ChatGPT answers, unedited

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States

For a new fashion e-commerce brand in Chicago’s West Loop, I’d look for an agency that can connect naming → positioning → visual identity → Shopify/e-commerce expression → launch campaign, rather than hiring a logo shop and a separate campaign agency.

Here are the Chicago firms I’d put on your initial contact list:

My shortlist

• Design B&B — West Loop

Particularly relevant if you want a sophisticated consumer/fashion-oriented brand. They cover brand strategy, positioning, identity, naming, verbal identity, packaging and activation/experiential design. Their positioning is explicitly consumer-first. Design B&B

Contact them if: you want the brand world and strategic positioning to feel highly considered from day one.

• EightySeven — Founder-focused

Their model is unusually well suited to a startup launch: they have a specific BrandLaunch offering covering positioning, identity, social, homepage direction and launch-ready applications, with a stated five-week timeline. EightySeven

Contact them if: you're founder-led, have a launch date, and want a relatively focused process rather than a huge agency engagement.

• ColorJar — Fulton Market / West Loop

A boutique, strategy-forward option covering positioning, naming, taglines, messaging, identity, creative strategy/campaign direction, experiential, websites and packaging.

Contact them if: the hardest part is figuring out what the brand should stand for before figuring out what it should look like.

• Multiple Inc. — West Loop

Multiple describes its core disciplines as strategy, storytelling, identity and experience design, with dedicated naming and multichannel campaign capabilities. Multiple Inc.

Contact them if: you're building something ambitious and want a deeper brand strategy/creative engagement.

• ALL FOR™ Agency — West Loop / Fulton Market

This is an especially practical option for an early-stage founder. They explicitly offer strategy, naming, logo/identity, messaging, campaign design, social/email, e-commerce web design and packaging, all under one roof. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™

Contact them if: you want one relatively nimble partner to take you from name through website and launch assets. Their founder/design lead is Julie Woertz. ALL FOR™

• Landor — West Loop

This is the substantially larger/global-agency option. Their Chicago presence gives you local access while connecting to a global brand-consulting network.

Contact them if: you have significant funding, a large launch, or ambitions beyond the U.S. market and want a much larger strategic/creative operation.

One specialist I'd also call

Seedhouse is worth contacting specifically for the name. Its naming practice emphasizes strategic naming, trademark/database checks and domain checks, rather than treating naming as an afterthought. Seed House

That could be particularly valuable for fashion, where the desired short, distinctive names are often already crowded.

Who I'd contact first

I wouldn't rank them overall, but for different needs, I'd start conversations with:

What I'd ask them for

Don't just ask for a "branding package." Send a brief asking for:

1. Brand strategy & positioning
2. Name development + preliminary trademark/domain screening
3. Verbal identity — tagline, voice, messaging
4. Visual identity — logo, typography, color, imagery, art direction
5. E-commerce art direction — especially homepage/product-page system
6. Launch campaign concept — social, paid, influencer/creator, email and launch event/pop-up if relevant
7. Brand guidelines and launch toolkit
8. 3–5 relevant fashion/consumer case studies
9. Team that would actually work on your account
10. Fixed scope, timeline and fee

I'd specifically ask them to show you how they'd make your brand recognizable without relying on the logo. That's often the difference between a nice-looking fashion startup and a genuinely distinctive brand.

If you tell me your approximate launch budget (e.g. $25k, $50k, $100k+) and the fashion category/aesthetic—luxury, contemporary, streetwear, womenswear, menswear, etc.—I can narrow this to 3 agencies to contact first and give you the exact outreach approach for each.

• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SIX4 Creative - 4000 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States
• namewell | naming & branding experts | chicago - 3323 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Barnstorm Marketing Group - 777 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60622
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Substance - 314 W Superior St, Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60654
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Jayne Agency, LLC - 400 N State St #420, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States

For a new West Loop e-commerce fashion brand, I’d look for an agency that can do more than a logo: you want naming strategy, positioning, visual identity, brand voice, Shopify/e-commerce experience, launch creative, influencer/social direction, and possibly a physical pop-up moment.

Here are Chicago agencies I’d put on your first outreach list:

Best fits for a fashion founder launching from zero

EightySeven

DirectionsWebsite

Why contact them: Strong fit for founder-led brands that need to go from idea → launch. Their process explicitly covers positioning, naming, identity directions, social, homepage direction, and launch assets. EightySeven
Ask for: Founder brand sprint / naming + identity + launch package.
Contact: madebyeightyseven.com

ColorJar

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8192)

Why contact them: They are in the Fulton Market/West Loop area and position themselves around brand strategy, naming, messaging, and identity systems—useful if your biggest challenge is creating a distinctive fashion brand world, not just visuals.
Ask for: Naming workshop + brand platform + identity system.

Design In Chicago

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-535-3088)

Why contact them: A West Loop/Fulton Market agency that combines strategy, design, development, marketing, and content production.
Ask for: Brand identity + e-commerce site direction + launch content.

Design B&B

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-753-3037)

Why contact them: Independent West Loop brand strategy and design studio. Good if you want a close founder-to-creative relationship rather than a large agency structure.
Ask for: Brand strategy, naming, identity, packaging, campaign system.

