By Staci Demierre / Lana Fertelmister

2005 was a year of growth for Chicago Fashion Foundation, not only in membership numbers but also in events. Here is a look back at some of those events helping to put Chicago and CFF on the map.

In May, a Spring Breakfast Panel took place at Columbia College. Here the CFF board members spoke at this informational forum. The event was open to all fashion-design/fashion-business students from area colleges. Topics included fashion careers and the importance of post-college networking.

The Summer Membership Meeting was held June 28 th at the W Hotel. This free event for non-members and members was a great venue to allow some meet and greet time. After taking in cocktails, hor d'ourves and conversation the group joined together in the banquet room to hear the CFF board give a clear message of what Chicago Fashion Foundation stands for and its future goals.

Summer 2005 was an incredible season for CFF, we couldn't believe how many new and exciting opportunities came our way, and we took them and made them our own!

Lollapalooza, The most famous collaborating festival of music and art, came to Chicago on July 23-24, 2005 to showcase the bravado of amazing bands and DJ's. For the first time in Lollapalooza's history, fashion became a part of the festivities. CFF in cooperation with Lollapalooza organizers sponsored several runway fashion shows dedicated to Chicago's aspiring young talent. We organized a design contest and chose designers who were able to showcase their work to a large audience for the first time. Thank you to all that participated in this great event.

As the summer came to a close, CFF was chosen by the Mayor's Office of Special Events to be a part of Fashion Focus Chicago, an exciting 11-day celebration ( September 19-29, 2005 ). This city sponsored program spotlighted independent Chicago fashion designers and the many facets of Chicago's fashion scene. CFF was asked to host two industry seminars. The first seminar, “A Colorful Evening with Margaret Walch”, featured Ms. Walch, a renowned expert on color and trend forecasting and the Director of the Color Association of the US. She discussed color and its influence on society from the fashion runways, to wallpaper, car interiors, and the newest lifestyle trends. Ms. Walch gave the audience unique insight into the important role trend and color forecasting plays in our daily lives.

The following week an additional seminar was held, “Conversation with Alexander Julian”. Julian discussed his journey through design from menswear to decorating products and home furnishings. He is known as an innovative designer and colorist throughout the industry. Examples of his work can be seen in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Design.