The Showcasing Brands

Participating Brands

October 2022

FashionBar The White Collection

FashionBar launched its sustainable clothing in 2020 to bring unique garments to consumers, stylists, and influencers looking for durable, long-lasting, & timeless clothing for their wardrobes!  Trans Media & Fashion fashion will highlight the opulence of transgender and gender-nonconforming  people on the runway this season with an all-white collection.

Julia Gawron

With twenty-five years of experience, Julia showcases her expertise in creating a cltohing approach that allows women, men, and gender-fluid individuals to be their authentic selves. The brand specializes in outerwear and faux-fur jackets which are made in the U.S.A and handcrafted with selected luxury faux fur. In addition to outerwear, Julia specializes in custom measurements, pattern work, grading, and sourcing of textiles all of which help to create your unique design for a one-of-a-kind look.  Ion a fast fashion world, Julia strives to pay homage to luxury fashion choices at a more feasible cost. You can find her unique designs online on her website or social media platforms to locate their next pop-up shop!

 

Heidi Life

African American Asian owner founded in South Florida in 2021 and officially giving birth on Lincoln Road Swim Week 2022, for Miami Swim Week. HeidiLife is a purpose-driven SWIM and RESORT wear line and brazed the stage with its vibrant colors, various fabrications, and STYLE. Culturally diverse, as creator, Prudence Story has collaborated with Kenyan NGO producing various indigenous pieces… the goal is to incorporate this style into the swimwear. Right now, native Chicagoan, Prudence is just having fun creating what has been her vision for many years. HeidiLife is here to empower women and girls through a peaceful lifestyle and fashion.

Each piece made with love, promoting peace and giving a personal and eclectic touch to it. Being a purpose-driven line that partners with organizations, HeidiLife is always seeking woman and girl organizations to partner with so we can make the world a better place one swimsuit at a time.

The Vault

The Vault was founded in classic startup-style – out of a bedroom in Chicago in 2017.

As of today, The Vault has grown to a team of eight staff with their HQ based in Chicago. They have recycled over 100,000 items and sell to over 20 countries. 

828 Collection by Suzette Opara

Impeccable, refreshing, cutting edge, are just a few words used to describe Nigerian, Chicago-based fashion designer Suzette Opara. Her keen eye for attention to detail and her ability to create for all sizes of women is what keeps Suzzete in demand. Suzette is a self taught designer who started creating pieces in her bedroom after completing a Marketing degree. She realized she did not want to be trapped in an office. So, in 2004, she decided to put together a fashion show to reintroduce her self to family and friends as a fashion designer. Furthermore, she introduces her line, 828 Collection. The collection was well received and clients began to place orders for custom pieces. In 2013, The 828 Collection made its debut at New York Fashion Week. Suzette plans to expand and refine the brand to include Bridal and Menswear in the future. 

Mushou Couture

COMING SOON

Dilkush (Shifa Mushta)

Lynne Dixon

Xclusive Habit by Desiree Avila

Flyy Heart - Shiwana Francis

Naturally Couture

Matthew Kinley

By Tytus

VybeRent curated by Sara Kalwar

Alexandria Alston

APRIL 2022

MegMANSKI

MEGMANSKI, Philippine native, is a United States (Illinois) based designer and alterations expert. Meg has a gift of being able to measure someone’s size by a simple look. Meg graduated from Abellana National School in Cebu City in the Philippines in “Dressmaking” at this special trade school. Her vision is inspired by her Filipino culture, her love for her husband, and her dedication to her kids. She established her own alteration shop in Breese, Illinois in 2007, and has built long-lasting relationships with several of her clientele. Meg has always been influenced by dressmaking and fashion, working in alterations and dress shops for over 40 years.

THE VAULT

The Vault was founded in classic startup-style – out of a bedroom in Chicago in 2017.

As of today, The Vault has grown to a team of eight staff with their HQ based in Chicago. They have recycled over 100,000 items and sell to over 20 countries. 

STEPHANE ST JAYMES

Born to Nigerian parents in London, fashion was forefront and very influential in Stephane’s upbringing. Growing up, he watched his mother and Aunts sewing while watching old Hollywood movies inspired from a young age. Years later, Stephane decided to attend the London College of Fashion and work for well-known British designers such as John Galliano and Alexander McQueen. These fashion houses, as well as a few others, helped influence his style and skill set. Stephane specializes in upscale evening wear, couture, and bespoke suiting, as he designs for both men’s and women’s wear. Moreover, he believes that “classic style is better than being trendy” because his collection of garments is designed to fit into an existing wardrobe. The collection showcases his attention to detail and exuberance knowledge of fabrics; they are meant to stand the test of time and are well constructed, elegant, and stylish pieces. At the same time, showcasing the inside foundation of his garments is equally as crucial as their outer shell.

