Nic Narrates

Chicago's 'Fresh Faces' Need More Beauty Sleep

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

Last night, I volunteered again for the Gen Art Fresh Faces in Fashion show. Last year, I was stuck up front with the guest list (I accidentally almost didn’t admit the Mayor’s wife’s entourage- if you’re there for Maggie Daley- SAY THAT).

This year, I was a woman on a mission. I was getting in that damn tent come hell or high water (sorry to the girl I sent to coat check in my place under the guise of the event planner needing someone immediately- A FASHION EMERGENCY!- go! go! Don’t think- just GO!).

In the past, I’ve paid for a ticket. I’ve stood in the back, even finagled a sixth row seat at best. I have to say, helping out with the event has given me more access to the designers, models, buyers, and media than paying my way ever has.

That said, I spent the hours before the show mostly standing around. I watched the run through and successfully dodged getting pulled to be a dresser (read: Little J) or front of house. During the cocktail reception, I was instructed to keep the models from joining the martini-swilling-canape-scarfing revelry despite their best efforts to sneak past me. And then I found myself seating the VIPs. Hooray!

It was at this point that I brought my best bitchface and booted out a couple from the third row who were supposed to be in the sixth through eighth rows (I seriously thought this chick was going to punch me). And then spoke with WWD and People who drilled me for a scoop on the local celebrities and buyers in attendance.

After host Pete Wentz’ “speech” (there to promote his Clandestine Industries lifestyle brand), the lights went down an hour later than scheduled and I took a no-show’s seat in the front row just as a very cute and pregnant Ashlee Simpson snuck in directly OPPOSITE ME, where they proceeded to hold hands and whisper throughout most of the show.

Billy Dec (who looked lost most of the time) and Steven Rosengard from Project Runway season four (who politely smiled and squinted, tilting his head at the handiwork) were also seated across the runway. Call it a perk of volunteering, but I got a seat you can’t buy and a VIP gift bag to boot!

The show itself, if you’re unfamiliar with Gen Art’s format, consisted of five or six local designers. This year’s Chicago show included Elise Bergman, Eskell, FREI Designs, Sophia Reyes, Shorty Clothing, and menswear designer Philip Sparks.

While I’m all for supporting local fashion, I have to say in comparison to past years I found the designs yawn-worthy, and in some cases, a bit “design school project.” The finishing on some of them wasn’t what I thought it would be and some of the color choices were….odd. Although, to be fair, I found Sophia Reyes and Shorty to be well-received highlights of the evening and favorites of those sitting around me.

Sadly, however, the models themselves seemed bored with their garb and poorly prepared to walk in the heels provided by Akira. And the spiritless applause from the crowd spoke volumes. I’d say we all missed the designers of years past: I’m thinking Lara Miller, Michelle Tan, Shanel Regier, and now MIA menswear designer Kent Nielsen (I loved his colorfully tailored style).

Mostly, I enjoyed watching people’s reactions to the designs far more than the clothes themselves. But hey, what do I know? I was just a volunteer; happy to crash the party.