Boutique Veruca Salt, 521 N. Kingsbury, will play host to designer Shavonne Dorsey, a new face on the Chicago fashion scene, with a trunk show from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 6.

Siobhan Apparel, the name of Dorsey's newly launched clothing company, aims to celebrate the different silhouettes of women.

Dorsey will also offer fashion consultations at the trunk show.

The opening night of Fashion Focus Chicago featured local talent at its best.

Past and present designers from the Chicago Fashion Incubator -- the city's three-year-old program that mentors up-and-coming fashion designers and gives them a workspace at Macy's -- debuted their spring 2011 collections in a fabulous runway show.

And while the collections shown Tuesday won't be available until spring (sorry for the tease), many other pieces from these local designers can be scooped up right now. Here's where to get the goods:

C/Fan: Sofia, 72 East Oak, www.sofiavintage.com; Cerato Boutique, 3451 N. Southport, ceratoboutique.com

AGGA B.: www.aggab.com; le Dress, 1741 W Division, www.ledresschicago.com

Anna Hovet: Akira, Chicago locations

Kristin Hassan: Cerato Boutique, 3451 N. Southport, ceratoboutique.com

Kate Boggiano: Mark Shale, 900 N. Michigan, www.markshale.com; Cerato Boutique, 3451 N. Southport, ceratoboutique.com

Nora del Busto: Local Lookbook, 1211 W. Webster, www.locallookbook.com; Cerato Boutique, 3451 N. Southport, ceratoboutique.com

Audey: le Dress, 1741 W Division, www.ledresschicago.com

Evil Kitty: Local Lookbook, 1211 W. Webster, www.locallookbook.com

So this is definitely an awkward way to get a discount. But, you know, it's a discount. It's OK to embarrass ourselves if it means we can save a little cash, yes?

If you say the words "hot for teacher" at checkout, you'll snag 20 percent off any one full-price clothing item at Wolfbat & B-girls, 3131 W. Logan Blvd., now through Sept. 30.

While most of us are still getting mileage out of our summer wardrobe, Londo Mondo, 1100 N Dearborn and 2148 N Halsted, is offering a discount on fall items from now until August 31. So you've just been given a pretty good reason to start shopping for fall clothes!

Spend $75 and receive $15 off total purchase; spend $125 and get $25 off your purchase.

Though some of us have just now figured out our summer wardrobe (myself included), stores are already marking down this season's clothing and accessories. And many have timed the sale with this three-day Fourth of July weekend. So it's a good time to go out and scoop up discounts!

The adorable footwear and accessories boutique House of Sole, 1237 S. Michigan, just kicked off its summer sale, with select styles up to 50 percent off.

Hours are: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; noon to 7 p.m. Monday.

Save 15 to 50 percent off on select clothing and furniture at children's store Giggle, 2116 N. Halsted, from now until July 31 or while supplies last.

Brands on sale include Tea, Orbit Baby, DwellStudio, Zutano and more. Sale also available online.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Save 15 percent off any pink, white or blue item at Veruca Salt, 1921 N. Damen and 520 N. Kingsbury through Saturday, July 3.

Choose from tanks, blouses and slinky sundresses in bold, colorful patterns. Denim counts too!

Hours for both locations: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Last Thursday I wrote a Shopping column about the adorable little white dress.

Since I'm the queen of mustard and coffee stains (they just come out of nowhere, don't they?), I'm a little leery of sporting this trend myself. But I highly recommend it for others a little less clumsy. (My stain remover of choice is the Tide to Go stick -- fits in your purse perfectly!).

And so here is a lovely white lace dress that didn't make last Thursday's story due to space. Whether worn as a dress or a tunic over a pair of denim, this Kersh dress, $79.95 at Hubba Hubba, 3309 N. Clark St., could be a welcome and affordable addition to your summer wardrobe.

Hubba Hubba hours are: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call (773) 477-1414 for more information.

Check out a photo gallery of other little white masterpieces.

If you'll be in or around East Lakeview this weekend, stop by gifts and accessories boutique Spare Parts for their sidewalk sale today, May 15, and Sunday, May 16. You'll find savings of up to 50 percent off.

Spare Parts, open for more than 20 years, is an East Lakeview staple, offering everything from custom jewelry by local designers to men's accessories to candles to quirky animal backpacks and clothing for children. Not to mention an incredible handbag selection for women (a purse-lovers dream)!

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; closed Monday. Call (773) 525-4242.

Although the West Loop shopping district lost a valuable addition this past year (the lovely eco-friendly Pivot boutique sadly closed its doors in October), there is still plenty of shopping to do.

