A major crowd-pleaser in Chicago

Jet, Dec 1, 2003

The fashion tradition continues. Each year one of Chicago's signature highlights is when the EBONY Fashion Fair blows into the Windy City.

This year, Color Splash made its mark in the grand way that audiences have grown accustomed. The world's largest traveling fashion show soaked the eager patrons with tantalizing designs and extravagant creations during its visit to the Arie Crown Theatre at McCormick Place.

Knit, leather, denim and couture creations were paraded down the runway by the leggy models in the form of gowns, pantsuits and ensembles that displayed an array of splashy colors. Jeans made a major debut this year in leisure wear and evening wear designs.

Women and men alike caught a glimpse of the latest in fashion for the office, out on the town, lounging around the house or basking on the beach.

The 46th year of the show was celebrated by the local media with offers of premier seating at the Chicago show, limo service and dinner with the media and a chat with some of the models during intermission,

The Chicago Inter-Alumni Council/United Negro College Fund (UNCF) sponsored this year's event to benefit UNCF.

* Commentator Jada Collins shines in this beaded-fringed gown designed by Douglas Hannant, New York. Robin Harris(c) wears a short sweater dress with matching cap from Missoni, Milan. Arynetta Northcutt (r) shows off a denim ensemble embriodered in pink silk thread from Christian Lacroix, Paris.

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* Corene Stewart models chiffon pants and a shimmering top from Cassandra Stone, Chicago. Deonna Pinkerton (e) wears a wool knit full-length coat over fur-trimmed skirt and matching bodysuit designed by Laura Biagiotti, Milan. The hat is by Kokin, New York. Norman Scales makes the ladies go wild when he steps out in this Givenchy blazer worn with contrasting slacks and shirt.

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* Lisa Haynes models a chiffon dress from Jovani, New York. Jaman Manns (c) struts the runway in a striped pantsuit with patterned coat designed by Jean Louis Scherrer, Paris. The hat is from Erreuno, Milan.

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* Victoria Bowers looks fierce in these leather pants with wide eyelet-studded belt with a coordinated sweater blouse and dashing fedora by Erreuno, Milan.

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Katrina Lyles is chic in this denim jacket trimmed in rhinestones and worn with rhinestones pants designed by Thierry Mugler, Paris.

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Nikisha Bolden models a Laura Biagiotti, Milan, cape sweater over a sequined camisole with gemmed miniskirt and sleek tights.

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Rodney High is an Ebony man in a striped suit designed by London's Vivienne Westwood.

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* A Thomas Frazier, American Airlines/American Eagle prizewinner, is congratulated by Mrs. Eunice W. Johnson (c), producer and director of the EBONY Fashion Fair, along with (l-r) Dr. Rubye Taylor Drake, Chicago Inter-Alumni Council president, Priscilla Stratten, assistant area development director of the United Negro College Fund, and Dr. Jylla Moore Foster, general chairperson of the Chicago EBONY Fashion Fair.

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Taylor Drake, Foster and Stratten are joined by fellow Chicago committee members (l-r), Pearlene Carter, Dana Simone, Phyllis Banks, Fred Carter, Shannah Traylor and Patricia Burns, following the success of the 46th annual EBONY Fashion Fair.

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* Louise Chester (c), the longtime highest ticket-seller, receives best wishes from her daughter, Carolyn Chutanni (l), granddaughters Sheila (2nd, l) and Brittany (r), Dr. Woody T. White, vice president of Field Operations, Midwest Region, and Pamela Morris, Mayor's Office of Special Events and air personality/music director of Chicago's WWHN 1510 AM. Chester also celebrated a birthday the same day as the event.

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* Gregory McWilson (c) and his wife, Darlene, are congratulated by WVAZ FM (V-103) Chicago afternoon radio personality Ramonski Luv (2nd, l) and his wife, Ronni Wade (l), along with models Hampton and High. McWilson was the EBONY Fashion Fair winner of a V-103 radio contest to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the show.

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