2011 In-Fashion To Do List

From celebrity meet and greets, rocking concerts, fun prize giveaways and cooking demos with your favorite Chicago chefs, the district was overflowing with fun things to do during the 2011 In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by MasterCard®.

See below for examples of activities from 2011. Check back in spring/summer 2012 for new events!

In-Fashion 2011 Kick-off

• Carson Kressley kicked off the festival with an early morning media event featuring fashion demonstrations, new trend make-up applications and the chance to win a $5,000 shopping spree and meet-and-greet style session with Carson! Participants included Mercedes-Benz, ULTA Beauty, The Shops at North Bridge, Nordstrom, Roka Akor, Broadway In Chicago, Crate & Barrel, Wow Bao and Metropolis Coffee.

• Kids These Days rocked out with a free outdoor concert to help kick off In-Fashion, showing with their pulsating sound why the New York Times calls them “A Group With a Sound if Not a Genre”. MasterCard provided special viewing of the concert for MasterCard cardholders.
 

See What Celebrities and Designers Joined Our 2011 In-Fashion Event and Where They Hung Out!

Kids These Days: gave an impressive showcase with a free outdoor performance at Pioneer Court. All members of the band are Chicago natives, but their music embraces the diversity of all their personalities and interest.

Chef Tom Douglas: showed us his tricks of the trade while sharing how to make your own magic kitchen at Macy’s on State Street. He helped kick off “Building A Healthier Chicago” with samples you could taste!

Project Runway Designer Mondo Guerra: joined for the ultimate Fashion Face Off at Macy’s at Water Tower Place. Two lucky contestants created a head to toe look. Mondo shared his Fashion Do’s & Don’ts along with his top style tips for the fall.

Legendary newsman Bill Kurtis: participated in Steak Tasting at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse. Customers could spend time with Bill Kurtis, while learning about different characteristics of grass fed and grain fed beef.

Real Housewives of New York LuAnn de Lesseps: chatted with customers and did a book signing for her book “Class with the Countess” at the Water Tower Place. Her book features The Art of Being Yourself (In Any Situation), The Art of Making Other People Comfortable and The Art of Seduction.

Real Housewives of Orange County Gretchen Rossi: gave some styling tips in the Water Tower Place’s In-Fashion lounge with complimentary cocktails and light bites.

Chicago Cubs Pitcher Kerry Wood: did a meet and greet at Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse who hosted a Wood Family Foundation Night. Tickets to this event guaranteed and autographed Wood Family Foundation baseball by Kerry Wood and much more.

Chicago Bears starting right tackle J’Marcus Webb: assisted with the Labor Day cooking demonstrations at The Shops at North Bridge. The event hosted Executive Chef Darnell Reed, Big Bowl and Chef Dave Histed.

YouTube sensation Greyson Chance: performed a live performance at the Best Buy John Handocock Center (Plaza). Greyson performed songs from his debut album “Hold on ‘Til The Night” followed by an in-store CD signing.

Chicago Cubs Catcher Geovany Soto: signed autographs and posed for pictures at Harry Caray’s Tavern Navy Pier.

Kelly Osbourne: the face of material Girl Collection, shared her favorite fall trends at Macy’s on State Street.  The first 75 fans to make a $35 Material Girl purchase had their photo taken with Kelly.

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ Kyle Richards and TV Host Marcellas Reynolds: presented Chicago’s hottest trends and fashion designers on a “Runway to Reality” during Fashion’s Night Out at Macy’s on State Street.

Tru’s Gale Gand: led a mother - daughter dessert decorating class at the American Girl Place. Together moms and girls developed decorating skills to make mini cakes and so much more.

Real Housewives of New Jersey Teresa Giudice: signed her cookbook with all her secrets to Italian family recipes at the Water Tower place.

Bravo TV’s Brad Goreski: attended the fashion show during Fashion’s Night out at the 900 North Michigan Shops.

2011 Labor Day Events

•Greyson Chance performed LIVE at Best Buy John Hancok Center Plaza

•Crate & Barrel hosted Chef Patrick Sheerin from The Signature Room at the 95th, Chef Naoki Nakashimi from Shaw’s Crab House, Chef Larry Donahue from Mity Nice and Chef Beverly Kim Clark from Aria.

•Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store hosted Chef Steve Coppolillo and Sous Chef Brandon La Clair from Rosebud Steakhouse and Pastry Chef Celine Plano from The Peninsula Chicago who made vanilla macaroons with a variety of fillings.

2011 Fashion Shows & Trunk Shows

Bloomingdale’s: fashion presentation featured the hottest fall fashion by Gerard Darel.

CHIARoScUro: had a meet and greet with artist Charu, who designs contemporary handmade sterling silver and gemstone jewelry. Everyone received a free gift with purchase.

The Drake, 900 North Michigan Shops and Mario Tricoci: presented a Fall Fashion Fix hosted by Quentin Schumacher.

Kooky: children’s boutique hosted a Kidstuff Trunk Show and Sale with local Chicago childrenswear designers including, Adooka Organics, BonnBonn Baby, Lemon Loves Lime, Little H Designs, Pluto Tees, Sam and Coop and Snowman Scarves.

The Shops at North Bridge and The Art Institute of Chicago: hosted an event featuring fashion and culture icon Nena Ivon and Art Institute curator Gloria Groom who showcased fall fashions that marry contemporary styles.

2011 Outdoor Concert

• Greyson Chance performed Live at Best Buy John Hancock Center Plaza. He performed songs from his debut album “Hold On ‘Til The Night”. After the concert there was an in-store CD Signing.

• Kids These Days rocked out with a free outdoor concert to help kick off In-Fashion, showing with their pulsating sound why the New York Times calls them “A Group With a Sound if Not a Genre”. MasterCard provided special viewing of the concert for MasterCard cardholders.

2011 Culinary Events and Tours

• For all the foodies out there, during the 2011 In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by MasterCard® there were a variety of cuisines from participating restaurants showcasing some of their signature dishes with a prix fix menu.

• The following restaurants participated: 676 Restaurant, Bar & Café, aria restaurant & bar, Café de Architectes, Café Spiaggia, C-House Restaurant, deca RESTAURANT, Frankie’s Scaloppine, Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse, Lawry’s The Prime Rib, Le Colonial, Markethouse, Moe’s Cantina River North, Morton’s The Steakhouse Wacker Place, Phil Stefani’s 437 Rush, Roka Akor, Rosebud Steakhouse, Seasons Lounge, Texas de Brazil, Weber Grill, Wildfire and the Walnut Room.

Additional Culinary Events and Tours

675 Restaurant, Bar & Café: offered a cooking class to develop your creative cooking skills along side of Chef Daven Wardynksi.

Bloomingdale’s Home & Furniture Store: did a meet and greet with Chef Foss of The Meatyball Mobile. Samples of his famous meatballs were also available. Other events by Bloomingdales were demonstrations by Rob Levitt, Owner of The Butcher & Larder, Chef Christopher Tong of My Private Chef and Exexutive Chef Jonathon Beatty of Davanti Enoteca.

Chicago Chocolate Tours: offered a Chocolate+Fashion walking, tasting and shopping tour to multiple chocolate shops and fashion boutiques.

Harry Caray’s Italian Steakhouse: presented a steak tasting and lunch with the legendary newsman and Founder of Tallgrass Beef, Bill Kurtis.

Macy’s on State Street: welcomed Chef Tom Douglas as he shared how to kick off “Building A Healthier Chicago” with samples that you were able to taste along with a book signing.

2011 In-Store Events

Adele Dallas Orr Fashion Boutique: guests enjoyed champagne, cupcakes, fashion models, and in-store gift certificates.

American Girl Place: had multiple events including using stencils of clothing and patterned paper to create original outfits for your girls own paper doll.They were also able to learn about American Girl’s newest historical characters, plus so much more!

Bloomingdale’s: offered a variety of events at multiple store locations. Anything from a denim event, to multiple make up and clothing artist sharing their favorite styles, there was always something to keep you busy.

Brooks Brothers: had their Wardrobe Event and those who attended received some fashionable discounts.

Candyality: unveiled a one-of-a-kind retrospective view of the collection of fashion dresses made out of iconic candy and their wrappers.

