Chicago Fashion Incubator Designer-in-Residence Program
Link to Application (fee waived for this session’s application!)
Deadline is December 2nd for January 2023 Cohort
About The Program
Chicago Fashion Incubator (CFI) uses innovative solutions to mentor and promote fashion entrepreneurs by bridging the gap between design education and business enterprise. It provides design and business development training to Chicago’s fashion entrepreneurs through mentorship, workshops and seminars. Its Designer-in-Residence (DIR) program mentors business start-ups providing each with work and office space equipped with the technology and production equipment to design, make, and market their products to the trade and the end consumer.
The mentorship and support comes from (1) fashion professionals who provide creative direction for developing full seasonal product collections; (2) manufacturing experts that teach modern methods for making and grading patterns, producing samples, and managing production; and (3) business professionals for legal, financial, and marketing acumen that give the emerging entrepreneurs the know-how and confidence to critically-think through the challenges of launching a business.
The CFI is one of few organizations dedicated to the development of fashion entrepreneurs. In fact, the CFI has trained and supported more than 50 designers through its Designer-in-Residence (DIR) program. Many of its designers have received numerous awards for their talent and innovation, most notably, Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Awards and places on the reality television show, Project Runway.
The CFI has been a launch pad for some of Chicago’s most recognizable names in fashion, including Christina Karin Monley, Stephanie Kuhr, Anna Hovet, Taneasha Prunty, Lagi Nadeau, Shelby Steiner, Agnes Hamerlik, Lauren Markt, Kate VanAsten, Adilah Muhammad, and Alyssa Kahle; Kahindo Mateene, Rakan Shams Aldeen and Katelyn Pankoke, all featured on Project Runway.
