Maggie Gillette is a former fashion designer of a successful New York-based intimates brand. Maggie gained extensive organizational leadership experience when she launched and ran the most prominent independent intimates trade show for four years leading up to the pandemic. At that time, she returned to her hometown of Chicago and, shortly thereafter, joined The Curio as a principal in May of 2022. Her experiences as a designer and trade show owner perfectly complement cofounder/principal Ian Gerard’s event-showcasing experiences. In addition to the above, Maggie is a freelance fashion, beauty, and lifestyle writer.

Jessica Pushor has served as the collection manager of the Costume and Textile Collection at the Chicago History Museum since 2014. In addition to being the caretaker for an estimated 50,000-piece collection, she has also co-curated the fashion exhibition Treasured Ten: Selections from the Costume Collection (2022) and co-curated the current exhibition Dressed in History: A Costume Collection Retrospective. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Jessica received her BA in art history from the University of Arizona and has an associate’s degree in fashion design. In 2013, Jessica earned her MA in Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.

Maria Pinto offers a collection of timeless, ready-to-wear garments for stylish women. Maria’s desire to make fashion that empowers women to feel chic and confident—from day to night—fueled the creation of her brand. Her “deconstructed couture” method allows her to provide the style, fit, and construction of luxury couture with the comfort and function women need and desire every single day.

A visionary fashion designer, artist and business leader, Maria’s passion for art and fashion was evident even at childhood. As a shy and introspective girl, she found solace in museums, where she studied various artists’ creative expressions and techniques. Her dedication to art led her to study both fashion and fine arts at the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago, where she was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2017. To this day, Maria believes that art is all-encompassing, whether it appears on a canvas or a dress.

Her journey in the world of fashion began with an internship in New York City under the guidance of renowned womenswear designer Geoffrey Beene. Beene’s focus on fabric, tailoring, and minimalist design greatly influenced Maria and continues to shape her work today. Upon returning to Chicago in 1991, she launched a line of embroidered and beaded scarves and wraps, which quickly gained popularity among leading boutiques such as Ultimo, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, and Saks. Even Mick Jagger became a fan, wearing one of Maria’s scarves during a performance at Soldier Field.

Maria’s remarkable career has been marked by numerous achievements:

1991: Launched Maria Pinto luxury collection, sold internationally including Bergdorf Goodman and Barneys NYC

2007: Dressed Michelle Obama

2009: Awarded the “Legends of Fashion” award from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago

2009: Invited to join the Council of Fashion Designers of America

2013: Launched M2057 by Maria Pinto – collections available at her Chicago boutique and her online style studio

2016: Celebrated her 25th anniversary in fashion design with a retrospective at Chicago’s City Gallery

2016: Featured her designs on the popular TV drama series Empire on FOX Broadcasting Company

2017: Received an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago

2018: Showcased her artwork at the Holly Hunt Showroom

2023: Celebrated 10th anniversary of M2057 by Maria Pinto

2024: Featured as a speaker in the TEDx Chicago Design Salon – Evolving fashion from destructive to seductive and constructive

Maria Pinto’s dexterity and commitment to creating both sustainable and accessible collections have earned her a well-deserved place in the fashion world. By seamlessly uniting art and fashion, her craftsmanship continues to explore new boundaries every year—all while upholding her vision of helping women build smart, effortless style systems that allow their individuality to shine.