Local designers shine at Chicago Fashion Week

The intrigue: Chicago is a destination for fashion design students, with programs at the School of the Art Institute, Columbia College and Dominican University, so locally grown talent will be on display.

• Dominican's Fashion Department will exhibit garments from different eras on Sunday.

State of play: Now in its second year, Chicago Fashion Week has a goal to showcase local designers and local retailers, founder John Leydon told Newcity recently.

Some highlights:

• Isabella Blow: Aesthete & Decadent of the 1990s: An exhibition about fashion editor and stylist Isabella Blow from her time on the '90s London fashion scene. Oct. 11 at Belfry Tower in Edgewater (Free)
• Shadow and Silk Fashion Gala – When Urban Streetwear Meets Dandyism: Coming off this year's Met Gala theme of Dandyism is a runway show where "refined elegance and streetwear and dandyism collide." Oct. 17 at Congress Hotel ($40-70)
• Quinceañera Fashion: Your Ultimate Guide: A conversation on all things quinceañera with Quinceañera Magazine, Peaches Boutique and beauty influencers, plus a chance to browse quince gowns. Oct. 19 at Chicago History Museum ($15)

• The Indie Fashion Show: Where Fashion Becomes Performance: An interactive runway show that blends music and dance. Oct. 16. at Distro Music Hall ($20-50)

💭 My thought bubble: Obviously, I have my eye on the Vintage Clothing Pop-Up Saturday, but I really relish any opportunity to eye great style that gives me ideas for my own 'fits and also gives a literal runway to the young creatives who are contributing to the scene.