Strong options if you want a bigger launch engine

SIX4 Creative

DirectionsWebsite

Why contact them: They offer brand development, identity, storytelling, and launch strategy; they also have experience supporting fashion/e-commerce-related PR and influencer moments, including work connected to Chicago retailer Notre. SIX4 Creative SIX4 Creative
Ask for: Launch campaign, PR/influencer strategy, brand storytelling.

namewell | naming & branding experts | chicago

Directions[Call](tel:+1 312-999-0510)

Why contact them: Their positioning is specifically around fashion/apparel/e-commerce experiences, including editorial storytelling, lookbooks, social assets, and digital shopping experiences. Monopoly Boy
Ask for: Fashion campaign concept + e-commerce creative direction.

Barnstorm Marketing Group

Directions[Call](tel:+13123773004)

Why contact them: If your launch includes a West Loop pop-up, influencer event, or experiential moment, they focus on brand activations and product launches. Barnastics
Ask for: Launch event strategy after the identity is established.

My suggested outreach order

If I were a fashion founder in West Loop, I’d probably start with:

1. EightySeven — best match for “new brand from scratch”
2. ColorJar — strongest strategic/naming conversation
3. Design In Chicago — useful if you need brand + digital execution
4. Monopoly Boy — if the brand is fashion/editorial/streetwear driven
5. SIX4 — if you want press, creators, and launch buzz

When you contact them, don’t ask “Can you design my logo?” Ask for:

“I’m launching a DTC fashion brand in Chicago and need help developing the name, positioning, identity system, e-commerce creative direction, and launch campaign. I’m looking for a partner who can build the brand world, not just the logo.”

That framing will attract the right senior creative teams.

A few questions would help narrow the list:

• What category: luxury womenswear, menswear, streetwear, accessories, basics, sustainable, etc.?
• Approximate launch budget: <$25k, $25–75k, $75k+?
• Do you already have a name/product line, or are you starting from the concept stage?

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Firebelly Design - 1402 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• Jayne Agency, LLC - 400 N State St #420, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Magic Eight Co. - 2057 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States

For a new fashion e-commerce brand in Chicago’s West Loop, I’d look for a partner that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → e-commerce expression → launch campaign.

A few Chicago firms stand out for that particular combination:

• Design B&B — 833 W Jackson Blvd, West Loop. They’re an independent brand strategy/design agency with consumer-brand experience, and explicitly offer brand strategy, identity, packaging, naming, verbal identity, and messaging. This is a strong fit if you want a polished consumer/fashion brand built from the strategic foundation upward. Design B&B

designbandb.com

• ALL FOR™ Agency — 160 N Elizabeth St, Fulton Market/West Loop. Particularly relevant geographically and for a founder-led launch: they offer strategy/positioning, naming, messaging, visual identity, web/e-commerce design, packaging, and campaign design. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™

allfor.agency

• ColorJar — 1000 W Fulton Market. A boutique, strategy-forward brand consultancy with capabilities spanning naming, messaging, identity, campaigns, packaging, websites and experiential work. Its Fulton Market location also makes it particularly convenient for a West Loop founder.

colorjar.com

• EightySeven — a founder-led Chicago branding studio focused on strategy, storytelling, identity and applying the brand across web, packaging and campaigns. Its process is explicitly designed around getting founders to a usable launch identity rather than endless creative exploration.
• Studio Brück — a Chicago brand consultancy/creative studio with particular emphasis on premium lifestyle and direct-to-consumer brands, including positioning, naming, identity, creative direction, campaign content and go-to-market work. Daymon Bruck Consulting

studio-bruck.com

• Seedhouse — worth contacting specifically if the name itself is still undecided. Their specialty is brand/product naming, taglines and verbal identity, with trademark-database and domain checks incorporated into the process. Seed House

seed-house.com

For the launch campaign

If you want a separate specialist to make the launch feel like an event, rather than simply rolling out the new identity online, 1o8 is worth a conversation for commerce-oriented creative and performance marketing, while Barnastics specializes in Chicago fashion/lifestyle brand activations, pop-ups, press events, influencer/VIP moments and product launches. Barnastics

barnastics.com

Who I'd contact first

Rather than sending the same generic inquiry to 10 agencies, I'd start conversations with Design B&B, ColorJar, ALL FOR™, and Studio Brück. They cover somewhat different approaches, so you'll quickly learn which creative direction feels right for your brand.

When you contact them, ask for a proposal covering:

1. Brand strategy & positioning
2. Name development + preliminary trademark/domain screening
3. Visual identity and brand guidelines
4. Fashion/e-commerce art direction
5. Launch concept and campaign creative
6. Social, photography/video and paid-ad creative
7. Shopify/site design or coordination with your e-commerce developer
8. Launch timeline and total project fee

I'd also specifically ask each agency to show 2–3 fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or other consumer DTC launches they've actually led—not just their prettiest logo work.

If you tell me your brand concept, target customer, price point, and aesthetic (e.g. luxury/minimal, streetwear, contemporary, feminine, etc.), I can narrow this to 3 agencies that fit the brand and give you the right person/contact at each.

