-190 North host, Janet Davies, interviews clothing designer, Starla Caldwell.  Caldwell talks about why her design is capturing so much attention from women of all shapes and sizes. 

-Singing and dancing around the country, Reva Rice, star of "Fosse", brings her talents and "Fosse" insite to 190 North. 

-Feature contributor Bill Leff takes 190 North around town, shopping for the holidays best gift giving ideas.

-190 North feature contributor Liza Cruzat visits the new Hotel Burnham Chicago.
 

Starla Caldwell has designed an exceptional line of woman's jeans that, for the first time, deals with the fit needs of the curvaceous woman in a most flattering fashion.  However, as well thought out as this concept may be, it isn't the product of years in design school and a long apprenticeship in the business.  Starla was a star high school athlete, who fell in love with theatre, became, instead, a successful commercials actress, co-owned critically acclaimed restaurants in both New York and Vail, and dabbled in various areas of entrepreneurship.  In 1995 she put together the financing for a small jeans company, initially oriented towards urban young men's styles and operated for her by industry veterans.  It turned into her most successful venture and got her thinking about other opportunities in the jeans business.

Personally very fashion conscious, one of Starla's long-time pet peeves was trying to find jeans that fit properly.  As an African-American, she knew this was a common complaint among "sisters," but, to her surprise, a rather extensive market survey showed her that this also was a perceived problem for many women with ample rear ends or hips of all ethnic groups.  At that point, she decided to design, produce, and promote a new line of jeans that would cater to this vast but unfulfilled niche market.

Needles to say, the idea was easier than the execution.  Since there were no pre-set patterns or computer fitting programs for this silhouette, each and every style had to be meticulously fitted by hand.  To get the final patterns just right, some of the styles required six or seven generations of fit samples.  Eventually, though, Starla got what she wanted-----a great looking, diverse line of jeans in the finest of denims, that truly fits her target audience better than anything that's ever been on the market.

JEANS by STARLA CALDWELL are available in sizes 8-18 (and, in early 2000, sizes 4-26).  Retail pricing will range from $42-65 depending on style, fabric and wash.  A diverse selection will be featured at the State Street and Orland Square MARSHALL FIELDS stores in the Chicago area commencing late November 1999.

Jess Cagle, of Entertainment Weekly calls it, "INSANELY ENTERTAINING." 

"Phenomenal!" "Rousing, Roaring feel-good musical of the 1990’s." "A triumph…nothing short of miraculous."  "Absolutely smashing company of singers and dancers." "Ann Reinking’s choreography is truly inventive," says Richard Christiansen, Chicago Tribune.

FOSSE, winner of the 1999 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Lighting and Best Orchestrations, is currently playing to sold out audiences on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre.  Following its engagement at the Ford Center, Oriental Theatre, this company of FOSSE will embark upon a tour of the United States and Canada.

FOSSE showcases highlights from the work of legendayr choreographer/director Bob Fosse.  This production is co-directed and co-choreographed by Ann Reinking.  Reinking has been the leading force behind the mounting of the new touring production.  Fosse's dances were recreated by Chet Walker and the production is co-directed by Richard Maltby, Jr.  Gwen Verdon, Fosse's wife and Broadway star, is artistic advisor to the production.

FOSSE includes rarely seen dance and musical numbers from the choreographer's earliest works, as well as many numbers from films and television shows that have never been seen on stage before.  The production also showcases classic Fosse dance numbers like "Steam Heat," "Big Spender," "By Bye Blackbird," "Rich Man's Frug," "Dancin' Man," and "Sing, Sing, Sing."

Reva Rice, the critically hailed star of the smash hit musical "FOSSE" is receiving unanimous critical accolades for her performance at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre, which runs through January 2000.  Prior to opening "FOSSE" in Chicago, Ms. Rice starred in the Broadway production of "FOSSE."

She was in the original national and Japanese tours of "Smokey Joe's Cafe."  She also portrayed Pearl in "Starlight Express" on Broadway, on the first tour, inn London's West End and Las Vegas.

For additional information click on www.fosse.com or please contact:

Nick Harkin/Carly Winer
Margie Korshak Inc.
(312) 751-5516/5513

In 1889 the First National Bank of Chicago inhabited this building space.  The then owner commissioned Daniel H. Burnham and Company and his partner Charles Awood to design a 16 story tower for the site - ultimately to be renamed the Reliance Building.

Business had to continue during the construction of the tower.  Thus, the structure was constructed above and below the businesses leasing the 2nd and 3rd floors.  Between 1890 and 1894 the building transformed -supported by a steel skeleton - a concept which was revolutionary and and not introduced by other architects until the 1920's.  This elegant structure, wrapped in a skin of creme colored glazed terra cotta and wide expansive glass windows, defied gravity.

As part of its rebirth as The Hotel Burnham, the Reliance Building has undergone a nearly $30 million refurbishment and renovation.

Notice the storefront that has been recreated to resemble the original bronze and granite design, once home of the first Carson Pirie Scott department store.

The elevator lobby was reconstructed using original ornamental metal elevator grills and elaborate mosaic tile floor modeled after the original.

Guest room corridors feature original terrazzo marble and florentine glass.  Guests enter rooms through original mahogany doors featuring mail slots and original metal lock and knob hardware.

The building's historic stairwell of iron an marble (original between 7 and 15) was extended to the hotel's lobby.  A quatrefoil design was incorporated into the ironwork and was carried into the building from the same impression on the building's terra cotta exterior.

The Hotel Burnham's interior designer is Las Angeles - based Susan Caruso.  Envisioning The Burnham as an intimate jewel box, Caruso wanted to fuse the hotel's business locale and amenities with whimsy and romance.  Mozart's fifth symphony is scripted in the guest room curtains.  Cherubs dance on the comforters and adorn the walls.  Swans swim in the corridor carpeting - the epitome of romance as they mate for life.

The Reliance Building, and 1894 innovation, joins the burgeoning and thriving State Street and Loop District and moves into the new millennium as The Hotel Burnham.

Situated at the corner of State and Washington Streets The Hotel Burnham is across from Marshall Field's State Street and with in one block of the Oriental, Goodman, Chicago and Palace Theatres.  For further information concerning The Hotel Burnham Chicago click on www.burnhamhotel.com, call 312.782.1111, or call their toll-free number 877.294.9712.