About The Chicago Runway Classic.

The Chicago Runway Classic was born from a simple but powerful belief — that the next generation of fashion designers deserves to be seen, cherished, and propelled forward. We exist to help open those doors. Through our scholarship program, we bring together Chicago-area high school seniors who share a passion for fashion and a vision for what clothing can mean — not just as fabric and thread, but as identity, culture, and art. We believe that inspiration grows when creative minds connect.

Central to our mission of education and exposure, our applicants participate in a Large scale College and Career fair presented by one of our partners, The Chicago Football Classic. This event is a vibrant gathering where young student designers can stand alongside industry experts, ask about fashion and design programs from colleges and universities across the country, and discover the educational pathways that will sharpen their skills and carry their creativity into a career. The Chicago Football Classic shares our commitment to helping young people achieve their highest potential and make the burden of paying for a secondary education a little easier.

More than a scholarship competition.

The Chicago Runway Classic is a community — a place where emerging designers find their people, gain real-world exposure, and walk away with the resources, relationships, and funding they need to take their next bold step. Because when young designers are seen, supported, and surrounded by the right opportunities, we are stitching together the future of fashion.