FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Andrea Schwartz, 312.781.4333

19 Local Chicago Designers' Collections Purchased by Macy's

Macy's supports the talent in Chicago and will sell their collections in Macy's on State Street

CHICAGO - (July 30, 2007) - Macy's North announces the purchasing of 19 collections by Chicago-based fashion designers to debut and be sold at Macy's on State Street, launching October 9. Overwhelmed by the amount of competitive talent, Macy's will also invite 30 more designers to showcase their fashion collections in a series of trunk shows at the State Street store this fall. 

Committed to raising awareness of Chicago's world-class fashion talent - for the first time ever, Macy's will purchase the designers' collections to be sold for a full season in the Macy's flagship State Street store rather than selling by consignment as in the past two years. Working with the City of Chicago on a parallel fashion track, Macy's will launch the local Chicago designer collections on October 9 coinciding with Fashion Focus Chicago 2007. As well as having their collections purchased, a selection of the assortment of the Chicago designers' collections will be showcased at Macy's Presents Chicago Collections Fashion Show in Millennium Park on October 12.

Devoted to providing their customers with a unique assortment of fashion products, Macy's will place the Chicago-based collections of men's and women's apparel, accessories, handbags and jewelry into the appropriate departments throughout the store. The collections will be enhanced with "Chicago" visuals and be available for the entire fall season. At the end of the season, these collections will be evaluated - as with all of Macy's national collections - and may be added to Macy's future assortments.

"Just as the City of Chicago is passionate about featuring Chicago-based designers with initiatives such as Fashion Focus Chicago 2007, Macy's also recognizes the talent and believes it is a great opportunity to offer selected merchandise at our flagship store," said Ralph Hughes, vice president of corporate communications, Macy's Inc. "The addition of these collections will enhance Macy's merchandise assortments and provide Chicagoans and visitors alike the opportunity to shop Chicago's very own designers in a national department store."

The 19 designers who were reviewed by Macy's buyers and trend managers on July 25 were nominated to participate by Chicago's fashion industry leaders including members of the Mayor's Fashion Council and the Fashion Focus Chicago committee. These members were asked to invite established designers based in Chicago who have production capabilities to produce collections that exemplify excellence in trend, fit, quality and style. Of the 70 talented nominees, 19 were selected. 

Collections available beginning October 9 at Macy's on State Street:

(* = Included in Macy's Chicago Designer Shop in 2006)

Women's & Men's Apparel

Cyndi Chan, ORiEN by Cyndi Chan*

Orlando Espinoza, Orlando Espinoza*

Katrin, Schnabl, Katrin Schnabl*

Greg Shugar, Sugar Chicago Neckwear (men's ties)

Michelle Tan, Michelle Tan*

Lee Allison, Lee Allison Company* (men's ties)

Accessories

Handbags:

Sharon Dennis, Sharon Elaine Accessories*

Jason Loper, Zola Jones Designs*

Jay G. Moore, Maddie Powers INC*

Diego Rocha, Diego Rocha*

Joelle Minassian, Joelle Nadine*

Belts:

Anna Fong, Heroine Chic (unisex belts)

Scarves:

Elysabeth Alfano, Elyse C. Bec Designs*

Jewelry

Kristen Amato, K. Amato Designs*

Alexis Drake, Alexis Drake*

Kirsten Goede, Objets d'Envy

Kathleen Miller, Kathleen LTD*

Sandy Rueve, She Beads*

Julie Schwanbeck, Jules Jewelry Design (a Distinction in Design 2006 runner up)

About Macy's on State Street's additional Chicago-based designer initiatives

In addition to the Chicago-based Designer Collections at Macy's on State Street this fall, Macy's will provide a venue for novice and emerging Chicago-based designers to meet Macy's buyers, present their samples and/or sketches and receive relevant feedback and direction during the 7th Annual Distinction in Design event on October 9 at Macy's on State Street from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This is an opportunity for designers to gain insight from seasoned retail buyers, furthering their growth and knowledge. One designer will be awarded Best-of-Show and receive a $1000.00 cash prize.  

Also, Macy's is working with the City of Chicago to open The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street, an initiative that provides six emerging designers with the opportunity to learn the economics, marketing and merchandising of fashion from industry experts as well as mentors from Macy's and the broader fashion community. Designers will be offered office, sample production and showroom space at State Street.

About Macy's

Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at more than 800 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. Offering distinctive assortments including exclusive fashion and home brands, Macy's stores are operated by seven regionally based retail divisions - Macy's East, Macy's Florida, Macy's Midwest, Macy's North, Macy's Northwest, Macy's South, and Macy's West - and an online store at macys.com .

Macy's North is based in Minneapolis and operates 64 stores in eight states. For additional media materials, please visit our online pressroom at www.macys.com/pressroom and click on Macy's North.