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → campaign concept → e-commerce launch assets.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Design B&B — my first call

• 833 W Jackson Blvd, West Loop
• Strong fit if you want a sophisticated, consumer-facing fashion/lifestyle brand.
• They explicitly offer brand strategy, naming, verbal identity, visual identity, packaging, motion and activation. Design B&B
• Contact: designbandb.com
• ColorJar — strongest strategy + naming option

• 1000 W Fulton Market
• Particularly interesting if you don't have the name yet. Their work spans positioning, naming/taglines, messaging, identity, campaign direction, packaging and experiential.
• This would be high on my list if the brand's strategic positioning is still being figured out.
• Contact: colorjar.com
• EightySeven — best for a founder who needs to move fast

• Founder-oriented independent studio.
• Their BrandLaunch offering is specifically designed for founders starting from zero, with positioning, naming, identity, social, homepage direction and launch assets, with a stated five-week launch framework. EightySeven
• Contact: madebyeightyseven.com
• Design In Chicago — practical West Loop all-in-one

• 159 N Sangamon St, West Loop
• Combines branding, digital, marketing and content production, including naming and identity work.
• I'd consider them if you want one partner to take you from brand through website/content.
• ALL FOR™ — particularly convenient for West Loop

• Based at 160 N Elizabeth St.
• Their offering maps unusually well to what you're asking for: brand strategy/positioning, naming, logo/identity, messaging, campaign design, web/e-commerce and packaging. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™
• Contact: allfor.agency
• Studio Brück — worth considering for a premium/luxury positioning

• Their Chicago studio is at 235 W Van Buren.
• They specifically describe experience with premium lifestyle brands, DTC, brand startups, naming, identity, go-to-market worldbuilding and campaign creative. Studio Bruck
• Contact: studio-bruck.com
• Isla Luna Studio — especially interesting for fashion/beauty/lifestyle

• Boutique Chicago studio with experience across e-commerce, lifestyle, beauty and fashion.
• They cover naming, identity, photography/art direction, campaign consulting, branded launch assets and e-commerce sites. Isla Luna Studio
• Contact: islalunastudio.com

One specialist I'd add for the name

Seedhouse is worth contacting even if you ultimately use another agency for the identity/campaign. They're specifically a brand naming agency, handling brand/product names, taglines, nomenclature, trademark research and domain checks. They say a typical naming engagement runs about 3–6 weeks. Seed House

seed-house.com

Who I'd contact first

If it were my new fashion brand, I'd send briefs to these four:

My personal first call would be Design B&B, followed closely by ColorJar. If you're working with a relatively lean startup budget and have a hard launch date, I'd move EightySeven to #1.

When you contact them, don't just ask “Can you brand my company?” Ask for a proposal covering brand positioning, name development, trademark/domain screening, verbal identity, visual identity, art direction, launch campaign concept, social launch system, e-commerce creative direction, photography/content direction and launch rollout. That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

If you tell me your approximate budget ($25k / $50k / $100k+) and the fashion positioning (luxury, contemporary, streetwear, women's, men's, etc.), I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually pitch—and give you the specific person/contact route for each.

• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• One Design Company - 230 W Superior St #700, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Suite Creative Studio - 1564 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can connect naming → positioning → visual identity → campaign → e-commerce launch, rather than hiring a logo designer and a separate marketing shop.

My Chicago shortlist

1. ColorJar — strongest overall fit

• Based right in Fulton Market/West Loop.
• Particularly relevant if you want a strategy-led fashion/lifestyle brand, not just a visual identity.
• Their capabilities span naming, messaging, identity, campaign direction, web, packaging and experiential.
• I'd contact them first if the goal is to build a distinctive brand from zero.
• Design B&B — strong creative/identity choice

• Also in the West Loop.
• More design-forward, with brand identity, visual systems, packaging and experiential/activation work.
• Good choice if you're envisioning a highly visual, culturally relevant fashion brand.
• Design In Chicago — good end-to-end option

• West Loop at 159 N Sangamon.
• Offers positioning, naming, verbal identity, visual identity, guidelines, web and marketing execution.
• Attractive if you want the brand and e-commerce experience developed together.
• ALL FOR™ — particularly interesting for a founder-led launch

• They're actually in Fulton Market/West Loop, at 160 N. Elizabeth.
• Explicitly offer strategy/positioning, naming, messaging, identity, web/e-commerce, packaging and campaign design. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™
• Their positioning suggests a more hands-on boutique relationship than a giant agency.
• Contact: Julie Woertz — julie@allfor.agency. ALL FOR™
• Landor — premium/high-end option

• Their Chicago studio is in Fulton Market at 333 N Green.
• This is the option I'd investigate if you're building a serious premium/luxury brand with ambitions beyond Chicago.
• The tradeoff is likely a larger-agency process and budget.
• Studio Brück — boutique premium-brand specialist

• Particularly interesting for a fashion/lifestyle founder: they describe 30+ years of experience in positioning, identity, brand marketing and go-to-market work for premium lifestyle brands, including direct-to-consumer businesses. Daymon Bruck
• They explicitly offer brand naming + identity + campaign creative/content.
• Contact: Daymon Bruck — day@daymonbruck.com. Daymon Bruck

One specialist I'd add for the name

Seedhouse is worth talking to if the brand name itself is still wide open. Their specialty is strategic naming, including trademark/database and domain checks, and they say typical naming engagements run 3–6 weeks. Seed House

You could either hire them for naming first or ask a full-service agency such as ColorJar/ALL FOR™ to handle naming as part of the larger engagement.

Who I'd contact first

If I were in your position, I'd send briefs to these four:

And I'd keep Seedhouse in the mix specifically if naming is the biggest unresolved question.

What I'd ask them for

Don't approach them saying "I need a logo and a website." I'd frame the project as:

Brand strategy + naming + verbal identity + visual identity + launch campaign + e-commerce creative direction

That forces the agency to think about the brand people will remember, rather than simply designing the Shopify site.

