Just like that, we say goodbye to the first official Chicago Fashion Week. It wraps up for the 2024 season. There were over 50+ events throughout the city from October 9th until the 20th. From downtown to the surrounding suburbs the Chicago Fashion Community showed up and showed out to support each other. Which is a true testament to the thriving fashion community that Chicago has but is often overlooked. Which we hope to change with each passing fashion week.
We attended the opening night of Chicago Fashion Week with The Curio Experience “A Celebration of Chicago Style.” Abercrombie & Kent brilliantly presented the event. The runway event took place beneath the exquisite Tiffany domed Preston Bradley Hall at The Chicago Cultural Center. It created a magical atmosphere. This environment celebrated the essence of fashion and artistry. The breathtaking venue, adorned with magnificent mosaics and a shimmering ceiling, provided a perfect backdrop for the showcase. Seven of Chicago’s finest designers were showcased, each bringing their unique vision and creativity to the event. The designers included the renowned Barbara Bates, who is showed us how a runway is used. Christina Karin creates designs created to reflect a fearless and modern DNA. Gente Fina is blended traditional Mexican artistry with contemporary design. I Am Studios gave us the avant-garde perspective. Jason LeBlanc’s designs are an artistic experience for all your senses. María Pinto set the runway on fire with her graffiti pumps, bags and trench coats. Sheila the Designer brought game and set the match on the runway with SR Open SS 2025. The event highlighted the talents of these designers. It underscored Chicago’s pivotal role in the world of fashion. It truly made it a night to remember for all who attended.
We were fortunate to also attend the Surround Sound of Fashion event held at the Cine City Studios. The venue is renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and superb acoustics. This made it the perfect backdrop for this fashionable affair. We are truly grateful to our wonderful friend, Nikki Chachere, at Epochal Cognac. Who provided us with a lovely VIP invitation. This allowed us to experience the event in style and comfort. The energetic team from Power 92 Chicago hosted the show. They kept the audience engaged. Their efforts entertained everyone throughout the evening. The event featured some of Chicago’s finest designers. Among them were the innovative Omaris Closet Design, the bold and artistic Koush, and the stylish MV3. Each designer presented unique collections that showcased creativity and craftsmanship. The runway was challenging to see from our seats because of the layout of the venue. However, the vibrant energy of the event was palpable. Attendees buzzed about the exciting designs. The atmosphere filled with the sound of clinking glasses and lively conversations. It made the event an unforgettable experience.
Our EIC was the lead stylist for the Chicago Fashion Showcase produced by Minted Media Productions. This event is a vibrant celebration of fashion. It highlights the innovative spirit of the city. We were up close to all the magic that occurs backstage at a fashion show. We witnessed the flurry of activity as models were prepped. Stylists made final adjustments to their looks. The show took place at Union Station in the Great Hall. This enchanting venue perfectly complemented the creativity on display. This spectacular event showcased six talented designers. The designers included Petra Poorova, who blended European style with street style. There was also Kingsawana Collective designer Angela Lombardo, who paid homage to her late paternal grandmother, Arlene Berrones. She wove traditional elements with contemporary flair. Native Nations Designs presented Beautiful Chaos. Nwar Luxe debuted their tapestry inspired clothing line. Gente Fina mixed traditional Mexican culture with an urban flair. Lauren Lien closed the show with opera and high-fashion looks. Each designer brought their unique perspective to the runway. The event was amazing. It beautifully blended native and street styles. This illustrated the dynamic fusion of cultures within Chicago’s fashion scene. There were also numerous vendors. Vendors like Seres Shoes and Coco + Peach Jewelry added excitement. ANTM Cycle 8 winner, Jaslene Gonzalez graced the event with a panel talk. They brought variety to the event. Topo Chico sponsored the showcase, ensuring that drinks were flowing throughout the evening. This allowed guests to mingle and celebrate the incredible talent and creativity on display.
For our last show, we attended the Dominican University Alumni Show. This event showcased the incredible talent of the school’s graduates. This took place at the university in River Forest. It is a charming setting. The location isn’t a far ride from the city. This makes it accessible for many eager attendees. The production was well planned, especially for their first show. This reflected a great deal of hard work. It also showed the dedication of everyone involved. The seating was wonderful. We had the pleasure of sitting front row. This allowed us to catch all the action up close and personal. Throughout the event, we experienced an exquisite variety of fashion. This included bridal gowns, swimwear, street style, and thought-provoking couture pieces. These items elevated the runway to new heights. Each showcase left us in awe. We wanted more with each one. We eagerly anticipated the next collection to grace the stage. The creativity and passion of these emerging designers were highlighted.
While we wished to have attended all the shows. It was nearly impossible but we tried our best. Maybe next year there can be an official Chicago Fashion Week trolley to take us around to all the shows ; )
Until next ChiFW
Stay Fly,
