Chicago trots out its finest indie designers during Fashion Focus, a week of runway shows and events Oct 1st through 8th. Here are the highlights. 

 

Oct. 1st: Gen Art’s Fresh Faces of Fashion runway show hosted by Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz. 7:30 p.m., Millennium Park, Chase Promenade North (Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue). Reservations required; admission starts at $60. genart.org

Oct. 2nd: World Fashion Chicago runway show, presented by Chicago Sister Cities International. 7:30 p.m., Millennium Park. Reservations required; free. chicagosistercities.com

Oct. 3rd: Dress Code, a runway show with work from top fashion design students. 7:30 p.m., Millennium Park. Free.

Oct. 7th: Macy’s Presents the Designers of Chicago, a preview of the spring 2009 collections. Millennium Park. Reservations required; free.

A For a full list of events, see chicagofashionresource.com.

The Arlington Park Fall Antiques Show and Sale runs Oct. 10th through 12th with more than 150 dealers. Admission is $8. Arlington Park Racetrack, 2200 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights; 708-366-2710.

Building Blocks Toy Store holds a 20 percent-off sale from Oct. 17th through 20th. 3306 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-525-6200.

Chicago Botanic Garden hosts its annual bulb sale on Oct. 4th and 5th. Admission is free; parking is $15. 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe; 847-835-5440.

Jayson Home & Garden holds an upholstery sale through Oct. 13th, with all upholstered furniture, including custom orders, offered at a 20 percent discount. 1885 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-248-8180.

Macy’s celebrates its 150th anniversary on Oct. 25th with a gift card giveaway: The first 150 customers will receive a free $15 gift card, valid on that day only.

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair runs Oct. 3rd through 6th and features 20th-century paintings, furniture, and jewelry from 80 top dealers. Admission is $15. Merchandise Mart, 12th fl.; 312-527-4141.

MoSS: Museum of Sustainable Style highlights local clothing, accessory, and furniture designers who create sustainable products from Oct. 2nd through 5th. 1109 W. Fulton Market.

Shecky’s Girls Night Out, a discount designer shopping event, returns Oct. 1st through 3rd. General admission is $10; goodie bag admission is $30. Great Hall at Union Station, 210 S. Canal St.

Shop Chicago, a gathering of the best emerging designers and city boutiques under one roof, returns Oct. 4th in Millennium Park. Free; reservations required.

United Feather & Down, which makes luxury comforters for the Westin Hotels, Pottery Barn, and Restoration Hardware, holds its twice-yearly tent sale from Oct. 2nd to 4th. 414 E. Golf Rd., Des Plaines; 847-296-6610.