Janet Mandell brings fashion, famous faces and Chicago flair to riverfront

If there’s one thing Janet Mandell knows, it’s that a great fashion moment needs the right setting, the right people and, of course, the right clothes.

Mandell brought all three to Chicago for two days of fashion, conversation and celebrity, celebrating her return to the city with her Chicago Icons Fashion Show at Chicago Cut Steakhouse and a lively panel discussion held the night before at the Four Seasons. 

The two-day celebration kicked off Sept. 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, where Mandell hosted an intimate evening with television personality and entrepreneur Giuliana Rancic and Real Housewives of New Jersey star and entrepreneur Melissa Gorga.

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Rancic led a spirited conversation with Mandell and Gorga about personal style, confidence, entrepreneurship and the fashion highs and occasional fashion disasters that come with being in the spotlight. And because no good fashion conversation is complete without a few surprises, Gorga’s husband, Joe Gorga, and daughter, Antonia, made surprise appearances.

The evening included cocktails, bites and plenty of time for guests to meet the featured personalities while getting a closer look at the Janet Mandell experience, which specializes in giving clients access to luxury fashion through its fashion-reserve model.

Then came the main event. On Sept. 12, Chicago Cut Steakhouse provided a spectacular riverfront backdrop as approximately 300 VIP guests gathered for the Chicago Icons Fashion Show. The crowd included members of Chicago’s fashion, media, hospitality and business communities, all there to see what Mandell had pulled from her coveted fashion vault.

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After cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, guests watched a runway presentation featuring unique statement pieces from Mandell’s archival collection. Melissa Gorga added her own star power to the finale, closing the show in a head-to-toe vintage Chanel look.

The fashion may have been the star, but the people watching was pretty good, too. Guests had plenty of opportunities to catch up with friends, meet Mandell and Gorga and take in the beautiful scene along the Chicago River.

Behind the scenes, HMR Designs created the look of the riverfront celebration, while Nuage Designs provided seating. Tricoci handled hair for the 15 models, with makeup by Vesa Gashi. At the Four Seasons, Tricoci and Gashi also worked their beauty magic on Mandell and the celebrity guests.

For Mandell, the Chicago events were more than just another fashion presentation. They marked a return to her hometown and a chance to bring her particular take on luxury fashion back to the city. And if the message of the weekend was anything, it was that fashion should be fun, personal and worn with confidence. Or, in Mandell’s words: “Dress Like You Own It.”

Where to find Janet Mandell

The Chicago fashion scene can visit Mandell at her showroom at 900 N. Michigan Ave., where appointments offer clients a private styling experience and access to the designer archive. The showroom is part of 900 North Michigan Shops on the Magnificent Mile. (Janet Mandell)

All locations:

Chicago: 900 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611 | (312) 624-8803

New York: 28 W. 25th St., New York, NY 10010 | (646) 398-9998

Los Angeles: 927 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90069 | (424) 245-4644