For a fashion startup, I'd want the engagement to produce:

• Brand positioning and target-customer definition
• Competitive/category positioning
• Brand name + trademark screening
• Tagline / brand story / tone of voice
• Logo and complete visual identity
• Typography, color, photography/art direction
• Packaging, labels, hangtags and shipping experience
• Shopify/e-commerce art direction
• Social launch system
• Launch campaign concept
• Campaign photography/video direction
• Influencer/creator launch concepts
• Paid-social creative system
• Brand guidelines

Most importantly: ask each agency to show you 2–3 fashion, beauty, lifestyle or DTC launches they've actually done, not just their best-looking branding work.

If you tell me your approximate budget ($25k, $50k, $100k+), target customer, and whether the brand is contemporary / luxury / streetwear / women's / men's / accessories, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually interview and tell you exactly who to contact at each one.

And I'd keep Seedhouse in the mix specifically if naming is the biggest unresolved question.

What I'd ask them for

Don't approach them saying "I need a logo and a website." I'd frame the project as:

Brand strategy + naming + verbal identity + visual identity + launch campaign + e-commerce creative direction

That forces the agency to think about the brand people will remember, rather than simply designing the Shopify site.

For a fashion startup, I'd want the engagement to produce:

• Brand positioning and target-customer definition
• Competitive/category positioning
• Brand name + trademark screening
• Tagline / brand story / tone of voice
• Logo and complete visual identity
• Typography, color, photography/art direction
• Packaging, labels, hangtags and shipping experience
• Shopify/e-commerce art direction
• Social launch system
• Launch campaign concept
• Campaign photography/video direction
• Influencer/creator launch concepts
• Paid-social creative system
• Brand guidelines

Most importantly: ask each agency to show you 2–3 fashion, beauty, lifestyle or DTC launches they've actually done, not just their best-looking branding work.

If you tell me your approximate budget ($25k, $50k, $100k+), target customer, and whether the brand is contemporary / luxury / streetwear / women's / men's / accessories, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually interview and tell you exactly who to contact at each one.

For a new West Loop e-commerce fashion brand, I would prioritize agencies that understand consumer positioning, naming, visual identity systems, DTC storytelling, social launch, and fashion/lifestyle aesthetics—not just logo design.

Here are the Chicago firms I’d put on your shortlist and who I’d contact:

My recommended first calls for your exact situation

If I were the founder, I would take three intro meetings:

1. EightySeven — if you need a fast, founder-friendly path from idea → launch-ready brand. www.madebyeightyseven.com
2. ALL FOR™ Agency — if you want a West Loop partner who can carry identity, apparel touchpoints, packaging, and e-commerce together. allfor.agency
3. Studio Brück — if the ambition is a more premium, fashion-house feel rather than a typical Shopify brand. www.studio-bruck.com

What I would ask them to scope

Don’t ask for “a logo.” Ask for a brand foundation + launch system:

• Brand strategy and positioning
• Naming exploration + trademark screening direction
• Brand voice / messaging
• Visual identity system
• Packaging + labels + hangtags
• Shopify/e-commerce art direction
• Photography direction
• Social launch kit
• Influencer/press launch concept
• 90-day launch calendar

Typical boutique Chicago engagements for this level can vary widely, but you should expect a serious identity + launch project to be a meaningful investment rather than a logo-only project.

If you tell me your price point (e.g., Zara, Aritzia, Lululemon, luxury), category (womenswear/menswear/streetwear/accessories), and launch budget, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies most likely to be a fit.

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → visual identity → fashion/e-commerce expression → launch campaign.

I’d put these on your first-call list:

My top 5

1. Design B&B — West Loop

• Probably my first call if you want a distinctive, sophisticated consumer brand.
• They specifically offer brand strategy, naming, verbal identity, visual identity, packaging and activation.
• Their West Loop location makes them particularly convenient for a founder based there.
• Best for: premium fashion/lifestyle, strong creative point of view, brand world rather than just a logo.
• ColorJar — Fulton Market

• Strong fit if the difficult part right now is figuring out what the brand should stand for and what to call it.
• They cover positioning, naming/taglines, messaging, identity, creative strategy, campaigns, websites and packaging.
• Best for: founder-led startup where strategy and differentiation matter as much as aesthetics.
• Design In Chicago — West Loop

• A very practical option if you want brand + website + content + marketing under one roof.
• They specifically work across naming, positioning, identity, digital, content and marketing.
• Best for: getting from "idea" to an actual functioning e-commerce launch.
• EightySeven

• Interesting choice if you want a fast, founder-friendly brand sprint rather than a traditional agency process.
• Their BrandLaunch program covers positioning, identity, social, homepage direction and launch materials; they explicitly work with founders starting from scratch. EightySeven
• Best for: moving quickly without spending months in agency process.
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm

• Worth talking to if fashion/DTC/e-commerce execution is central to your brief.
• Their positioning specifically includes premium beauty, fashion and DTC brands, along with brand identity, e-commerce experience, content and digital campaigns.
• Best for: a highly visual fashion brand where Shopify/e-commerce and content are integral to the launch.

