designer Christian Siriano

On April 10th Chicago’s own Lumen lounge hosted, Bonnie & Clyde's spring fashion show featuring designs by Christian Siriano, Project Runway season 4 winner, and my personal favorite.   Siriano brought his spring and summer 2009 collections to the windy city and will be exclusively sold at Wicker Park’s Bonnie & Clyde boutique. Ultra sleek West Loop lounge Lumen played host to the fashion show and nearly 300 of Siriano’s fabulous supporters; over 1000 rsvp’d for the event. In case you didn’t know, Siriano has dressed the likes of Victoria Beckham, Anne Hathaway, and the Auf Wiedersehen queen herself, Heidi Klum. Bonnie & Clyde opened in June 2007 and showcases collections by Project Runway's Jeffrey Sebelia and Christian Siriano, in addition to fashion-pros Vivienne Westwood and Ivan Grundahl. Although Bonnie & Clyde is fashion focused, the boutique also retails fine art, limited edition prints, and hard to find publications with a spotlight on pop-surrealism.

Boutique owner Stephen Neparstek

Boutique owner Stephen Neparstek typically host their fashion shows at smaller venues. Opting to make room for a bigger crowd, and thus more potential consumers of his spring merchandise, Neparstek decided to host the show at Lumen. Neparstek’s instinct paid off, thanks to clever advertising on Facebook, Twitter and the likes of Grace PR Group, a crowd of very fashionable Chicagoan’s at least a block long, lined up outside of Lumen hours before show time. I, thankfully, made a quick entrance into Lumen after wiggling my way to the top of the queue and announcing I was ‘press’, boyfriend in tow.

Steffen Bombeck,fabulous guest, Abby Israel

Although the fashion show was advertised to start at 10pm, Neparstek began the show, fashionably late at 11pm. Finally it’s show time! The lights dimmed and Lady Gaga’s “Love Game” reverberated throughout the lounge as the models began to strut.  Featured designers included Vivienne Westwood, J. Lindeberg, Ideen Ny and, of course, Christian Siriano. 

Vivienne Westwood

The show began by showcasing a few amateur designs, however some pieces absolutely wowed.  Vivienne Westwood’s back torch dress in white was stunning as was Ideen NY’s Astro Pleated Dress.

Christian Siriano

Siriano’s pieces, from his Spring ’09 line, were a cut above the rest. The designs are still very edgy, but the lines are softer now and the silhouettes more feminine. Siriano’s spring line included some favorites such as his signature gowns in which circles of chiffon in varying sizes are embroidered for volume. I appreciated Siriano’s use of vibrant hues for spring as a change from his signature black and brown toned pieces.

Christian Siriano

His sheer organza trenches and blouses were punched up with neon-hued piping, while a simple cotton blouse came with prettily spliced sleeves. When Siriano isn’t busy perfecting his Spring 2009 collection, he is working on his maternity clothing line and book deal…FIERCE!!

Finale

Overall, the night was a success; great fashion, a couple of free drinks and bootie shaking music at Lumen reminds me why I love Chicago.

For more information contact Bonnie & Clyde, 773.235.2680

Special thanks to Kristen Tischhauser at Grace Public Relations. Photographs by Abby Israel, Alicia Nieto & Sapan Ahuja.

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