Welcome to our

New Members!

To learn more about FACC-Chicago membership, visit our Membership Page. 

With the summer months, comes the time to truly enjoy the treasures of our Beautiful city: endless street fairs, fresh markets, dining out...side, rooftops, biking to ... Boat cruises (with ITAGC on August 6!)

And starting Passport to France mania....  

Of course this year will be a very special edition: 1984-2014!! Can you believe it has already been 30 years?

It feels so good to have been able to keep watching our event grow in size and quality every year: Thanks to all of you for making it what it is today!

I can already tell you, it promises to be spectacular: new modern graphics for the event  

(see the below Save-the-date), Brindille was the first restaurant to confirm its participation followed by Vanille Patisserie, VIE/Perennial and Bistronomic.  

On the beverage side, the spirits Lounge is back En force withHeavenly Spirits, Cognac Ferrand and more to come. Our Corsican chestnut flavored beer will be there too (Merci St Killian Importing), Boisset Magnificent wines will be returning, as well as our friend Dave from H2Vino and, bien sur, (it would not be Passport to France without it) the Beaujolais Nouveau from W.J Deutsch.

New Comers will include Tête Charcuterie, Le Pain Quotidien and much more!

I invite you to follow our progress on our New Passport to France Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Passport2FranceChicago  

But we are not yet in November fortunately, (November 20 to be precise...), so let's enjoy our summer and the Special Dassault Système guests that our President will be welcoming in person at our August Sofitel (Terrasse...) Monthly Members Luncheon on Tuesday August 12.

The Professionals Networking will once more profit from The Ivy Boutique Hotel Rooftop on Wednesday August 20 and...

We are still talking about it.... our Golf Tournament is set to take place on September 29 to give our FACC Members and friends: the exclusive opportunity to play a course awarded the honor of hosting the prestigious Illinois PGA! Join us for a "Journèe à la Campagne"! Register here. 

Until La Rentrèe... I wish you all to be well and profit from the city whenever you can and, if you do go and take a few days off,

Bonnes Vacances!

Bien amicalement,

Emmanuèle van Houdenhoven

GUAPA INTERVIEW 

ABOUT ISABELLE BELLES:

I've always had an eye for unique and eccentric fashion. Ever since I was a child, I was attracted to beauty and color and early on developed a knack for finding great out-of-the-ordinary accessories--and the more unusual the better as far as I was concerned.

I am originally from France and Spain and I moved to the US six years ago and adopting Chicago as my city (including the winter!)

WHAT'S IN A NAME...GUAPA?

Guapa is a term we often use in Spain when we speak to friends ('Hey, Guapa!" or "How's it going, Guapa?" ) It's a term of endearment but it also acknowledges the uniqueness in every woman. It could be her hairstyle, her smile, her freckles or a special piece of clothing that she wears that is her trademark and what people will remember most about her. Guapa is simply how a woman's style makes her special!

I'm simply inspired by all women who celebrate their own feminine beauty and style. They like unique fashion and enjoy finding special gifts for their friends! So naturally, when I decided to go into my own styling and jewelry business, I decided to call it Guapa!

WHERE GUAPA PIECES COME FROM

I usually go to Europe to out-of-the-way markets and tradeshows--meeting suppliers and getting to know where to find the best and latest accessories.

I have around fifteen different designers each season. . I usually work 2 or 3 seasons then I changed them in order to have great style diversity.

Also, I collaborate with designers and artists to create more specific designs that I know people will love. Since the designs are exclusive, you'll never see these anywhere else in the US.

My prices ranges are very affordable allowing customers to buy from different collections.

FEEL GUAPA

With Guapa you'll find pieces for yourself and your friends that are witty, conversational and cannot be found anywhere in the US. After shopping and being styled by me, you'll feel Guapa!

How was your experience at the French Market during the French Innovation Week ?

I was not sure how my pieces will work at the Chicago French Market but it was a success. People were really interested in the unique style and affordable price I presented. I had customers who bought pieces almost everyday in their way back home. I changed the collections every morning showing different designers and bringing the opportunity to people visiting the French Innovation Week to see each time something new. I will definitively recommend this event for the future.

Learn More 

Rauner speaks out against limits on ride-sharing industry

By Chicago Tribune

July 22th

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner on Tuesday urged Gov. Pat Quinn to veto a bill that would provide oversight of the largely unregulated industry of ride-sharing, including requiring drivers to have commercial insurance and possibly a chauffeur's license.

On July 14, the Illinois House sent Bill 4075 to the governor, according to the Web site of the Illinois General Assembly. Quinn's office didn't provide an immediate comment early Tuesday afternoon on whether Quinn would sign the bill.

Rauner said regulations on the ride-sharing industry, including such companies as Uber, should be "relatively limited."

"We need less business regulation in Illinois, not more," the former private equity firm executive said.  

By WBC 

Chicago has one of the world's largest and most diversified economies with $530 billion in annual output, and a tremendous talent pipeline. Additionally, Chicago is home to more than 400 major corporate headquarters including 29 Fortune 500 headquarters, 300 corporate R&D facilities, two of the top universities in the world, and 96 Nobel Prize winners.  

Across the city, neighborhood businesses are thriving, with more than 1.1 million Chicagoans potentially benefitting from increased access to capital, business services and mentoring support since the Plan launched.