A competition for aspiring teen designers

FashioNext challenges teams from across the Chicago area to create garments inspired by the Museum’s world-renowned costume collection. Year after year, teens have met this challenge head-on, creating powerful, bold, and expressive fashion.

“FashioNext is a creative stepping-stone that encourages risk taking and exploring the unknown.”

—Team Fashion Senses, After School Matters,
Chicago Vocational Career Academy, 2017

Each season begins with a kick-off event that sets the stage for the designers’ journeys and culminates with a public finale and award ceremony. Teams receive materials and embellishments, the guidance of mentors from the fashion industry, and assignments to help them realize their final designs.

Design Challenge: Welcome to Chicago 2072

FashioNext 2017 has come to a close. The competition drew inspiration from the garments in Making Mainbocher: The First American Couturier and was based in a speculative future created by acclaimed young adult author Laura Ruby. Imagining themselves in Chicago 2072, where they had to contend with fabric restrictions and DIY embellishments, the designers competed for three prizes: the Judges’ Choice Award (grand prize), Costume Council Jury Prize, and People’s Choice Award. The winning garments are on display at the Museum until August 20, 2017.

Meet the teams and mentors of FashioNext 2017.

Follow the designers’ journeys using
#FashioNext on Instagram.

See the work of this season’s talented teens in the exhibition Look Book.

FashioNext 2017 would not be possible without the generous support of:

Education sponsor:

Finale hosted in partnership with:

Special thanks to: