Runway to Showroom® Symposium
2016

Driehaus Design Initiative hosted Runway to Showroom®: Driehaus Business of Fashion Symposium on May 17, 2016. Participating designers of the 15th Anniversary Driehaus Fashion Awards were invited to attend the symposium & luncheon at the Chicago History Museum. Featured speakers highlighted topics to provide the designers with essential tips to elevate their brand and launch and sustain a successful career. Topics included: BUSINESS BASICS: GETTING STARTED, BUILDING A BRAND & SOCIAL MEDIA, FASHION HISTORY FOR THE DESIGN INDUSTRY, and FINDING YOUR PERFECT FIT. The speakers also participated in a panel discussion and students engaged in an open discussion while receiving beneficial insight and tailored, personal advice.

Driehaus Design Initiative would like to thank the industry experts who participated as speakers in the symposium:
  • Kpoene’ Kofi-Nicklin, Creative Director, Mignonette Bridal
  • Caitlin Lee, Founder/CEO, Public Lives, Secret Recipes LLC
  • Roxanne Nava, Chief Small Business Officer, City of Chicago Small Business Center
  • Petra Slinkard, Curator of Costumes, Chicago History Museum
We would also like to thank the Chicago History Museum for providing a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum’s costume collection with Curator of Costumes, Petra Slinkard, and Costume Collection Manager, Jessica Pushor.