Celebrating the city’s style, influence and presence in the fashion industry, Chicago will host its inaugural Fashion Week from Oct. 9 through the 20th. Chicago Fashion Week will feature over 50 events, including elaborate fashion shows, fireside chats, seminars and more.
Chicago has long been a force in culture and fashion. From legendary designer Virgil Abloh to renowned celebrity stylist Law Roach, as well as designer Chelsea B. and others, Chicago fashion is having a moment. According to Chicago Fashion Coalition president Marquan Jones, Chicago fashion has entered into a “renaissance” era, booming with new ideas, new designers and collaborations.
Chicago’s Fashion Week will shine a light on Chicago’s talent, but it will also give individuals in fashion a chance to collaborate and share knowledge, thus helping to grow a budding and promising industry right here in the Midwest for the world to admire.
Partnering in Chicago Fashion Week is the Chicago Fashion Coalition, whose mission is to redefine Chicago’s position in the global fashion industry.
Positioning himself as a knowledgeable and passionate spokesperson for Chicago’s fashion industry, Jones — a West Side native — was named the creative director and curator of Chicago Fashion Week.
On a global scale, Chicago fashion has been widely known for streetwear. Jones expressed to The TRiiBE that it’s important for this fashion week to show the “breadth and depth” of design in Chicago. When picking designers to be showcased, this was taken highly into consideration.
“When people think of Chicago, if they do associate it with fashion, they for sure [don’t] associate it with all the types of fashion,” Jones told The TRiiBE. “It might just be streetwear because of Virgil or Kanye, but we have it all.”
Not only will the fashion of Chicago Fashion Week be cutting edge, but the concepts behind some of these events could leave attendees speechless.
One event in particular that Jones wants to put on our radar is “Create vs Consume: A Culinary Fashion Experience,” scheduled to take place at Chicago’s Stan Mansion on Oct. 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event will combine exquisite culinary dishes that will compliment the fashion on display, which itself will combine disciplines and create a unique experience for fashion lovers.
For Jones, these are the exact events he takes pride in being a part of. “I think it’s powerful,” he said. “I pride myself in being interdisciplinary.”
The event will also allow for the designs to be purchased, creating revenue for the artist.
“We’re literally a one-stop shop,” Jones said. “This event is a fashion presentation, a culinary experience, and a shopping experience as well.”
Following the event will also be an after party celebrating 40 years of Chicago house music. While more details about this event are still developing, house legends are rumored to not only attend, but also DJ.
“Bridging that intergenerational gap. We know some people who are up and coming, and they play house music, but how cool is it to pair them with the OGs?” Jones said.
Another event Jones is excited about is the “Surround Sound of Fashion,” taking place on Oct.12 at 4:00 p.m. at CineCity Studios, located at 2429 W. 14th St.
This well-established fashion show is powered by Chicago radio station Power 92, and will feature some of the best local and nationally known designers, and a live performance from a national recording artist who has yet to be named.
“I really see Chicago as a global city. So, you know, [there’s] London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week. I want to carve out our own space,” Jones said.
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