From casual to contemporary, sportswear to eveningwear and haute couture, Chicago designers are setting trends and redefining classics.

Home to over 250 designers, Chicago boasts one of the most creative communities in the country. Since Mayor Daley’s Fashion Initiative started in 2006, the City continues to partner with the private sector to create additional resources for designers to gain visibility, learn about the business of fashion, and elevate the industry through tools such as the Chicago Fashion Resource website. Many designers are choosing to stay in Chicago rather than move to the coasts due to the increasing sense of community here. Some of those designers are highlighted in this section.