Chicago fashion takes center stage at the Driehaus Design Initiative Alumni Show

Chicago’s fashion community had its moment in the spotlight on October 1, when the Driehaus Design Initiative Alumni Show brought a runway full of homegrown talent to the Chicago History Museum for an evening celebrating the city’s creative spirit.

The show paired fashion with one of Chicago’s most distinguished cultural settings, drawing together designers, supporters and fashion lovers for a look at the work emerging from the Driehaus Design Initiative (DDI). From the collections on the runway to the stylish crowd watching from the sidelines, the evening made a compelling case for the depth of design talent in Chicago.

Eight alumni designers presented collections that showcased a range of aesthetics, ideas and approaches to fashion. The designers included Tamra Ellingson, whose luxury womenswear label grew from her 2011 participation in the program; Jamie Hayes, a 2003 alum whose Production Mode focuses on sustainability; Adreain Guillory, founder of the demi-couture label Ajovang; Emma Mendell, who won first place and best construction at the April 2026 Driehaus event; Albina Ikizli, founder of Arzi Inc.; Julie Mersine Romeli, owner and head designer of Mira Couture; Binta Sagale Diallo, known for custom eveningwear, prom dresses and wedding gowns and Yasmeen Wilson, whose designs emphasize sustainability, heritage and craftsmanship.

The collections ranged from glamorous eveningwear to sculptural contemporary looks. Highlights included a sparkling, feather-accented gown by Sagale, Hayes’ cropped leather jacket paired with an asymmetrical black-and-white striped skirt, Mendell’s voluminous off-white top with sculptural denim culottes, and a vintage-inspired lace dress with a dramatic hood from Guillory’s Ajovang label.

The evening also brought together approximately 200 guests, including Chicago History Museum Costume Council members, designers Maria Pinto and Sylwia Wilczynska, humanitarian artist and designer Hama Hinnawi, and Caroline Driehaus, daughter of the late philanthropist Richard Driehaus. Fashion illustrator Julija Lubgane, whose clients include Dior, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., sketched the runway looks live.

The program honored the legacy of Richard Driehaus, whose commitment to university-level fashion education helped support generations of Chicago designers. Tracey Tarantino DiBuono, executive producer of the Driehaus Fashion Awards since 2002, conceived the alumni show to celebrate what former participants have accomplished since their time in the program.

The event also offered a glimpse into the changing business of fashion. Maria Pinto, whose designs have been worn by Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Brooke Shields, spoke about how direct-to-consumer sales have transformed the industry and the increased competition facing emerging designers. Her advice to young talent was to identify an underserved customer and design with a clear purpose. 

Behind the polished runway presentation was a team of Chicago event professionals who helped bring the evening together. DiBuono and her ZZAZZ Productions team led the runway production, working alongside Michelle Molise and the DDI team, who helped support the designers and bring the alumni showcase to life.

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Ian Gerard and Maggie Gillette of The Curio managed guest outreach, promotion and the front-of-house experience, while Kehoe Designs helped shape the evening’s setting. Agency models brought the collections to life on the runway, and photographers Allen Bourgeois and Alex Callejo captured the looks and atmosphere. Linda Yu, who has hosted DDI shows for years, was also recognized for her longstanding role in the program.

The show attracted attention beyond Chicago, with Women’s Wear Daily covering the event and giving the designers and the city’s fashion community a valuable national spotlight. Local television and print outlets also took notice.

The result was more than a fashion show. It was a celebration of the people and creative partnerships that help nurture design talent, with the Chicago History Museum providing a fitting backdrop for an evening where the city’s past met its fashion future. (Photos by Allen Bourgeois and Alex Callejo)