Shop Talk at the Chicago Fashion Incubator Open House

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Since the Chicago Fashion Incubator pop-up shop closed earlier this year, the CFI designers have been quietly reserved working on their latest collections. Today, on the secret CFI hideaway on the 11th floor at Macy's on State, the public was able to meet with the upcoming crew in their essential workplace and get all chatty about their design process, inspiration, or any other inquiries.

With patterns, thread, and shears scatted across giant cutting tables, the viewer could clearly see the work never stops. Industrial Juki and Singer sewing machines, that cost approximately $1,300+ each, are where these designers slave away to create their designs before sourcing the pattern to local or international seamstresses.

Classic menswear designer Eric Kipp chooses fabulous fabrications from Switzerland, England, Italy and all over the world for his cool Chicago color palette suiting. He uses no synthetic fibers, which is the highest quality for your investment in a designer piece.

Director of CFI, Lara Miller is also a fan of important fabrications. Her generous donation of soy and organic cotton was used for the popular “Made in Chicago” t-shirts with proceeds going directly back into the CFI program. - Shelby Steiner
· Chicago Fashion Incubator [Official Site]