CHICAGO FASHION WEEK® ANNOUNCES ROBUST SLATE OF VISIONARY LEADERS TO SERVE ON ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR 2025 EDITION

CHICAGO FASHION WEEK® ANNOUNCES ROBUST SLATE OF VISIONARY LEADERS TO SERVE ON ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR 2025 EDITION

Chicago Fashion Week® Will Present Its Second Annual Series of Events October 9 – 19 Across the City, Highlighting Chicago’s Fashion Industry

CHICAGO –Chicago Fashion Week® (CHIFW) announced its esteemed Advisory Council, a diverse group of industry professionals, creative leaders and cultural strategists who will help guide the continued evolution of Chicago Fashion Week during its second edition, taking place October 9 – 19 at venues across the city. Representing a cross-section of fashion, tech, retail, design and community engagement, the Advisory Council will provide strategic insight and support the long-term vision of CHIFW as it expands its citywide footprint.

“As Chicago Fashion Week continues to grow, it’s important the voices shaping this platform reflect the energy, creativity and diversity of the city itself,” said John Leydon, founder of Chicago Fashion Week. “This Advisory Council brings together innovators and change makers who not only understand fashion, but also the power of storytelling and the impact of community and culture on the industry. We hope their expertise and insight will help shape a connected future for the fashion ecosystem in Chicago.”

Chicago Fashion Week features dozens of events 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. Event submissions are now open through Friday, August 15.

Members of the 2025 Chicago Fashion Week Advisory Council include:

NaCherrie Cooper | Senior Communications Manager of Social Impact & Inclusion at Channel Impact (on behalf of Cisco)

Jess Crane | Owner of Jess Crane Design, LLC | Regional Director at Fashion Group International (FGI) Chicago | Managing Board Member at Apparel Industry Board Inc (AIBI) Chicago

Robin Harris | Co-founder of Confidence Apparel | Co-founder of Model Atelier

Rachel Jimenez | Founder of Rachel J. Styling | Founder of The Stylist Symposium | Adjunct Professor of Fashion Styling at Columbia College Chicago

Meiling Jin | Content Creator & Founder of Studio Meiling

Pam Kendall | Founder & Owner of cloth + home

Marquan Jones | President of Chicago Fashion Coalition

Ameer Roberts | Creative Cultural Strategist

Dondre Smith | Founder, ALMVGHTY Clothing and CRE8 Space L3C

Rahela Tanase | Creative Director, Stylist, and Marketing Director at Fashion Group International (FGI) Chicago

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, 2025 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 2025, visit chicagofashionweek.com or follow @thechicagofashionweek on Instagram.


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