Virgil Abloh X Nike Unveil Creative Summer Residency In Chicago

Virgil Abloh and Nike have collaborated to launch the NikeLab Chicago Recreation Center.

Chicago may be home to the Cloud Gate, the Willis Tower, and the Chicago Cubs, but young entrepreneurs are excited about this collaboration set in the windy city.

Before he became the artistic director of Men’s Louis Vuitton and founder of Off-White, Virgil Abloh was born and raised in Illinois. The recreation center, located at 673 N. Michigan Avenue, will allow youth to gain access to fashion and design mentorship. Nike describes the space as a “cultural hub.”

Chicago youth will be privileged to workshops, giveback programs, and exclusive programming. Abloh has handpicked local creatives who will participate in panel discussions during the two month period that the center will run. These creatives include Chuck Anderson, Paul Octavious, Alyx Harch, Thomas Kelley, Carrie Norman, Ann Lui and Craig Reschke. Workshops will base in brand identity, fabric design, graphic design, and photography.

The center launched on May 31 and will run until July 28. To sign up for workshops, visit SNKRS, Nike’s app.