2026 Event Applications
We are excited to launch the third annual Chicago Fashion Week (CHIFW), to run from October 8 – 18. If you or your organization is interested in applying to participate, please review the criteria below.
The CHIFW events team reviews and curates all applications. We seek high-quality events of interest to fashion industry insiders and/or fashion-interested consumers that support Chicago-based fashion initiatives or designers.
Events can be large or small and must meet high-quality production standards. Event organizers are expected to market and promote their own events. To supplement those efforts, CHIFW mounts a vigourous multi-media marketing campaign to drive visitors to its website event schedule, which includes all officially accepted events. Many CHIFW events quickly fill to capacity once listed on the website. Our marketing campaign includes social media, influencer and media outreach, street banners, partnerships, advertising and live marketing activations.
Only accepted events listed on the CHIFW website are considered official CHIFW participants and are permitted to include the CHIFW logo in their promotional materials.
We are excited to launch the third annual Chicago Fashion Week (CHIFW), to run from October 8 – 18. If you or your organization is interested in applying to participate, please review the criteria below.
The CHIFW events team reviews and curates all applications. We seek high-quality events of interest to fashion industry insiders and/or fashion-interested consumers that support Chicago-based fashion initiatives or designers.
Events can be large or small and must meet high-quality production standards. Event organizers are expected to market and promote their own events. To supplement those efforts, CHIFW mounts a vigourous multi-media marketing campaign to drive visitors to its website event schedule, which includes all officially accepted events. Many CHIFW events quickly fill to capacity once listed on the website. Our marketing campaign includes social media, influencer and media outreach, street banners, partnerships, advertising and live marketing activations.
Only accepted events listed on the CHIFW website are considered official CHIFW participants and are permitted to include the CHIFW logo in their promotional materials.
Tuesday, June 2 – Event applications open on the CHIFW website.
Friday, June 26 – CHIFW starts publishing accepted events on the CHIFW website schedule.
Friday, September 4 – Final deadline for event applications to be submitted.
Note that every CHIFW calendar event must have a link to either a website page, Eventbrite or a similar platform. We will post an event to the CHIFW schedule before September 4, so it can benefit from being on the schedule as early as possible, even if its link is not ready. But a link must be provided by Friday, September 4.
Tuesday, June 2 – Event applications open on the CHIFW website.
Friday, June 26 – CHIFW starts publishing accepted events on the CHIFW website schedule.
Friday, September 4 – Final deadline for event applications to be submitted.
Note that every CHIFW calendar event must have a link to either a website page, Eventbrite or a similar platform. We will post an event to the CHIFW schedule before September 4, so it can benefit from being on the schedule as early as possible, even if its link is not ready. But a link must be provided by Friday, September 4.
Event Categories:
(All events must be open to the public and be self-funded and produced)
Fashion Education
A panel or presentation about fashion, styling or the business of fashion.
Fashion Exhibition
Fashion-related exhibitions that are open to the public.
In-store event
A special in-store experience that includes a special guest appearance, pop-up or services that are not usually offered. Sales, gift-with-purchase offers, and discounts do not qualify as “special.”
Market
A clothing swap or a combination of fashion-oriented vendors outside of a traditional store.
Runway Fashion Event
Social fashion event with a runway fashion show.
Social Fashion Event (offsite, not in-store)
Social event with a fashion component.
Event Entry:
(Entry must be ONE of these three categories)
Open Access
Events that do not collect payment for entry (free to attend).
Open Access With RSVP
Events that do not collect payment for entry (free to attend), but do require advanced registration by the organizer for attendance. (Requires an RSVP link that the event organizer manages.)
Ticketed
Events that require a ticket purchase through the organizer. (Requires a link for ticket host, such as Eventbrite or Organizer website, that the event organizer manages.)
Event Categories:
(All events must be open to the public and be self-funded and produced)
Fashion Education
A panel or presentation about fashion, styling or the business of fashion.
Fashion Exhibition
Fashion-related exhibitions that are open to the public.
In-store event
A special in-store experience that includes a special guest appearance, pop-up or services that are not usually offered. Sales, gift-with-purchase offers, and discounts do not qualify as “special.”
Market
A clothing swap or a combination of fashion-oriented vendors outside of a traditional store.
Runway Fashion Event
Social fashion event with a runway fashion show.
Social Fashion Event (offsite, not in-store)
Social event with a fashion component.
Event Entry:
(Entry must be ONE of these three categories)
Open Access
Events that do not collect payment for entry (free to attend).
Open Access With RSVP
Events that do not collect payment for entry (free to attend), but do require advanced registration by the organizer for attendance. (Requires an RSVP link that the event organizer manages.)
Ticketed
Events that require a ticket purchase through the organizer. (Requires a link for ticket host, such as Eventbrite or Organizer website, that the event organizer manages.)
Click the link above to fill out our event application form
How do I know if my submitted event is accepted for inclusion in CHIFW?
The CHIFW events team reviews submissions and provides approvals within three weeks of submission. Only submissions that include all details will be considered, although you can provide the link to your event later, by September 4.
We are unable to contact all event organizers whose events are not accepted. Know that you can host an event during CHIFW and benefit from the city’s fashion momentum during this time, even if your event is not officially part of CHIFW. But only accepted events listed on the CHIFW website are considered official CHIFW participants and are permitted to include the CHIFW logo in their promotional materials.
