Designer, James De Colón is a native New Yorker with strong ties to his family home, Puerto Rico.
De Colón Designs has been an integral part of the Chicago fashion community for the last ten
years.
Having operated two successful boutiques in the Windy City; DE COLÓN apparel is now available
in Puerto Rico. Designing apparel from ready-to-wear to high-fashion eveningwear, as well as,
custom designs for a legion of private clientele: De Colón designs with real women in mind,
women who are confident enough in their lives to wear clothing that is unique, sophisticated and
classic. Says De Colón, “My designs have longevity, and can be worn year after year, without
going out of style.”
Chicago has embraced De Colón and he has been featured in all major media, print, network
television programs and special events that attract the ‘fashion forward’ from all walks of life.
During his years in Chicago, De Colón and Creative Director, Wayne Reddrick have mentored
Fashion design students enrolled in Chicago’s most prestigious design schools; Illinois Institute of
Art, Columbia College, International Academy of Design and Technology, Harper College, and The
Art Institute, offering a hands-on intensive internship program. Having the opportunity to mentor
aspiring, young designers has been a constant reward in De Colón’s career. He has served as an
important stepping stone for many students seeking to enter this very competitive field.
James has been a leader in the Latino community and is well respected in the mainstream
fashion community as well. De Colón has been a featured designer in Mayor Daley’s cultural
initiative, “Chicago Fashion Focus 2007 and 2008”; and one of his gowns, entitled “Flamboyan”,
inspired by the flower of Puerto Rico, was featured in Mayor Daley’s city beautification project,
Gardens of the Magnificent Mile in 2007. James was honored as a finalist nominee for the
prestigious “Latino Entrepreneur of the Year 2007”, by the Chicago Latino Network. In addition to
creating new design lines for the 2011-2012 fashion seasons, De Colón is a member of the
executive board and production team for the annual Latino Fashion Week; the first event of its
kind in the U.S. designed to highlight the talents of some of the world’s most gifted Latino
designers.
De Colón feels, “There is nothing new about the concept of women’s fashion . . . it’s as old as
time. The concept of the designer, however, is always new. I believe that a woman’s wardrobe
should be a seamless blend of texture, color and style that exudes glamour, elegance, sensuality,
comfort, sophistication – and most important of all – femininity.”
Photographer Carlo Serran
De Colón Designs has been an integral part of the Chicago fashion community for the last ten
years.
Having operated two successful boutiques in the Windy City; DE COLÓN apparel is now available
in Puerto Rico. Designing apparel from ready-to-wear to high-fashion eveningwear, as well as,
custom designs for a legion of private clientele: De Colón designs with real women in mind,
women who are confident enough in their lives to wear clothing that is unique, sophisticated and
classic. Says De Colón, “My designs have longevity, and can be worn year after year, without
going out of style.”
Chicago has embraced De Colón and he has been featured in all major media, print, network
television programs and special events that attract the ‘fashion forward’ from all walks of life.
During his years in Chicago, De Colón and Creative Director, Wayne Reddrick have mentored
Fashion design students enrolled in Chicago’s most prestigious design schools; Illinois Institute of
Art, Columbia College, International Academy of Design and Technology, Harper College, and The
Art Institute, offering a hands-on intensive internship program. Having the opportunity to mentor
aspiring, young designers has been a constant reward in De Colón’s career. He has served as an
important stepping stone for many students seeking to enter this very competitive field.
James has been a leader in the Latino community and is well respected in the mainstream
fashion community as well. De Colón has been a featured designer in Mayor Daley’s cultural
initiative, “Chicago Fashion Focus 2007 and 2008”; and one of his gowns, entitled “Flamboyan”,
inspired by the flower of Puerto Rico, was featured in Mayor Daley’s city beautification project,
Gardens of the Magnificent Mile in 2007. James was honored as a finalist nominee for the
prestigious “Latino Entrepreneur of the Year 2007”, by the Chicago Latino Network. In addition to
creating new design lines for the 2011-2012 fashion seasons, De Colón is a member of the
executive board and production team for the annual Latino Fashion Week; the first event of its
kind in the U.S. designed to highlight the talents of some of the world’s most gifted Latino
designers.
De Colón feels, “There is nothing new about the concept of women’s fashion . . . it’s as old as
time. The concept of the designer, however, is always new. I believe that a woman’s wardrobe
should be a seamless blend of texture, color and style that exudes glamour, elegance, sensuality,
comfort, sophistication – and most important of all – femininity.”
Photographer Carlo Serran
| JAMES DE COLÓN |