Chicago Fashion Week® (CHIFW) announced a call for event submissions for the CHIFW event calendar, now open through Friday, Aug. 15. The second edition of Chicago Fashion Week will run Oct. 9 through 19, with more than 50 events across the Chicagoland area from Highland Park to Hyde Park. Chicago Fashion Week will again feature a robust slate of activations and events, including fashion shows and presentations, retail marketplaces, educational programs and more in partnership with local fashion organizations, retailers and neighborhood business associations.
“The breadth of events and organizations involved in Chicago Fashion Week last year was a tremendous reflection of the city’s diversity, and we are encouraged by the positive response the arts, culture and fashion communities showed to this initiative in its first year,” said John Leydon, founder of Chicago Fashion Week. “As we enter our second edition, we’re primed to expand on the momentum we created in 2025. In our team’s curated approach to the Chicago Fashion Week events, we want to present the artistry of our local fashion tastemakers and showcase the unique offerings of our emerging creatives, retail stalwarts and more.”
LEFT: Photo Credit, Blake Swanson, Designer, Lola Elan; RIGHT: Photo Credit, Blake Swanson, Designer, Nana Okazaki Plotkin
Chicago Fashion Week features dozens of events located in neighborhoods across the city, spotlighting Chicago as the incubator of groundbreaking, critically acclaimed designers, home to fashion schools that attract global talent and a hub for world-class shopping. Its inaugural edition in October 2024 featured more than 50 public events, many free of charge with advance registration.
All events considered for Chicago Fashion Week must be open to the public. Events will be reviewed and posted to the website calendar on a rolling basis, and event organizers will be contacted within two weeks of submission, if confirmed for inclusion. To apply for the Chicago Fashion Week calendar, visit chicagofashionweek.com/events. Event categories open for submissions include:
- Fashion Education: A panel or presentation about fashion, styling or the business of fashion.
- Fashion Exhibition: Fashion-related exhibitions that are open to the public.
- In-store Event: An in-store experience that includes a special appearance or services not usually offered.
- Market: A combination of fashion-oriented vendors outside of a traditional store or a clothing swap open to the public.
- Runway Fashion Event: A social fashion event with a runway fashion show.
- Social Fashion Event: A social event with a fashion component off-site, not in a store.
Chicago Fashion Week programming will feature returning events and new events including:
- Threaded Stories: A Runway Show of Distinctive Fashion (Oct. 12) is 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.
- How Fashion Influences Interior Design with JC Licht and Luxe Magazine (Oct. 14) is presented by the River North Design District. The panel discussion focuses on how fashion influences interior design with Chicago-based, nationally acclaimed interior designers.
- The Stylist Symposium of Chicago (Oct. 16) highlights the creative careers of Chicago’s most influential fashion stylists. This unique educational opportunity fosters collaboration and connection between stylists, designers, fashion professionals and entrepreneurs.
- The 4th Annual Chicago Fashion Showcase (Oct. 16), presented by Minted Media Productions, is a platform for global emerging and leading fashion designers to showcase their collections on the runway. The Showcase blends art, entertainment and pop-up shops in an all-day event.
- Runway LatinX Gala (Oct. 18) highlights fashion, gastronomy, mixology and entertainment. 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 (Oct. 19) is an electrifying mashup of music and style featuring 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 a 10-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 on 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 chicagofashionweek.com or follow @thechicagofashionweek on Instagram.