Philip Sparks knocked my (and his models) socks off at Gen Art's Fresh Faces fashion show on Wednesday. His muted color palette with pops of mustard and modern, yet dapper designs showed Chicago guys that it's time to step up their game.

Some tips:

Trade in the North Face for a fitted blazer or rugged biker jacket.

Lose the sneakers and get a pair of leather oxfords or loafers.

Several of the said men in the audience scoffed at the sight of the models in short-shorts but, hey, that's the Midwestern man for you.

I say if you got it, flaunt it.

Painfully Hip & Forkable present: Forkably Hip! this Sunday. RSVP to: forkable.blog@gmail.com

I thought something was up with Milwaukee Fashion Week when they started charging press for passes to the shows...and now it has officially been canceled due to "unfulfilled financial commitments leaving a large financial deficit."

Without enough cashola they aren't able to bring such a high cost event to Milwaukee...seems like more lack of support for/belief in the Midwest fashion scene.

If you purchased tickets, they are giving full refunds, but you'll have to find something else to do this weekend. A decision about the future of Milwaukee Fashion Week is yet to be determined. For more information contact them at info@fashionbythelake.com.

Keep trying Milwaukee, it will happen some day!

Follow Michelle's amazing style at www.mrs-o.org, an online resource chronicling the budding style icon's campaign trail(and hopefully, Whitehouse) looks.

Yes
46%

Too Early To Tell
31%

No
23%

Fashion Focus Chicago 2008, Chicago's very own Fashion Week, begins tonight!

Here is the schedule of events:

Wednesday, October 1, 2008
GEN ART's Fresh Faces in Fashion
6:00 pm Reception
7:30 pm Show
Millennium Park - Chase Promenade North
Randolph St. Between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Dr.
(312) 229-1701
GenArt.org

Thursday, October 2, 2008
World Fashion Chicago
7:30 pm Show
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm After Party
Millennium Park - Chase Promenade North
Randolph St. Between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Dr.
(312) 744-8074
ChicagoSisterCities.com

Friday, October 3, 2008
Dress Code Chicago Design Schools' Show
7:30 pm Show
Millennium Park - Chase Promenade North
Randolph St. Between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Dr.
(312) 744-8074
ChicagoFashionResource.com

Saturday, October 4, 2008
GenArt's Shop Chicago
VIP Shopping 1–2 pm; Public Shopping 2–6 pm
Millennium Park – Chase Promenade North
Randolph Street, Between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Dr.
Reservations required, limited space
genart.org

Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Fashion Performance
7:00 pm
Chicago Cultural Center - Claudia Cassidy Theater
77 E Randolph St.
(773) 384-7279
AliceBerry.com

Monday, October 6, 2008
The Allure of Couture
7:30 pm Show
Millennium Park - Chase Promenade North
Randolph St. Between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Dr.
(312) 744-2400
ChicagoFashionResource.com

Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Macy's Presents the Designers of Chicago
7:30 pm Show
9:00 pm - 11:00 pm pm After Party
Millennium Park - Chase Promenade North
Randolph St. Between Michigan Ave. & Columbus Dr.
(312) 744-2400
ChicagoFashionResource.com

Visit ChicagoFashionResource.com for more information.

Check back for coverage of the exciting events!

The Bonnie and Clyde fashion show was separated into two parts. The first was a showcase of Jeffrey Sebelia's Fall line, which is exclusively sold at Bonnie and Clyde and the second showed off the boutiques Fall wares from various designers.

Though the best part was the intermission, when Jeffrey was piggy-backed out out on a zebra's back. Amazing!