The Driehaus Alumni Fashion Show looked to the future of Chicago fashion by looking at its past.

On Thursday, the second floor of the Chicago History Museum was transformed into a runway for the inaugural event, which showcased eight former Driehaus Design Initiative Fashion Show participants. The alumni designers spanned more than two decades, from 2003 participant Jamie Hayes of the sustainably focused Production Mode to Emma Mendell, who won first place and best construction at this year’s event in April.

The other six designers featured were Tamra Ellingson, a 2011 alum who designs luxury women’s clothing; Adreain Guillory of the demi-couture brand Ajovang, a 2019 alum whose designs have been worn by celebrities Sheryl Lee Ralph and H.E.R.; Albina Ikizli, a 2025 alum and founder of womenswear brand Arzi Inc.; Julie Mersine Romeli, a 2008 alum and owner and head designer of Mira Couture, a bridal boutique and custom design house; Binta Sagale Diallo, a 2016 alum and designer of Binta Sagale, known for prom and wedding dresses and custom-made evening gowns, and Yasmeen Wilson, a 2025 alum whose work incorporates sustainability, heritage and craftsmanship.

About 200 guests attended the event, including Chicago History Museum Costume Council members; Chicago-based designers Maria Pinto and Sylwia Wilczynska; humanitarian artist and designer Hama Hinnawi, and special guest Caroline Driehaus, daughter of the late Richard Driehaus. Fashion illustrator Julija Lubgane, whose clients include Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and more, sketched the runway show live.

“Richard [Driehaus] believed in supporting fashion education at the university level in Chicago,” said Tracey Tarantino, executive producer of the Driehaus Fashion Awards since 2002 and chief executive officer of the Driehaus Design Initiative. Tarantino, who worked closely with Driehaus until his death in 2021, conceived the alumni show. “His passion has now continued through the decades and tonight we are celebrating the success of our award-winning students who have now become full-fledged Chicago designers.”

Ellingson said her experience with Driehaus helped establish her as a designer when she was starting out. “I knew I wanted to keep going and be on the runways and build the brand,” said Ellingson, who has a store in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood and has one employee. “Everything I do is custom. Usually, I don’t make two of anything.”

The looks on the runway ranged from gala-bound to minimalist and everything in between: Binta Sagale’s sparkling floor-length gown with feather accents; Hayes’ leather cropped jacket with an asymmetrical black-and-white striped skirt; Mendell’s off-white voluminous top paired with sculptural denim culottes, and a vintage-inspired lace dress with a dramatic hood by Ajovang.

Before the show, Guillory talked about the inspiration for his six-year-old brand. “I’m inspired by classic fairy tales and the idea of transformation,” Guillory said. “The idea of transforming into your most authentic self. A lot of the pieces are sculptural but they’re romantic and personal. Each piece speaks to a quieter side of me.”

The changing way designers reach customers was a theme throughout the evening. “I’m direct-to-consumer. I could be anywhere,” said Pinto, whose designs have been worn by former First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Brooke Shields. “It’s completely different from 10 years, 20 years ago.”

Pinto stressed that designers face far more competition today. “I feel for young designers because there’s so many more,” she said.

Her advice to emerging designers was straightforward. “I always tell students that intern with me the most important thing you can do is identify the void,” Pinto said. “Who is your audience? How is she underserved? Why does she need you? If you’re not designing things that serve someone, what’s the point?”