Dream Designs 2025

Dreams Designs was birthed in the late 1990’s by Joyce Boykin. Joyce, a native of Chicago, IL, and designer of over 40 years, is a former graduate of Austin High School, and the FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. Joyce spent her early career working in the garment industry in…

Knotty Loops Creations 2025

Mona Muhammad, aka Ms. Knotty Loop designs are coined the term Sasschet? The best of both worlds – Sass, class, and crochet. Mona began designing as the result of a dare from a friend. She introduced her first creations during the Christmas holiday of 2005. Those first designs sparked a tremendous interest, which…

Akese Stylelines 2025

Akese Stylelines splashed on to the Chicago fashion scene in early 2012. Designer Jennifer Akese Burney captures the vibrance and color of the popular Ankara tradition while offering a modern twist to traditionally western silhouettes. "I want my clothes to make every woman and man feel confident, bold and stylish," says…

KENDI AMANI 2025

Kendi is the creative force behind the emerging brand KENDI AMANI, which has quickly gained popularity in the United States. Her African-inspired fashion accessories are meticulously hand-crafted in Kenya by talented women artisans, who blend traditional techniques with Kendi's modern designs. These bold and vibrant statement pieces are designed to elevate personal style…

KENDI AMANI to Showcase Collection During Chicago’s African Fashion on The Runway

Kendi is the creative force behind the emerging brand KENDI AMANI, which has quickly gained popularity in the United States. Her African-inspired fashion accessories are meticulously hand-crafted in Kenya by talented women artisans, who blend traditional techniques with Kendi's modern designs. These bold and vibrant statement pieces are designed to elevate personal style…

Sage and Shea African Store to Showcase New Collection During Chicago’s African Fashion on The Runway

Sage and Shea African Store is a boutique located in the Bridgeport neighborhood located 3502 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL 60609. The store offers African apparel, jewelry, handbags, shoes, and more all in one place. Garments are imported from West to Central Africa offering clothing for women men and kids. Although fashion is…

Akese Stylelines to Debut New Collection for Chicago’s African Fashion On the Runway

Akese Stylelines splashed on to the Chicago fashion scene in early 2012. Designer Jennifer Akese Burney captures the vibrance and color of the popular Ankara tradition while offering a modern twist to traditionally western silhouettes. "I want my clothes to make every woman and man feel confident, bold and stylish," says…

Come Out and See Knotty Loops Crochet Fashion During Chicago’s African Fashion on the Runway

Mona Muhammad, aka Ms. Knotty Loop designs are coined the term Sasschet? The best of both worlds – Sass, class, and crochet. Mona began designing as the result of a dare from a friend. She introduced her first creations during the Christmas holiday of 2005. Those first designs sparked a tremendous interest, which…

Chicago’s African Fashion on The Runway to Feature Dream Designs

Dreams Designs was birthed in the late 1990’s by Joyce Boykin. Joyce, a native of Chicago, IL, and designer of over 40 years, is a former graduate of Austin High School, and the FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles. Joyce spent her early career working in the garment industry in…

Get Ready for Stephane St. Jaymes This Juneteenth during Chicago’s African Fashion on the Runway

Born to Nigerian parents in London, England, fashion was forefront and very influential in Stephane St. Jaymes’s upbringing. He grew up watching his mother and aunties sewing, and from a young age was fascinated by old Hollywood movies. He attended London College of Fashion and from there he went on to work for…

Chicago Designers Take Center Stage in New Connecting Threads Africa Fashion In Chicago Exhibit

There’s just something that stands out about Chicago brands. It could be the quality material made and distributed locally for those who love to look great while they peruse the windy city…

Black to the Motherland National African Designers featuring
Adebayo Okelawal

Orange Theory is the brand that is the talk of the industry generating fun and engaging conversation surrounding design elements. At the head of this dialogue is Adebayo Okelawal the owner and designer of the brand…