This year, Chicago's Fashion Focus abbreviates its fall runway event.  In an effort to be in-sync with fashion weeks around the country, particularly New York, -- and make the extravaganza schedulable for retail buyers and other fashion mavens, runway dates have been trimmed to six-days.  (Last year, the fashion event ran for 12-days).  Since hotels rooms book up fast, make your reservations early. 

Here is a tentative lineup of Chicago's Fashion Focus:

o            October 9, 2007 - Gen Art's Fresh Faces in Fashion runway

o            October 10, 2007 showcasing higher-end fashion by couturiers from Chicago's 27 sister cities

o            October 11, 2007 – The Apparel Industry Board along with creative chair/fashion photographer, Victor Skrebneski host a fashion show dubbed "Chicago Is ... Red Hot."  The festivities start with a cocktail soirée and showcase 12-burgeoning designers.

o            October 13, 2007 - A runway show at Millennium Park.  (This event should be free).

o            October 14, 2007 - Dubbed the "Allure of Couture," the revolutionary runway marks the finale of Chicago's fall fashion shows and features an mélange of urban wear meets the future.

For more details, visit Chicago's event resource guide.