Chicago Fashion Week® (CHIFW) today announced its esteemed Advisory Council, a diverse group of industry professionals, creative leaders and cultural strategists who will help guide the continued evolution of Chicago Fashion Week during its second edition, taking place October 9 – 19 at venues across the city. Representing a cross-section of fashion, tech, retail, design and community engagement, the Advisory Council will provide strategic insight and support the long-term vision of CHIFW as it expands its citywide footprint.
“As Chicago Fashion Week continues to grow, it’s important the voices shaping this platform reflect the energy, creativity and diversity of the city itself,” said John Leydon, founder of Chicago Fashion Week. “This Advisory Council brings together innovators and change makers who not only understand fashion, but also the power of storytelling and the impact of community and culture on the industry. We hope their expertise and insight will help shape a connected future for the fashion ecosystem in Chicago.”
LEFT: Photo Credit, Blake Swanson, Designer, Lola Elan; RIGHT: Photo Credit, Blake Swanson, Designer, Nana Okazaki Plotkin
Chicago Fashion Week features dozens of events in neighborhoods across the city, spotlighting Chicago as the incubator of groundbreaking, critically acclaimed designers, home to fashion schools that attract global talent and a hub for world-class shopping. Its inaugural edition in October 2024 featured more than 50 public events, many free of charge with advance registration. Event submissions are now open through Friday, August 15.
Members of the 2025 Chicago Fashion Week Advisory Council include:
NaCherrie Cooper | Senior Communications Manager of Social Impact & Inclusion at Channel Impact (on behalf of Cisco)
NaCherrie Cooper is a trailblazer in corporate communications, DEI strategy, and purpose-driven storytelling with 20+ years of experience across tech, music, fashion, and philanthropy. As the visionary behind “Tech Couture” at Chicago Fashion Week, she bridges style and innovation—one stiletto at a time. Armed with a Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications, she has led impactful campaigns for global tech companies, music giants, and cultural institutions. Currently driving social impact communications for a tech leader in AI and cybersecurity, NaCherrie is recognized for transforming strategy into lasting impact and empowering diverse voices from the boardroom to the runway.
Jess Crane | Owner of Jess Crane Design, LLC | Regional Director at Fashion Group International (FGI) Chicago | Managing Board Member at Apparel Industry Board Inc (AIBI) Chicago
Jess Crane is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, business consultant, and community builder with a passion for innovation and lifelong learning. She has spent her career exploring the intersection of disciplines and integrating them into her work. Jess is the founder of Jess Crane Design, LLC, and currently serves as Regional Director of FGI Chicago and a Managing Board Member of AIBI Chicago. Her work spans apparel design, product development, marketing, community events, music, writing, and fine art. Jess creates sustainable garments for events like Trashion Revolution, Discard Disco, and ReFashioning History, using fashion as a platform for community impact.
Robin Harris | Co-founder of Confidence Apparel | Co-founder of Model Atelier
A trailblazer in fashion and business, Robin Harris holds a Master's in International Business and brings a dynamic background in modeling, fashion design, and philanthropy. She founded Model Atelier, the first fashion brand to partner with the WNBA's Chicago Sky, and has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, and Elle. She also leads Confidence Apparel, a faith-based clothing brand that empowers individuals to walk boldly in purpose, with proceeds supporting mental health and scholarship programs. Her work blends style with service, making her a visionary entrepreneur committed to uplifting communities through fashion, confidence, and global impact.
Rachel Jimenez | Founder of Rachel J. Styling | Founder of The Stylist Symposium | Adjunct Professor of Fashion Styling at Columbia College Chicago
Rachel Jimenez is the Founder and Chief Stylist of Rachel J Styling, a Chicago-based wardrobe consulting and fashion styling business since 2013. With nearly 20 years in the industry, her work spans celebrity, commercial, editorial, and personal styling, featured on ABC 7 Chicago, WGN News, ESPN, and more. She’s styled stars like Vivica A. Fox and Cheryl Scott, collaborated with brands from Burberry to VINCE, while championing local Chicago designers. A TEDx speaker, adjunct professor at Columbia College, and author of The Business of Personal Styling: From Basics to First Clients, Rachel also founded The Stylist Symposium, returning to Chicago Fashion Week this fall.