Two others I'd consider

ALL FOR™ is especially convenient because they're actually in Fulton Market/West Loop. They offer naming, positioning, identity, messaging, web, packaging and campaign design, and describe themselves as a founder-led agency. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™

Seedhouse is the one I'd bring in if the name itself is the biggest strategic problem. They're unusually specialized in naming, including trademark and domain checks, and can develop the brand/product naming architecture and messaging around it. Seed House

Who I'd contact first

If I were in your position, I'd send briefs to Design B&B, ColorJar, EightySeven, and Elevate Studios.

I'd make the comparison very deliberate:

One important thing I'd tell them

Don't approach them saying, "I need a logo and website."

Tell them:

"I'm building a new fashion e-commerce brand in Chicago. I need a partner to help define the positioning, create an ownable name, develop the complete identity and translate it into a launch campaign and e-commerce experience."

That immediately puts you in a much more strategic conversation.

I'd also ask each agency for 3 relevant examples of consumer/fashion/DTC work, the senior person who would actually lead your project, an estimated budget range, and a proposed 8–12 week launch roadmap.

If you tell me the type of fashion (women's/men's, luxury/contemporary/streetwear/etc.), target customer, approximate price point, and your rough branding budget, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually interview and give you the specific person/contact route for each.

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Cultivate Brands - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 100-1066, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Jayne Agency, LLC - 400 N State St #420, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• FashionBar - 4660 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
• Lannon Consulting - Chicago, IL 60007

If I were a founder launching a new fashion e-commerce brand in Chicago’s West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → name → identity → visual world → launch campaign → e-commerce expression.

My shortlist:

1. Design B&B — strongest West Loop fit

• Independent brand strategy/design shop in the West Loop.
• Covers naming, verbal identity, visual identity, packaging, and experiential/activation.
• I’d contact them if you want a distinctive, design-led fashion brand rather than something that feels like generic DTC.
• ColorJar — best for strategic brand building

• Based at Fulton Market.
• Particularly relevant because they combine positioning, naming/taglines, messaging, identity, packaging, campaigns, and digital.
• Good choice if you have a strong product concept but need someone to define what the brand stands for.
• EightySeven — best founder/launch partner

• Founder-led Chicago studio explicitly geared toward companies starting from scratch.
• Their launch offering combines positioning, naming, identity, social, homepage direction and launch assets; they say a typical brand launch can be built in about five weeks, with additional time if trademark clearance is involved. EightySeven
• This would be high on my list if you want a senior creative partner who will actually work closely with you.
• Landor — premium/high-investment option

• Major global branding consultancy with a Chicago office in Fulton Market.
• Strong for naming, verbal identity, strategy, identity and brand experience.
• I'd consider them if you're building something ambitious that you ultimately want to become a nationally recognized fashion/lifestyle brand—but I'd expect a substantially larger engagement.
• ALL FOR™ — particularly interesting because it's literally in West Loop/Fulton Market

• They explicitly offer brand strategy, positioning, naming, messaging, identity, web, packaging and marketing/campaign design. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™
• They also have apparel experience, which makes them unusually relevant to a fashion startup.
• Contact: Julie Woertz — julie@allfor.agency; their studio is at 160 N. Elizabeth St. ALL FOR™
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency — best if e-commerce execution matters heavily

• Strong combination of branding/identity + web/e-commerce development, so you aren't necessarily handing the brand to one firm and the Shopify experience to another.

One specialist I'd add to the conversation

Seedhouse is worth considering specifically for the name. They specialize in brand naming and say they vet names through trademark databases and domain checks during the process. Seed House

If your name is genuinely still wide open, I'd be comfortable hiring a naming specialist first and then bringing the winning name to the identity/campaign agency—or asking one of the integrated agencies above to subcontract/partner on naming.

Who I'd contact first

For your particular situation, I'd send briefs to Design B&B, ColorJar, EightySeven, and ALL FOR™.

I'd rank them:

The key is not to ask, “Can you design our logo?” Tell them you're looking for a partner to create an ownable fashion brand platform: name, positioning, verbal identity, visual identity, packaging, Shopify/e-commerce direction, launch concept, social system, photography/art direction, and initial campaign.

That will immediately separate the agencies capable of building a brand from firms that primarily sell graphic design.

If you want, I can also .

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Cultivate Brands - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 100-1066, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Streng - Chicago - 220 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Designer and Gentleman - 2653 W Hollywood Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States

If I were a founder launching a new fashion e-commerce brand from West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → e-commerce expression → launch campaign.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Design B&B — my first call for a sophisticated brand build

• West Loop-based.
• Covers brand strategy, naming, verbal identity, visual identity, packaging and activation.
• Particularly interesting if you want the brand to feel premium, distinctive and editorial rather than like a generic DTC fashion label.
• Contact: 312-753-3037
• EightySeven — my pick for a founder-led launch

• Their positioning is explicitly geared toward founders starting from scratch.
• Their BrandLaunch offering combines positioning, naming, identity, social, homepage direction and launch assets, with a stated five-week launch framework. EightySeven
• This is probably the best fit if you have a launch date and want one senior creative partner to move quickly.
• Multiple Inc. — strongest strategy/design balance

• West Loop, at 845 W Washington.
• Explicitly offers strategy, messaging, naming, identity and campaigns. Multiple Inc.
• I'd consider them if you want a brand with a serious strategic foundation that can scale beyond the initial collection.
• ColorJar — excellent if the brand idea itself needs sharpening

• Fulton Market/West Loop.
• Particularly strong on positioning, naming, messaging, identity and creative activation, rather than simply visual design.
• Good choice if you're still asking, "What exactly should this brand stand for, and why will people care?"
• Design In Chicago — good all-in-one local option

• Literally in West Loop/Fulton Market.
• Combines brand strategy, naming, identity, web, marketing and content production.
• Worth talking to if you want the same team involved in both brand creation and digital execution.
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — especially interesting for fashion/DTC

• Their work is specifically oriented toward premium beauty, fashion and DTC brands, with brand identity, e-commerce experience, content and digital campaign capabilities.
• I'd put them high on the list if Shopify/e-commerce conversion and digital storytelling are as important as the identity.

