Driehaus Design Initiative
501(c)(3) nonprofit to promote and encourage design education and to foster public appreciation & un Richard H.
Driehaus founded The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence to provide emerging fashion designers in Chicago an opportunity to showcase their talents and to further their design careers. Each year, the organization hosts a multimedia production to showcase the emerging designers’ knowledge of textiles, excellence in sewing techniques and impeccable garment construction. Junior and senior undergrad
04/06/2024
Strutting into the spotlight with timeless elegance at the 19th Driehaus Fashion Awards. 🌟
https://www.chicagostarmedia.com/candid_candace/driehaus-design-initiative-emerging-designers-fashion-show-honors-late-founder/article_0ed776f2-1eb5-11ef-a261-5734a43565f4.html
A heartfelt shoutout to Chicago Star & Candid Candace for their stellar piece: ‘Driehaus Design Initiative: Emerging designers fashion show honors late founder.’
We appreciate it & thank you for the support always ❣️🙏🏻
15/05/2024
Fresh off the press!
Meet our judges: designers Peach Carr, Mark Roscoe, and Wendy Krimins, General Manager of Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, selecting the Neiman Marcus Distinguished Designer Award. 🏆✨
Our panel of industry insiders is ready to score the collections at the Driehaus Fashion Awards.
From intricate sewing techniques to fabric selection, excellence in garment construction takes the spotlight.
We greatly appreciate their participation and lending their expertise.
From initial sketches to stunning creations, witness the journey of talent at the 2019 Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence.
With just a week left until this year's show, we're eagerly anticipating the reunion of designers from Chicago's premier design schools – School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, and Dominican University.
Get ready for a showcase of creativity and style!
FashionExcellence
07/05/2024
Revisiting the archives of 2016 second place winner, Sharrell Smith as she elegantly showcases her beautiful designs on the runway.
Witnessing the talent and beauty inherent in our local design school is truly remarkable!
Let's take a delightful trip down memory lane to the awards winners of 2018.
The top awards of the evening were presented to some truly remarkable talents:
🏆 First Place: Lindsay Holeso, Columbia College Chicago
🥈 Second Place: Maria Beniaris, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
🥉 Third Place: Carolyn Ni, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Enjoy the fabulous snapshots of their runway moments before and after receiving their well-deserved awards. Their stunning pieces truly epitomized excellence!
With just a few weeks left until we unveil this year's student designs from Chicago's premier design schools – School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, and Dominican University – stay tuned for more updates about the fabulous return of the Driehaus Fashion Awards.
Chicago's favorite Runway Returns! The Driehaus Fashion Awards is back with a bang, featuring the talent emerging from three of Chicago’s top design schools: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago & Dominican University.
Here are video clips from 6 past participants: Victor Delgado, Shaquita Reed, Bianca Cummins, Rachel Radulescu, Carlos Osuna, and Rebecca Martin.
Follow us for all the latest updates and announcements!
23/04/2024
Lights, Camera, Fashion! Exciting news -The Driehaus Fashion Awards are back! We're here to showcase the incredible design talent emerging from three of Chicago’s top design schools: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Columbia College Chicago & Dominican University. It's an honor to support the vibrant fashion and design community in our city.
Join us in celebrating art, fashion, and community spirit. Watch this space for more updates and for content looking back at highlights from past shows!
The 2024 Awards are produced in partnership with The Curio Experience & ZZAZZ Productions
Our Story
Richard H. Driehaus founded The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence to provide emerging fashion designers in Chicago an opportunity to showcase their talents and to further their design careers.
Each year, the industrial space at 700 S. Desplaines Street is transformed into a multimedia production to showcase the emerging designers’ knowledge of textiles, excellence in sewing techniques and impeccable garment construction.
Junior and senior undergraduate students from three Chicago fashion programs complete an application and interview process for selection to showcase their designs at The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence. Collections include ready-to-wear, evening wear, outerwear, sportswear, bridal and wearable art. Selected students represent the best in innovation, craftsmanship and creativity of emerging fashion talent in Chicago. Many alumni who have participated in the event have credited Driehaus Design Initiative for the support they received in the beginning of their careers as critical to their success in the fashion industry.
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