Chicago Fashion Week (CFW) returns this October, and the schedule is packed with events open to the public.
From a t-shirt upcycling workshop to Chicago’s largest streetwear pop-up, here are the citywide events you won’t want to miss.
Vintage Clothing Pop Up and Fashion Show with Design at 329
Vintage and antiques collective Design at 329 is opening its doors for a special vintage clothing pop-up during CFW.
Covering 8 floors and more than 100,000 sq ft., every shopper is sure to find something they love.
Local art and fashion group Studio TMS will also present a small collection of reworked menswear and unisex clothing made from antique fabrics.
This event is open access, no RSVP required!
T-Shirt Upcycling Workshop at the University of Chicago
Learn about sustainable fashion-making with UChicago during CFW at this t-shirt upcycling workshop.
This open-access event hosted by UChicago’s fashion clubs will give guests the opportunity to socialize and take home their own unique t-shirt creation.
Attendees can bring their own shirts to repurpose or choose from a selection provided by the UChicago teams.
Chicago Streetwear Expo
Chicago’s biggest streetwear pop-up is back on October 17, bringing a full day of the latest fashion and all things fun to the West Side.
Guests can stop by to explore a massive stock of clothing, art, shoes, and more. The event also promises food trucks, a photobooth, and a $300 best dressed prize.
Chicago Fair Trade Fall Clothing Swap
Join the Chicago Fair Trade Museum for a festive fall clothing swap during CFW.
Guests can bring their own clothes for donation, and select pieces to take home.
Tickets are just $10 and include 10 clothing items per person.
Open House at All We Remember
Local fashion brand All We Remember (AWR) is opening the doors of its new studio for an all-access Open House during CFW.
This free event will give guests the chance to meet the brand’s founders, learn how the company makes its sustainably sourced clothing, and shop the AWR collection.
Driehaus Design Initiative Alumni Designer Show
Eight standout alumni designers from the past 20 years of the Driehaus Fashion Awards are coming together for an intimate runway show at the Chicago History Museum. The exclusive event will showcase collections from designers including Tamra Ellingson, Adreain Guillory, Jamie Hayes, Albina Ikizli, Emma Mendell, Julie Mersine Romeli, Binta Sagale, and Yasmeen Wilson, with the show produced by Tracey Tarantino and Zzazz Productions.
Limited to just 200 guests, the evening will bring together fashion industry leaders, media, fashion content creators and select Chicago fashion consumers. Curio VIP members receive two seated tickets to the event. Learn more about becoming a Curio member. Tickets to the DDI Alumni Fashion Showcase are $180 and can be purchased here.
View the full lineup of CFW 2026 events and learn more information here.
