Dame Couture– Holly Greenhagen and Julie Fehler

When the big day finally arrives (wedding day that is), the ladies of Dame Couture can hand-make any woman’s dream dress. If the already-made Dame designs don’t exactly fit, don’t fret, Holly and Julie custom-create gowns for each individual bride. Each creation is classically and artistically crafted, and still manages to exude a modern touch. Leaving the bride comfortable and completely satisfied with her perfect dress, these high-quality gowns are truly one-of-a-kind.

With a love of sewing and of vintage clothes, Holly and Julie combined their talents to create Dame Couture. As a team with over 40 years of sewing experience, they really know how to tailor a piece to fit perfectly. Besides couture creators, Holly and Julie are both instructors at Columbia College. These women have had their hands in Chicago’s fashion community for a while. They are good friends of the Stitches Fashion Program and were featured on Metromix as part of it.

By appointment only:
Dame Couture LLC
4316 N. Elston
Chicago, IL 60614
773-463-2162

www.damecouture.com

Basia Frossard Design - Basia Frossard

Custom-made, high-end clothes are on every woman’s wish list. When she finally gets the means to acquire some of her own, she’ll know where to find them. For a customized, classic look with a European flair, Basia Frossard is the woman to turn to. Basia knows what it takes to create a sophisticated look sensitive to individual style. Whether headed to Europe, an evening gala, or just a day out, Basia’s clients are wrapped in luxury. Her pieces are modern, but still retain the classiness that creates a timeless look. Basia uses only the best materials and fabrics from all over the world including Italy, Egypt, and Spain.

Basia has been designing for over twenty years. She grew up in a small textile town in Poland and has studied fine tailoring in Poland and Vienna. Having spent her childhood in a communist town, Basia craved individualism. The art of tailoring sent her from Europe to America, and Basia eventually planted roots in Chicago. Basia is also involved in home interiors, and uses her talents and skills in both areas of design. Basia has been involved in Chicago’s design community for some time now and was part of the World Fashion Chicago runway show during Fashion Focus 2006.

Basia’s designs can be found at West Loop Boutique Koros, and she will be opening her own showroom in the West Loop shortly.

Basia Frossard Design
1715 W. Ohio St. Suite 1S
Chicago, IL 60622
312-226-5321

www.basiafrossard.com

Kate Boggiano LLC – Kate Boggiano

As we at the Stitches Fashion Program always say, get online and get selling. Kate Boggiano is one designer/business owner who uses that advice as best as she can. Kate designs, manufacturers, and sells her products through her website, www.kateboggiano.com. The collections she creates follow the motto “a great fit creates a great look.” Pairing high quality materials with local manufacturing, Kate’s blouses and tops for women will outlast the average clothing line. Kate Boggiano also offers a custom-creation center, where customers can pick and choose to create a one-of-a-kind dress shirt. Fast delivery and quality customer care make this feature a winner. Look for it online in August 2007.

Kate is the sole owner of Kate Boggiano, LLC, which was officially founded November 2006. Originally from Chicago, Kate went to school at Indiana University and moved to NYC upon graduation. After catching on that Chicago’s fashion scene was about to boom, Kate returned to Chicago to start her own fashion company. Currently a member of many local Chicago design organizations including Gen Art, Chicago Fashion Foundation, Apparel Industry Board, and Fashion Group International, Kate does her best to immerse herself and her company into Chicago’s fashion community.

Kate Boggiano currently can be found at The Denim Loft in Geneva, Il. We suggest checking the online store, where you can buy directly from the site.

www.kateboggiano.com

BONUS!!
For all you blog readers, Kate Boggiano is offering Free Shipping using the coupon code: SUMMERFUN. The offer is valid July 1st – 31st, and is not valid with any other offer.

Ellie’s Party! Gear for Growing Gourmands – Jenny Davis

It seems like everyone now-a-days is becoming interested in culinary culture. With Ellie’s Party, your baby can too. The curiously cute phrases like “Sippee Cup Sommelier” and “Food Critic in Training” printed on bibs and onesies will make your friends and family unable to resist pinching your child’s cheeks saying “Aren’t you just the cutest thing ever?” For those of us who appreciate the finer things in life, and have an adorable little one running around, Ellie’s Party gear is just for you.

