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CHICAGO FASHION WEEK: GEN ART FRESH FACES SHOW

12 10 07 - 12:23 By now, we all know (thanks to notable alums like Zac Posen and Rebecca Taylor) Gen Art provides a great stage to showcase new design talent. In Chicago, Fresh Faces is no different-if anything, it's probably a bit more important here because our city still lacks much of the infrastructure for launching new designers. After taking in the show, we were struck by how much the whole process reminded us of a sort of high-school-esque Prom Court Crowning; there is the anticipation, the event and of course, the after party (though the James Hotel is a bit more lux than your standard gymnasium and there weren't any unfortunate looking chaperones). But, the kings and queens of Fresh Faces Chicago weren't clad in football helmets and pompoms. Rather they were a mixed bunch of young designers. So as self appointed year book editors, we came up with some style superlatives of our own for the fresh faces class of 2007:

XOXO, Andrea and Megan.

Nora Marcella, Spring 2008

CUTEST COUPLE: Nora and Marcella Volini of Nora Marcella. The two designing sisters, ages 17 and 26, showed a whimsical yet wearable collection of bright rompers, ruffled short shorts and sleeveless dresses. While its clear they are new to the design process (last night was their first show) and still have room for growth in terms of composition, we were impressed with the details of the pieces - from buttons on the backs of dresses to sparkled trim and use of colorblocking. These are the perfect pieces to pair with flat sandals and a ponytail a la Cameron Diaz.

MOST DRAMATIC: Brian O’Neill and Sean Bilovecky of Wrath Arcane. The first thing we noticed about this menswear collection was that we couldn't see the male models' pretty faces (sad face). But we quickly dismissed the masks and the models and turned our attention to the clothes which were great; very un-dramatic and almost minimalistic. The skinny yet slouchy fit of the black denim was very of the moment (which in the fashion world can either be a good or bad thing) yet without the stench of stylized faux rockers. If they didn't get you with the jeans, you had to at least appreciate the forward-thinking construction of their avant-garde hoodies.

TALKS THE LEAST, SAYS THE MOST: Apparatchik by Tram Nguyen. Forget saving the best for last, Tram was the first and our favorite. A mix of bright colors, sheer fabrics and serious construction the collection’s stand out pieces were its super-short quilted mini-dresses. Each was a piece that takes some serious confidence to pull off, because when you walk into a room, everyone is going to take notice. But, that Tram said is what epitomizes her style. It’s a blend of incongruous elements; soft and edgy, flirty and serious.

Nora and Marcella Volini of Nora Marcella