When I founded the Chicago Fashion Coalition, my main goal was to help elevate the Chicago fashion community. I wanted to do this by listening—letting community members share why they believed the industry was struggling.

Through audience research, including ethnographic interviews and surveys, I uncovered a key insight: fashion in Chicago is highly fragmented, lacking centralized resources or a defined district to bring people together.

Out of this insight—and the growing need for digital solutions during the pandemic—the CFC Directory was born. The directory connects small businesses across all fashion production categories by making them discoverable in one centralized place. Simple yet effective, the CFC Directory functions like a modern phone book for fashion professionals, leading to a surge in collaborations and new opportunities within the community.