Jenny Davis has spent more than a decade in print journalism, both as a magazine editor and a freelance food and wine writer for publications like USA Weekend, Travel + Leisure, and the Chicago Tribune. After having her first child, Jenny combined her areas of interest and created Ellie’s Party. The company has been featured in The New York Times, Food Arts, the Chicago Tribune, Budget Living, and more. Jenny has offered a helpful hand in Chicago’s fashion community and the Stitches Program specifically. We believe this is a good reason to pop open a bottle of bubbly (for her, not the baby).

You can purchase these delicious items (made of 100% cotton) at www.cafepress.com/elliesparty. They can also be found at these boutiques: All She Wrote on Armitage, The Kid's Table in Bucktown, and Kid Biz. Shortly, they'll be available at The Copia Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa, CA.

www.elliesparty.com

Beta Boutique – Janice Moskoff

Ever wonder how women in New York City always seem to be wearing expensive designer labels? The truth is they didn’t pay full price. The secret lies in sample sales. With discounts as high as 90%, designer-lovers can fill their closets with high-end goodies, and still go home with leftovers in their wallet.

Chicago has now entered the sample sale arena, and Beta Boutique is leading the way. As Chicago’s first permanent sample sale, the Bucktown boutique provides Chicagoans will access to fashion-forward contemporary women’s samples and overstock from local, domestic, and international labels. You can find items from such designers as Cynthia Rowley, Alice & Trixie, and BCBG.

Former business strategist for Ann Taylor Stores Corp., Janice Moskoff took a risk when she quit her job and decided to travel the world instead. After realizing that she wanted to be an entrepreneur, Janice returned to Chicago in 2004 and opened Beta Boutique. Having grown up with an eye for a bargain, Janice was the perfect candidate to bring the sample sale to Chicago. Applause to Janice for taking a risk and bringing something fresh to Chicago.

Designers interested in selling at Beta Boutique can find contact information online at www.betaboutique.com.

Beta Boutique
2016 W. Concord Place
Chicago, IL 60647

www.betaboutique.com

Joelle Nadine Designs – Joelle Minassian

Who doesn’t want their handbag to come attached with words such as ‘exclusive’ or ‘unique?’ Instantly giving its owner a touch of chic, Joelle Nadine Designs are beautifully crafted. Using only Italian leather and hardware, top-quality is a must. Working with only the highest-skilled craftspeople (an Italian standard no?), each creation is of master design and construction. Joelle, however, does not forget comfort, and she makes sure each piece is functional as well as stylish.

Maybe it’s the Italian edge that makes Joelle’s pieces so intriguing. She spent six years in the romantic country, designing for labels such as Versace Jeans Couture, Versus, Gianfranco Ferre Jeans, and Just Cavalli. Names like these prove she must be a hard-working girl. To add to that, before Italy she graduated from FIT in NYC and apprenticed for Marc Bower. Now back in her hometown, Joelle uses the skills she learned overseas to provide her customers with Italian-inspired, fine leather accessories.

Joelle Nadine Designs can be found at Chicago boutiques such as Elements and Florodora (in the South Loop). They can also be found in the suburban locations of Perlie (in Winnetka) and Excentrique (in Hinsdale).

Joelle Nadine Designs at Elements Boutique
102 East Oak Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-642-6574

www.joellenadine.com

Active Endeavors – Andrew Davis

Calling itself “the place for the urban active lifestyle enthusiast,” Active Endeavors captures the energy of Chicago in its merchandise. Combining sportswear with modern, fashion trends, the clothes never fail to provide the perfect look for casual wear. Active has a cutting-edge ‘je ne sais quoi’ that so many companies strive for. Selling hard-to-find designer collections, Chicagoans come to Active for a look they confidently know is their own. Active Endeavors reminds you that being a trendsetter doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable.

Founded in 1985, Active Endeavors found its current Chief Executive Officer in 1995. Andrew became the CEO in 2000 when he streamlined the business under his management and continually pushed the importance of the company’s online presence. Being a devoted sports enthusiast himself, Andrew knows how to be comfortable and still look good. Besides Andrew, the whole Active Endeavors management team specializes in combining fashion and business smarts to create retail success.

Active has three store locations in Illinois: Lincoln Park, Evanston, and Glencoe. Active’s merchandise is also sold online at www.activeendeavors.com.

PS to designers: there’s a page on the website where you can submit your line to possibly become part of Active’s online catalog. It’s just another way that this company ‘actively’ (sorry couldn’t resist) supports Chicago’s fashion community.

Active Endeavors in Lincoln Park
835 W. Armitage Ave.
Chicago, IL 60614
773–281–8100

www.activeendeavors.com