NeoCon® 2010 attendees are saying to “Yes to the Dress,” thanks to an innovative FashioNext exhibit by Brentano, a Chicago-based interior design textile manufacturer. The display aims to showcase the inherent relationship between fabric, fashion, and furniture by paring three finalist design concepts from the 2010 FashioNext Design Completion: I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot—Caroline DeVillo, Carla Hwang and Kenneth Park, and Katrin Schnabl—with coordinating chairs from seating manufacturers Allermuir, LeLand, and Andreu World America, respectively.

The exhibit will remain on display at the Merchandise Mart north central lobby through June 16. (Scroll down to see all the designs and chairs.)

The design competition, held in cooperation with the Chicago History Museum (CHM), challenged local designers to create a wedding dress from Brentano fabrics using the museum’s collection of costumes as inspiration.

Winners will be selected by a popular online vote, and the winning gown will be announced at the FashioNext finale event on June 24, go on display in CHM’s “I Do! Chicago Ties the Knot” exhibit (opened May 22), and become part of the Museum’s permanent collection. All votes must be cast by June 20.