Friends
The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
Home to the Stitches Fashion Program, the CEC keeps this site and the fashion program afloat. Not only do we help fashion entrepreneurs, but those in all types of businesses. Read about some of our other programs, clients, and services through www.chicagolandec.org.
Above the Fray Magazine
Above the Fray Magazine or AtFM is an innovative style website that believes fashion is an intelligent art form. They have interviews with independent designers and coverage on emerging trends. They also have a quarterly on-line "glossy magazine" for subscribers (it's free) loaded with images and in-depth stories and interviews. The lovely team at Above the Fray hope to inspire viewers to dress, think, dream, and live creatively.
Chicago Fashion Resource
This site is run by Chicago's Mayor's Fashion Council (MFC), most of whom are really good friends of the Stitches Fashion Program. Oftentimes, Stitches staff wear two hats and do our best to help with ALL of Chicago's fashion efforts, including the MFC. Use this site to learn more about top Chicago designers, to research some of Chicago's best boutiques, and to find a way to meld those together through a guided tour. Also, check out upcoming and past Chicago-sponsored fashion events. Last by not least, for you fashion professionals out there, sign-up on this site for industry-specific information.
Catwalk Genius
A financing vehicle for start-up and emerging fashion designers. www.catwalkgenius.com is a people-to-people lending service for fashion entrepreneurs. The site allows any independent fashion designers to sign up and create adverts for their work, opting into an "adopt a designer" scheme, which may lead to the designer receiving funding for a whole collection! Designers can also simply just sell their merchandise on the site. This site is recommended by Style Expose and Stitches. Email Stitches for exclusive Catwalk Genius deals.
Chicago Picks
Chicago Picks is the sister site of Portland Picks, Seattle Picks, Phoenix Picks, etc. It's a subscription-driven online publication delivered to subscribers each Friday via email. It's a fun and sassy vehicle for City Secrets that reaches a highly targeted market. A friend of Stitches, Chicago Picks is a great way to find out about anything new and exciting in Chicago, fashion included of course.
Chic Gems Etc Newsletter
Chic Gems, etc. is a Chicago-based jewelry company. Besides creating jewelry, designer Sarah Radford puts together the Chic Gems Etc Newsletter. The newsletter highlights seasonal trends and style must-haves. Also, check the newsletter for discounts on Chic Gems Etc products.
Factio
Factio Magazine is a quarterly publication bringing the creative and luxury content to an oversized print format. Each quarter the magazine pairs fashion and style with mediums such as architecture and interior design. Besides the printed copy, check out their website www.factio-magazine.com for updates on fashion, events, galas, trends and more.
FadMashion
FadMashion isn't just a play on words. In fact it's a beta site with a main purpose of connecting designers and retailers. All you need to do is create a profile, (Stitches did), and put yourself out there. Then connect! At FadMashion it's easy for retailers to search for fresh, quality talent while and making it easier for designers to present their wares through a profile management interface.
Fashion Business Inc
Fashion Business Inc (FBI) is almost like the Los Angeles equivalent of Stitches. FBI offers targeted business education, sourcing, networking opportunities, marketing and consulting services through its resource center, online training and business partnerships. What's useful for you? Make sure to check out their online video seminars and their weblog, which are both fantastic resources for designers anywhere.
Fashion Indie
Dedicated to the discovery of emerging fashion talent, Fashion Indie Media attracts over 300,000 Indies each month looking for our unique perspective on the down and dirty world of fashion. Fashion Indie is a resource we at the Stitches Fashion Program check daily. Add it to your daily blog feed too; it's well worth it. Fashion Indie is a great daily source to see what's going on in New York fashion.
Fashion-Incubator
Kathleen Fasanella writes most of the content on this blog. With 27 years of experience in the apparel industry, she offers real information for fashion entrepreneurs. She says it as it is and offers fashion entrepreneurs very useful tidbits of information, often on the technicalities of running a fashion business and trade show updates. She is also the author of The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sewn Product Manufacturing; a book the Stitches Fashion Program recommends.
Fashion Snoops
A tool that's great for buyers and others working in the industry, Fashion Snoops trendforecasting lets you know what will be the next big thing. It gives you an inside look directly into stores, boutiques, runway shows, and trade shows from around the world. There's so much on this site, you can get lost on it for hours. Although it's subscription based (nothing this good comes for free), with prices ranging from $4,000 - $10,000 per year, it's well worth it.
Fashion Therapist
A fashion blog written by a Chicagoan. The site covers local news as well as industry highlights. Look here for a unique point of view on the ever-changing fashion industry, with a Chicago twist.
Flowerbooking
Although not having too much to do with fashion, we couldn't resist but to put this site up here. As we all know, music and fashion often go hand-in-hand, and we don't forget that at Stitches. If you're into independent music, check out Flowerbooking's site to learn about bands and find out who's touring.
Gal's Guide
Gals Guide is a modern girl's hub of useful (and entertaining) information. The blog, operated by Blagica Stefanovski, offers tidbits of information on the latest news, discoveries, and products, as well as advice on everyday matters. Blagica has been in the web business for a while (she even teaches Web Marketing classes at ITA), and galsguide.com is a way for her to let those younger girls learn how to make it.
The Midwasteland
Friend of the Stitches Fashion Program and site-creator/editor, Monica captures some of Chicago's hippest trendsetters. Young in mind and spirit, she searches the streets for people who live in Chicago AND have a sense of style. The Midwasteland also offers an online vintage store as well as personal styling advice.
Second City Style
One of the most well-known Chicago-based fashion sites (and winner of www.glam.com's Best in Fashion 2006). The site is made up of three parts. The magazine features editorials offering style advice and trend updates. The store sells merchandise from Chicago-based designers (yes, do check it out), and last but not least the blog posts about anything and everything fashion related (not just Chicago). Although native to Chicago, the site's owner now operates the site from NYC, allowing her to report from fashion's 'headquarters' in the Chicago point of view. Look to this blog for fashion week updates, industry news, and more.
Shopwalk
Shopwalk offers guided tours to some of Chicago's best boutiques. All you have to do is choose a neighborhood, perhaps offer some suggestions on your fashion style, and Shopwalk takes care of the rest. The tours begin at local coffee shops or restaurants, and shopping continues with the local feel. Many of the boutiques we feature on Style Expose are included in Shopwalk tours as are boutiques that carry Chicago designers.
Style Chicago/ Fashion Chicago
Our friends at Style Chicago have created a page dedicated to fashion, with an emphasis on local, Chicago fashion. Visit this site to learn more about designers and find out about their events/trunk shows. Sign up for the email blasts to get weekly updates from Style Chicago.
Venus Magazine
Venus Magazine is targeted at independent women who have an interest in the creative industries. Highlighting underground music, art, and culture, the site even has its own DIY section. As friends of the Stitches Fashion Program, you'll be seeing a lot more of Venus around here.
Wunderbloc
This is new website that Chicago cannot miss out on. Right now it's NYC focused, but who's to say we won't have our own version someday? The site maps out NYC/Brooklyn by neighborhood, showing you boutiques located there. And it's not just a list. There are photos, virtual tours, and even some of the boutiques sell product right through Wunderbloc. If you're interested in NYC fashion-retail, this site is a must.
