15th Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence

Driehaus Design Initiative celebrates the future of fashion by showcasing the talents of emerging Chicago fashion design students at The Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence. Hosted by Inese and Richard H. Driehaus, The 15th Anniversary Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence took place at 700 S. Des Plaines Street, Chicago. The private space in the warehouse district offers a perfect setting for designers to highlight their concepts, from design room to showroom. The students’ innovative collections mirror their knowledge of textiles, excellence in sewing techniques and garment construction.

Judging this year’s high-energy runway competition were industry insiders: Caryn Klein, Costume Director, Steppenwolf Theatre Company; Kpoene’ Kofi-Nicklin, Creative Director, Mignonette Bridal; Wendy Krimins, General Manager, Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue; and Kristin Larson, Chicago Correspondent, WWD.

The elegant fashion soirée included a pre-party with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, a live auction hosted by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, and an exclusive VIP after-party. Linda Yu of ABC 7 once again returned as master of ceremonies.

The first place winner of the 15th Anniversary Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence was Alante .C Baugh and Hayley Jill Hogan took home the Neiman Marcus Distinguished Designer Award with a showcase at the Michigan Avenue location.

In addition, to reflect on the past 15 years of fostering fashion design success, Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence alumni sent their work down the runway to showcase their career accomplishments since placing in the fashion competition. Alumni include: Hector-Javier Monàrrez, 2009 First Place Winner, graduate of International Academy of Design and Technology-Chicago; Fraley Le, 2010 First Place Winner, graduate of International Academy of Design and Technology-Chicago; Laura Lanzerotte, 2012 Second Place Winner, graduate of Dominican University; Gabriel Saldana, 2013 First Place Winner, graduate of Columbia College Chicago; Liz Bahl, 2015 First Place Award Winner, graduate of The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago; and Samantha Sipos, 2015 Honorable Mention Award Winner, graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.