Chicago Latino Fashion Week 2010 is here!

Dust off your skyscraper high heels and get your best suit pressed: Latino Fashion Week is arriving in Chicago tonight! Runways will fill up with models as the can’t-miss-it social event of the season kicks off this evening. Don’t be shy, Gozamos is here to help all you wall flowers take the plunge and step into the ranks of Chicago’s glittering fashion scene with eight things that you definitely don’t want to miss this week. Just try not to be blinded by the flashbulbs. . .

Make an Impacto
Latino Fashion Week kicks off tonight, Monday November 8th, with their red carpet media reception Moda in the City. This year’s theme, “impacto,” represents the impact that Latinos have made in fashion. Chicago’s top Latino designers will let their creations do the talking as they work the runways of the Crimson Lounge at Hotel SAX (333 N. Dearborn Street) from 6pm until 9pm.

Challenge Jaslene Gonzalez to a Walk-off
You’ll loss. It’s a given for sure. Humboldt Park native and ‘America’s Next Top Model’ Cycle 7 winner Jaslene Gonzalez will be working the runways at LFW. Anyone who is tough enough to withstand Tyra Banks and a houseful of aspiring models is aces in our book!

Pretend you’re a Socialite. . . for Charity
LFW’s biggest night takes place on Saturday November 13th at Mecerdes-Benz Chicago (1520 W. North Avenue) with their Passport to Design Fashion Ball. The awards reception takes place at 6pm with the entertainment following at 8pm. In addition to what promises to be several jaw-dropping runway shows (including bridal designs from Lazaro Perez, Pave Floral Designs’ couture dresses by Hector Javier MonArrez and men’s and women’s lines from Carlos Campos), there will also be a performance by salsa recording artist Brian Michaels. Bonus: you’ll get to feel good about all that dancing and cocktail-swilling since a portion of the proceeds will benefit Urban Initiatives, Inc.

Work the Red Carpet
Practice your air kisses and waving to the paparazzi because LFW is hosting a movie premiere! Fashion! Music! Cinema! will take place on Tuesday November 9th at AMC Pipers Alley (1608 N. Wells Street) at 6 pm with ‘Celia the Queen’ beginning at 7pm. The critically acclaimed documentary is about the life and legacy of a world famous salsa performer.

Ask Colby O’Donis to Just Dance
Sure, he probably gets it all the time but maybe if you’re charming enough, Queens native Colby O’Donis will tell you what Lady Gaga is really like. The accomplished musician, who has worked with Akon and was the youngest recording artist ever signed to Motown Records, will be navigating the Latino Fashion Week waters.

Start your Spring/Summer Wish Lists
It may be well-past beach weather, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look (way) ahead to next summer’s fashion landscape! Latino Fashion Week is bringing the sunshine to STRUCTURE as several local and international designers let their spring/summer 2011 lines strut down the runway. The event will take place Friday November 12th at Circuit (3641 N. Halsted) and will benefit The Center on Halsted.

Get a Glimpse of the Future of your Closet
Stop by the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts (777 N. Green Street) and check out the future of design. . . today! LFW hosts Fashion Forward to 2060, a student design competition that challenged the top fashion students in the Second City to show us what all the popular people will be wearing in fifty years. The show promises to be outrageous and will take place Wednesday November 10th. The doors open at 6pm with the competition beginning at 7pm.

Get all your Christmas Shopping Done
LFW is invading Old Town with a “lavishly fun pre-holiday shopping extravaganza”! Fashion Sense takes places on Sunday November 14th and will feature designer clothing, accessories and makeup. Grab a couple of girlfriends and wander through the booths that will host mini-makeovers, product demonstrations and workshops on how to look fabulous. Discounts, special treats and credit cards swipes will run rampant.