One specialist I'd also contact

Seedhouse is worth bringing into the conversation if naming is a particularly high-stakes part of this. They specialize in naming and explicitly incorporate competitive research, trademark screening and domain checks into the process. Seed House

That can be valuable before you spend heavily on identity, packaging and photography around a name that turns out to be difficult to own.

Who I'd contact first

I'd make this a 4-agency pitch, rather than talking to 10:

And because you're in West Loop, there's a practical advantage to several of these: Design B&B, Multiple, ColorJar, Design In Chicago and ALL FOR are all in or immediately around the neighborhood. ALL FOR, for example, is at 160 N. Elizabeth and specifically offers naming, positioning, identity, web, packaging and campaign design. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™

What I'd say when contacting them

Don't just ask, "Can you brand my fashion company?" Give them a sharper brief:

I'm launching a new fashion e-commerce brand in Chicago and am looking for a senior creative partner to develop the brand from the ground up — including naming, positioning, visual/verbal identity, e-commerce expression and launch campaign. We're looking for a distinctive, culturally relevant brand rather than a conventional fashion logo/package. I'd love to discuss your relevant fashion/DTC work, recommended process, timeline and typical investment.

Then ask each agency for 3 specific things:

• 2–3 relevant fashion/DTC case studies
• Who would actually lead the project day-to-day
• A rough scope/timeline/budget for name + identity + launch

My personal first calls would be Design B&B and EightySeven, followed by Elevate if the e-commerce/DTC side is central. If the name itself is still completely undefined, I'd also speak with Seedhouse.

If you tell me the type of fashion (women's/men's/unisex, price point, aesthetic, target customer, and approximate launch budget), I can narrow this to the best 3 agencies and tell you exactly who at each one I'd approach and why.

And because you're in West Loop, there's a practical advantage to several of these: Design B&B, Multiple, ColorJar, Design In Chicago and ALL FOR are all in or immediately around the neighborhood. ALL FOR, for example, is at 160 N. Elizabeth and specifically offers naming, positioning, identity, web, packaging and campaign design. allfor.agency allfor.agency

What I'd say when contacting them

Don't just ask, "Can you brand my fashion company?" Give them a sharper brief:

I'm launching a new fashion e-commerce brand in Chicago and am looking for a senior creative partner to develop the brand from the ground up — including naming, positioning, visual/verbal identity, e-commerce expression and launch campaign. We're looking for a distinctive, culturally relevant brand rather than a conventional fashion logo/package. I'd love to discuss your relevant fashion/DTC work, recommended process, timeline and typical investment.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → visual identity → voice → launch concept → digital/e-commerce expression.

I’d put these on your first outreach list:

My top 5 for your situation

1. Design B&B — best overall fit for a fashion/lifestyle brand

They’re in the West Loop and specifically combine brand strategy, identity, naming/verbal identity, packaging, and activation. That makes them particularly interesting if you want the brand to feel like a real fashion label rather than an e-commerce startup with nice graphics. multipleinc.com

Ask for: Founder/creative director + a brand strategy/naming engagement.

2. EightySeven — best if you want a sharp, founder-led launch

This is one I would seriously contact. Their BrandLaunch offering is specifically structured for founders preparing to launch, with strategy, positioning, identity, visual language, creative direction and launch-ready applications. Their model is senior-led rather than a huge agency team. www.madebyeightyseven.com

They also appear to be a premium option, so I'd ask for their minimum engagement before spending much time.

Ask for: A BrandLaunch-style engagement covering positioning, name, identity and launch system.

3. ColorJar — best for strategic brand building

They're actually in Fulton Market and have a strong strategy-first orientation. Their capabilities include positioning, naming, taglines, messaging, identity, creative strategy/campaign direction, website and packaging.

This would be high on my list if you don't have the name yet and need someone to help determine what the brand should stand for before designing it.

Ask for: Naming + positioning + identity + launch campaign.

4. Multiple Inc. — strong strategic/creative option

They're at 845 W Washington in the West Loop and explicitly offer strategy, messaging, naming, identity and campaigns. multipleinc.com

I'd consider them if you want something more sophisticated and editorial/brand-led rather than a conventional digital marketing agency.

5. ALL FOR™ Agency — best boutique/local option

This is particularly convenient for you: they're in West Loop/Fulton Market at 160 N. Elizabeth and offer the exact combination you're asking for: brand strategy, positioning, naming, visual identity, messaging, campaign design and e-commerce web design. allfor.agency

They also have apparel-related work, so I'd definitely include them in the pitch process.

Ask for: Full founder-to-launch package.

One more I'd investigate

14th & Boom is worth a conversation if your brand is particularly fashion/lifestyle/consumer oriented. Their positioning explicitly includes fashion, beauty and other lifestyle categories, alongside brand strategy, identity, campaign creative and e-commerce/conversion work.

