Fashion Group International of Chicago

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Fashion Group International of Chicago

FGI Chicago is a region of a global network for professionals in fashion & related industries. This page is focused on the Chicago region.

Founded in 1930 by 17 accomplished women, Fashion Group International is a global, non-profit association whose mission is to provide resources, connections and career support for 5000 members. Fashion Group is an essential industry resource to connect members to information, inspiration, education, events, industry leaders, global resources, historic archives, established professionals, new talent, innovators, tastemakers, award winners, and most importantly each other. In order to join FGI, there is an annual dues fee that goes toward supporting programming for future events & member opportunities. Members get access to discounted or free event tickets, access to FGI global events, a private Facebook group, a global member directory, among other perks. We aim to to support our members to become more successful and involved in the Chicago fashion community within their respective careers.

10/02/2026

Meet 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards finalist Christina Schutz of Lookbook Stylist! ⭐

Christina is a finalist in the Fashion Stylist category. Come meet Christina and all of this year’s Rising Stars at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards on October 10 at Public Works Gallery!

Tickets and sponsorships are available at FGI.org/chicago.

Christina Schutz is a fashion stylist, journalist, model and CEO of The Fashion Foundry Consulting: supporting emerging independent fashion designers in Chicago to develop their brand, through personalized services. Her background includes journalism as Editor In Chief of Her Campus Media, Editor In Chief of Style Magazine Today, Co-Founder of Forward Magazine for the Condé Nast College of Fashion and Associate Editor at Behindthechair.com. Her marketing background includes Social Media Manager for Corii Burns, a Paris-based brand seen in British Vogue 4x, completed 5 marketing certifications and a Business of Fashion Certificate from Parsons School of Design. Christina started her fashion stylist career as a personal stylist for Kollectin, then worked backstage as a runway stylist for FashionBar Chicago and CHICK NY at Runway7 New York Fashion Week. She then began collaborating with The Chicago Edit as an on-set stylist and now styles for fashion photo shoots. Her styling work is seen in Imbued Magazine, Selin Magazine and Malvie Magazine.

Christina started her fashion stylist career as a personal stylist for Kollectin, then worked backstage as a runway stylist for FashionBar Chicago and CHICK NY at Runway7 New York Fashion Week. She then began collaborating with The Chicago Edit as an on-set stylist and now styles for fashion photo shoots. Her styling work is seen in Imbued Magazine, Selin Magazine and Malvie Magazine. Today, she continues to collaborate with artists in the fashion scene through The Fashion Foundry Consulting, primarily through brand consulting and development, creative direction and fashion show production. She also currently holds roles as a Videographer Manager at High Impact Promos, Fashion Editor of Peach Palace and Co-Founder of Chicago Swim Week.

The Fashion Foundry

10/02/2026

Meet 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards finalist Matteo Frausto of The Thrifted Gay! ⭐

Matteo is a finalist in the Fashion Stylist category. Come meet Matteo and all of this year’s Rising Stars at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards on October 10 at Public Works Gallery!

Tickets and sponsorships are available at FGI.org/chicago.

Matteo Frausto is a Chicago native who identifies as a trans man. He found his style through exploring his gender expression. After styling people who identified as q***r, he realized there is a need to bridge the gap to style clothes in a gender affirming way.

After entering the workforce, Matteo noticed the lack of representation of q***r people within the workplace. As he grew confidence dressing as more masculine in professional space. He had some friends at work who encouraged him to start posting his office fits of the day.

Q***r people deserve to feel confident in who they are, how they dress, and to take up space. Matteo’ created The Thrifted Gay as a visual diary to inspire others to dress authentically.

Androgynous Thrifter/Designer

10/02/2026

Meet 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards finalist Rahela Tanase of Intuitive Fashion! ⭐

Rahela is a finalist in the Fashion Stylist category. Come meet Rahela and all of this year’s Rising Stars at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards on October 10 at Public Works Gallery!

