Connecting Threads—Africa Fashion in Chicago

In this exhibit, Chicago designers celebrate their heritage, culture, and communities by creating looks inspired by items in the Field Museum collections and the vibrant African design scene in Chicago.

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Exhibition Summary

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Discover how Chicago’s African-inspired design scene connects global traditions with local creativity in Connecting Threads: Africa Fashion in Chicago. Featuring stunning garments, jewelry, and textiles from talented Chicago-based designers like Olivia Ogbara, Stephane St. Jaymes, Hayet Rida and Jennifer Akese-Burney, this exhibition explores fashion as a medium for storytelling and cultural expression. Visitors will experience thematic environments inspired by Chicago’s skyline, enhanced by Robert Earl Page’s custom patterns, and interactive programming like panel discussions and collaborations with Black Fashion Week USA.

A perfect complement to Africa Fashion, this show celebrates community, culture, and creativity.

Exhibition Highlights

See fabric and fashions by Chicago-based designer Jennifer Akese-Burney, who was inspired by the Field Museum's African Collections.
Black Fashion Week USA Founder, Melody Boykin contributes her vast knowledge of the Chicago fashion world to the exhibition.
Experience a dynamic, multi-media display featuring Adinkra symbols on the walls and floor around you, video and Contemporary Afrobeats.
Those with blindness or low vision can download our Audio Descriptive Tour on the free Bloomberg Connects App.

Audio Description Tour

This audio description tour is designed for those with blindness or low vision. These verbal descriptions can be enjoyed by anyone who wishes to listen while moving through Connecting Threads.

Each described item is housed on the free Bloomberg Connects app.

Download the App

Acknowledgments

Connecting Threads: Africa Fashion in Chicago is organized by the Field Museum.

Major Sponsor

Tickets