Chicago's Magnificent Mile Gears Up for the Nation's First Shopping Festival

Carson Kressley, celebrity stylist and TV star, launches two-weeks filled with exclusive retail and fashion events, culinary happenings and more

CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A shopping experience unlike any other is about to hit Chicago's Magnificent Mile. During the nation's first shopping festival, In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by MasterCard®, visitors will enjoy a 14-day celebration of style featuring exclusive shopping offers, fabulous hotel packages, celebrity appearances, special offers for MasterCard® cardholders, a magnificent sweepstakes, culinary events and more. With all new merchandise in stores, it's the perfect time to prep a fall wardrobe.

In-Fashion kicks up its heels early on Friday, August 26 with a VIP experience featuring celebrity stylist and TV star Carson Kressley. Two entertaining weeks designed to draw visitors from near and far concludes with Chicago's version of Fashion's Night Out on September 8.

"We're excited to showcase The Magnificent Mile with its vast array of shopping and cultural attractions to national and international visitors," said Carrie Lannon, In-Fashion chairperson and national director of public relations for ULTA Beauty.  "Our retailers, hotels and restaurants are ready to accentuate the best of fall trends in fashion, gadgets and culinary experiences."

Plenty of reasons to visit!

In-Fashion invites visitors to find their own must-haves for fall as they shop, dine, stay and play for a schedule of shopping-focused special events and promotions.  Throughout the event, guests will also have the chance to win one of three magnificent prizes with The Magnificent Sweepstakes. Every $100 spent qualifies for one sweepstakes card. Prizes include a stay in the Presidential Suite at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park; 52 Weeks of Dining (dinner for four once a week for a year); and "Rich with Culture," a package that includes opening night tickets to Broadway in Chicago and annual passes to Chicago museums and attractions.

"Late summer is a perfect time to visit Chicago's Magnificent Mile," said Grant DePorter, chairman of the board for GNMAA and CEO for Harry Caray's Restaurant Group. "We have attractions, shopping destinations and hotels of every caliber, making this an exceptional event to incorporate into a family getaway, a friend's escape or a couple's urban retreat."

MasterCard® is providing its cardholders with exclusive offers and VIP treatment. Shoppers who use their MasterCard® throughout In-Fashion will enjoy exclusive perks ranging from hotel amenities to special dining offers.  Shoppers who use their MasterCard® card will also be entered to win season tickets to the Chicago Bears, courtesy of MasterCard®. In addition, the first 42 people to redeem their MasterCard® receipt each day at the In-Fashion Information Centers will receive two tickets to a September Chicago Cubs game, also courtesy of MasterCard®.

“Partnering with In-Fashion, and sponsoring the Shopping Festival we are able to deliver unique shopping experiences and exclusive offers for MasterCard cardholders,” said Cheryl Guerin, senior vice president US Marketing for MasterCard Worldwide. “It helps us deliver on our commitment to bring added value to our cardholders while putting a little more priceless into their lives.”

A sampling of additional events and offers during the two-week event include:

Friday, August 26
5 a.m.: 100 lucky winners from 101.9fm THE MIX get Pretty on the Plaza during the In-Fashion kick-off with celebrity stylist Carson Kressley. Audience members will receive a trend make-up application from ULTA Beauty make-up artists and Kressley will share his top trends for fall before escorting two winners in the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Force vehicle on an exciting Magnificent Mile "Tour of Trends." Highlighting trend-setting products from five categories including fashion and beauty, lifestyle, culinary, technology and culture, Kressley will present these ladies with gifts from each category – over $5,000 in shopping sprees.

11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Chicago LEGO® Imagination Center at Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-494-0760, http://stores.LEGO.com) celebrates its grand opening with a three-day building event starting on the 26th. Kids and adults are invited to help a LEGO Master Builder construct an 8-foot tall LEGO Brickley Sea Serpent model completely out of LEGO blocks.

12 p.m.
Kids These Days, an up-and-coming band from Chicago, continues to kick-off the festivities with a free concert in Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave.).

5:30 p.m.
Macy's at Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-781-5630, www.visitmacyschicago.com) hosts Fashion Challenge with Project Runway Designer Mondo Guerra.

6–8 p.m.
Candyality (520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-527-1010, www.candyality.com) unveils Candy Never Goes Out of Style, a one-of-a-kind collection of fashion dresses made out of iconic Wrigley Gum Company wrappers, complete with a visual tour of the brand's evolution.

Saturday, August 27
2-4 p.m.
Bloomingdale's Home & Furniture Store (600 N. Wabash Ave., 312-324-7500, www.bloomingdales.com) features a culinary demonstration with MK's Executive Pastry Chef Tony Galzin. Bringing a whimsical approach to desserts, participants can sample his unique sweet and savory creations.

