Macy’s Glamorama 2010: “FASHION FANTASY MUSIC MAGIC”

Macy’s presented Glamorama–a fundraising event featuring the hottest fall fashions and music–on Friday, August 13th, at The Chicago Theatre.

I had the opportunity to attend the dress rehearsal earlier in the afternoon. This was the first time I experienced a fashion show on such a grand scale, with such renowned designers, and I now know why they are called fashion shows.

Glamorama is a show in every sense of the word, with models turned dancers (or perhaps it’s the other way around) and elaborate set displays, and they could not have picked a better venue then the historic and glamorous Chicago Theatre. The production was divided into two halves; the first half included Fall 2010 designs by Jean Paul Gautier (whose ethnically-inspired head pieces were as fantastic as one would expect from the eclectic designer), Tommy Hilfiger, Hugo Boss, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, Sportmax, and Chris Marsh, followed by a live performance by singer-songwriter, Eric Hutchinson.

The second half featured Issey Miyaki (who had a futuristic space theme set to techno beats), Sonia Rykiel, Material Girl (Madonna’s new line exclusively sold at Macy’s), Just Cavalli (whose modern romantic Bohemian looks set to a rendition of The Beatles, “Strawberry Fields,” I absolutely adored), and Marc Jacobs (whose librarian-chic looks set to Opera music nearly brought me to tears). The final collections, featured together, were Felina Lingerei and Jezebel; playing on a hell vs. heaven theme, models represented devils or angels set against either a fire or sky backdrop, but in the final scene the devils and angels reconciled as they danced with each other. I also was particularly amused at the fact that while no one said anything when female models came out adorned in next to nothing, (albeit they were beautiful next to nothing pieces), the crowd cheered at the sight of their male counterparts (I think it was a mostly female audience).

Lastly, Macy Gray hit the stage to perform several songs, including  her hit-song “I Try.” For the last song titled “Beauty in the World,” all of the models and dancers (some of whom were kids) came out on stage, clapping and dancing together, while wearing selections from the designers and fashion lines that were represented in the show, and ended in a burst of confetti across the audience.

The official show took place later in the evening, at 8 pm, and was immediately followed by an after-party held on the 7th floor of Macy’s on State Street. The party kept up Glamorama’s themes of “FASHION FANTASY MUSIC MAGIC,” with Patron and seemingly never-ending tasty treats, including gum drops, in a meticulously and fantastically decorated space.

While Glamorama will make its way across the country to LA, Minneapolis, and San Francisco, proceeds from the Chicago production will go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana.

Glamorama was a particularly moving experience for me, (I literally did have tears in my eyes), and a particularly beautiful and remarkable event. I was impressed by every aspect of the production, especially the attention to detail, and loved the fact that designers chose such different themes and looks to present their respective fall collections, (although for those trend-watchers out there, fur accents, eye glasses, and tweed seemed to be staples in several of the collections). I can only imagine what’s to come, especially during NYFW!

Photos from the event below by Chris Free:

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