Speaker Announcement | Revered Chicago Designer To Speak at Upcoming SPESA Executive Conference (August 27-29, 2025 | Sofitel Magnificent Mile)
- SPESA
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 23
SPESA Announcement
One of our main goals in hosting events in different markets is to showcase how the industry is represented locally. We prioritize local voices and experts because these are the people with firsthand knowledge of the industry intricacies that exist within their own communities. These are the changemakers devoted to putting their markets on the map.
Well, we’ve hit the jackpot in Chicago! We’re thrilled to announce that Chicago’s premier fashion designer, Maria Pinto, will be taking the stage at SPESA’s upcoming Executive Conference, August 27-29, 2025, at the Sofitel Magnificent Mile.
For more than three decades, Maria Pinto has been lauded for her timeless designs that prioritize quality and sustainability. That commitment to design excellence is made evident by her impressive customer portfolio including Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Brooke Shields, and even Mick Jagger.
While based in Chicago, Maria’s reach is worldwide. And we’re excited to hear about her impressive design career, the challenges and opportunities she’s navigated in a hyper-competitive environment, and her commitment to building a sustainable brand in the U.S.
What’s more? We’ll be hosting a private evening reception in Maria’s flagship boutique, a one-of-a-kind networking opportunity for conference attendees, and a chance to leave the classroom and experience Chicago design up close.
Get To Know Maria Pinto & the Maria Pinto Brand
As a fashion futurist and business icon, Maria Pinto has always sought new ways to innovate, making fashion more accessible to women of all ages worldwide.
Whether she knew it or not, Maria’s trajectory has always been one that celebrated a futuristic outlook. A visionary fashion designer, artist, and business leader, her 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.
With a label by the same name, Maria Pinto now offers a collection of timeless, ready-to-wear garments for sophisticated, 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 ready-to-wear with the comfort and function women need and desire every single day.
Maria has been lauded extensively in global news outlets spanning Forbes, VOGUE, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Modern Luxury, Crain’s Chicago Business, and more.
Lock in your early bird rate for the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference.
Visit the SPESA website for more information about this event, including additional speakers, discounted hotel reservations, and a look at past iterations.
Interested in sponsoring the 2025 SPESA Executive Conference?
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