And with two events this weekend -- both with sales and one with cocktails -- now is a good time to get acquainted with the stores of the West Loop:

WALK THE WEST LOOP: From 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 13, walk from shop to shop and sip while you save. Stores will offer up to 20 percent off select items, as well as complimentary cocktails. Stores include Fix Boutique, Spex, Oprah Store, Tribecca, Solo Salon and 2 Sisters Boutique.

EXPLORE FULTON MARKET: During Fulton Market District's annual spring open house, stores will offer up to 20 percent off select items. Stop by Juniper Cafe, 1139 W. Fulton, to pick up a map and get your coffee fix for the day. Shops and galleries include Fix Boutique, Koros Art & Style, Mars Gallery, Jan's Antiques and Heidi Hess Designs.

From 3 to 5 p.m. between now and May 16, bring a friend along to Happy Hour at Starbucks for buy-one-get-one-free frappuccinos!

Choose from Soy Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino (above), Extra Coffee Caramel Frappuccino and Mocha Light Frappuccino.

Afraid you'll forget? Sign up for a daily reminder at www.frappuccino.com.

Re.Stock Shop, a traveling designer sample sale in Chicago, will be stopping at 1452 N. Milwaukee from 4 to 7 today to offer savings of up to 80 percent off on new designer clothing.

Save on the following designers: Kensie Denim, Ted Baker, Five Crown Tees, Heavy Rotation, New Breed, Interlud, Scrapbook, Earnest Sewn, 213 Industry, Modern Amusement, Divine Wear, JLee Silver, Bjorn Borg, Industry, Divine Wear, Me el, Hollister, SuperDry, Rolleez and more.

I write about a ton of free shopping events in the city. To me, there's nothing better than a free shopping party -- cocktails included -- as a night out with your girlfriends.

But every once in awhile a party with a cover comes along that's worth the cost.

StyleChicago.com is hosting FashionChicago 2010 -- from 5 to 9 p.m. this Thursday, April 29, at 233 W. Huron -- an event perfect for those who'd love to wear and support Chicago fashion designers.

Tickets are $15 ($16.99 with a service fee) for general admission, or $25 ($26.99 with a service fee) for a VIP ticket (which means you get a goodie bag).

Now, that may seem steep for a shopping party, but you'll be able to chat with more than two dozen designers and shop their collections in person. Since many of the designers only sell their clothing online, this will be your chance to try on everything to get the perfect fit. Plus, you'll save those pesky online shipping costs.

Still not sure it's worth the admission price? Don't worry, there will be cocktails. Try wines from HobNob Wines and cocktails from Z-Rated Fusion Liqueur, as well as appetizers from Nacional 27 and RA Sushi.

Designers at the event will include eco-goddess Lara Miller, Vaute Couture, Objets d' Envy, Horacio Nieto, Jess Audey, JLee Silver (shown above), Nora del Busto, Elise Bergman and more. Guests must be 21.

Happy local shopping!

Incorporate some eco-fashion into your bevy of bags with this tote from Fix Boutique, 1101 W. Fulton, free with any purchase throughout the month of April.

The tote is made of 100 percent biodegradable and sustainable bamboo, and can be used as a plastic bag substitute. So you'll be helping to save the earth and your funds simultaneously!

Don't you just love Earth month?

The men and women's boutique is open noon to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; by appointment only on Sunday. Call (312) 226-4565 for more info or to make an appointment.

Save that pesky 10.25 percent we normally pay in tax during Wicker Park and Bucktown's tax-free event starting today, April 15, to Sunday, April 18.

Here's a list of participating shops (look for a sign in the windows this weekend):

Sapere Art, 1579 North Milwaukee (Studio 341 in the Flat Iron Building)
Claudia Kleiner/Malabar, 1872 N. Damen
The Red Balloon Co., 2060 N. Damen
Virtu, 2034 N. Damen
Niche/City Soles, 2001 W. North Avenue
New'd, 1917 W. Division
Bullfrogs and Butterflies, 2124 W. Division
Anastasia Chatzka, 1740 W. Division
Event Studio, 2027 W. Division
le Dress, 1741 West Division (tax-free shopping only Saturday and Sunday)
Elevenzees, 1901 W. Division
Noir, 1726 W. Division
Building Blocks, 2130 W. Division

In addition to Bucktown and Wicker Park, stop by these places if you want to ditch the tax:

• Londo Mondo, 1110 N. Dearborn and 2148 N. Halsted, from now until Friday, April 16.

• Hubba Hubba, 3309 N. Clark, now until April 30. (Get a 20.10 percent off your purchase!)

• The Arboretum of South Barrington, 100 W. Higgins in South Barrington, Thursday, April 15 only. (Also on Thursday, get an additional 25 percent off at LOFT, formerly Ann Taylor Loft.)