David Yurman: had you bring in your David Yurman jewelry to be refreshed and restyled. Also, their top stylist from New York was there to introduce the seasonal trends.

Disney Store: called all Princes & Princesses to dress up in their finest costumes and join their Royal Princess Academy.

ESCADA: invited you to experience a chocolate and cocktail tasting with Vosges Haut-Chocolat and VeeV. Models showcased their Fall/Winter 2011 Collection.

Forever 21: offered you to revamp your style accompanied by their Forever 21 stylists. Those who did were offered a free gift to compliment their new look.

The LEGO Imagination Center – Water Tower Place: invited kids and adults to help a LEGO Master Builder construct an 8-foot tall LEGO Brickley Sea Serpent model, completely out of LEGO bricks!

Macy’s on State Street: offered multiple events from Shop for a Cause to raise money for charities nationwide, cooking demos from famous chefs, and fashion shows hosted by Project Runway designer Mondo Guerra - plus many more!

The Shops at North Bridge and The Art Institute of Chicago: asked you to join them for an exclusive sneak peek at the future Art Institute of Chicago blockbuster exhibition, Fashion, Impressionism and Modernity. The event featured fashion and culture icon Nena Ivon and Art Institute curator Gloria Groom.

Water Tower Place: offered a variety of events from a Dress for Success Suit Drive to kick off The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by MasterCard®, to multiple book signings from The Real Housewives stars LuAnn de Lesseps and Teresa Giudice- plus so much more!

2011 Fashions Night Out

The Magnificent Mile invited everyone to Americas first shopping festival. Fellow fashionistas joined together as retail stores in Chicago and around the the world celebrated an evening of fashion, fun and shopping. FNO is an unprecedented global initiative that was created in 2009 to celebrate fashion and put the fun back in shopping. Now in its third year, the event takes place in over 100 cities and globally in 15 countries. Below are a few of the retailers that joined in on this fabulous night of celebration!

900 North Michigan Shops and Bravo TV’s Brad Goreski: featured a flash fashion show, a glamorous beauty bazaar, delicious bites and more and so much more!

The Shops at North Bridge and Chicago Magazine: offered styling tips from Chicago magazine fashion director, Stacey Jones and style editor, Heiji Choy Black, glamorous model showcases, exciting in store celebrations, trend beauty bars and much much more!

Water Tower Place: joined hundreds of Fashionistas in celebrating Fashion’s Night Out by hosting a fashion part with participating retailers such as Macy’s, American Girl Place, Vera Bradley, foodlife, Betsey Johnson and so many more.

Macy’s at Water Tower Place: offered events such as a beauty raffle in cosmetics, a karaoke contest, the opportunity to meet Marcellas Reynolds and a beauty giveaway!

Nordstrom Michigan Avenue: invited everyone to join them for an evening of entertainment, refreshments, prizes, special guest appearances, exclusive merchandise, and the latest trends and much more! 

Saks Fifth Avenue: unveiled the newly renovated shoe salon adopting the very stylish “ZIP Code” 10022-SHOE, after the New York store’s shoe salon.

Shrine Haberdashers: invited guests to a pampering provided by Chicago’s HALO [FOR MEN] Salon, while sipping specialty cocktails provided by Spice Box Whiskey.

Store Openings

See who opened their doors on The Magnificent Mile the summer and fall of 2011.

Recently Opened

Rolex, 636 N. Michigan Avenue (Opened Spring 2011)
AllSaints, 700 N. Michigan Avenu (Opened June, 2011)
Lego Store, Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Avenue (Opened June 1, 2011)
HomeGoods, 600 N. Michigan Avenue, (Opened June 12, 2011)
Charming Charlie, The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Avenue (Opened July, 2011)
Burberry, Temporary Location at The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Avenue (Opened July 26, 2011)
TOPSHOP, 830 N. Michigan Avenue (Opened September 8, 2011)
Kiehl’s, The Shops at North Bridge, 520 N. Michigan Avenue (Opened September, 2011)
Stuart Weitzman, 701 N. Michigan Avenue (Opened September, 2011)