“How Lake View Looks”

In keeping in stride with Mayor Daley’s Fashion Focus Chicago, The Central Lake View Merchants Association (CLMA) is focuses on fashion every year during its annual “How Lake View Looks” Runway Fashion Show. The show simmers with excitement thanks to amazing surprise giveaways gratis participating businesses. Prime examples…gorgeous models from local boutiques toss trendy hats and stylish shirts into the spellbound audience as they strut down the strip; the crowd of over 400 is showered with samples of hair and skin products from Halo for Men, Genacelli Salon & Day spa, Gordon in Lake View and other salons that provide hair styles and makeup for the models; and even Slaymaker Gallery gets into the action giving away marvelous art work as door prizes. And it just keeps getting better!

Featuring Lake View merchants showing off their most fabulous fashions, hairstyles, and latest make-up trends, the show is designed to celebrate how businesses and residents bring the wonderful eclectic styles of Lake View to life. After the success of its debut last year, “How lake View Looks” Runway Fashion Show is now an annual CLMA event, held at the world famous Cubby Bear (1059 W. Addison).

Challenges: CLMA’s Executive Director, Larissa Tyler, the show’s creator/producer added more dynamics to the show last year. As the models glided down the runway during each scene, Tyler decided to project photographs of the insides of the respective boutiques and salons as well as colorful enhanced shots of their merchandise. “The photographs captured the true essence and unique quality of each business drawing the audience into kind of a virtual reality of Central Lake View merchants. It made for great circuses and everybody loved it!”

Goals: “I came up with the idea of doing a fashion show because I wanted to promote our member businesses in the most exciting, effective way I knew how. I wanted to bring new business to the area, which is why we invited hundreds of residents from far-away neighborhoods and the suburbs. I also wanted to identify Central Lake View as an exciting trendy place to shop! Mission accomplished (see slide show). The beautiful mix of businesses collaborated and coordinated models with outfits, outfits with hairstyles, and hairstyles with make-up, which created extraordinary on-stage images. And as an added bonus, the audience got the chance to enjoy complimentary drinks and great food, as they experienced the high-end eclectic fashions. ‘

“CLMA members and community partners who participate in the show include: Amigos & Us, Blum Animal Hospital, DJ Benz, Exhibit, Carissima of Italy Salon, Chicago Cubs, Cubby Bear, Evil Kitty, Fifth Third Bank, H & R Block, Genacelli Salon and Day Spa, Gordon in Lakeview, Halo for Men, Hubba Hubba Boutique, KreativeSoul by Pilar, Mangos Boutique, Milios Salon, Neighborhood Inns of Chicago, Orbit Salon, Objets’ d Envy, Photo Bufano, Shirts on Sheffield, Standard Bank and Trust Company, Slaymaker Fine Art Ltd., State Bank of Countryside, Theatre Building Chicago, The Secret, The Wild Hare, Trader Todds, Universal Gear, Windward Sports, and Yvette and many many more!

Welcome to the

“How Lake View Looks”Runway Fashion Show!

“About the

Show”...

It’s Cutting Edge...that’s good for business!

It’s Classy and kind of Sassy...

and that’s good for business too!

It’s Exciting & Stylish.

CLMA’s goal in 2006 was to keep in stride with Mayor

Daley’s Fashion Focus Chicago initiative.

“Was there collaboration with any City agencies when producing

the show?”

This is Fashion in Chicago, from Chicago!

“How do participating Merchants feel about

the Show?”...

The show is Great Motivation for area businesses owners! Look at them as they take their walks down the runway receiving applause from the

audience! They’re loving it!

Gordon of Lake View Salon

Genacelli Salon and Day Spa

Objets d’ Envy Jewelry

Windward Sports

Shirts on Sheffield

Yvette's

Exhibit Kreative Soul by Pilar

Hubba Hubba

“Who else benefits from the Show?...”

CLMA donated a portion of the Show’s proceeds to the following

Central Lake View Community Partners:

Lakeview Shelter Chicago Women’s Health Center Counseling Center of Lake View Lakeview Pantry

Hawthorne Neighbors Hattie Callner Apartments for Seniors

Thresholds Mothers Project

“Who is the target

audience?”...

“How Lake View Looks” is tailored and marketed to attract every one...all shapes,

sizes, ethnicities, men and women...

Therefore, “How Lake View Looks” attracts a broad demographic in terms of the crowd. Just look at these guys.

We should also mention that there was standing room only of over 400 people...a retailer's dream audience.

“What else happens

during the show?”...

Of course there are prizes and giveaways!

And people just get Happy!

“Did the show get

any media coverage?”.

..

Look at this! “How Lake View Looks” made front page full color coverage in the Booster

Newspaper!

Of course it made the front page of the Ambassador two years in a row (wink,wink)!

“How is the show

advertised to the

public?”...

The show had great flyers and great sponsors. Over

5,000 flyers were distributed each

year.

Ads were placed in magazines and

newspapers. Also, 10,000 email

messages were sent and the show now has its own

website (howlakeviewlooks.c

om)!

The cool Hollywood Lights attracted folks from all over the place too!

“How is the show

received by the

public?”...

Both years after the Show, the audience decided to keep the party going! We think they’ll be back for

year three!

“So how does the

CLMA family feel about

the Show?”...

We’re Prouder than Peacocks!