Nigerian-born designer, Lola Osire, originally entered the fashion world as a model in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduating from Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in 2013, she earned an internship with Elie Tahari but passed it up to focus on family life, while developing the concept for Lola Élan, a contemporary womenswear brand made in her Chicago studio. In 2019 she launched the thoughtfully-designed brand, which includes sophisticated, stand-alone pieces for the modern-day, style-conscious woman.

All styles are thoughtfully designed by Lola Osire and manufactured locally in Chicago. With an emphasis on sustainable fashion and in an effort to reduce waste, all designs from here 2019 premiere collection are made-to-order.  

Lola joined the Chicago Fashion Incubator in Spring 2020 for her one-year residency.

www.lolaelan.com

While working at Macy’s in 2009, Romance Anastasa was assigned to the lingerie department partially due to her name. During this experience, she discovered her passion for lingerie and began the journey to educate herself on the inner workings of lingerie fashion. After working as a nurse for over 5 years and many years of self-education, she decided to launch Queendom by Romance in the Bronzeville neighborhood in 2015.

Queendom by Romance is a black-owned small business that aims to provide quality, fully functional lingerie to women of all body types.

Romance’s retail store and in-house label are now exclusively available online, which have a celebrity following and has been featured in many fashion & local magazines.

www.queendombyromance.com

Qui Collection, is the culmination of Pam Kendall’s lifelong passion for fashion, specifically independent designers, coupled with her years of dedicated community involvement leading to her curiosity of the people and stories behind our clothes. Pam wants you to consider who made your clothes.

As a social entrepreneur in the Chicagoland area, Pam Kendall identified a whitespace in the sustainable fashion market: it doesn’t have to be boring, nor does buying ethically have to be hard.

Qui Collection creates well-crafted, comfortable, one-of-a-kind wardrobe essentials made via small batch production. The staple item in the 2021 collection – the essential tee – combines an ultra-soft fabric with a superior fit designed for all body types. Each piece features a hand embroidered applique using vintage or repurposed fabric.

 quicollection.com

DESIGNERS-IN-RESIDENCE

ALUMNI 2008-2022