WE ARE THE CULTURE II: THE BLUEPRINT EDITION

Vintage Built Chicago.

Saturday, October 17, 2026
8 PM – 12 AM
Chicago Fashion Week 2026

Short Description

Chicago Fashion Week’s biggest fashion party returns. Vintage expo, marketplace, networking, DJs and Chicago’s creative community in one room.

WE ARE THE CULTURE IS BACK.

In 2025, we introduced We Are The Culture: Under Construction during Chicago Fashion Week.

We transformed Time Out Market Chicago into an immersive construction-themed fashion experience and brought together 1,700 attendees for a night built around fashion, music, brands, and Chicago culture.

Now we're back for Year Two.

And this year, we're setting The Blueprint.

2026: THE BLUEPRINT EDITION

Last year, we were Under Construction because we believed Chicago's growing fashion community was still being built.

This year, we're looking at what that community was built from.

The 2026 theme is VINTAGE.

Chicago style has always been shaped by thrift stores, vintage shops, denim, workwear, sportswear, streetwear, archival pieces, and generations of people taking something from the past and making it completely their own.

The Blueprint isn't just about where Chicago fashion is going.

It's about recognizing what we were built from.

Vintage Built Chicago.

WHAT TO EXPECT

8 PM — Doors Open + Vintage Expo

Shop a curated marketplace of vintage clothing, fashion, accessories, local brands, and Chicago vendors while connecting with designers, stylists, models, photographers, creators, and fashion lovers from across the city.

Fashion + Networking

Come ready to meet Chicago's creative community. Whether you work in fashion or simply love it, We Are The Culture is designed to put the industry and the community in the same room.

Music + Party

As the night continues, the energy goes up. DJs, drinks, fashion, nightlife, and hundreds of Chicago creatives come together for one of the biggest nights of Chicago Fashion Week.

12 AM — Event Ends

DRESS CODE

YOUR BEST VINTAGE / THRIFTED FIT.

Archive. Americana. Y2K. Designer vintage. Denim. Sportswear. Workwear. Streetwear. Thrifted finds.

Mix decades. Mix price points. Make it your own.

This isn't about how much your outfit costs.

It's about how you style it.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Designers. Stylists. Models. Photographers. Vintage collectors. Fashion professionals. Content creators. Artists. Entrepreneurs. Tastemakers.

And anyone who simply loves getting dressed.

You don't have to work in fashion to be part of Chicago fashion culture.

ONE NIGHT. ONE COMMUNITY. ONE BLUEPRINT.

Part vintage fashion expo.

Part marketplace.

Part networking experience.

Part Fashion Week party.

WE ARE THE CULTURE II: THE BLUEPRINT EDITION

Saturday, October 17 | 8 PM–12 AM

The past built the Blueprint.

We're styling what's next.