Six Local Fashion Designers in the Spotlight in Chicago’s Fashion Incubator, Welcome to Trendy City

Six local fashion designers have been chosen to occupy the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street..

Set to open this March, the incubator is part of Mayor Daley’s efforts to turn the Windy City into Trendy City. The Mayor and business leaders want to keep home grown designers right here in the “Chi” rather than loose them to the big fashion cities of New York and Los Angeles.The Mayor thinks “this is an important step toward developing the next generation of design talent in our city.”By partnering with major retailer Macy’s, the Mayor’s program offers fashion hopefuls the opportunity to “develop their skills and learn more about the fashion business.” By attending fashion events held at Macy’s, designers receive mentoring by the retailer’s Chicago based merchant and by other professionals.Macy’s vice president of corporate communications, Ralph Hughes, said Macy’s wants to empower the designers with the tools they will need to succeed in the fashion business.The chosen designers include Glenn Mallory, Kate Coxworth, Agga Raya, Lidia Wachowska, Yana German, and Kristin Rosynek Hassan.