Chicago Fashion Week® (CHIFW) today announced the dates for 2026 following its successful second edition, an 11-day citywide celebration of Chicago’s vibrant fashion community. Taking place October 8 – 18, 2026, Chicago Fashion Week will again highlight the dynamic range of talent shaping Chicago’s fashion identity.
“Chicago Fashion Week shines a light on what makes our city extraordinary - our creativity, diversity and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Fashion, like all art, tells the story of who we are. Events like this not only uplift our local designers and makers but also remind the world that Chicago is a city where culture, innovation and community come together to inspire.”
CHIFW 2025 ran Oct. 9 – 19, featuring 61 events in 49 venues throughout the city and suburbs from Hyde Park to Highland Park. Over the 11-day lineup, thousands of attendees enjoyed public events across six categories, including fashion education, fashion exhibitions, in-store events, retail markets, runway fashion events, and social fashion events.
“This year’s Chicago Fashion Week demonstrated the power of fashion as a connector and as a draw to the city,” said John Leydon, Founder of CHIFW. “We saw creative voices and communities come together, and met attendees from across the country eager to see what all the excitement was about. We’re thrilled to continue this work in 2026, further offering a platform for the world-class creatives who call our great city home.”
Chicago Fashion Week is committed to making fashion accessible to everyone, from everyday consumers to industry professionals. Throughout the season, CHIFW offered a slate of public events with a majority offering free or affordably priced entry.
Many 2025 events were filled to capacity, including new events such as the School of the Art Institute’s panel discussion about the future of fashion, and an event presented by the River North Design District on how fashion influences interior design. Returning, sold-out runway shows include the Surround Sound of Fashion and Runway Latinx. Event organizers are empowered to design their own unique experiences, while Chicago Fashion Week curates the diverse, high-quality lineup and provides citywide marketing support.
Chicago Fashion Week 2025 was supported by Modern Luxury, Official Media Partner; The Rock Agency, Official Modeling Agency; and James Gustin for Fig Media, Official Photographer.
For more information about Chicago Fashion Week and to stay updated on the latest news and future programming, 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 8-18, 2026, 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.