James De Colon

Biography

Among his earliest fashion inspirations were the women in his family, movie musicals and ballroom dancing. While De Colon first aspired to act, he pursued set and costume design at the suggestion of his fashion-savvy older sister, who saw a fit with his theatrical fascination and sketching skills. After seeing his first fashion show at 14, he switched to a fashion focus. Even then, he envisioned himself as the Fred Astaire of fashion design with Ginger Rogers as his muse.

This native New Yorker attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Following college, he freelanced in design before moving to Puerto Rico where he opened a successful boutique. In early 2001, he was lured to Chicago by the appeal of the Magnificent Mile, the thriving theater district and the opportunity to expand his market. De Colon operates a successful, private studio in Chicago