The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence

                                    The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence   

Runway Show Competition Featuring Original Garments from Top Emerging Fashion Design Students

  CHICAGO (March 2018) -- Driehaus Design Initiative will celebrate the future of fashion at The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence on Friday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. The event, themed Close-Up, features a runway show highlighting the talents of top emerging Chicago fashion design students.

  Hosted by Inese and Richard H. Driehaus, The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence will take place at Chicago Vintage Motor Carriage (700 S. Desplaines Street), a unique venue that provides guests exclusive viewing access to a private collection of classic American cars.

  The dynamic runway competition will showcase nearly 200 garments from up to 25 designers’ innovative collections, including a detailed look at intricate sewing techniques, fabric selection and overall excellence in garment construction.  Collections presented include ready-to-wear, evening wear, outerwear, sportswear, bridal and wearable art.

  Linda Yu, host of the Chicago Sun Times video series, Food We Love, and Sylvia Perez, News Anchor/Reporter on Fox 32 Chicago, will emcee the elegant fashion soirée and fundraiser. The impactful evening includes a pre-party with hors d'oeuvres and specialty cocktails, live entertainment, a live auction, and an exclusive VIP after-party presented by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

  The first place designer will win $7,500, including photography, hair & make-up, and models for the production of a lookbook, an apparel display at Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, and additional media opportunities. The second and third place designers, as well as the five honorable mention designers will win cash honorariums.

  A panel of industry experts will judge the competition including Sanja Manakoski, Costume Designer; Kpoene’ Kofi-Nicklin, Creative Director, Mignonette Bridal;  and Mark Roscoe, President, Mark Roscoe Design.  Wendy Krimins, General Manager, Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, will select one participant to receive the Neiman Marcus Distinguished Designer Award,   including a window display at the Michigan Avenue store, plus a one-on-one meeting with a senior buyer or executive to practice pitching his or her collection. The 2017 award recipient received the opportunity to meet renowned fashion designer Michael Kors.

  Participating students will be invited to join Driehaus Design Initiative and the Chicago History Museum for the Runway to Showroom®: Driehaus Business of Fashion Symposium. The symposium is a day of industry-led panels and open dialogue, focusing on business, to help designers achieve success. It also includes a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum's costume collection.

  Local fashion and design schools participating are: Columbia College Chicago, Dominican University, The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago, and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.   

  Reserved seating VIP tickets are $300 and include access to the VIP after-party.  General admission tickets are $175.  For more information and to purchase tickets please visit www.DriehausDesign.org.

Stay Stylish Chicago,

Katie