Chanel
Hargrave-Murry
Fashion Executive • Founder • Executive Producer • Creative Industry Leader
- Founder & Executive Director, Peoria Fashion Week Academy
- Co-Founder & Executive Producer, Peoria Fashion Week
- Founder, PFW Global Designer Exchange
Building pathways between fashion education, emerging talent, creative entrepreneurship, and global industry opportunity.
Executive Profile
Building a Fashion Ecosystem From the Ground Up
Chanel Hargrave-Murry is a fashion executive, founder, nonprofit leader, and creative-industry producer based in Peoria, Illinois. Her work is centered on creating accessible pathways into fashion through education, runway production, designer development, modeling, creative entrepreneurship, and professional industry experiences.
As Founder and Executive Director of Peoria Fashion Week Academy, Chanel has helped develop year-round programming designed to give aspiring designers, models, photographers, and creative professionals practical skills, mentorship, portfolio-building opportunities, and exposure to the business of fashion.
As Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Peoria Fashion Week, she helps lead a growing platform that brings designers, models, artists, educators, businesses, and creative professionals together through runway experiences, designer showcases, and industry programming.
Her next phase of work focuses on expanding those relationships beyond Central Illinois through the PFW Global Designer Exchange, national partnerships, and international fashion-industry relationship building.
Organizations & Initiative
Two Organizations. One Expanding Vision.
Founder & Executive Director
Peoria Fashion Week Academy
Peoria Fashion Week Academy is a nonprofit fashion education organization providing accessible programming in fashion design, sewing, modeling, photography, fashion illustration, media, and creative entrepreneurship. Its mission is to help emerging creatives develop practical skills, professional confidence, portfolios, and pathways into the creative industries.
Co-Founder & Executive Producer
Peoria Fashion Week
Peoria Fashion Week is a multi-day fashion and creative-industry platform bringing together designers, models, artists, businesses, educators, and creative professionals through runway shows, designer showcases, educational experiences, and industry programming. The platform is focused on elevating emerging talent while expanding fashion opportunities in Central Illinois and beyond.
Founder & Initiative Lead
PFW Global Designer Exchange
The PFW Global Designer Exchange is an international relationship-building initiative designed to connect designers, educators, fashion professionals, and emerging creatives across markets. The initiative is being developed to support designer showcases, educational exchange, mentorship, professional collaborations, and future U.S. and international fashion opportunities.
Peoria Fashion Week
Building a Distinctive Fashion Platform in the Midwest
Peoria Fashion Week is a multi-day runway and creative-industry platform that brings together designers, models, photographers, stylists, artists, educators, businesses, and emerging creative professionals. Under Chanel Hargrave-Murry's executive production leadership, the event has grown into a recurring fashion experience centered on designer visibility, professional development, creative collaboration, and opportunities for emerging talent. Through runway showcases, industry programming, community partnerships, and year-round fashion education through Peoria Fashion Week Academy, the platform continues to expand its reach and build relationships beyond Central Illinois.
Learn More About PFWMulti-day runway productions featuring emerging and established designers from across the region.
A professional platform connecting models, photographers, stylists, designers, and creative professionals through live fashion production and industry experiences.
Expanding regional visibility and developing new national and international fashion-industry relationships.
Peoria Fashion Week Academy
Education as Infrastructure
The Academy was founded on the belief that fashion education should be accessible, practical, and industry-connected. Every program is designed to give students real skills, real mentorship, and real pathways into the creative industry.
Model Code — runway, posing, and professional modeling fundamentals
Stitch & Sew — garment construction and fashion design
Photography / Editorial Eye — fashion and editorial photography
DJ & Sound Engineering — music production and live performance
Graphic Design / Creative Media — visual communication and branding
Private Lessons — one-on-one instruction across all disciplines
PFW Global Designer Exchange
Connecting Emerging Designers to the World
The PFW Global Designer Exchange is Chanel's international initiative — a platform designed to open doors for emerging designers by connecting them with global industry networks, international markets, and cross-cultural creative opportunities.
Global Access — connecting designers to international markets, buyers, and industry networks beyond regional boundaries.
Cultural Exchange — facilitating cross-cultural creative dialogue between designers from diverse backgrounds and markets.
Production Support — providing emerging designers with the infrastructure needed to present work on a global stage.
Industry Mentorship — pairing emerging talent with established professionals for guidance, connections, and career development.
Paris Fashion Week SS28
Paris Fashion Week SS27
Peoria Fashion Week is expanding its global footprint with a presence at Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2027 — bringing Midwest-rooted talent to the world's most prestigious fashion stage.
Press & Media
Press & Media
Chanel Hargrave-Murry's work in fashion, creative education, community development, and Peoria Fashion Week has been featured and recognized by media outlets, educational institutions, and arts organizations throughout Central Illinois and beyond.
Featured Press
The First-Ever Peoria Fashion Week Stokes a Growing Passion for Fashion
Coverage of Chanel Hargrave-Murry and Ezra Murry as co-founders of Peoria Fashion Week, including Chanel's background in fashion and modeling.
From High Fashion to Street Fashion, Peoria Fashion Week Is Back
An interview featuring Chanel discussing Peoria Fashion Week, fashion as an art form, designers, and creative programming.
CI Hero: Peoria Public Servant Gives Back in Numerous Ways
A profile highlighting Chanel's community leadership and her work as Co-Founder of Peoria Fashion Week.
Peoria Roundtable Discusses Cost-Saving in Arts Industry
Coverage identifying Chanel as Executive Director of Peoria Fashion Week Academy and discussing the challenges and opportunities in growing arts organizations.
4-H Stitch and Style Academy Threads a New Path
Coverage of the partnership supporting fashion education, sewing, creativity, and youth development through Peoria Fashion Week programming.
Additional Coverage & Industry Recognition
Additional national and international media coverage will be added as it is published.
Media inquiries & interview requests → Contact ChanelCollaboration Opportunities
Work With Chanel
For partnerships, speaking engagements, sponsorships, and media inquiries — reach out to explore how we can work together.
Brand Partnerships
Align your brand with Peoria Fashion Week, the Academy, or the Global Designer Exchange for meaningful, mission-driven collaboration.
Speaking Engagements
Invite Chanel to speak on fashion education, creative entrepreneurship, community-driven industry building, and global access for emerging talent.
Designer Sponsorship
Support emerging designers through the PFW Global Designer Exchange and help fund their path to international platforms.
Media & Press
For press inquiries, interviews, and media requests related to Peoria Fashion Week, the Academy, or the Global Designer Exchange.
Connect
Connect With Chanel
For partnerships, speaking engagements, press inquiries, or collaboration opportunities.