Chicago Fashion Week®, an 11-day citywide celebration of Chicago’s vibrant fashion community, announced a robust lineup of events and activations taking place across the city as part of its second edition, October 9 – 19. The event calendar includes more than 50 fashion shows and presentations, panel discussions, retail marketplaces, educational programs and more in partnership with local fashion organizations, retailers and fashion designers.
“The second edition of Chicago Fashion Week is a testament to the creativity and collaboration that thrive in Chicago,” said John Leydon, founder of Chicago Fashion Week.
Chicago Fashion Week offers a variety of public events in six categories, including fashion education, fashion exhibition, in-store events, retail markets, runway fashion events and social fashion events. All events are open to the public, many free of charge with advance registration.
The full Chicago Fashion Week event lineup for its 2025 edition can be found HERE. Highlights from the curated slate of events for 2025 include:
New for 2025
- Kone Ranger Fall 25' Runway Show (October 11) Chicago-based fashion brand Kone Ranger presents the “Reframe” runway show at Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club. The show incorporates upcycled, embroidered and cut and sewn garments by the Kone Rangers’ design team. All garments are for sale after the show.
- City of Confidence Fashion Experience (October 12) Style meets empowerment at the City of Confidence Fashion Show, presented by Confidence Apparel at Navy Pier. The high-energy experience features a runway show with a pink segment honoring breast cancer survivors, live music, VIP lounges and interactive activations. A portion of ticket sales will support breast cancer research.
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How Fashion Influences Interior Design with JC Licht and Luxe Magazine (October 14)
The panel discussion, presented by the River North Design District, explores how fashion influences interior design, featuring Chicago-based, nationally acclaimed interior designers Filip Makyszk, Nora Schneider, Jennie Bishop and Jasmin Reese. - The Business of Fashion: Assessing Now, Looking to the Future (October 14) The Fashion Department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and The Driehaus Museum present global and local perspectives, with esteemed featured panelists Melissa Beste, Global CEO of AKRIS, and Jacques Agbobly, designer and LVMH semi-finalist.
- Rock N Rags “Chicago Style” Fashion Show (October 16) Rock N Rags brings Chicago’s energy to the runway with a “Chicago Style” fashion show at Michael’s Grill, featuring retro diner vibes, branded bites, photo ops, a shoppable pop-up, and an iconic runway show starring real Chicago girls debuting the Fall + Holiday collection.
- Quinceañera Fashion: Your Ultimate Guide (October 19) Hosted by 15FashionQuince, this event at the Chicago History Museum features a conversation on all things Quinceañera. Industry professionals, including Quinceañera Magazine, Peaches Boutique (the largest collection of teen formal dresses in the USA) and beauty influencers will share insights on achieving the perfect look. Visitors can browse a selection of Quince gowns.
Returning Events
- Braided Opulence – a fashion show by SWABY (October 11) Fashion designer Shernett Swaby returns with an exclusive debut of the "Braided Opulence" Couture Collection at the SWABY Chicago Atelier in Wicker Park. This intimate gathering showcases a revolutionary collection that explores braiding as both a construction method and a cultural narrative.
- Threaded Stories: A Runway Show of Distinctive Fashion (October 12) cloth + home presents a Sunday afternoon soiree in Evanston featuring the collections of nine independent designers and their captivating stories. Following the show is a unique opportunity to shop the looks.
- The Stylist Symposium of Chicago (October 16) Step inside the creative minds and dynamic careers of Chicago’s trailblazing stylists. The Stylist Symposium features an inspiring panel discussion designed for stylists, fashion professionals, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts at every level. This year’s theme, “What is Possible in Styling?”, explores the limitless opportunities across all areas of the field.
- Shadow and Silk Fashion Gala – When Urban Streetwear Meets Dandyism (October 17) Powered by Support Your Hommes LLC and Monaco, the Shadow and Silk Gala is where raw creativity meets refined elegance, and streetwear and dandyism collide, shining a spotlight on Chicago’s innovative designers. Guests enjoy cocktails, bites, and an early preview of featured looks while connecting with creatives, tastemakers, and industry leaders shaping the bold future of Chicago fashion.
- Runway LatinX Gala (October 18) Fashion, gastronomy, mixology and entertainment coalesce to create a dazzling environment. The VIP opening reception includes chefs, mixologists and vendor shopping opportunities. The runway show features international and local designers, followed by an after-party and pop-up shops.
- Surround Sound of Fashion (October 19) An immersive, electrifying mashup of music and style, SSOF features a runway show of cutting-edge designers and live performances by top national recording artists.
For more information about Chicago Fashion Week and to stay updated on the latest news, programming partners and the official schedule, visit www.chicagofashionweek.com or follow @thechicagofashionweek on Instagram and Facebook.
About Chicago Fashion Week
Chicago Fashion Week® is an 11-day lineup of special events featuring fashion shows and presentations, retail marketplaces, educational programs and more in partnership with local fashion organizations, retailers, and neighborhood business associations. Running October 9-19 at locations across the city, the events will spotlight Chicago as the incubator of groundbreaking, critically acclaimed designers, home to fashion schools that attract global talent and a hub for world-class shopping. To learn more about Chicago Fashion Week, visit www.chicagofashionweek.com or follow @thechicagofashionweek on Instagram.