Cleveland’s fashion renaissance took a well-dressed step forward on Friday with “Road to FITS.”

The evening at the Cleveland History Center fused innovation and heritage in high style, offering a glimpse into the city’s creative future while honoring its storied past.

Part of the newly launched FITS (fashion, industry, textiles symposium) initiative, the goal was to reignite Cleveland’s fashion and garment industry.

“We want to raise awareness within and beyond our region about the vast potential that exists here for fashion, interiors and textile manufacturing,” said Obie Okuh, FITS co-founder and General Counsel & COO at Trade Business Services Group + CRA Advisors.

Added Freddy Collier, SVP, Strategy and New Initiatives at Greater Cleveland Partnership, a FITS partner, “What took place was far more than a launch—it was a powerful celebration of Cleveland’s legacy in fashion and textiles and a bold embrace of the next generation of creatives, makers and designers who are shaping our future.”

The evening also included guided tours of the exhibit “American Dream: Immigrants and the Business of Fashion,” and an inspiring panel discussion that united voices from business, education, workforce development and entrepreneurship around a shared message: creativity is economic power.

The celebration then moved into the museum’s rotunda for a vibrant designer marketplace showcasing emerging talent and established regional brands, setting the stage for the evening’s highlight: the runway show.

Featuring ten diverse designers, the show captured Cleveland’s creative edge and global vision, blending artistry and industry in a way that felt both groundbreaking and deeply rooted.

Designers included Project Runway alum and FITS curator Valerie Mayen (Yellowcake), Nicole Haddad (Lobo Mau), Cierra Boyd (FriskMeGood), Jevon Terrance, Tyra Sledge (6th Street Vintage) and Anjali Phougat (Designer Dream Collection), among others. Their collections reflected the breadth and innovation of Cleveland’s creative community.

“Road to FITS” was only the beginning. The movement continues in April 2026 with the “FITS Symposium + Exhibition,” a multi-day experience featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, a vendor marketplace and another runway event—all designed to reestablish Cleveland as a center of fashion innovation, manufacturing and creativity.

Said Okuh: “Through FITS, we aim to restore that legacy by building a vibrant, future-ready ecosystem that celebrates both cultural identity and industrial opportunity.”

Learn more:

FITS 2025