CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago-area designers are already preparing for the city’s first official Fashion Week.
The opening event isn’t until October, but they’re already starting to work on their collections for the shows.
One designer gives a glimpse into her studio as she prepares to show her new collection on opening night.
You can’t find these types of fabrics anywhere except Sheila Rashid’s studio in Little Village.
“The designers here just have to create their own space, it doesn’t matter what other designers do. We just do our own thing,” she said.
Sometimes that “thing” looks like piecing together old ’90s black hair magazine photos to make your own denim.
“Every collection I try to think of something I’m inspired by, and my latest collection, Good Hair Day, was inspired by my mother. I grew up in the salon.”
For almost twenty years, Rashid has been designing and developing a distinct look, which she says was created to reflect Chicago from her perspective.
“I feel like we kind of have our own subculture, you know, that’s not known for that, but to know that my style kind of reflects the city, that’s big for me. I just feel that I’m, you know, the embodiment of, you know, just being here,” she said.
She uses bold colors and lots of denim to create unisex workwear tailored to the city’s fickle weather and style cues.
“I think fashion in Chicago is pretty monotonous. We like our sets, we like to match. You know, we like our monochrome look, and we get all four seasons.”
Her collections have captured the attention of Chicagoans and celebrities alike. Zendaya, Bella Hadid, Lena Waithe and Chance the Rapper have worn her designs. What she brings to Chicago Fashion Week won’t be seen on any red carpet or Instagram feed.
“I’m probably going to present something I’ve never done before. I’m going to create a new collection,” she said.
Something quintessentially Chicago for fashion week that Rashid believes will permanently elevate the city’s fashion scene.
“I hope it will bring something to the city every year, because nothing has ever really stuck, like, oh, this is for fashion, this is for Chicago fashion, and I feel like, this really screams that to me.”
The official Chicago Fashion Week, organized by the city and Choose Chicago, takes place in the city from October 9 to 12.
The full list of local designers can be found at chicagofashionweek.com.