How do I know if my submitted event is accepted for inclusion in CHIFW?
The CHIFW events team reviews submissions and provides approvals within three weeks of submission. Only submissions that include all details will be considered, although you can provide the link to your event later, by September 4.
We are unable to contact all event organizers whose events are not accepted. Know that you can host an event during CHIFW and benefit from the city’s fashion momentum during this time, even if your event is not officially part of CHIFW. But only accepted events listed on the CHIFW website are considered official CHIFW participants and are permitted to include the CHIFW logo in their promotional materials.
We welcome fashion-oriented events to be considered for inclusion in Chicago Fashion Week 2025. The CHIFW team curates submitted events. Events that are confirmed will be included on the CHIFW website and receive the benefits of city-wide promotion.
In 2024, the CHIFW website garnered 54,000 unique visitors, the CHIFW Instagram garnered 500,000+ views and we garnered 34 million media impressions. Please complete the event submission form here to be considered. We will contact you within two weeks of your submission if you are confirmed.
Note that every CHIFW calendar event must have a link to either a website page, Eventbrite or a similar platform. We will post events on the CHIFW schedule even if your link is not ready, but a link must be provided by August 15.
Thank you for considering participation in Chicago Fashion Week 2025!
The parameters for events are listed to the right:
We are excited to launch the third annual Chicago Fashion Week (CHIFW), to run from October 8 – 18. If you or your organization is interested in applying to participate, please review the criteria below.
The CHIFW events team reviews and curates all applications. We seek high-quality events of interest to fashion industry insiders and/or fashion-interested consumers that support Chicago-based fashion initiatives or designers.
Events can be large or small and must meet high-quality production standards. Event organizers are expected to market and promote their own events. To supplement those efforts, CHIFW mounts a vigourous multi-media marketing campaign to drive visitors to its website event schedule, which includes all officially accepted events. Many CHIFW events quickly fill to capacity once listed on the website. Our marketing campaign includes social media, influencer and media outreach, street banners, partnerships, advertising and live marketing activations.
Only accepted events listed on the CHIFW website are considered official CHIFW participants and are permitted to include the CHIFW logo in their promotional materials.
Tuesday, May 19 – Event applications open on the CHIFW website.
Friday, June 19 – CHIFW starts publishing accepted events on the CHIFW website schedule.
Friday, September 4 – Final deadline for event applications to be submitted.
Note that every CHIFW calendar event must have a link to either a website page, Eventbrite or a similar platform. We will post an event to the CHIFW schedule before September 4, so it can benefit from being on the schedule as early as possible, even if its link is not ready. But a link must be provided by Friday, September 4.
Event Categories:
(All events must be open to the public and be self-funded and produced)
Fashion Education
A panel or presentation about fashion, styling or the business of fashion.
Fashion Exhibition
Fashion-related exhibitions that are open to the public.
In-store event
A special in-store experience that includes a special guest appearance, pop-up or services that are not usually offered. Sales, gift-with-purchase offers, and discounts do not qualify as “special.”
Market
A clothing swap or a combination of fashion-oriented vendors outside of a traditional store.
Runway Fashion Event
Social fashion event with a runway fashion show.
Social Fashion Event (offsite, not in-store)
Social event with a fashion component.
Event Entry:
(Entry must be ONE of these three categories)
Open Access
Events that do not collect payment for entry (free to attend).
Open Access With RSVP
Events that do not collect payment for entry (free to attend), but do require advanced registration by the organizer for attendance. (Requires an RSVP link that the event organizer manages.)
Ticketed
Events that require a ticket purchase through the organizer. (Requires a link for ticket host, such as Eventbrite or Organizer website, that the event organizer manages.)
Click the link above to fill out our event registration form
How do I know if my submitted event is accepted for inclusion in CHIFW?
The CHIFW events team reviews submissions and provides approvals within three weeks of submission. Only submissions that include all details will be considered, although you can provide the link to your event later, by September 4.
We are unable to contact all event organizers whose events are not accepted. Know that you can host an event during CHIFW and benefit from the city’s fashion momentum during this time, even if your event is not officially part of CHIFW. But only accepted events listed on the CHIFW website are considered official CHIFW participants and are permitted to include the CHIFW logo in their promotional materials.
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With love, from the city wearing its story.
OFFICIAL 2025 PARTNERS
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
OFFICIAL MODELING AGENCY
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
ENDORSED BY
SHARE YOURS AT #312FASHION #CHIFW
© 2026 All Rights Reserved
Stay in the Loop
Receive occasional SMS and email updates.
Unsubscribe at any time.
With love, from the city wearing its story.
OFFICIAL 2025 PARTNERS
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
OFFICIAL MODELING AGENCY
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
ENDORSED BY
SHARE YOURS AT #312FASHION #CHIFW
© 2026 All Rights Reserved
Stay in the Loop
Receive occasional SMS and email updates.
Unsubscribe at any time.
With love, from the city wearing its story.
OFFICIAL 2025 PARTNERS
OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER
OFFICIAL MODELING AGENCY
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
ENDORSED BY
SHARE YOURS AT #312FASHION #CHIFW
© 2026 All Rights Reserved