New Fashion Week ready to snare center stage in Naperville

The inaugural Fashion Week Naperville is about to sashay onto the scene.

The event, which takes center stage from Oct. 19 to 25, is the brainchild of two live-wire Naperville residents - both former professional runway models in New York, Milan and Chicago - who don't do anything small.

There are seven events on tap, from a "What Not to Wear" seminar to cooking demonstrations to sessions on home décor and health and fitness. It all culminates Oct. 25 in an designer fashion show at the new Hotel Arista in north Naperville. Tickets to all events are available at fashionweeknaperville.com.

Kristy Brezinsky and Kristen Frederick are the women who cooked up the idea. They were introduced three years ago by a mutual friend, found they were similarly passionate about fashion, and formed a business partnership to organize events.

Last April, a couple of Naperville boutiques approached their company, Two K Productions, and asked for marketing help. That was the catalyst.

"I thought of this crazy idea," Frederick said. "Literally, it was one sentence: 'We should have a fashion week.' Kristy said, 'Oh yeah!'"

The thing snowballed. Brezinsky and Frederick brought on two more Naperville residents, public relations specialist Veronica Porter and photographer Jeffrey Ross, who like Brezinsky are parents of children at Naper Elementary School.

"We paired up with Veronica and it just blossomed," Brezinsky said, with the day of fitness, day of home fashion, and a progressive martini tour via motor coach all finding places on the schedule.

The team approached the city and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.

"They loved the idea," Brezinsky said. We didn't get any negative responses."

Fashion Week Naperville banners are now on downtown lampposts.

The 10 stores that will supply fashions for the Oct. 25 fashion show at Hotel Arista are independent retailers in Naperville. In addition, four designers will show lines: Chicago-Los Angeles designer Orlando Espinoza; Russian-Italian designer Yana German, recently highlighted by Macy's; a mystery designer "Ootra," who will debut; and Naperville designer Kris Ann Hillier, who designs handmade knitwear in silk and wool.

"We're putting her on the runway because she's that relevant," Frederick said. "The things she creates are astounding, just beautiful."

The local emphasis appealed to Brezinsky and Frederick.

"We have the boutiques to support it," Frederick said. "We have the community to support it. And we have the local businesses to support it."

Twenty businesses are sponsoring Fashion Week Naperville. Potential sponsors can get information on the Web site.

"Any business can participate, not just fashion ones," Brezinsky said. "It's community-driven, with all supporting one another."

Fashion Week Naperville will benefit three not-for-profit organizations: NCO Youth & Family Services, Naperville Cultural Center, and Kidz Kabaret.

"We kept the emphasis on kids and family because that's really what Naperville's about," Frederick said.

Both women are passionate about their field and see it as more than just a pretty face.

"Fashion is not just about what you wear," Frederick said. "It includes everything - your health and fitness, your hair, your makeup, how your home looks."

Looking good, personally and in your personal environment, she feels, improves your mood and outlook.

"It's a scientific fact," she said. "When you have an extra bounce in your step, you're a more productive person. And more productive people make better communities."

The week begins Oct. 19 with "Fashion 101: What Not to Wear," at Naperville Country Club, with local image consultant Loretta Wilger Asmus. A $50 ticket includes lunch and cash bar.

On Oct. 20, "The History of Fashion" at Raffi's on 5th restaurant features longtime resident Marilyn Piazza's donation of 30 vintage designer gowns, for exhibit and auction, and the work of local photographer Jeffrey Ross. A $25 ticket includes hors d'oeuvres and cash bar.

On Oct. 21, a home décor seminar with cooking demonstration takes place at a luxury home by RFK Design Group, 605 S. Sleight St. The cost is $20.

On Oct. 22 a health and fitness presentation at North Central College is free, but reservations are requested.

On Oct. 23 a free accessory open house takes place at Looks Ltd., 43 E. Jefferson Ave. The martini tour on Oct. 24 has a $100 ticket, offering cash bars and transportation home. The culminating fashion show on Oct. 25 is $125 per ticket.

A single pass, good for entry to all events, is $250. Tickets, times and locations are available at fashionweeknaperville.com.

"It's quite an ambitious endeavor," Brezinsky said. "If we were going to do it, we wanted to do it right - let's make it a week celebrating fashion!"

• Cheryl Stritzel McCarthy writes about Naperville in Neighbor. E-mail het at otbfence@hotmail.com.