Elizabeth
Designs, Tongue Tied and 4 Tamara Nicole. Home to more than 400 local designers and 300 independent boutiques, Chicago boasts one of the most creative fashion communities in the country. Since 2006, the City of Chicago’s Fashion Initiative partners with the industry on resources and high-profile events for local designers and independent boutiques to gain visibility, learn about the business of fashion and elevate the industry. For more information on the City of Chicago’s Fashion Initiative and Fashion Focus: Chicago’s Fashion Week, visit www.fashionfocuschicago.org. Love our fashion forward city!

There is a movement afoot and it’s not a political one, though it inspires passion in those involved. As we baby boomers age, there is a dilemma among many women (and men) who are
afraid to embrace the natural aging process: The subject is whether or not to dye your hair. Author Diana Jewell wrote an interesting book on this topic titled, “Going Gray and Looking Great” and she also inspired
women from across the globe to come together as Jhirmack Silver Sisters to celebrate their commonality: keeping, enjoying and embracing their natural (silver) hair color. Chapters have formed
across the country – there are even some that reach as far away as New Zealand and Chile! – so obviously she’s on to something. I was thrilled when she came to Chicago for the first time to celebrate with like-minded women here. The two-day weekend began with a reception at Cite, a restaurant located 70 stories atop Lake Point
Tower. Overlooking breathtaking views of Chicago, the women snapped pics, shared secrets and enjoyed the camaraderie that comes naturally to this group of women who are aging gracefully, fearlessly and
beautifully. The following day began with a luncheon at the Marriott Courtyard Michigan Avenue. Glam L.A. stylist Arden Reece produced a seriously chic fashion show with day and evening looks from Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue that wowed the crowd.
Makeup artist extraordinaire Marcus Geeter shared cosmetics tips that included 1) Use a pore minimizer before applying makeup (he liked The POREfessional by Benefit Cosmetics); 2) Use finely milled HD powders
(he likes one from ITCosmetics.com); 3) Use neutral or earth-tone eye shadows; 4) Use black mascara, a brush-on brow (and a gel fiber brow adds fullness); and 5) Use a highlighter on your cheeks, center of
forehead and chin (he likes Watt’s Up by Benefit Cosmetics). He also recommended Candid Candace coral lipstick by Camp Cosmetics…wink! 🙂 “The Sultan of Silver” George Bruno followed with chic hair demos showing the versatility of gray hair. I was proud to deliver the keynote speech. (Special thanks to Donna
LaPietra for my cool video, too)! A packed goody bag included awesome Jhirmack products (the event’s presenting sponsor) created especially for Silver Sisters!
(Thanks so much, Peter LaFleche!!!) After the festivities at the Marriott, we all boarded trolleys to Millennium Park where we performed the famous “Silver Sister Strut” while the television cameras rolled and photographers snapped. I’m proud to be a Silver Sister and can’t wait till they return to the Windy City! (Great pics by Amie Hana). (For more info about the Silver Sisters, visit their Facebook page here!)

Do you remember Frye boots? Back in the ‘70s, if you didn’t have a pair of these boots, you had no “cool.” Well, recently, The Frye Company – America’s oldest operating footwear
company – celebrated its 150th (WOW!) anniversary with a private party to celebrate the opening of its new Chicago location. The store featured a wide range of footwear and accessories, including the company’s anniversary capsule collection
of classic styles with details like stars and stripes and stone-washed finishes. The brand’s creative director Michael Petry was in attendance to mix and mingle with more than 300 fans. Guests sporting their Frye footwear included Amelia Eaton, Christopher Free, Jessica Moazami and Cait Weingartner. The playlist for the evening was provided by
DJ Matt Roan and also featured a live set by up-and-coming band Blondfire, all decked in Frye footwear. Their history and heritage is told in every stitch of every shoe they’ve made over the last 150 years, across cultural shifts and changes in
fashion for generation upon generation. On March 10, 1863, John A. Frye opened the doors of a small shop on Elm Street in Marlboro, Mass. This is where generations of Frye men would dedicate themselves to the art and craft of shoemaking, creating new patterns, discovering new materials and even inventing shoe-making
machinery. Now, Frye boots are accessorized and envied on city streets, worked and roughed up on country roads and chosen above all others for their inimitable style and uncompromising quality. I’m still a fan!