Lonnie P Designs

 Inspired by his mother, a master seamstress, a young Lonnie Posley embraced his creativity and pursued his dream of becoming an abstract artist and designer. Wielding 40 years of formal education, professional experience, partnerships and extensive portfolio; Lonnie P. has been a key staple and participant within a multitude of events from Ebony Fashion Fair to Chicago Fashion Week. Combing his love of fashion and art taking his paintings from canvas to clothing. An accomplished philanthropist, the owner of Gifted Hands Art Gallery and Lonnie P Designs Studio LLC; Lonnie continues to share myriad of art and fashion collections through community events, fundraisers and creating opportunities for younger artists, photographers, stylists and models.

house of Binky

BIO COMING SOON

Jonathan Thedford

Born in the south side of Chicago but raised in small Greenville, MS. The desire to pursue fashion as a career happened after a classmate asked him to sketch her prom dress. Her inspiration was a form fitting knee length black dress worn by Dorothy Dandridge. She requested updates to the look. She wanted a cut-out at the stomach but still wanted the classic silhouette. He took her inspiration and request and immediately sketched her dream dress. When he provided her the sketch she took it to a seamstress to be made. When the garment was complete his classmate showed him the finished product and this sparked the desire within Jonathan to pursue fashion as a career.

Poor Boy Rich Taste

Jeremy “Prince” Nowell is a fashion fanatic with a vision of providing rich aesthetics on a poor man’s budget. PRince received his initial introduction to the world of fashion in 2010 where he became the first-ever founder of Eastern Illinois University’s first modeling organizations, “E.N.T Models” + “GLAM.” Prince spent the next 4 years honing his skills by producing sold–out fashion shows, commercials and photoshoots.

Prince has been tapped to style the Grammy Nominated, Multi-Platinum Recording Artist and Actress, Miki Howard, for a concert event at the City Winery. 

Prince has produced fashion shows at some of the most popular theaters in Chicago, which included “greenhouse Theater Center”, “Center on Halsted – Hoover-Leppen Theater”, “Under The Gun Theater” and more!

MALAKWEAR

Owner of Malak Wear (Arabic for Angel)  which means, “Angel Messenger of Good News” where she releases  her creative mind by sketching / designing top quality  apparel and shoes made in London , derived here in Chicago. Her apparel is released by Collections, which have a minimum amount of inventory so that each customer can feel proud of being 1 of few that is rocking a collectible item from Malak Wear.  Thriving to target a very diverse crowd of people- whether it’s an individual at the local bar or all the way to celebrities. Malak Wear strives to be a house hold name.

The Onyx Label

The Onyx Label is a conversation between two essential elements of life: food and clothing. Food is naturally embedded in many of the connection that we make with people in our lives. Fashion, similarly, is a language that we use to express who we are in any space, room, or place in time with those same individuals. The Onyx Label has blended these elements to simply pay admiration to nature’s abundance of color, texture, and the creativity that humans have to express themselves through dress. Sparke, The One And Only, is a Chicago designer that researches and experiments with new techniques to develop innovative designs that align with zero-waste production methods. 

iskreamkultur

The mobile luxury clothing brand, known for convenient, hassle free, creative fashion design.

Created by a super fun creative mother of five who believes in teaching entrepreneurship and finding purpose through creative arts. We are here to embrace a new era of Kultur that shows respect for self, Others, Christ,Unity, Community, indifferences, empowerment and love.

From one individual to another all through creative interactive fashion. Through exciting new expressive bold clothing for the youthful soul that want to stand proudly. And our thrifty fashion fabulous parties for the fashionistas of the world ages 8-17.

Desired Fashion

Desired Fashion is a Latina owned online boutique. Established in 2020, the boutique is for women that desire trendy fashion at a desired price. Desired Fashion’s goal is to empower women through fashion. 

Deztinni

Deztinni (pronounce destiny) by Ashanti-Nichole was birthed in 2005 Chicago Base.

Deztinni Specializes in Denim apparel and accessories. They are known for specializing in different one of a kind exclusive refurbish recycled denim & creating outstanding apparel with hands-on mixing and blending funky technique with a twisted upscale approach!

The Line is fun, edgy and risky, it gives women and men a sense of being free and being their self on the sexy and ruff side. Her largest Fashion hub spots are Chicago & Atlanta which has welcomed her passion. She is bringing her passion for fashion to the people.Our Value propositions are creating true fashions for plus size women, men and sustainability through recycled materials addressing the global textile waste.

Trogs

Megan Troglio is an internet artists on the mission to document life. Born in Peoria, Illinois, they moved to Chicago in 2017 and graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2021. The brand identifies as an ephemeral amalgamation that seeks to create clothes for people who move, live, and play. There is a vision of Home; an inspired community of practice. Gratefully Megan is a part of imnotArt, the first Physical/Digital NFT Gallery in Chicago. Trogs would like to thank Picture Perfect Modeling Troupe, Haus of Agape, and those of her personal life. The pieces showcased depict a Universal Story: 3 SPACEPLACES & the seven scripts that run through our lives; Overcoming the Monster, Rags To Riches, The Quest, Voyage & Return, Comedy, Tragedy, & Rebirth. 

Amara Black

AmaraBlack is a Chicago based designer eager to branch out to new horizons. Over the course of 10 years, AmaraBlack has showcased collections throughout Illinois, Indiana, Texas, and was a Driehaus Design Initiative finalist in 2017, and a featured designer in NYFW 2018. AmaraBlack is a ready-to-wear line that creates sleek, sophisticated, and edgy men’s and womenswear.