CHICAGO, October 6, 2026 – On a cool autumn evening on the Magnificent Mile, Level 3 of Water Tower Place turned into a place of identity, activism, and style. The Trans Media Fashion Show took place on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 6:00 PM, offering a unique experience highlighting non-binary and transgender presence in the Midwestern fashion industry.
But of course, there was much more to it than catwalks and gorgeous outfits.
As part of the FashionBar Chicago seasonal events, the show combined community activism with fashion. The participants started gathering around 6:30 PM for a cozy cocktail reception, having cocktails and enjoying conversations under the warm light of the lounge.
“You could feel the collective exhale in the room before a single model stepped out,” observed one attendee, noting how the pre-show buzz felt less like an exclusive networking event and more like a long-overdue family reunion.
By 6:45 PM, camera flashes lit up the red carpet, signaling that the main showcase was about to take center stage.
Hosted by local performer and artist Haley of 3rd Period, the event made creative storytelling blend well with community activism. The event stressed the strong connection between self-expression and the body through key non-profit and community partnerships including Howard Brown Health, Vernita Gray Council, and the Broadway Youth Center, among others. Statements made by healthcare and community advocates at the event reflected the impact of trans health initiatives in Chicago.
In terms of the runway, there were many amazing displays as thrifting fashion collections were mixed with avant-garde collections, such as IAMTONYLONG. Performances of drag queens like Luna Eclipse and Femme de Violette captivated guests as they took turns with displays. In the latter part of the night, the guests themselves participated in a catwalk show titled “Walk the Catwalk.” There was a guest who wore a custom-made sequin blazer and received amazing applause that instantly made him the performer.
Alongside the nighttime fashion event was a three-day-long Marketplace stretching until October 4, providing consumers direct access to designers from independent local firms. Further information about upcoming events can be found using Choose Chicago and/or Eventbrite. In the end, the evening demonstrated how much fashion changes when it practices real advocacy.