More than 100 guests traveled back to the exclusive underground society of the “Roaring Twenties” for About Face Theatre’s Black and Tan Supper Club on October 11th at the luxurious Stan Mansion, located at 2408 N.
Kedzie Ave. The “secret venue” was revealed to guests just one week prior to the event, creating a magical and mysterious throwback to Chicago’s “black and tan” nightclubs of the 1920’s. The swanky
supper club soiree raised nearly $40,000 for About Face Theatre programming, including its groundbreaking and acclaimed Youth Theatre, which creates a safe space for LGBTQA youth to tell their stories and create community. Guests
decked out in formal and festive attire sipped classic cocktails and enjoyed fine dining by J&L Catering. The evening’s hosts, AFT artistic associate Paul Oakley Stovall and New York performer Brad Simmons, entertained with 1920s jazz
standards including “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore”, “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” and “Pennies From Heaven”. The duo were joined by special guest performers Meghan Murphy and fellow AFT artistic associates Scott
Bradley, John Francisco and Benjamin Sprunger; the Black and Tan Supper Club was co-chaired by Jim Andrews and Jason Held. About Face Theatre is one of Chicago’s most acclaimed theatre companies and is a national leader in the
development of new work exploring gender and sexual identity. Since its founding by Kyle Hall and Eric Rosen in 1995, the company has debuted more than 48 world premieres by writers and directors who have been recognized with several
Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The MacArthur Fellowship and dozens of Joseph Jefferson Awards. The About Face Youth Theatre (AFYT) was created in 1998 as a safe
space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning and allied young people to become activists and theatre-makers. Youth participants engage in a two-year
process of sharing stories, conducting interviews, writing a script and developing performances to create a full-length production that is produced in About Face Theatre’s mainstage season. (Photos by Timmy Samuel.)

 

Linda and Desiree threw a party and EVERYONE came! On October 30th, the Pump Room Chicago was filled to bursting with excited chatter and fashionable ladies for an exclusive women’s only event to
celebrate “Life, Love & Beauty”. The party was hosted by Linda Johnson Rice (chairman of Johnson Publishing), Desiree Rogers (CEO of Johnson Publishing), Mitzi Miller (editor-in-chief of Jet Magazine) and Fashion Fair Cosmetics. The evening also premiered a short film, “Say Yes” by Sundance Award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay, which
celebrates women of color and encourages them to embrace their individual beauty and embrace what it means to “say yes” to life’s possibilities. Inspired by Fashion Fair, the film is described as “highlighting beautiful women of all hues
and ages who explore the power of the affirmative.” I invited my dear friend Paul Iacono, who is one good sport: I didn’t realize it was women-only until we arrived! LOL but luckily, I convinced him to stay and
he turned out to be a highlight for a lot of the ladies as they snapped pics with him throughout the evening. During the cocktail party, guests had the opportunity to sample Fashion Fair products, receive personal makeovers
by talented make-up artists, listen to music by glam celebrity DJ Kiss and mix and mingle with some of the most beautiful, diverse and accomplished women of Chicago. Special guests included actress Drew Sidora, actress/singer/songwriter Michelle Williams and ever popular female
impersonator Chilli Pepper. During the course of the evening, a dramatic tribute sculptural portrait, commissioned by fashion designer Barbara Bates, was presented to Linda. Created by artist Debra Hand, the piece represented Mrs. Eunice Johnson on her historic journey to change fashion history. Debra explained that Mrs. Johnson took Linda along with her on buying trips to Europe when she visited the top designers’
showrooms. The Eiffel Tower in the piece represents those trips and Mrs. Johnson’s influence on the international fashion industry. In the artwork, a young Linda stands atop a hat box marked with the initials “FF” which
represents the Fashion Fair legacy Mrs. Johnson built and the foundation upon which Linda now stands as she continues the work started by her mother. Photos include Mrs. Johnson sitting in the front row of a European fashion show, working with models, speaking with designers such as Yves St. Laurent, Fashion Fair
Cosmetics, and Linda with her mother and quotes from both. There are also international postage stamps denoting her travels as well as one that bears the photo of Linda’s father, John H. Johnson. The title of the piece is “Family Recipes” and it was AWE-INSPIRING! It was a very touching moment when it was unveiled for Linda. When Paul and I left, the place
was still jumping and I saw lots of ladies doing the “wobble” to a hot DJ Kiss mix. (I wish I could learn this darn dance…it looked so cool!) Anyway, congrats Linda on an amazing life…can’t wait to see where you take us next! (For Jet Magazine info, click here and for Fashion Fair product info, click here!)

All the stars aligned at the Dana Hotel in River North recently for a cast party for “Betrayal”, the hot new series that recently debuted  on ABC-7. Guests joined
hosts from “Windy City Live” to mix and mingle with cast members who included James Cromwell, Henry Thomas, Stuart Townsend and Hannah Ware. Set and filmed in Chicago and billed as part thriller/part romance, the series centers around photographer
Sara Hanley (played by Hannah Ware) who is married to prosecutor Drew Stafford (played by Chris J. Johnson). A chance meeting between Hannah and Jack McAllister
(played by Stuart Townsend) leads to an instant attraction that becomes complicated and dangerous. The show also features Wendy Moniz, Elizabeth McLaughlin and Braeden Lemasters. (To see ALL of the fab fotos by Mila Samokhina, please visit my Chicago Now blog here!)

The Art Institute of Chicago’s Department of Photography hosted Snap: The 5th Photography Benefit Gala on October 19th in the museum’s Modern Wing. This year’s event celebrated the museum’s encyclopedic
permanent collection of photography with proceeds contributing to the Photography Gala Fund, the largest single source of acquisitions support for photography at the Art
Institute. This fund has helped make possible landmark purchases of work by André Kertész, Richard Misrach, Daido Moriyama and Ed Ruscha, among others. The event was
co-chaired by Meredith Bluhm Wolf and Dia S. Weil. The gala began in the Art Institute’s fine-dining restaurant Terzo Piano with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a stunning nighttime view of Chicago’s skyline. Popular at previous Snap galas, guests once again had the opportunity to get their photo snapped in classic photo booths and
sets depicting famous images. A seated dinner of locally grown, seasonal fare followed in the Modern Wing’s Griffin Court with an innovative setting designed by INDO, a Chicago-based design and fabrications firm
specializing in site-specific installations created with recycled and repurposed materials. Following dinner, a live auction of photography sessions by internationally renowned photographers including Moyra Davey, Abelardo
Morell, Jason Salavon, Tony Tasset and James Welling was conducted by Alexander Gilkes of Phillips. The photography collection began in 1949 with the gift of nearly 250 photographs by Alfred Stieglitz and his circle. The Stieglitz Collection, along with the Julien Levy Collection of surrealist and
avant-garde works, gave the museum core strength in early 20th-century photography from the United States and Europe. With approximately 22,000 objects, the present collection is encyclopedic in scope. (To learn more, click here.)

For more than 90 years, radio has educated, entertained and inspired us. To honor this important medium, the Museum of Broadcast Communications is hosting the 2013 National Radio Hall Fame Gala on November 9th at the
museum (located at 360 N. State St.) beginning at 6 p.m. Hosted by broadcast icon Larry King with entertainment by country star Reba McIntire, the 2013 class of  inductees range from a dynamic and trend setting team that changed Chicago’s radio landscape to
one of the most respected play-by-play voices in baseball. Radio’s daring duo Steve Dahl and Garry Meier have been honored with an award but the jury is still out whether or not Dahl will attend. Charley Steiner, a current member of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ play-by-play team, is also an honoree. For tickets ($350 and up), call 312.245.8200.

