Gen Art Produces, Styles ‘05

Gen Art promotes up-and-coming talented individuals in art, fashion, music and within the film industry. Glamorous fashion shows have been produced in the cities of New York and Los Angeles. The audience has created quite a buzz in the fashion scene to be expanded in Chicago, Miami and San Francisco. The forthcoming fashion show event Styles ’05 in Chicago will be hosted by Jay McCarroll; winner of Bravo’s Project Runway, on July 28 at the Hyatt Regency located on 151 East Wacker Drive.

New York had its last judging competition after a detailed search in over 25 countries. More than 850 designer pieces were submitted, with only 30 becoming finalists. The contest showcased designs for Eveningwear, Accessories, and Women’s Ready to Wear, Menswear, and lastly Avant Garde. The panel of judges ranged from top designers Catharine Malandrino and Norma Kamali to supermodel Maggie Rizer and fashion editor, Brana Wolf from Harper’s Bazaar, all having an integral part of the final selection of chosen winners from Gen Art’s Styles International Design Competition.

Design Vision Award for Eveningwear winner was Karolina Zmarlak who resides in New York. She received her inspiration at an early age and while attending Maine East High School and created her very own prom dress. Graduating with an Associates Degree in fashion design from Fashion Institute of Technology, she landed an internship with designer Carolina Herrea. Some of her design styles are similar to those of Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, and Norell.

Designer Lisa Salzer of Lulu Frost won the Design Vision Award for Accessories by way of her unique individualized pieces of jewelry. She majored in fine arts, has a background in art history and traveled throughout Europe to capture the Art Deco and Art Nouveau style of design. Her antique pieces are created from chandelier crystal, hat pins, and irreplaceable charms. These precious items of jewelry have been featured in New York Daily News and are carried by Barneys New York.

Winner of the Design Vision Award for Women’s Ready to Wear was The Avant in Spain. A compilation of eminence with diverse style was initiated by designers Silvia Presas and Nicole Schutz from Switzerland who both attended Royal College of Art in London. Other colleagues that added to the distinct influence were graphic designer Meritxell Call and Isabelle Mayuko. They are located in Barcelona and Paris with talent specializing in graphics and illustration.

Design Vision Award for Menswear was Omar Kashoura living in England, and Kunihiko Morinaga from Japan was the winner of the Design Vision Award for Avant Garde, Anrealage.

Never before has Chicago produced one of the hottest cutting edge international design trend setting events for all to see which is why Styles ’05 is a fashion show that is a must-attend. Cocktails will be served along with the latest vodka drink from Jean Marc XO. “This is a great opportunity to include Chicago in the international fashion circuit as these emerging designers make their debut,” mentioned Ian Gerard, the CEO and Founder of Gen Art.

For info about Gen Art, please visit www.genart.org.