2023

Chicago Fashion Incubator

Designer-In-Residence Application is currently closed

About The Chicago Fashion Incubator

The Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street (CFI) is a recognized 501(c)3 not-for-profit established in August 2008. Its mission is to provide Chicago-based designers with the resources, business acumen and mentoring to launch and/or scale their careers in the fashion industry.

The scope of services include the Designer-in-Residency program; public seminars, workshops, panels and labs; informational tours; partnerships with other educational organizations; and the Richard H. Driehaus Entrepreneurial Center, a business resource center with state-of-the-art technology, available to the Designers-in-Residence (DIR) as well as open to the public by appointment.

Public Programs

The Chicago Fashion Incubator partners with business leaders and innovators to offer programs to the public throughout the year, including workshops, guest speakers, panel discussions and social networking events.

About the Designer-in-Residence Program

The CFI is one of few organizations dedicated to the development of fashion entrepreneurs. In fact, the CFI has trained and supported more than 50 designers through its Designer-in-Residence (DIR) program. Many of its designers have received numerous awards for their talent and innovation, most notably, Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Awards and places on the reality television show, Project Runway.

The CFI has been a launch pad for some of Chicago’s most recognizable names in fashion, including Christina Karin Monley, Stephanie Kuhr, Anna Hovet, Taneasha Prunty, Lagi Nadeau, Shelby Steiner, Agnes Hamerlik, Lauren Markt, Kate VanAsten, Adilah Muhammad, and Alyssa Kahle; Kahindo Mateene, Rakan Shams Aldeen and Katelyn Pankoke, all featured on Project Runway.

The 2023 virtual Designer-in-Residence Program includes:

  • 4 hours/month of one-on-one meetings with Business, Production, Design, and Marketing mentors

  • Remote Access to Adobe Creative Cloud account

  • Bi-weekly one-on-one meeting with the Director of Programming

  • Introductions to retailers, manufacturers, and production specialists

  • Free admission to all CFI educational workshops and guest speakers

  • Participation in CFI Designer Events

The 2023 Hybrid Designer-in-Residence Program includes everything in VIRTUAL PLUS:

  • In-Person attendance to workshops and guest speakers

  • Participation in CFI Designer Events, i.e. pop-up shops, runway shows, etc.

  • Access to the Richard H. Driehaus Entrepreneurial Center and shared computer/printer when Director or Office Manager is present

  • Field trips to retailers, manufacturers, and production specialists

The 2023 in-person Designer-in-Residence Program includes:

  • Access to CFI production studio including cutting tables, sewing machines, irons, storage, and dress forms as well as shared office space

  • 4 hours/month of one-on-one meetings with Business, Production, Design, and Marketing mentors

  • Access to Mac computers with Microsoft Office Suite, scanner/printer, and Adobe Creative Cloud

  • Bi-weekly one-on-one meeting with the Executive Director

  • Introductions to retailers, manufacturers, and production specialists

  • Free admission to all CFI educational workshops and guest speakers

  • Participation in CFI Designer Events, i.e. pop-up shops, runway shows, etc.

  • Access to the Richard H. Driehaus Entrepreneurial Center

  • Field trips to retailers, manufacturers, and production specialists

Fees

The 2023 monthly program fee is $250/month for virtual, $325/month for hybrid, and $400/month for in-person due on the 1st day of each month. Upon starting the first and last month’s nonrefundable program fee is due.  The monthly rate is subject to change with 60 days’ notice.

Length

Designers-in-Residence may participate in the program for a 6 month period. Extended residencies may be permitted on a case-by-case basis.  

Your Business

Each designer is responsible for planning, funding and managing all aspects of their business.

Termination

Designers-in-Residence may leave the program at any time with a 30-day written notice. CFI can suspend or remove designers at its own discretion.  

Eligibility

Applicants seeking consideration for entry to the DIR program at the Chicago Fashion Incubator must submit a FULLY COMPLETED application along with supporting materials as detailed in this online survey, pay a non-refundable $50 application fee, and meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be 21 years of age or older

  • Be a U.S. citizen or able to work in the United States (documentation required)

  • Hold a Bachelor's degree in a fashion or fashion-related field is strongly preferred 

  • Have an established fashion business for at least one year (financial documentation required) *Please note: neither current fashion design students nor wholesalers are eligible.

  • Submit the CFI application and fee by deadline

  • Ability to fund the business. CFI does not provide funding.

  • Primary product is apparel or soft accessories, but we will consider accepting designers whose primary product is jewelry, shoes, or handbags in select cases.

Evaluation Criteria

The Chicago Fashion Incubator assembles a Selection Committee comprised of its Board of Directors and industry professionals to review applications and select the DIR. The criteria includes:

  • A depth of knowledge, clarity of vision and direction of products and collection, and strength of business concept

  • Professional preparedness including the time and financial resources available to be committed to developing your collection and launching your business

  • Demonstrates the ability to fund product development, sample production, and business overhead, including the monthly programming fee

  • Personal readiness to fully engage in a collaborative work and learning environment, requiring individual initiative and motivation

  • High level of emotional maturity to accept and utilize critical and constructive feedback

  • An interpersonal skill set that will allow for mutual respect and cooperation with cohorts, mentors, and CFI team

  • Fiscal responsibility with an ability to manage every aspect of operating a business

  • Ability to follow rules as outlined by our operations agreement with Macy’s on State Street