"It's the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you."

5 days and $8630 to go on my Kickstarter Project:  "Tonya Gross Millinery Hat Collection for Zappos.com"
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1949121820/tonya-gross-millinery-hat-collection-for-zapposcom

Was thinking of standing in front of the offices of my former employer, Citadel Investment Group, with a sign that reads:

Too much?  Probably, especially if I get arrested!  I never would have imagined asking friends, family and complete strangers to support this project.  I have become ok with this because I absolutely need to meet my goal.

"It's the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you."  From the film, Million Dollar Baby.  Thankfully, you see that dream too.  Thank you for your support!

+Citadel Investment Group
+Chicago
+Kinzie Industrial Corridor
+Millinery
+Hats
+Tonya Gross Millinery
+Hedge Funds 
+Marketing Kickstarter.com 
+いいね！+1 キックスターター ( Like!+1 KickStarter ) 
+Kickstarter Unofficial Page 

My Hats for Zappos.com Kickstarter Project is LIVE! My Manifesto to the Blogosphere

my project.

My Kickstarter project ends 11 January 2013 and I am asking for your help by supporting the Tonya Gross Millinery Hat Collection for Zappos.com Kickstarter Project here:  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1949121820/tonya-gross-millinery-hat-collection-for-zapposcom

my story.

I am a Chicago-based designer, recently selected by online retailer Zappos.com for its 2013 Emerging Designer Program.  Beginning March 2013, my hat collection will be sold and prominently featured by Zappos.com.  I launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund this collection for Zappos.com, and appealing to the blogosphere to help me draw attention to this new partnership with Zappos.com and my Kickstarter project.

my goal.

This is a dream I have worked towards since leaving Chicago-based hedge fund, Citadel Investment Group.  Yes, from hedge fund to head wear! 

Regina Taylor, Chicago Magazine's 2012 Chicagoan of the Year, wearing Tonya Gross Millinery hat

"The opportunity to present my line of hats to such an esteemed buying team, and for my product to be seen by millions of Zappos.com’s customers, is a boon for my hat business and welcomed attention for the US hat industry. This is a unique venture in that I will produce handmade, ready-to-wear hats for a large volume online retailer that are locally produced and plan to hire a talented pool of pattern makers, stitchers, and design assistants drawn from the Chicago fashion industry; I am really proud of this.  But, I need your help to produce this collection and have launched a Kickstarter project to help fund this collection for Zappos.com."

new training programs and jobs with a manufacturing start-up in Chicago.

I believe this is significant to the Chicago fashion community for a number of reasons:  

• By producing this collection for Zappos.com, I am essentially productionizing couture and ready-to-wear head wear that will be made exclusively in Chicago.
• My hope is to carry on the tradition of millinery in Chicago, much like BesBen, Raymond Hudd and Mr John before me, employ talented individuals drawn from the Chicago fashion industry, train them in traditional millinery methods, and produce locally.  
• This is about a large online retailer taking a chance on a small business, rather than importing from a business that mass-produces outside of the US, and also bringing quality couture and ready-to-wear head wear en masse, online.  
• And, yes, absolutely thrilled for the opportunities this affords me and my business with this distinction (and the US head wear industry!) as a Zappos.com Emerging Designer.   

The press release for my new partnership with Zappos.com on PRWeb:  http://www.prweb.com/releases/tonyagrosszapposdesigner/2013/prweb10196363.htm

THANK YOU!

+PRWeb

+Zappos.com  

+Marketing Kickstarter.com 

+Chicago Tribune 

+NBCChicago 

+Fashion Group international 

+CFDA 

+Citadel Investment Group

+Chicago

+hats

+Tonya Gross Millinery

+millinery

+manufacturing

+accessories

+Kinzie Industrial Corridor

+Near West Side Chicago
+Chicago magazine 
+Chicago Mayor's Office 

Insight :: Chicago Creation: Kentucky Derby Hats From Tonya Gross Millinery :: Michigan Avenue Magazine

A profile of my business and my Kentucky Derby hat collection from earlier this year posted to Michigan Avenue Magazine: Insight :: Chicago Creation: Kentucky Derby Hats From Tonya Gross Millinery :: Michigan Avenue Magazine

Happy Holidays!