Meiling Jin | Content Creator & Founder of Studio Meiling
Meiling was born in China and moved to the US at age 16, where she began her journalism career. Her work was featured on Tencent QQ, covering US news in both Chinese and English. She interviewed prominent figures, including John Legend, Daniel Craig, and Viola Davis, and more. A graduate of
Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, she founded Studio Meiling Productions and produced 13 episodes of Chop Chop TV Show, aired on Comcast. In addition to content creation for global fashion and lifestyle brands, she specializes in event and wedding photography and videography, bridging Chinese and American cultural perspectives.
Pam Kendall | Founder & Owner of cloth + home
Pam Kendall is the founder of cloth + home, a curated retail space in Evanston, IL, that celebrates independent designers and one-of-a-kind creations. With over five decades in the fashion industry, Pam’s career includes launching a custom wardrobe service for professional women and introducing her label, Qui Collection, as a designer-in-residence at the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s. A lifelong community advocate, she’s worked with nonprofits, refugee families, and local shelters. This October, Pam proudly presents threaded stories, a runway show of distinctive fashions, cloth + home’s second annual runway show at Chicago Fashion Week, highlighting 11 independent designers and their powerful stories.
Marquan Jones | President of Chicago Fashion Coalition
Marquan Jones is a Creative Architect and Brand Strategist from Chicago's West Side who blends technology, creativity, and social impact. With a Cornell University degree in sociology and community development, he champions interconnected societal change. His Division One football background instilled discipline and adaptability. Marquan's professional journey includes roles at Accenture and as an Impact Officer for the World Economic Forum's Chicago Global Shapers. As President of the Chicago Fashion Coalition, he's positioning Chicago as a fashion hub while demonstrating his innovative thinking across various industries.
Ameer Roberts | Creative Cultural Strategist
Ameer Roberts is a multidisciplinary creative and cultural strategist working at the intersection of fashion, nightlife, and storytelling. With a background in music, event design, and content creation, Ameer contributes to shaping vibrant, inclusive experiences that reflect the pulse of culture. His work focuses on narrative-driven programming, brand strategy, and community-centered campaigns that prioritize authenticity and impact. As part of Chicago Fashion Week’s Advisory Council, he hopes to support creative direction and content development with a lens on connection and long-term cultural influence.
Dondre Smith | Founder, ALMVGHTY Clothing and CRE8 Space L3C
Dondre Smith is a Chicago-based entrepreneur, evangelist, husband, and father who empowers the next generation through faith, fashion, and business. He is the founder of CRE8 Space L3C, a vocational incubator training BIPOC youth in sewing, AI-driven design, and entrepreneurship. Raised in Avalon Park, Dondre launched the faith-based streetwear brand ALMVGHTY in 2014 with just $300 and built it into a now-revered business. Now a coach and e-commerce strategist, he helps fashion founders grow with purpose. Through CRE8 Space and community work, Dondre is committed to mentorship, service, and showing that business and faith can build lasting impact.
Rahela Tanase | Creative Director, Stylist, and Marketing Director at Fashion Group International (FGI) Chicago
Rahela Tanase is a multidisciplinary creative whose work seamlessly blends creative direction, styling, and graphic design, drawing on a formal design education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and Central Saint Martins in London. Known for her ethereal yet grounded aesthetic, she has crafted campaigns for luxury brands and earned recognition, including the Eddie & Ozzie Awards for her editorial work in Iconic Collection Magazine. Inspired by designers like Simone Rocha and filmmakers like Wes Anderson, Rahela draws from the peculiar and imperfect to create emotionally resonant, visually compelling work that honors authenticity and reveals the quiet magic in every subject.
For more information about Chicago Fashion Week and to stay updated on the latest news, programming partners and the official schedule, visit www.chicagofashionweek.com or follow @thechicagofashionweek on Instagram and Facebook.
About Chicago Fashion Week
Chicago Fashion Week® is a 10-day lineup of special events featuring fashion shows and presentations, retail marketplaces, educational programs and more in partnership with local fashion organizations, retailers, and neighborhood business associations. Running October 9-19, 2025 at locations across the city, the events will spotlight Chicago as the incubator of groundbreaking, critically acclaimed designers, home to fashion schools that attract global talent and a hub for world-class shopping. To learn more about Chicago Fashion Week 2025, visit chicagofashionweek.com or follow @thechicagofashionweek on Instagram.