Celebrate Chicago’s Men of Style with a sartorial tenth year anniversary salute and don’t miss the opportunity to meet the City’s most expressive dressers who embody chic with a twist.
In the past 10 years 94 men have been recognized by the Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum Chicago, picked for their distinct personal style as diverse and vibrant as the city they call home. On September 17th in the Walnut Room at Macy’s 10 more will join the ranks of past winners which has included celebrities, athletes, academics, designers, musicians, business leaders, artists, doctors, lawyers, and humanitarians.
2022 winner David Murga celebrating his award on the steps of the Chicago Historical Museum.
The Chicago Men’s Fashion Awards has been featured NBC News by Matthew Rodrigues, a past winner, as well as on WGN TV by another past winner, Sean Lewis. The event is both an awards ceremony and a lively cocktail party attended by 200 plus fashionable people that include dedicated Costume Council members, the proud entourages of winners, fashion insiders, and fashion enthusiasts, all dressed to impress.
CMFA 2018 Winner Darnell Robinson on the portico of the Chicago History Museum.
NBC’s Cortney Hall will emcee for a second year and Lizzy Lopez and Chip Hendon will be co-chairs of the always entertaining evening. Honorary Co-Chairs are David Mordini, Karen Peters and Kristin Noelle Smith. Committee members are: Anika Allen, Michael Anderson, Melissa Carter, David Jude Greene, Abel Rodriguez, Frank Rubel, David Sanchez, Ali Tamashiro, Adam Woitkowski.
David Sanchez at the 2018 celebration.
Costume Council President Karen Peters and Costume Council Member Elda De La Rosa at the Costume Council’s “Glory of Galanos” event.
Costume Council President Karen Peters told us:
“This event over the years has helped us achieve our mission to fundraise on behalf of the 50,000-plus piece costume collection at the Chicago History Museum. The Collection is home to some of the world’s most important and iconic couturieres: Charles Worth, Christian Dior, James Galanos, Paul Poiret, Vionnet, Balenciaga and more. The evening will support curatorial efforts, conservation needs, and provide exhibition underwriting to continue telling Chicago stories and educate through the lens of fashion. For instance, the Costume Council has provided underwriting to acquire significant pieces of Chicago fashion history including a Virgil Abloh Off-White Chicago Bulls varsity jacket that appeared in the Dressed in History exhibition and Candace Collins Jordan’s Playboy collection featuring a full silver Bunny suit and original Playboy employment documents.
“The Costume Council has also funded positions which have professionally photographed over 70 objects and allowed the Museum’s fashion files to be searchable through the research center for the first time ever.”
Michael Caputo and Lee Allison at a past Men’s Fashion Awards
We love sharing some of the Fashion Statements from a few of the 2025 winners.
From Joseph Niz:
My personal style is best described as tailored chic with an urban twist. Growing up in Chicago with very little, I was raised by a single mother who, no matter the circumstances, always made sure we looked presentable and put together. That sense of pride in appearance stayed with me. Cinema has also been a lifelong source of inspiration—films like The Matrix, Rear Window, and Reservoir Dogs offered an escape from reality and sparked my love for strong, timeless style. As a stylist today, I blend that cinematic influence with my roots to create looks that are sharp, structured, and unapologetically bold.
From Ian Gerard:
“My personal style blends rock-and-roll edge with refined, designer-driven cool, creating a look that’s equal parts urban rebel, modern sophisticate, and fashion-conscious iconoclast. Creating a confident, curated masculinity rooted in timeless silhouettes and luxe details. His style is intentional without being flashy—designed to convey taste, presence, and a strong sense of identity.”
From Roy Kinsey:
“My style is a dialogue between softness and defiance, where library chic flirts with hip-hop’s pulse. I move through the world in tailored lines and fluid forms, blending archival elegance with streetwise rebellion. It’s Libra androgyny in conversation with Aquarian revolution — balanced, bold, and beautifully unbowed.”
And from Eric Curtis:
“My style is part instinct, part rebellion. It’s about mixing structure with spontaneity. Rules don’t interest me – expression does. I dress for how I feel that day: powerful, curious, and always unapologetically myself. Some days it’s sleek, other days it’s loud, but it has to be authentic.”
The 10 winners for 2025 sound sensational for the tenth celebration of the Chicago Fashion Awards, each totally expressive and unapologetically authentic.
For further information contact Nell McKeown, development events manager, at mckeown@chicagohistory.org or (312) 799-2112
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