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Driehaus Design showcases rising fashion stars
Doug and Ann Porter of Western Springs | Photo courtesy of Francis Son
Event: The Eleventh Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion
Excellence
Benefiting: Driehaus Design Initiative
Attending: 450+
Raised: $140,000+
Article Extras
Updated: August 7, 2012 12:32PM
More than 450 guests helped raise in excess of $140,000 as Driehaus Design Initiative celebrated the innovation and craftsmanship of hardworking, emerging fashion designers at The Eleventh Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence on April 27 in Chicago.
Inese and Richard H. Driehaus rolled out the purple carpet at 700 S. Des Plaines where a garage of vintage classic cars was transformed into an elegant fashion fête. The event included a pre-party with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, a silent auction, runway show, and VIP after-party for designers and event sponsors. WLS-Channel 7’s Linda Yu returned as master of ceremonies.
The runway competition provided a select group of top-notch local fashion design students the opportunity to showcase their unique perspectives at a full-scale runway show with professional models as their muses.
Driehaus Design Initiative raised a record amount to support the fashion and design programs at participating local schools: Columbia College Chicago, Dominican University, The Illinois Institute of Art, the International Academy of Design & Technology and the School of Art Institute of Chicago.
The $5,000 first place prize went to Kendra DeKuiper of Columbia College Chicago; the $2,500 second place prize was awarded to Laura Lanzerotte of Dominican University; and the $1,000 third place prize was presented to Maribel Dinwiddie of the International Academy of Design and Technology.
Honorable mentions were awarded to Marta Cebrat-Czernik of The Illinois Institute of Art, Andrew Cruz of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and Kelly Long and Nedziba Zukanovic of the International Academy of Design and Technology.
In addition to cash honorariums, the finalists also won a mentorship with Jon Cotay, owner of AKIRA, and the opportunity to attend a workshop on the business of retail and fashion. AKIRA will display Kendra DeKuiper’s collection in a pop-up shop at a Chicago store location.
Serving as judges were Wendy Krimins, vice president and general manager, Neiman Marcus on Michigan Avenue; Susanna Negovan, former editor-in-chief, Michigan Avenue Magazine; and Diego Rocha, designer, Diego Rocha Handbags.
Visit driehausdesign.org and the Driehaus Design Initiative Facebook page for additional event information.