Tickets and sponsorships are available at FGI.org/chicago.

Rahela Tanase is a Chicago-based stylist and creative director whose formal design education — graphic design at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Central Saint Martins in London — directly informs how she styles, bringing an artistic depth that goes beyond dressing a subject. Her work spans editorial and luxury brand campaigns, with styling published in Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire and featured live on WGN Chicago. She previously served as lead stylist for Chicago Fashion Week and sat on its Advisory Council, and is Vice Regional Director Elect at FGI Chicago.

Drawing from influences that range from Simone Rocha and Alexander McQueen to French New Wave cinema and Wes Anderson, she builds looks that feel unexpected — ethereal yet grounded, always searching for the beauty in the peculiar and imperfect.

Rahela Tănase

10/02/2026

CHIFW is almost here! ✨

Thank you to Modern Luxury, Kaila Stang, and Chicago Fashion Week® for highlighting the FGI Chicago 11th Rising Star Awards as we get ready to celebrate Chicago’s emerging fashion talent during Chicago Fashion Week.

Join us Saturday, October 10 at Public Works Gallery for a morning of fashion, connection, and celebration as we recognize this year’s Rising Star Award winners and honorary award recipients.

We’re excited to be part of an incredible week celebrating Chicago fashion! 🏆✨

ChicagoFashionIndustry ConnectionsMatter

09/30/2026

We always have a great time! ✨ Join FGI Chicago for our Rising Star Awards on October 10 at 11 AM at Public Works Gallery in Chicago.

Enjoy a grazing brunch, professional networking, an awards presentation and the opportunity to meet 15 incredible emerging talents in Chicago’s fashion community.

Come see our amazing emcee Sharaun! ✨

We’ll honor 5 Rising Star Award winners, along with our 2 honorary award recipients, Sharaun and . 🏆

Video by FGI Chicago Board Member DeAnna Leticia Letty Sparrow | The Chicago Designer Marketplace

09/30/2026

Meet 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards finalist Shureice Kornegay of Fleeky Friday! ⭐

Shureice is a finalist in the Beauty category. Come meet Shureice and all of this year’s Rising Stars at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards on October 10 at Public Works Gallery!

Tickets and sponsorships are available at FGI.org/chicago.

Named “The Ultimate Glam” by ELLE Magazine, Shureice is an inventor, visual artist, and founder of Fleeky Friday, a brand transforming sparkle into cultural impact. Her patented Crystal Crease eyeliner, the world’s first V cut, crystal encrusted liner, earned more than 23 million views from a single video. The Crystal Crease caught the attention of Cardi B, who wore it in her “Hot Sh*t” and “Bongos” videos, and Christina Aguilera, who wore it during her Voltaire residency.

Her eyeshadows were also voted “Best eyeshadow cream” By today.com. Built in her Chicago studio, Fleeky Friday has shipped tens of thousands of orders worldwide and attracted organic orders from Paris Hilton and Niecy Nash.

ELLE magazine follows and has featured her work on their Instagram between Rihanna and Blue Ivy. Her work breaks the internet, shapes culture, and proves that Chicago innovation will always command global attention.

CHIEF FLEEK

09/30/2026

Meet 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards finalist Darrell Spencer of Crowned Skin! ⭐

Darrell is a finalist in the Beauty category. Come meet Darrell and all of this year’s Rising Stars at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards on October 10 at Public Works Gallery!

Tickets and sponsorships are available at FGI.org/chicago.

Darrell Spencer is a visionary entrepreneur, brand builder and cultural leader redefining the future of men’s grooming through innovation, strategic growth and representation. A Chicago native and Connecticut College economics graduate, Darrell built a distinguished career in digital advertising at Meta, Google and LinkedIn, developing deep expertise in consumer behavior, growth strategy and digital commerce.

