Learn more about CHIC in Chicago: 35 Years of Fashion With AIBI

A collection of sketches unmatched in talent and history!

The Chicago fashion industry is a complex arena, budding from a city rich with creative entrepreneurship. With multiple art schools and bustling shopping districts, Chicago is one of the greatest places for a designer to bring their ideas to life. The rich network of alteration shops turned small sample studios, and large factories give Chicago designers a broad range of resources and options for manufacturing.

Chicagoland area. For the 35th anniversary, AIBI is happy to present this coloring book which is a culmination of some of Chicago’s remarkable design talent. All proceeds from this project will benefit our scholarship and educational programs.

In this book, you will find everything from ballgowns to streetwear spanning 35 years of fashion trends. Beautiful couture ensembles and fun, flirty daywear mix and mingle in this showcase of fashion history in Chicago. The designers share some of their stories and inspirations behind the garments to give you an even more personal connection to their artistry.

Ordering Information:

There are many ways to order CHIC in Chicago: 35 Years of Fashion With AIBI.

Click this link to purchase individual copies through our website. Copies can either be picked up at the AIBI Fashion Lab at no additional cost or be shipped to your address.
Reach out to your favorite contributing artist, most will have copies for sale.
Visit these local shops: After-words, 23 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611; Mira Couture, 70 E Walton St 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60611; The WasteShed, 2842 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622 (currently closed)
Order through Amazon. This is a great option for friends and loved ones who live outside the greater Chicago area.
For wholesale orders, please email acampos@aibi.com .

Contributing Artists

Laurie Borsé	Tonya Gross	Delphine Pontvieux	Daryl Sneed
Peach Carr	Bhavana Jain	Thierry Roger	Shernett Swaby
Anastasia Chatzka	Caroline Becker Joss	Mark Roscoe	Ana Tristan
Heather Gentile Collins	Tiffani Kim	Patyjazmin Ruiz	Stephanie Wheat
Jessica Crane	Lauren Lein	Xochil Herrera Scheer	Karen Williams-Aguirre
Richard Dayhoff	Julie Mersine	Jemikko Shoshanna
Elda de la Rosa	Richard Morse	Paul Sisti

15 of our contributing artists attended our November 10th book launch. From left to right: Laurie Borse, Delphine Pontvieux, Bhavana Jain, Xochil Herrera Scheer, Mark Roscoe, Peach Carr, Paul Sisti, Jessica Crane, Tiffani Kim, Jermikko Shoshanna, Stephanie Wheat, Lauren Lein, Ana Tristan, Shernett Swaby, and Patyjazmin Ruiz. Photo by: Daniel Boczarski

About the book

The concept of creating a coloring book to showcase the Chicago design community was first introduced by Ambar Campos, Executive Director of AIBI, nearly 3 years ago. A local fashion-focused coloring book celebrates design in an incredibly, and widely, accessible way.

At the time (2019) the organization was experiencing a period of change and growth. Industry professionals across the area were working to fuel a strong sense of community and expand the local resource infrastructure after the recession a decade before. Shortly after, the situation shifted again when the Covid-19 pandemic took over the world. The coloring book idea was tabled and we kicked into survival mode. For 2 years we focused on nurturing our community and helping entrepreneurs stay afloat.

While brainstorming how to best commemorate our 35th anniversary, we realized it was the perfect time to bring the coloring book to life. This project felt like the best way to showcase the accomplishments of Chicago designers since 1987 and introduce the thriving community to a wider audience. Chicago has always boasted talented creatives, fashion is no exception. Over the years AIBI has had the opportunity to work with and nurture countless talented designers. The sketches in this book are but a mere sampling of the artistry this community has to offer.

This book is packed with original fashion sketches in each artists’ unique style. From streetwear to ball gowns, every turn of the page will bring a new experience and blank canvas for you to explore.

This is a fundraiser to help support operations and growth of our organization. All proceeds will benefit Apparel Industry Foundation, Inc., a 501c3.

A Look Inside

Want to know more about what went on behind the scenes? Jess talks about the process of preparing and sketching designs for the book, as well as working with Ambar Campos and contributing artists to bring a narrative element to the book.

Let us know if you have any more questions about how CHIC in Chicago: 35 Years of Fashion With AIBI was made!