Chicago Fashion Week is back for a third year, with 10 days of runway presentations, award ceremonies, pop-ups and more than 80 other events at venues across the city. From Thursday, October 8 through Sunday, October 18, CFW offers a closer look at the designers and trends shaping Chicago’s fashion scene, and gathers the city’s most stylish tastemakers for a statement-making celebration of creativity.
CFW may not attract A-listers and billionaires like its counterparts in New York or Paris just yet, but that’s exactly what makes it worth watching. Its still-smaller scale makes it easy to be the first to discover new designers, source new pieces and get a taste of fashion week energy without having to hop on a plane.
Whether you’re a front-row regular or are just dipping your heels in, we’ve got your CFW itinerary covered. Here is our curated list of the 10 essential Chicago Fashion Week events, some free and some ticketed, that you won’t want to miss.
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What is it? A panel of new and established stylists at the Chicago Cultural Center.
What to expect: Presented by Rachel J Styling, the Stylist Symposium is back for a third year with some of the city’s most talented stylists to discuss this year’s theme, “The Past. The Present. The Future. The Evolution of Styling.” They’ll discuss what makes the city’s creatives tick before a networking event with participating designers and brands. Admission includes appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages.
Time Out tip: Mingle with upcoming local talents after the panel discussion.
Time: Friday, October 9, 1-4:30pm
Address: 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Price: From $13
What is it? A night of house music and experimental fashion at Carbon.
What to expect: The theme is all-black, and the runway is the room. Hosted by the Fashion Coalition of Chicago, Eclipse After Dark encourages guests to arrive wearing black as a canvas and reinvent the color throughout the night. Guests can also participate in styling challenges and enjoy music by Chicago-based DJs Hashtom and Jay Adams.
Time Out tip: Fashion is the ultimate form of expression. Take some time to examine your closet for creative ways to fit the theme.
Address: 1204 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607
Time: Friday, October 9, 10:30pm-2am
Price: From $35
What is it? An award ceremony and networking event that highlights talents across the footwear, fashion, styling, beauty and content creation industries.
What to expect: Founded in 1934, Fashion Group International Chicago is the local chapter of a global organization that connects and supports professionals in fashion, beauty, retail and related creative industries. This year marks the 11th annual Chicago Rising Star Awards, where some of the city’s biggest names are recognized in a ceremony at Public Works Gallery.
Time Out tip: Expect a well-dressed and well-informed crowd.
Address: 2141 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Time: Saturday, October 10, 11am-2pm
Price: From $75
What is it? A vintage clothing pop-up featuring a presentation of reworked menswear by local art and fashion groups.
What to expect: Vintage design collective Design at 329 is joining in on the Fashion Week fun with a two-day vintage pop-up. Attendees can shop pieces from various vintage clothing dealers, such as Garment Gambler and Salty Dog Vintage Shop, and check out a collection of menswear made from antique fabrics. No RSVP is needed.
Time Out tip: Arrive early in the day to secure new threads to show off throughout the rest of Fashion Week.
Address: 329 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60616
Time: Saturday, October 10-Sunday, October 11, noon-6pm
Price: Free
What is it? An open house hosted by local sustainable brand ALL WE REMEMBER that showcases responsibly made, gender-neutral products.
What to expect: ALL WE REMEMBER is a mainstay of the Chicago fashion scene and a leader in responsibly made fashion. Stop by their new Logan Square storefront during Fashion Week to meet with the brand’s cofounders and shop their collection of apparel, plus selects from local sustainable footwear brand Seres Footwear.
Time Out tip: There’s no cost to attend, but make sure to RSVP before you arrive.
Address: 2949 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
Time: Saturday, October 10, 1-6pm
Price: Free
What is it? A salon-style conversation on ever-changing beauty standards at the Murphy Auditorium.
What to expect: The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, in partnership with the Driehaus Museum, is hosting an open conversation about beauty and why its standards continue to change. New York-based stylist Kelly Augustine, author and artist Lydia Hudgens, and founder of Beauty Beech Alexa Rice will lead the conversation as they examine the industry’s evolution and how designers continue to challenge, redefine and expand ideas of beauty today.
Time Out tip: Make sure to RSVP and arrive with questions. Style is curated, and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about yourself and the industry.
Address: 50 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611
Time: Tuesday, October 13, 6-7pm
Price: Free
What is it? An exploration of how music impacts design.
What to expect: Spend an evening learning about Chicago’s independent watch scene at this event at aliveOne. Tempo Time, the brother-built watch brand, joins House Of Tempo and Tomcat Trumpet for a showcase featuring small-batch automatic watches. Guests can meet founder and performer Tom Burke, see the watches up close and hear the stories behind the timepieces’ intricate designs.
Time Out tip: Save a spot on your wrist to try on some of Chicago’s most innovative watches.
Address: 2683 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Time: Thursday, October 15, 8pm-1am
Price: Free
What is it? An annual fashion show at Union Station.
What to expect: The anticipated Chicago Fashion Showcase is transforming Union Station’s Great Hall into a catwalk once again. Throughout the evening, designers like Lauren Lein Designs and DoviArt Fashion will walk the runway with looks themed around four distinct pillars: legacy, creativity, opulence and unity. Tickets to this 21+ event include drinks, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.
Time Out tip: Arrive early to check out the on-site pop-up shops.
Address: 255 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606
Time: Thursday, October 15, 5-9pm
Price: From $148
What is it? A multi-day clothing swap at the Chicago Fair Trade Museum.
What to expect: The Fair Trade Museum is hosting a clothing swap where attendees can swap out their own used items and take home up to 10 traded pieces. This offers an opportunity to brush shoulders with like-minded trendsetters and discover clothes that spark ingenuity.
Time Out tip: Chicago Fair Trade members get free entry, plus access to an exclusive preview night with cocktails, bites and styling advice.
Address: 4704 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
Time: Friday, October 16, 6-9pm; Saturday, October 17, 10am-7pm; Sunday, October 18, 11am-4pm
Price: From $13
What is it? A three-day takeover of the Shops at North Bridge, headlined by Chicago-based curators.
What to expect: The Vintage Takeover brings three days of curated shopping to the Shops at North Bridge. Local vintage dealers, including Wini & I, Hello Good Buys, Shytowngirl Vintage and Schlesak Vintage, will come together to present their best clothing, jewelry, accessories, handbags and more.
Time Out tip: After you’ve fallen in love with a piece, ask the dealer where they found it. Every timeless piece has a timeless story.
Address: 520 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Time: Friday, October 16-Saturday, October 17, 10am-9pm; Sunday, October 18, 11am-7pm
Price: Free
