This past weekend I accompanied my friend Adryanna, fashion maven and blogger extraordinaire, to NightWalk 2010, the School of the Art Institute’s parade of student design talent. The event was held in the Modern Wing at the Art Institute, and the high-ceilinged, long space was ideal for the flashy runway event.
Though most regard New York City as the U.S. fashion capital, Chicago is a hotbed for design talent. The School of the Art Institute in particular is largely to credit for this nurturing atmosphere, and the SAIC design program counts Cynthia Rowley, Gary Graham (who was honored at the event) and Halston among its notable alumni. Most designers, however, choose to move elsewhere after graduation — particularly New York, but that’s another story. Regardless, many influential designers spend their formative years training and learning in the urban heart of the Midwest.
Between the imaginative geometric getups and whimsical gowns that passed on the runway, I am confident I’ll be boasting, “I saw that designer at NightWalk 2010!” in a mere few years. Perhaps they’ll be the names of Bonnie Alayne, Robin Nygren and Shruti Kirti, who I jotted down as producing looks that wowed me most.
-Karina for TKGO











6:14 pm
Great pictures! Sounds like a really fun event.