In 2020, he founded Kings Crowning, followed by Crowned Skin in 2024,a luxury, cologne-infused grooming brand created specifically for men of color. Under his leadership, Crowned Skin generated eight figures in revenue within its first two years, achieved a Top 50 ranking on Amazon in Men’s Grooming, became the first Black male-founded brand to reach no2 on TikTok Shop, and expanded into Walmart and Macy’s. Darrell also appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank, receiving a $500,000 investment offer, and has partnered with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

Beyond building high-growth brands, Darrell is a sought-after speaker and thought leader whose work has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Black Enterprise, BET and The Tamron Hall Show. Through entrepreneurship, innovation and cultural leadership, he continues to expand representation, elevate the standard of men’s self-care and shape the future of culturally relevant consumer brands.

Crowned Skin | Cologne Infused Products Darrell Spencer | CEO OF CROWNED SKIN

09/30/2026

Meet 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards finalist Alexandra Carrillo of By The Polish! ⭐

Alexandra is a finalist in the Beauty category. Come meet Alexandra and all of this year’s Rising Stars at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards on October 10 at Public Works Gallery!

Tickets and sponsorships are available at FGI.org/chicago.

Alexandra Carrillo is redefining what it means to accessorize your fingertips. A Chicago native and the visionary behind By The Polish, Alexandra pivoted her influential nail blog into a nail studio. By The Polish specializes in custom nail designs and curated fashion-forward experiences for the modern style connoisseur. Recognized as a distinct voice in Chicago’s fashion landscape, Alexandra continues to elevate the manicure from a routine to the ultimate accessory.

Alexandra Carrillo

09/29/2026

Meet 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards finalist Raj Patel of Karmic Couture! ⭐

Raj is a finalist in the Fashion Design category. Come meet Raj and all of this year’s Rising Stars at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards on October 10 at Public Works Gallery!

Tickets and sponsorships are available at FGI.org/chicago.

Raj Patel is a Chicago-based Fashion Designer and Creative Director whose work spans custom fashion, commercial womenswear, runway, and creative direction. As Creative Director of Karmic Couture, his custom-to-order label, he leads the creative vision from concept and garment development through fittings, campaigns, editorial productions, and runway presentations. Deeply engaged in Chicago’s fashion community, Patel has presented his work in more than 15 fashion shows, including Chicago Fashion Week, with select custom designs created for celebrities and performers.

His work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, and Cosmopolitan, with designs presented in Chicago, New York, Mumbai, and at Lakmé Fashion Week.

He also works as a Fashion Designer at Chicago-based AKIRA, developing trend-driven commercial womenswear. His work brings together distinctive design, creative leadership, and a global perspective while contributing to Chicago’s evolving fashion landscape.

Raj Patel Raj Patel | Fashion Designer

09/29/2026

Meet 2026 FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards finalist Angela Aeschliman of Aeschliman, Co.! ⭐

Angela is a finalist in the Fashion Design category. Come meet Angela and all of this year’s Rising Stars at the 11th FGI Chicago Rising Star Awards on October 10 at Public Works Gallery!

Tickets and sponsorships are available at FGI.org/chicago.

Angela Aeschliman is the designer and founder of Aesch Liman, Co., creating timeless, recognizable clothing grounded in craftsmanship, intention, ease, and adaptability. Her designs balance fluidity with structure—refined without excess, distinctive in silhouette, movement, and material, while allowing the individuality of the person wearing them to remain at the forefront.

Each piece emphasizes freedom of movement, versatility, and longevity. Made to order and produced locally in Chicago in intentional small batches, Aesch Liman, Co. creates with purpose rather than volume, incorporating Fair Trade, natural, and recycled textiles while honoring the skilled hands behind the materials and making.

Aesch Liman, Co.’s design philosophy is grounded in stewardship for people and planet: expertly considered design intended to endure, adapt, and become part of a life well lived.

aeschliman.co Angela Aeschliman

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https://www.fgi.org/chicago/, https://buytickets.at/fgichicago

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