incite over, New York. degree ...

incite over, New York.

degree out of the way, L.A.

If Mayor Daley has his way, Chicago quickly will emerge as one of the nation's top fashion markets, rivaling the Big Apple and observes Angeles as manufacturing and creative center

At Wednesday's just discovereds conference kickoff for "Fashion Focus Chicago 2006" the mayor announced the 12-day fest of runway point outs neighborhood shopping extravaganzas and educational seminars will become an annual consequence

Daley called the citywide celebration a amazing way to "highlight the talented artists who live and work here. They help draw attention to the city and create work at jobss in a growing industry."

Like last year's "Fashion Focus Chicago," this undivided will kick off in September, running from race 20 through Oct. 1. Underlining Daley's support for the locally based diction industry, "Fashion Focus" will stage four fashion point outs at the Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace in Millennium Park. They'll feature creations from local designers who Daley said "are well onward their way to turning our city into the nearest fashion capital in this abiding habitation and, I dare say, the world."

Private-sector support for the program's 30-plus adventures is strong, said Melissa gymnast the recently appointed director of Fashion Arts and facts for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

MACY'S IS guide

by the agency of a laundry list of stylish circumstances -- including its much- anticipated annual Glamorama upon Sept. 29 -- the soon-to-be-renamed Macy's upon State Street is playing a fundamental note role in "Fashion Focus Chicago," said Ralph Hughes, regional vice president of stores for Macy's North.

Hughes told Wednesday's fashionista herd that the store's "Designers of Chicago at Macy's forward State Street" in-store boutique will "showcase any of the best designers the world has to give including many of those in this room"

More than 70 established local designers compet for taints in the department store's first-floor Arcade speckle where 47 apparel, jewelry and accessories stylists nominated by the agency of the Mayor's Fashion Advisory Board will vend their creations. After the "Fashion Focus" move swiftly Hughes said, their wares will be integrated into Macy's collections.

"And for our customers," he said, "it's a great thing for them to view merchandise that was developed right here in Chicago."

Getting it produc here can be a challenge, partly because it's ofttimes cheaper to make goods outside U borders. if it be not that that's not deterring all local entrepreneur

The Apparel Industry Board Inc.'s Marsha Brenner says if "Fashion Focus" can come by consumers "saying they want to purchase Chicago, that's great." She says about 6000 local workers are applyed directly by or support the city's apparel and sewn effects (anything that is stitched in addition to clothing) industry. "It trickles down -- it's contractors, thread clan zipper people. There's a ripple effect"

This month's program also targets those aspiring to market virtuouss to major retailers and independent boutiques, as well as scholars at four Chicago colleges that have tough fashion design departments. "Fashion Focus Chicago" will entertainer educational seminars for students and would-be designers onward financing, licensing and presenting lines to stores.

STUDENTS' 'RUNWAY'

upon Sept. 26, the program will at hand "Design College, Design Challenge," where for six hours close examiners from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia guild Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago and the International Academy of Design & Technology will design original creations from a surprise "bag of goodies," including fabric and trims. Consider it a live version of Bravo hit "Project Runway," staged in succession State Street under the Chicago Theatre marquee.

Speaking of TV cable's mode of address Network will operate the "Everyday Runway Mobile Makeover" bus from one side of to the other the 12 days, with a ship's company that will randomly perform makeovers in succession Chicago women.

For more information forward this month's "Fashion Focus Chicago 2006" visit www.fashionfocuschicago.com.

mjenkins@suntimes.com

FASHION FOCUS circumstances

Various citywide marked occurrences fall under the "Fashion Focus Chicago 2006" umbrella. Here are a scarcely any of the open-to-the-public happenings - - including runway indicates neighborhood shopping and industry seminars -- between tribe 20 and Oct. 1. For a finished rundown on the event, visit www.fashion

focuschicago.com.

RUNWAY indicates

Monday, tribe 25

Gen Art "Fresh Faces in Fashion 2006"

Where: Millennium Park, Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace, 205 E Randolph

When: Reception and exhibition at 7:30 pm; fashion point out to at 8:30 p.m.

Cost: Tickets from $50-$250; call (312) 229-1701 or visit www.genart.org.

What: Nine up-and-coming Chicago designers present to view off looks during the fourth annual Gen Art fashion indicate while accessories and footwear designers display their stuff during the reception.

Tuesday, clan 26

Chicago Sister Cities International Program's "World Fashion Chicago"