Tuesday, August 30
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Paul Stuart (107 E. Oak St., 312-640-2650, www.paulstuart.com) hosts Luxury Benefit Night, an evening featuring a silent auction of luxury items as well as sushi, sake and champagne.

6–8:30 p.m.
ESCADA (840 N. Michigan Ave., 312-915-0500, www.escada.com) presents a chocolate and cocktail tasting with Vosges-Haut-Chocolat, a showcase of the Fall/Winter 2011 Collection and music from DJ Megan Taylor.

Thursday, September 1
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
At David Yurman (40 E. Oak Street, 312-787-7779, www.davidyurman.com), shoppers are invited to bring in their jewelry pieces to be refreshed and restyled. The luxury brand's top stylist from New York will be in store to introduce the season's hottest trends.

12 p.m.
The Shops at North Bridge (520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-327-2300, www.theshopsatnorthbridge.com) offers an exclusive sneak peek at the future Art Institute of Chicago blockbuster exhibition, Fashion, Impressionism and Modernity.  This event, featuring fashion and culture icon Nena Ivon and Art Institute curator Gloria Groom, will showcase fall fashions that marry contemporary styles with the most sartorially noteworthy artworks by Impressionist painters.

Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day weekend is highlighted by numerous culinary events and family fun. Taste what's 'in' at cooking demonstrations with Chicago's top chefs at Bloomingdale's Home & Furniture Store, Crate & Barrel and The Shops at North Bridge. A sample of Labor Day weekend events include:

Saturday, September 3
11 a.m.
Crate & Barrel (646 N. Michigan Avenue, (312) 787-5900, www.crateandbarrel.com) features The Signature Room at The 95th Executive Chef Patrick Sheerin cooking up contemporary American cuisine.

2 p.m.
Best Buy hosts a free, live concert with YouTube sensation Greyson Chance at the John Hancock Center. Greyson will perform songs from his debut album "Hold On 'Til The Night" followed by an in-store CD signing.

Monday, September 5
7–8 p.m.
Meet Cubs catcher Geovany Soto, 2008 National League Rookie of the Year, at Harry Caray's Tavern Navy Pier (Near Navy Pier Main Entrance, 312-527-9700, www.harrycaraystavern.com).  

Thursday, September 8
The stars will be out for the conclusion of In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by MasterCard® during Chicago's version of Fashion's Night Out. Highlights include:

5-8 p.m.
Bloomingdale's (900 N. Michigan Ave., 312-440-4596, www.bloomingdales.com) hosts a Gerard Darel Fashion Show, featuring fall fashions by the designer. Jam to authentic French house music and enjoy French inspired refreshments.

All beginning at 6 p.m.
Macy's on State Street (111 N. State Street, 800-329-8667, www.macys.com/events) features actress, mother and "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Kyle Richards along with TV host & entertainment reporter Marcellas Reynolds in a spotlight of Chicago's hottest trends and fashion designers, plus a "Runway to Reality" fashion presentation.

Join Bravo TV's Brad Goreski at 900 North Michigan Shops (900 N. Michigan Avenue, 312-915-3916, www.shop900.com) for an evening featuring a flash fashion show, beauty bazaar, VIP lounge, specialty cocktails, in-store celebrations, giveaways and more.

Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan Ave., 312-440-3166, www.shopwatertower.com) celebrates Fashion's Night Out by hosting a fashion party with participating Water Tower Place retailers including Macy's, American Girl Place, Betsey Johnson, Vera Bradley and more. Special events throughout the evening include special offers, product demonstrations, trunk shows, cocktails, live appearances and celebrity appearances.

The Shops at North Bridge (520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-327-2300, www.theshopsatnorthbridge.com) and Chicago magazine host a fashionable affair featuring styling tips from Chicago magazine fashion director, Stacey Jones, and style editor, Heiji Choy Black; glamorous model showcases; exciting in-store celebrations; trend beauty bars and more. Ten fabulous fashion packages will also be given away to shoppers throughout the course of the evening.

NORDSTROM (55 E. Grand Ave., 312-379-4300, www.nordstrom.com) offers a night filled with entertainment, refreshments, exclusive merchandise and the opportunity to win a shopping spree with a personal stylist, a cosmetics spree with a beauty stylist and more.

Hotel Packages abound!
Beginning August 26th, numerous hoteliers, from luxury to affordably convenient, have created unique shopping and getaway packages for friends, families and couples to enjoy. From a $10,000 shopping package at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park to The Peninsula Chicago's Girlfriend Getaway package which includes complimentary use of a chauffeur-driven car with the use of a MasterCard® card, visitors will enjoy a stay that is unlike any other.

For a complete list of more than 100 happenings and offers, visit www.themagnificentmile.com. Follow The Magnificent Mile on Twitter, Facebook and Foursquare to get up-to-the-minute details on what's happening throughout the festival.

SOURCE In-Fashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival presented by MasterCard