Driehaus Design Initiative presents The Eleventh Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence April 27, 2012

Driehaus Design Initiative celebrates the innovation and craftsmanship of hardworking, emerging student fashion designers at their annual fashion show competition on Friday, April 27, 2012 at 6 p.m. in Chicago.
Inese and Richard H. Driehaus will roll out the purple carpet and kick-off The Eleventh Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence at 700 S. Des Plaines. The garage will transform for the evening to an elegant fashion fête alongside a selection of classic vintage cars.
This highly anticipated fashion event, themed Driven by Design, includes a pre-party with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, silent auction, runway show, and VIP after-party for designers and event sponsors. ABC7’s Linda Yu will return as master of ceremonies.
The runway competition provides a select group of top notch local fashion design students the opportunity to showcase their unique design perspectives at a full-scale runway show with professional models as their muses. Judged by a panel of three industry experts, the selected top designers will receive cash awards. The judges include Wendy Krimins, vice president and general manager, Neiman Marcus on Michigan Avenue; Susanna Negovan, editor-in-chief, Michigan Avenue Magazine; and Diego Rocha, designer, Diego Rocha Handbags.

Additionally, the finalists will win a mentorship with Jon Cotay, owner of AKIRA, and the opportunity to attend a workshop on the business of retail and fashion. AKIRA has donated a pop-up shop to display the winning designer’s collection in a Chicago store location.
Driehaus Design Initiative will donate event proceeds to each of the participating local Chicago schools: Columbia College Chicago, Dominican University, The Illinois Institute of Art, The International Academy of Design & Technology and The School of Art Institute of Chicago.

Seating is limited. Reserved seating tickets are $250. General seating tickets are $175. Event sponsorships guarantee priority seating. Complimentary valet parking is available. For ticket and sponsorship requests, please contact Emily Rousey at (312) 932-8648 and visit driehausdesign.org for additional event information.
About Driehaus Design Initiative
Driehaus Design Initiative, an IRC section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established to promote and encourage design education and to foster public appreciation and understanding of all aspects of fashion design and history. Driehaus Design Initiative contributes 100 percent of proceeds from The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence to support fashion and design endeavors in Chicago.

Official Website: http://www.driehausdesign.org