Barbara Bates
History with The Curio:
Barbara Bates (Bates Designs) was a featured designer at our 2024 Fashion Show, "A Celebration of Chicago Style.”
Recent News:
Featured on March 2025 cover of Chicago News Weekly E-Editions, Barbara Bates: The Fabric of Giving. WGN News featured her surrounding her October 2024 show to benefit cancer survivors (she is one herself).
Designer Bio:
Barbara Bates is a self-taught fashion designer and the founder of Bates Designs, established in 1986. Born and raised on the West Side of Chicago, Bates began her career by selling her designs while working as a secretary for the First National Bank of Chicago. Today, Bates leads a diverse team in her expansive design studio in Chicago's South Loop.
Known for her fusion of cutting-edge designs and a commitment to social responsibility, Bates Designs quickly garnered recognition for its innovative creations and philanthropic focus. Barbara Bates has personally raised over half a million dollars for women's healthcare and donated thousands of prom dresses to Chicago youth, encouraging the pursuit of higher education and beyond. In 2022, Bates' high-art fashion pieces were celebrated in a groundbreaking exhibit at the Chicago History Museum, cementing her legacy in the city's cultural landscape.
A trailblazer in fashion, Bates has earned numerous honors, including being named a "Woman of Excellence" by the Chicago Defender and receiving recognition from Mount Sinai Hospital, which named an imaging center in her honor for her tireless efforts in leveraging fashion to create opportunities in underserved communities. Bates has always believed that fashion should be inclusive and accessible, famously saying, "If it fits right, it doesn’t matter what size you are." She has remained steadfast in her belief that every person, regardless of size, deserves to feel confident and beautiful in what they wear.
Bates' designs have become timeless, resonating with both celebrities and everyday individuals. With a clear vision for creativity, hard work, and attention to detail, Barbara Bates continues to shape a more inclusive and compassionate fashion industry. Through her work, she proves that fashion can be both beautiful and a powerful tool for social change.
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