Embrace your incomparable, unique style sense and join event producer/photographer Amie Hana and restaurateur Vincent Tan for “Barbie
in Chicago” on November 9th at Block 37 for an unforgettable evening of fun, great food, cocktails, fashion show, live entertainment and more! Emcees are Jillian Conley (author of “Dating Chase Walker”) and Jeff Conway (former producer for NBC5’s “24/7 Chicago”). There will be musical performances by De’Borah from
“The Voice” and international performing artist Divalicious Jovie Calma. The Benjamin Cottrell-produced fashion show will feature designs by Eileen Fisher, Borris Powell and Mark Roscoe Designs. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Dress For Success, which provides clothing for job interviews to low-income women. For tickets and more info, click here. 

Foundation of Artists Mentored in Entertainment (F.A.M.E.) will present its second fashion show – An Evening of Glamour – on November 20th beginning at 7 p.m. at Studio 3G, located at 1017 W. Washington. Guests will enjoy a champagne reception with hors d’oeuvres and Lily’s Talent Agency models. Hosted by B96’s Showbiz Shelly, the event will feature evening wear by Anna Fong, Lauren Lein, Nathalie Loma and Victor Miller. Proceeds will benefit young Chicagoland performing artists with financial aid and mentorship. For tickets and more info, click here or contact tommy@famechicago.com.

The Best Buddies Illinois Gala will take place on November 22nd at the Four Seasons Hotel. My friend Simona Garcia described the good work that they do: “I joined the Best Buddies board earlier this year and have been impressed with everything they do in terms of creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships and offering integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It was founded in
1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver. In our state, Best Buddies serves about 6,000 students in 84 middle schools, high schools and colleges and the adult programs serve about 500 individuals annually.” Great cause Simona and I hope everyone will join you at the gala! For more info, visit www.bestbuddiesillinois.org.

HUGE congrats are in order for Tails in the City on its largest Halloween Pet Parade to date! This year, more than 250 dogs participated in this furry fun that also raised money for PAWS Chicago! Congrats to Bruce Haas and Philip Emigh on another great event – can’t wait to see what you have in store for next year!

And speaking of this spooky holiday, Boystown’s legendary Halloween Parade on North Halsted went under the big top this year for a twisted take on
the circus theme. Now in its 17th year, this beloved annual event kicked off at 8 p.m. on Halloween with spectators and costumed revelers lining North Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison. The parade route was filled
with circus sideshows ranging from acrobats to aerialists and fire-eaters to freaks. New this year was the crowning of costume contest winners before the parade start. Winners in each of the five categories (drag, group, original, scariest and pet) were then invited to ride a float through the parade route. They also
received prize packages valued at more than $2,000 that included gift certificates to local businesses and overnight getaways. The Halsted Halloween Parade is
sponsored by the Northalsted Business Alliance and draws thousands of participants and spectators to the Lakeview neighborhood. (Thanks to Bill Pritchard of ChicagoPride.com for this info with photos by Anthony Meade. This website is THE go-to-place for all LGTB news and events! To see more of these creative costumes, click here!)

Special thanks to Felix Magazine and Jessica George for choosing me for a Style Icon feature! I’m thrilled and grateful! I shot at the historic Glessner House Museum with talented L.A. lensman Isaac Alvarez, who’s as funny as he is cool. 

Birthday shout-outs to dear friends Marissa Rudman, Michaela Parrillo and Jan Flanagan! Marissa celebrated her big 5-0 in grand style at Studio Paris and Michaela and Jan partied the night
away with friends at Tavern on Rush. Three elegant women who are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside…happy birthday to ALL!

Hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s edition!  Please send any news my way and I’ll try to add it next time. Also, if you would like to advertise on Candid Candace or Watch312.com, please let me know! 🙂

Love, as always,
Candace
Candace@CandidCandace.com

P.S. Want a perfect pet portrait or, for that matter, a personal one? Well, look no further than photographer Paul Sherman! This wonderful artist has been in the business for years and is TERRIFIC! I’ve shot with him many times (he did my last cover for TCW Mag!) and I highly recommend him. For more info, call (773) 886-9501. Here’s lookin’ at you, kid!