The Driehaus Fashion Awards, one of Chicago’s longest-running independent fashion shows, returned to 21c Museum Hotel with a lively event featuring ready-to-wear, eveningwear, outerwear, sportswear, bridal and wearable art collections. A talented group of contestants— fashion students from Columbia College Chicago, Dominican University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago—were critiqued by a panel of industry insiders, who scored each collection on sewing techniques, fabric selection and overall excellence in garment construction.
The evening’s judging panel featured designer Sylwia Wilczynska, owner of SYLWIA, and Tanner C. Branson, associate vice president and head of luxury handbags and couture at Freeman’s | Hindman. Louis Biscelglie of Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue selected the Distinguished Designer Award for retail readiness, while Project Runway alum Peach Carr helped judge the Most Innovative Award alongside local designer Mark Roscoe. Adding to the excitement, Bachelor in Paradise stars Kenny Braasch and Mari Pepin made a special appearance, and Fox 32 news anchor Sylvia Perez served as emcee for the evening.
The top three winners received cash awards to assist them as they begin their design careers after graduation. Each school was awarded grants for future students, provided by the host of the event, Driehaus Design Initiative.