Stitching stardom: Designer Christian Siriano accepts Costume Council Award

The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum honored renowned fashion designer Christian Siriano with the third Presidents’ Circle Award on Thursday, October 12, at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel. The luncheon included a champagne reception with the designer, a raffle, and an interview with Christian Siriano where he discussed his life, career and fashion outlook, with Dionne Williams, Emerge fashion show creator/ founder Williams PR. The award, named after the past 17 presidents of the Costume Council, honors designers who are making an indelible mark in the fashion world. Event co-chairs Pamella Capitanini and David Mordini presented Siriano with the award on behalf of the Costume Council.

Karen Peters, Costume Council First VP, Programs, welcomed the crowd, and shared the purpose for the afternoon’s fundraising efforts – to drive curatorial activity, provide conservation needs and preserve and curate exhibitions for the Chicago History Museum and its 50,000-piece collection. David Mordini, president of the Costume Council, acknowledged the four past presidents who were in the audience before introducing Siriano and Williams.

Siriano answered a far-ranging array of questions. He said his mom and his sister are his muses and he loves to create for people who know who they want to be. It’s his “greatest gift.” Siriano is known as a pioneer for changing body positivity for all types, shapes, and genders.  He spoke about some of his favorite clients including Oprah, First Lady Michelle Obama and others. Over the years, he has dressed many prominent figures included First Lady Jill Biden, Angelina Jolie, Zendaya, Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga, to name a few.  

Christian Siriano is a distinguished CFDA designer, who has been a driving force in the world of fashion since his eponymous collection's launch in 2008. Trained under fashion icons Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen in London, Siriano's unique designs have graced the red carpets and wardrobes of today's most prominent figures. With nearly two decades in the industry, his work has been featured in prestigious museum exhibitions, including his groundbreaking solo retrospective at SCAD and record-breaking appearances at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute's Met Gala. He currently captivates audiences as the host and mentor on Bravo's “Project Runway," with the brand celebrating its 15-year anniversary this Fall.

ABOUT THE COSTUME COUNCIL OF THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

Founded in 1974, the purpose of the Costume Council is to support the Chicago History Museum as a leader in the documentation and interpretation of the history and the art of costume. The Chicago History Museum serves as a unique national resource to the preservation, interpretation, and understanding of history through the collection, examination, and documentation of costume. Through the fundraising efforts of the Costume Council, the Chicago History Museum has maintained a thriving costume collection and operated a conservation lab that manages and sustains this critical aspect of its holdings. The Costume Council proudly supports the Collection, which has grown to be one of the world’s premier costume collections with over 50,000 pieces, dating from the 1750s to present day.

ABOUT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

The Chicago History Museum is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers. Established in 1856, the Museum is located at 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park, its third location. A major museum and research center for Chicago and U.S. history, the Chicago History Museum strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, publications, special events and programming, the Museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other. The Museum collects and preserves millions of artifacts, documents, and images to assist in sharing Chicago stories. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago.