Jermikko Shoshanna, a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Chicago, began her career in a modest studio apartment with just $50 and a dream. She has grown to become the first African American woman to own a design and clothing manufacture in Illinois. Jermikko has received multiple awards, including Designer of the Year by the Apparel Industry Board of Illinois. She designs across three labels: the high-end Jermikko label, the contemporary The Possibles by Jermikko, and the missy line J by Jermikko, each reflecting her unique aesthetic that blends whimsy with sophisticated style.