Union League Club of Chicago held it’s 3rd fashion night on Mar 15, 2012. This year’s theme was inspired by Paris. The event was exclusive to club members and their guests and featured a fashion show with four designers: Thierry Roger, Nora del Buco, Monàrrez Collection and Balani Custom Clothiers.

Established in 1879, Union League Club of Chicago mission is to uphold the sacred obligations of citizenship, to promote honesty and efficiency in government, and to support cultural institutions and the beautification of the city.

The club has one of the biggest private collection of art. The tradition of collecting art has began in 1886 and since then Union League holds nearly 800 works which represent over 150 years in history of American art.

The fashion night events is another way that the club is showing support of the culture in the community. And it seems to be becoming a new tradition. Now in its 3rd year, these events have been highlighting Chicago based fashion designers.

Kimberly Palmisano, who had organized and produced the fashion night events, told us that each year they pick a different fashion capital and select the designers that best fit the theme. This year the theme was ‘Paris’.

The fashion show opened with designs by Thierry Roger, whose style is heavily influenced by his own French origin. Thierry’s look is classic and elegant that defies time. Thierry recently was a featured designer at the our Fashion Industry Mixer and we had also had a pleasure to produce an editorial fashion video featuring two of his looks.

Balani Custom Clothiers provided a nice treat with 6 looks from their collection. Founded in 1961 by Peter Balani, Balani Custom Clothiers kept their business in Chicago for more then 50 years.

Nora Del Busto, graduate of International Academy of Design and Technology, winner of 2008 Latino Fashion Week’s Student Competition and 2009 Chicago Fashion Incubator designer in residence, specialized in cocktail dresses and separate.

The Monàrrez Collection had established itself as the line of elegance. Hector-Javier Monàrrez, the designer behind the label, is no stranger to the Union League Club of Chicago, where he had presented his Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer of 2012 collections. Hector has mentioned to us that he is planning something special for next year. We can’t wait.

Media crew:
Video Reporter – Raven Mai
Event Video – Garrick Peterson
Event Photography – Julian Favela