Going for the Gold – The 49 th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Awards – b michael wins…

Chicago, September 20 - And, the 49 th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award goes too…. b michael. The fall/winter 2004 collection dazzled almost 1,300 attendees with its clean lines, sophisticated use of black and white, body skimming silhouettes and countless wardrobe options, which make the clothes very wearable.

The other designers going for the gold included, Derek Lam, Alice Temperley, Jeffrey Chow, Shelly Steffee, Michael Kaye, Monique Lhuiller and Tracy Reese.

Gold Coast Fashion Award winners from previous years include Bill Blass, Arnold Scassi, Carolyn Roehm,Pamela Dennis, Anne Klein, and Donna Karan. The 2003 Gold Coast Fashion Award winner was Pamella Roland, opened the show with its fall collection and Pamella DeVos, president and head designer, was on hand to accept her award.

The 49 th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award Show included individual store-sponsored segments from prestigious Chicago retailers and a competition segment where hot new design talent contended for the coveted Gold Coast Fashion Award. The audience selects each year’s winner by voting for their favorite designer.

Retail featured collections included, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Salvatore Ferragamo, MaxMara, Frances Heffernan, Mark Shale (for the men’s segment), Loro Piana, Camelot Kids (children’s clothes), Chopard Boutique and Alexis & Gianni for Kluger Furs.

Guests each got a gift bag courtesy of Aveda, providing three full-size products of Hand Relief, Foot Relief and Rosemary Mint soap.

The cocktail reception, luncheon, and fashion was sponsored by The Children’s Service Board and auxiliary of Children’s Memorial Hospital at the Chicago Hilton and Towers at 720 S. Michigan Ave. from 11 am to 2 pm. The show raised approximately $325,000, which benefits Pediatric Cardiac Services at Children’s Memorial Hospital.