From the Garment District to State Street: Mood Fabrics Opens in Chicago
Chicagoland’s fashion industry has been buzzing since mid-July 2026 with the news that Mood Fabrics, the celebrated New York fabric destination associated with Manhattan’s Garment District, was coming to Chicago. On August 24, the company held a soft opening at its new Loop showroom, followed by an opening celebration on September 10. VIP guests were invited from 5 to 7 p.m., with ticketed public guests entering at 7 p.m.
Mood Fabrics is a well-known staple of the fashion industry because of its long history in New York City as well as its appearances on the reality competition series Project Runway. If you have been to Mood in New York, you know it is full of rolls of fabric, trims, notions, and tools—a treasure trove for designers, students, and sewists.
What makes the Chicago location different is that it is a showroom. Rather than shelves and racks of fabric bolts ready to take home, the showroom features fabric headers with material details and swatches large enough to understand the color, texture, weight, and hand of each material. Visitors can explore the fabric options in person, browse notions, trims, and tools, and then order fabric through Mood.
Mood first introduced its showroom concept in Atlanta at Ponce City Market in April 2026. Chicago is its second showroom-format location and its first in the Midwest. The Atlanta showroom combines fabric samples and sewing supplies with paid classes, workshops, and community events—an encouraging model for what the Chicago location may become. [moodfabrics] [poncecitymarket] [msn]
The approximately 2,000-square-foot Chicago showroom is located at 109 S. State St. in downtown Chicago’s Loop, within the historic Palmer House’s State Street retail frontage. The storefront was previously home to an Aerosoles shoe store. Mood’s arrival is a notable fashion-oriented addition to State Street, an area with a long history as one of Chicago’s major shopping corridors. The Chicago showroom features more than 10,000 fabric swatches along with thousands of notions and accessories. [blockclubchicago]
An Opening Celebration
The opening party at Mood was lively, with a step-and-repeat, literature and displays about local talent and upcoming classes, and a wonderful spread of refreshments. Mood provided VIP guests with a bright branded bag that included a tape measure, pen, stickers, a patch, and the standout item: a pair of Japanese steel scissors. For an audience filled with sewists and makers, it was a particularly thoughtful welcome gift.
Literature about designers & upcoming classes
Rahela Tanase, Jess Crane, Aisha Jackson, Melissa Carr & Nancy Plummer
What I found most interesting about the crowd was its variety. There were professional industry people I see at many local events, but also home sewists, artists, costumers, cosplayers, and other creative makers. It was refreshing to meet more of Chicago’s fashion community—people who are actively making, imagining, and creating.
That mixture of attendees may be one of the most exciting aspects of Mood’s Chicago arrival. The showroom has the potential to become not only a place to shop or order fabric, but also a gathering point for the many overlapping creative communities that make up Chicago’s fashion ecosystem.
A Surprise Fashion Show
At one point during the evening, a Mood team member began moving the step-and-repeat backdrop. Guests immediately wondered where it was going and why. To our surprise, it made room for an informal fashion show.
The DJ enthusiastically introduced each designer and their looks, all created with Mood Fabrics. The show included designs by:
Saraid, @sunsetsaraid
Ren Willis, @rensowavy
Jen Mason, @jenrestylefashion
Lauren, @misseandc.cosplay
Chardeney Mason, @chardeney_mason
Marissa Croft, @sinistra.marissa
Mia Purcell, @miathemaker
Peach Carr, @peach_carr
Nic White, @nic__white
It was a wonderful evening celebrating the opening of the Mood Fabrics Showroom and, just as importantly, Chicago’s fashion professionals, independent designers, home sewists, and creative makers.
With upcoming classes, local talent displays, and a showroom designed to bring people into conversation with materials, Mood Fabrics has the potential to become a meaningful new resource for Chicago’s fashion community.
Visit Mood Fabrics Chicago
Mood Designer Fabrics Chicago Showroom
109 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60603
Before visiting, check Mood Fabrics’ Chicago showroom page or social channels for current hours, classes, workshops, and special events.
