Verneccia LaShay, part of Chicago's Spring Fashion Week

Verneccia LaShay Fashion House

Inspiration is oftentimes a primary goal of fashion week. The events provide us the opportunity to highlight the visionary and aspirational among the field of creatives and celebrate their energies.

Spring Fashion Week Chicago promises ample opportunity to be swept up by the inspired. As part of FW Chicago, The Fashion Market is presenting the runway shows of nine emerging designers. Among them is Verneccia LaShay, an expressive transplant from Texas whose design is replete with touching, heart-rending inspiration. She draws from sentimental connections and divine revelation.

A primary force behind LaShay's collections are her tender connections to loved ones. Her custom is to name her designs after inspirational people in her life. On the recent launch of her bridal collection, LaShay shared with her fans that not only did her own engagement inspire the collection but so too did the women in her life who've served as support. 'In the spirit of love, I designed this line of 11 gowns and named each of them after the women that I love with all of my heart. In a secret conference I showed them all the specific gowns named after them and asked them ... to be my bridesmaids! Kind of like a little proposal. I'm blessed to say they all accepted and now I can show you all my new Bridal/Formal Collection!'

LaShay's collection also receives motivation from her patrons and divine influence. According to LaShay, 'I am inspired by God, love and passion. The look on someone's face when they feel absolutely beautiful; the way their posture and demeanor completely changes when confidence levels go through the roof...[this inspires me] to make beautiful garments; for glory and for beauty.'

The impassioned energy that influences her designs has led to her being a featured designer on The Chicago Sun Times' television show 'The Minority Report', featured in Lloyd Boston's annual menswear fashion show on ACCESS HOLLYWOOD, featured on Windy City Live Chicago, featured on Fox News Chicago, a design feature in Trend Prive International Fashion Magazine, F-Style Chicago Magazine, and wardrobe styling the team for R&B superstar Trey Songz.

The opportunity to celebrate the marvelous and insightful, that is fashion week. LaShay and other Chicago Spring Fashion Week designers can be seen on April 19th at The Fashion Market's Spring Fashion Event.