Panelists:
Designer Maria Pinto (celebrating her 35th Anniversary in the business),
Melissa Gamble (Assoc. Professor of Fashion Studies, Columbia College and former Dir of Fashion, Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events 2005-2010), and
WBEZ Host & Reporter Erin Allen.
See short bios below.
This panel was inspired by Erin’s article about Chicago fashion history…see below!
Complimentary for Curio Members (2 tix)
$15 for Non-Members
Includes seat for panel
Includes complimentary welcome cocktail from Tequila 1349
Additional Food & Beverages available for purchase
This panel was inspired by this recent article by reporter Erin Allen (one of the panelists).
WBEZ: CURIOUS CITY:
“Like NYC and Paris, Chicago was once a hub for fashion designers
In the 1970s and ’80s, Chicago fashion designers held their own against the top names in the industry. Today, the city’s design scene is coming back in its own way….”
Chicago's fashion story didn't begin today - and neither will its future. Long before today's emerging resurgence, Chicago was one of America's leading fashion capitals, home to nationally recognized designers, manufacturers, retailers, and industry visionaries who helped shape fashion across the country. The city's journey has been marked by remarkable highs, difficult setbacks, and continual reinvention.
Join us for an engaging conversation exploring the people, institutions, and pivotal moments that defined the past five decades of Chicago fashion. Together we'll examine what propelled the industry forward, what contributed to its decline, and the lessons those experiences offer as Chicago once again builds momentum on the national stage.
Understanding where we've been is essential to understanding where we're going. Whether you're a designer, stylist, retailer, student, or simply passionate about fashion, this discussion will provide valuable perspective on how Chicago's past can help shape an even stronger future.
Our panelists each bring unique perspectives on Chicago fashion history, a journalist, a former head of fashion programming during the fashion heyday years under Mayor Daley when Chicago experienced its first official fashion week (Chicago Fashion Focus), and the launching fashion vehicles such as the Fashion Incubator, and Maria Pinto who has been active as a designer in Chicago Fashion since 1991.
PANELISTS BIOS:
Maria Pinto is an award-winning designer, artist, and business leader recently featured in Michelle Obama's The Look. A Chicago icon with international acclaim and more than 35 years of industry experience, Pinto has been featured in Vogue, Forbes, and The New York Times. Her designs have been worn by influential figures including Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Brooke Shields, and Mick Jagger. A member of the CFDA, Pinto received an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, in 2017.
Maria’s passion for art and fashion was evident even at childhood. As a shy and introspective girl, she found solace in museums, where she studied various artists' creative expressions and techniques. Her dedication to art led her to study both fashion and fine arts at the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago, where she was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2017. To this day, Maria believes that art is all-encompassing, whether it appears on a canvas or a dress.
Her journey in the world of fashion began with an internship in New York City under the guidance of renowned womenswear designer Geoffrey Beene. Beene's focus on fabric, tailoring, and minimalist design greatly influenced Maria and continues to shape her work today. Upon returning to Chicago in 1991, she launched a line of embroidered and beaded scarves and wraps, which quickly gained popularity among leading boutiques such as Ultimo, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, and Saks. Even Mick Jagger became a fan, wearing one of Maria's scarves during a performance at Soldier Field.
Melissa Gamble’s industry background includes serving at the Director of Fashion Arts and Events for the City of Chicago in the pivot years of 2005-2010 when the City under Mayor Daley made a major push to support the fashion industry. She served as the executive producer for the city's fashion week (Chicago Fashion Focus), developed and launched the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Driehaus Design Initiative, the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy's on State Street, and the Executive Committee of the Chicago History Museum’s Costume Council.
During her time as an executive producer she dealt with fashion shows in Millennium Park, shopping events around the city, and educational workshops for the industry. Her events drew more than 20,000 attendees per year. She also led the PR and marketing teams in development of innovative campaigns including social media and experiential marketing resulting in approximately $7 million of advertising value in editorial coverage and marketing impressions of 55 million unique views. Additionally, she generated approximately 35% of sponsorship funds for programming and marketing.
Since leaving her city position, she has joined Columbia College as a fashion studies professor serving in a variety of positions and opportunities to champion local fashion talent.
Erin Allen who is a producer and reporter for WBEZ (Chicago Public Media), is an artist and communicator, driven by her curiosity about the stories of people. She has a dynamic background in audio, from producing multimedia work at Michigan Radio and WDET to co-hosting Radio Campfire, a live, listening event series.
Her passion for social justice and art with her skills in marketing and communications have led her to spaces like Stone Soup Housing Cooperative and Allied Media Projects. Erin holds a BA in psychology from Grand Valley State University. With spare time, she dances her heart out at music festivals and binges science fiction media of the Octavia Butler persuasion.