Chicago Hat Maker Kickstarter Project to Produce Collection for Zappo...

I have launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund my first collection for Zappos.com and the 2013 Zappos.com Emerging Designer Program!  My Kickstarter project ends on 11 January 2013.  Can you help?  Please visit my project site and/or sharing this link?  
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1949121820/tonya-gross-millinery-hat-collection-for-zapposcom
THANK YOU!

you are cordially invited to a tgm hat trunk show on friday, 21 dec 2012

Chicago Clothing & Accessories Designers

BB & Ida, Margaret Buckman, Sevigne Atelier and Tonya Gross Millinery present

A Trunk Show and Runway Event

at the Annual Holiday Tea at Palm Court, The Drake Hotel Chicago

Friday, 21 December, 2012, 12-5pm

Headwear by Sevigne Atelier and Tonya Gross Millinery, fine jewelry by Margaret Buckman and hand-made clothing by BB & Ida will be showcased during the Holiday Tea at 12:45pm, 2:30pm, and 4:15pm.

The designer trunk show will take place throughout the tea in the Drake Room and is free of charge.

Reservations for the Holiday Tea can be booked through Shaun Rajah of Palm Court Special Events at shaun.rajah@hilton.com and on Open Table for $38 per person.

hats by tonya gross millinery; make-up by Hayley Kassel and Heather Fredrickson; models Cullen, Vaughn, Sriram, and Laura. photo by Karen Sheng.	Cindy Kalnow of Sevigne Atelier with Katie, Agency Galatea. photo by Kirsten Miccoli.

for more information about the Holiday Tea at the Drake, please contact:

shaun.rajah@hilton.com

for more information about the designers, please visit our websites:

Fine jewelry by Margaret Buckman, http://www.margaretbuckman.com

Hand made clothing by BB & Ida, http://bbandida.com

Couture millinery by Sevigne Atelier, http://sevigneatelier.com

Couture headwear by Tonya Gross Millinery, http://tonyagrossmillinery.com

TONYA GROSS MILLINERY Runway at the Mad Hatter Tea Party at the Drake Hotel Chicago

TONYA GROSS MILLINERY at the Mad Hatter Tea Party and Trunk Show at the Drake Hotel Chicago

19 Oct 2012, Chicago, IL- tonya gross millinery will present her fall and special event collection at the Drake Hotel Chicago at the Annual Mad Hatter Tea Party on Sunday, 28 October.

hats by tonya gross millinery and joy scott millinery. 
photo by beenish razavi.

"The Palm Court invites you to play a part in The Mad Hatter Tea Party. Share a cup of tea and conversation as you relax with family and friends at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. It's a time to catch up on the day's events, or plan your next day's outing as you enjoy a cup of tea and one of our delicious sandwiches or home made desserts.

Ladies are encouraged to wear their best summer bonnets, and prizes will be awarded for the most creative and original hats worn. The Red Queen and White Queen will be there to help with all of the festivities. The Cheshire cat will wear a grin, the Mad Hatter will serve tea, and the White Rabbit will be late...

Exclusive Tea Event features:

Informal Hat Fashion Showcase by Joy Scott Millinery, tonya gross millinery and Sevigne Atelier.

Tickets for this event are $36 each and reservations are required.

Contact Shaun at 312-932-4619/ shaun.rajah@hilton.com for more information or to secure a reservation."

Invitation on Facebook

The MILLINERY TRUNK SHOW follows the event and will take place in the Drake Room from 5-7pm. Admission to the trunk show is FREE.

SHOP tonya gross millinery

Upcoming Events- Fashion Focus Chicago 2012

tonya gross millinery will be participating in several trunk shows, runway events and other shenanigans for chicago's fashion focus this october.  stay tuned.