The inaugural Chicago Fashion Awards, held on March 15, 2024, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, showcased the talents of both emerging and established designers and artists. This event aimed to highlight the city’s vibrant fashion scene and affirm that creativity can thrive in Chicago without the need for relocation to traditional fashion capitals.
Hosted by the Chicago Fashion Coalition, the awards recognized achievements across ten categories, including designers, photographers, and stylists. Notably, the event also celebrated 77 individuals deemed the Best Dressed, a figure representing the city’s diverse community areas. Public nominations closed on December 6, with winners selected by a jury comprising influential figures in the industry.
The judging panel featured prominent names such as Barbara Bates, a designer known for her work with celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Whitney Houston, and Anna Hovet Dias, a faculty member at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Other jurors included Danny Dunson, curator at the DuSable Black History Museum, and Robin Richman, owner of her eponymous boutique.
During the ceremony, co-host Vic Lloyd emphasized Chicago’s evolving fashion landscape. “This city is a world-class hub for talented creatives,” he stated. “Over the past 20 years, I’ve watched it flourish from high fashion to streetwear.” This sentiment resonated throughout the evening, as attendees celebrated their peers’ unique styles and contributions.
Among the winners, Maxwell Bresler received the Designer of the Year award, while Jackson Napier was honored as Emerging Designer of the Year. Both designers are relatively new to the Chicago scene, reflecting the city’s welcoming nature for talent from various backgrounds. Model nominee Seoul Adams echoed this, stating, “This is paving roads for people to be seen. They don’t need to move out of Chicago.”
The night also recognized the work of various artists and stylists, including Ameerah Floyd, who was awarded Wardrobe Stylist of the Year. “I’ve always wanted to be a person whose work spoke for itself,” she remarked, expressing her gratitude for the recognition.
The trio behind the sustainable brand All We Remember received the Eco Innovator of the Year award. Their commitment to using biodegradable fabrics highlights a growing trend towards sustainability within the fashion industry. “None of us were born here but we found community here,” said team member Noah Zager.
A highlight of the evening was the tribute to Jermikko, a trailblazer in Chicago’s retail scene, who received special recognition for her decades of dedication to the industry. As the first African American woman to own a clothing store on the Magnificent Mile, she shared her journey, stating, “I paved a lot of the concrete that they’re walking on tonight.”
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of The Lifetime Achievement Award to Barbara Bates. Overcome with emotion, Bates reflected on her contributions, which include raising over $500,000 for women’s health care and supporting local teens with prom dresses. “I am in awe, speechless,” she said, holding the award trophy tightly.
The Chicago Fashion Coalition, established in 2021, is dedicated to reshaping the narrative surrounding Chicago’s fashion landscape. According to Marquan Jones, CEO of the coalition, “Chicago’s fashion ecosystem has always thrived on community.” The coalition aims to build a more robust support system for local creatives, similar to initiatives like the James Beard and Equity Jeff Awards that celebrate the city’s culinary and theatrical contributions.
As the Chicago Fashion Awards sets a precedent for future events, it holds the promise of elevating the city’s fashion scene and shining a light on the remarkable talent that resides within its borders.
