The Main Event
PEORIA FASHION WEEK
Central Illinois's premier fashion event — celebrating creativity, culture, and community on the runway since 2018. April 1-3rd 2027
Our Story
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Peoria Fashion Week was founded in 2020 with a single conviction: the Midwest deserves a world-class fashion platform. What began as a grassroots runway event in Central Illinois has grown into a full-scale creative production, drawing designers, models, photographers, and audiences from across the region.
Every season, Peoria Fashion Week produces a multi-show event that spotlights emerging and established talent, celebrates cultural identity, and proves that fashion is not exclusive to the coasts. We are Peoria. We are the Midwest. And we belong on the runway.
Mission
WHY WE DO THIS
Peoria Fashion Week exists to create opportunity. We build a platform where designers can debut collections, models can build careers, photographers can develop portfolios, and audiences can experience the art of fashion — right here in Central Illinois. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every event we produce reinvests in the community and funds the Academy programs that train the next generation.
ABOUT THE ACADEMYWhat We Do
THE FOUR PILLARS
THE RUNWAY
Multi-show runway productions featuring emerging designers, established brands, and Academy graduates — staged with professional lighting, sound, and production.
THE TALENT
Hundreds of models, designers, photographers, and creatives participate each season — many of them trained through the Peoria Fashion Week Academy.
THE COMMUNITY
Fashion Week is a community event. We partner with local businesses, venues, sponsors, and organizations to make every season a celebration of Peoria's creative culture.
THE MISSION
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, proceeds from Peoria Fashion Week directly fund Academy scholarships, program development, and accessible fashion education across Central Illinois.
Annual Events
THE SEASON
Each Peoria Fashion Week season includes multiple runway shows, community events, and creative activations. Shows are open to the public and held at venues across the Peoria area.
Opening Night
The season kickoff — emerging designers, Academy showcases, and the energy of opening night on the runway.
Main Stage
The flagship show of the season. Established designers, full production, and the biggest crowd of the week.
Culture & Identity
A dedicated show celebrating cultural expression, heritage, and identity through fashion and design.
Closing Gala
The season finale — awards, recognition, and a celebration of every creative who made the season possible.
Community Impact
FASHION CHANGES LIVES
Peoria Fashion Week is more than an event — it is an economic and cultural engine for Central Illinois. Each season generates opportunities for local vendors, venues, photographers, hair and makeup artists, and creative professionals across the region.
Through our Academy programs, Fashion Week alumni go on to professional careers in modeling, design, photography, and creative media. The runway is where it starts — but the impact lasts far beyond the final walk.
Peoria Fashion Week 2027
PARTICIPATE IN PFW 2027
April 1–3, 2027 — Peoria, Illinois. Applications are now open for all creative categories. Select your role below and complete the registration form to be considered for Peoria Fashion Week 2027.
CASTING CALL
Models
We are seeking models of all backgrounds, sizes, and experience levels to walk the runway at PFW 2027. Whether you are a seasoned professional or stepping on the runway for the first time, we want to see you.
- Open to all experience levels
- All sizes and backgrounds welcome
- Runway & editorial opportunities
DESIGNERS
Show Your Collection
Present your original collection on the Peoria Fashion Week runway. We welcome emerging and established designers ready to debut their work to a live audience and regional press.
- Original collections only
- Emerging & established welcome
- Full production support provided
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Capture the Runway
Join our credentialed media team and photograph one of the Midwest's premier fashion events. Build your editorial portfolio with runway, backstage, and event coverage.
- Runway & backstage access
- Editorial portfolio opportunity
- Credentialed media passes
ARTISTS
Hair, Makeup & Body Art
Bring your artistry to the PFW stage. We are looking for hair stylists, makeup artists, and body art creatives to collaborate with designers and models for our runway productions.
- Hair stylists & makeup artists
- Body art & avant-garde welcome
- Backstage creative collaboration
CONTENT CREATORS
Document the Experience
Cover Peoria Fashion Week 2027 as a credentialed content creator. Create behind-the-scenes, runway, and event content for your platform while gaining exclusive access to the full production.
- Exclusive backstage access
- All platforms welcome
- Credentialed creator passes
MODEL AGENCIES
Agency Partnerships
Partner with Peoria Fashion Week to place your talent on our runway. We welcome agency submissions for models, talent representation inquiries, and formal agency partnership discussions. Reach out directly to start the conversation.
- Agency talent submissions
- Partnership opportunities
- Regional & national agencies
VENDORS
Market & Pop-Up Booths
Secure your vendor booth at Peoria Fashion Week 2027. Connect with thousands of fashion-forward attendees across our multi-day event. Ideal for fashion brands, accessories, beauty, and lifestyle businesses.
- Multi-day event exposure
- Fashion-forward audience
- Indoor & outdoor booth options
VOLUNTEER & CREW
Production & Event Staff
Be part of the team that makes Peoria Fashion Week happen. We are looking for volunteers and production crew members to support backstage operations, front-of-house, setup, and event day logistics.
- Backstage & front-of-house roles
- Setup, breakdown & logistics
- All experience levels welcome
BE PART OF THE SHOW
Whether you want to walk the runway, design a collection, volunteer, or sponsor a season — there is a place for you at Peoria Fashion Week.