Co-emcees Sylvia Perez and Linda Yu open the Driehaus Fashion Awards with a moving video of its late founder Richard Driehaus. (Photo Candace Jordan)
The Driehaus Design Initiative (DDI) presented its first Fashion Awards show since the untimely passing of its founder, Richard Driehaus. The event was by-invite-only and held at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago on May 16. Event producers were Tracey Tarantino and Michelle Molise.
![Winning designer Jules Gourley. (Photo Candace Jordan)](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=150%2C168 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=200%2C223 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=225%2C251 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=300%2C335 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=400%2C447 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=540%2C603 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=640%2C715 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=750%2C838 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1106 990w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1157 1035w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C1341 1200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C1490 1333w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/40/4404ee38-1ebd-11ef-871c-7b2c884c6552/6658d7bc8b443.image.jpg?resize=1362%2C1522 1476w)
Winning designer Jules Gourley. (Photo Candace Jordan)
The runway show spotlighted emerging talent from Columbia College Chicago, Dominican University and School of the Art Institute of Chicago. There was a special presentation from DDI alum Julie Mersine Romeli and Mira Horoszowski (of Mira Couture), that closed the show.
![Third place winner's collection. (Photo Candace Jordan)](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=150%2C164 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=200%2C219 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=225%2C246 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=300%2C328 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=400%2C438 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=540%2C591 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=640%2C700 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=750%2C820 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/7c/87c1f5ee-1ebd-11ef-8472-57dc0b3958e6/6658d841b167b.image.jpg?resize=883%2C966 990w)
Third place winner’s collection. (Photo Candace Jordan)
The fashionable evening, co-hosted by Sylvia Perez (Fox-32 news anchor) and Linda Yu (former news anchor/reporter), was managed by The Curio (Ian Gerard). The show was also a competition with fashion industry insiders Mark Roscoe (designer, film producer), Peach Carr (designer) and Wendy Krimins (VP, Neiman Marcus Group Chicago Market) serving as judges.
![2nd place winner and Neiman Marcus award recipient Brianna Yanga, accepts congratulations from Wendy Krimins of Neiman Marcus Michigan Ave. (Photo Candace Jordan)](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=150%2C159 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=200%2C211 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=225%2C238 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=300%2C317 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=400%2C423 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=540%2C571 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=640%2C677 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=750%2C793 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1047 990w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1094 1035w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C1269 1200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=1333%2C1409 1333w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/d/4d/d4dd68ea-1ebd-11ef-b69f-3bc6d08ece56/6658d8e741d70.image.jpg?resize=1400%2C1480 1476w)
2nd place winner and Neiman Marcus award recipient Brianna Yanga, accepts congratulations from Wendy Krimins of Neiman Marcus Michigan Ave. (Photo Candace Jordan)
A video presentation opened the show and highlighted Richard Driehaus, his life and passion for this project. It was a heart-warming clip that left many teary-eyed. Richard was a driving force in the fields of design and particularly delighted in presenting the winners of each fashion competition with their awards. He passed away on March 9, 2021.
On this night, winning designers were Jules Gourley (first place, $10K), Brianna Yanga (second place, $7K) and Alexandra Seward (third place, $4K). Yanga also won the Neiman Marcus award which means her collection will be featured inside the Neiman Marcus Michigan Ave. store and she will also receive a $250 gift card.
Other emerging designers included Gracie Norine Gelinas, Mireya Barrientes, Dasia Yoo, Shuwen Yang, Mia Hitterman, Lily Lee, Lexie Jones, Norma Espinoza, Madison Chain and Azula Cazares.
![“Bachelor in Paradise” star Kenny Braasch and his wife Mari Pepin Braasch made a guest appearance. (Photo Candace Jordan)](https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=150%2C200 150w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=200%2C267 200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=225%2C300 225w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=300%2C400 300w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=400%2C533 400w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=540%2C720 540w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=640%2C854 640w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=750%2C1000 750w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=990%2C1320 990w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=1035%2C1380 1035w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600 1200w, https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/chicagostarmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/c8/2c86e846-1ebe-11ef-b6bc-bb4badac2c98/6658d95ce2b48.image.jpg 1333w)
“Bachelor in Paradise” star Kenny Braasch and his wife Mari Pepin Braasch made a guest appearance. (Photo Candace Jordan)
As a surprise, “Bachelor in Paradise” star Kenny Braasch and his wife Mari Pepin Braasch made a guest appearance. Kenny met Mari from “The Bachelorette” show on ABC and was a top model for several years at the Driehaus Design Initiatives show. He recreated the “Kenny Walk” on the runway, much to the delight of guests.
Other event contributors included 312 Entertainment (sound), ZAZU Salons (hair and makeup), Allan Bourgeois Photography, Mirar Media (video), Kehoe Designs (décor), BlackOak Technical Productions and Select Models.
The mission of the Driehaus Design Initiative is to promote design, education and foster public appreciation of fashion design and history. Welcome back DDI! We’ve missed you.