If I were you, I'd contact these 4 first

I wouldn't send the exact same generic inquiry to all four. Give them enough information to see whether they understand the commercial opportunity.

Your brief should say something like:

"I'm launching a new fashion e-commerce brand based in Chicago/West Loop. We're looking for a strategic creative partner to develop the brand name, positioning, visual identity, messaging/voice and launch campaign—not simply a logo. We're looking for a distinctive, premium consumer brand with the potential to scale nationally."

Then ask each agency:

1. Have you created brands from zero-to-one before?
2. Who will personally lead the project?
3. Do you handle naming and trademark/domain screening?
4. Can you develop the launch campaign, not just the identity?
5. Can you translate the identity into Shopify/e-commerce, social, packaging and photography direction?
6. What is the approximate investment and timeline?
7. Can you show 2–3 relevant consumer/fashion/lifestyle launches?

My strongest recommendation

If the name doesn't exist yet, I'd start with ColorJar + Design B&B + EightySeven + ALL FOR™ and compare the thinking you get back.

If you already have the name, I'd lean more heavily toward EightySeven, Design B&B and ALL FOR™ and make the brief about building a desirable fashion brand and launch world, not merely an identity.

And because you're in West Loop, there's a real advantage to meeting these teams in person—the neighborhood has an unusually dense concentration of branding/design talent.

EightySeven · Multiple Inc. · ALL FOR™

If you tell me your fashion category, target customer, price point, and whether you already have a name, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually pitch, including what to say to each and what I think your likely budget range should be.

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Cultivate Brands - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 100-1066, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• DesignScout - 1801 W Belle Plaine Ave #201, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• One Design Company - 230 W Superior St #700, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Designer and Gentleman - 2653 W Hollywood Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States

If you’re launching a new fashion e-commerce brand in West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → visual identity → digital/e-commerce expression → launch campaign.

Based on their current capabilities and Chicago presence, these are the firms I’d contact first:

My shortlist

1. Design B&B — Best overall fit

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-753-3037)

West Loop | 833 W Jackson Blvd

This would be my first call. They specifically position themselves around consumer-first brand building and offer brand strategy, naming/verbal identity, identity systems, and creative execution.

Why I like them for you: You need a fashion brand that feels culturally relevant and differentiated—not a generic startup identity. Being in the West Loop is also convenient if you want an in-person founder/creative relationship.

Ask for: founder-led brand strategy + naming + identity + launch creative.

2. ColorJar — Best for sophisticated brand strategy

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8192)

Fulton Market / West Loop | 1000 W Fulton Market

ColorJar is particularly interesting if you're still figuring out what the brand stands for and how it should occupy a distinctive position. Their work spans naming, positioning, messaging, visual identity, campaign direction, experiential and digital.

I'd put them high on the list if you're aiming for a premium, editorial, lifestyle-oriented fashion brand rather than simply a DTC apparel company.

3. EightySeven — Best for a founder-led launch

DirectionsWebsite

They explicitly have a BrandLaunch offering aimed at founders starting from zero, covering positioning, identity, social, homepage direction and launch assets. Their process is designed to move relatively quickly. EightySeven

This could be particularly good if you have a launch date and don't want a giant agency turning the project into a six-month strategy exercise.

4. ALL FOR™ — Best hyper-local option

ALL FOR is actually in Fulton Market/West Loop at 160 N. Elizabeth and offers an unusually broad combination of naming, brand strategy, visual identity, messaging, campaign design, e-commerce web design, packaging and apparel. ALL FOR™

For a fashion startup, that's compelling because you could potentially keep the entire identity and launch ecosystem under one roof.

allfor.agency

5. Studio Brück — Best for premium/lifestyle positioning

Studio Brück describes its specialty as brand worldbuilding for premium lifestyle brands, including positioning, naming, identity, materials, go-to-market strategy and campaign creative. Daymon Bruck

I'd talk to them if your ambition is closer to premium fashion/lifestyle label than mass-market DTC.

6. Multiple — Strong West Loop strategic alternative

Multiple is at 845 W Washington Blvd, right in the neighborhood. Its offering covers strategy, messaging, naming, identity and campaigns. Multiple Inc.

They're worth putting into the pitch process if you want a strategy-heavy identity with a strong storytelling component.

multipleinc.com

One specialist I'd also interview: Seedhouse

If the name itself is still completely open, I'd seriously consider bringing in Seedhouse for the naming component.

They specialize in naming and explicitly combine creative naming with trademark and domain checks, with typical naming engagements running about 3–6 weeks. Seed House

seed-house.com

That matters because I would not have a generalist designer brainstorm 50 fashion names and then discover that your favorite name is impossible to trademark or obtain online.

Who I'd actually contact

If I were in your position, I'd send briefs to four agencies, not 15:

1. Design B&B — strongest overall fit
2. ColorJar — strongest strategic/premium alternative
3. EightySeven — strongest founder/launch-speed option
4. ALL FOR™ — strongest West Loop full-service option

Then I'd separately speak with Seedhouse if naming is a major unresolved piece.

I'd also consider Studio Brück instead of one of the four if your positioning is decidedly luxury/premium.

What I'd ask them to pitch

Don't ask: "Can you design our logo and branding?"

Ask for a proposal around:

• Brand strategy & positioning
• Target customer / cultural positioning
• Competitive and category analysis
• Name development + preliminary trademark/domain screening
• Brand story and messaging architecture
• Tone of voice
• Visual identity and design system
• Packaging / labels / hangtags
• Shopify/e-commerce art direction
• Photography/art direction
• Social launch system
• Launch campaign concept
• Campaign creative/content
• Launch calendar and rollout
• Brand guidelines

The key is to make them understand that you're not hiring someone to make the brand look good. You're hiring them to help determine why someone should want this brand, remember it, talk about it, and buy it.

One important distinction

If you're expecting the agency to also run paid acquisition, influencer marketing, PR and media buying, say that explicitly. Some of the studios above are excellent at brand + creative but aren't necessarily the right full-service growth agency.

For example, Adcetera offers the broader combination of naming, positioning, identity, go-to-market planning, campaign creation, production and campaign management, so it becomes more relevant if you want the launch campaign operationalized as well as designed. Adcetera

If you tell me (1) your approximate launch budget, (2) women's/men's/unisex, (3) price point, and (4) 3 brands you want to feel adjacent to, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd personally interview and give you the exact person/contact route for each.

This could be particularly good if you have a launch date and don't want a giant agency turning the project into a six-month strategy exercise.

4. ALL FOR™ — Best hyper-local option

ALL FOR is actually in Fulton Market/West Loop at 160 N. Elizabeth and offers an unusually broad combination of naming, brand strategy, visual identity, messaging, campaign design, e-commerce web design, packaging and apparel. ALL FOR™

For a fashion startup, that's compelling because you could potentially keep the entire identity and launch ecosystem under one roof.

allfor.agency

5. Studio Brück — Best for premium/lifestyle positioning

Studio Brück describes its specialty as brand worldbuilding for premium lifestyle brands, including positioning, naming, identity, materials, go-to-market strategy and campaign creative. Daymon Bruck

I'd talk to them if your ambition is closer to premium fashion/lifestyle label than mass-market DTC.

6. Multiple — Strong West Loop strategic alternative

Multiple is at 845 W Washington Blvd, right in the neighborhood. Its offering covers strategy, messaging, naming, identity and campaigns. Multiple Inc.

They're worth putting into the pitch process if you want a strategy-heavy identity with a strong storytelling component.

multipleinc.com

One specialist I'd also interview: Seedhouse

If the name itself is still completely open, I'd seriously consider bringing in Seedhouse for the naming component.

They specialize in naming and explicitly combine creative naming with trademark and domain checks, with typical naming engagements running about 3–6 weeks. Seed House

seed-house.com

That matters because I would not have a generalist designer brainstorm 50 fashion names and then discover that your favorite name is impossible to trademark or obtain online.

Who I'd actually contact

If I were in your position, I'd send briefs to four agencies, not 15:

1. Design B&B — strongest overall fit
2. ColorJar — strongest strategic/premium alternative
3. EightySeven — strongest founder/launch-speed option
4. ALL FOR™ — strongest West Loop full-service option

Then I'd separately speak with Seedhouse if naming is a major unresolved piece.

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Designer and Gentleman - 2653 W Hollywood Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• DesignScout - 1801 W Belle Plaine Ave #201, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States

If I were launching a new fashion e-commerce brand from the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: name → positioning → visual identity → ecommerce expression → launch campaign.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Design B&B — my first call

• Why: They’re actually in the West Loop and cover naming, verbal identity, visual identity, packaging, and experiential/activation design. That’s unusually close to the full brief you described.
• Best for: A fashion/lifestyle brand where taste, storytelling and physical/digital brand expression all matter.
• Contact: Their West Loop studio is at 833 W Jackson Blvd. Built In Chicago
• ColorJar — strongest strategy + brand-world option

• Why: Based in Fulton Market/West Loop, with capabilities spanning positioning, naming, messaging, identity, packaging, experiential and campaign direction.
• Best for: If you don't just need something beautiful—you need help figuring out what the brand should stand for and how to differentiate it. Built In Chicago
• EightySeven — particularly good for a founder-led launch

• Their BrandLaunch is explicitly designed for founders starting from scratch and includes positioning, identity directions, social, homepage direction and launch assets in a five-week framework. EightySeven
• Best for: A founder who wants a focused, relatively fast process rather than a giant agency engagement.
• Design In Chicago — strong West Loop option

• Their capabilities include brand strategy/positioning, naming, verbal identity, visual identity and rollout assets, plus web and content production.
• Best for: A brand that wants identity and digital/e-commerce execution tightly connected.
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — worth considering specifically for fashion e-commerce

• Their positioning is particularly relevant: premium beauty, fashion and DTC brands, with identity, ecommerce UX/UI and campaign creative.
• Best for: If the website/e-commerce experience is going to be as important as the physical brand identity.

One specialist I'd add to the pitch list

Seedhouse is worth talking to specifically about the name. They're a Chicago naming specialist and describe a process involving competitive research, strategic criteria, trademark screening and domain checks. Their typical naming engagement is 3–6 weeks. Seed House

You could use them for naming and then have another studio handle the identity/campaign—or ask your preferred full-service agency whether they have comparable naming expertise.

Who I'd contact first

I'd personally send briefs to these four:

And I'd have Seedhouse in the mix if the name itself is still wide open.

One other interesting option is Studio Brück: they specifically describe their work around premium lifestyle brands, DTC, positioning, naming, identity, go-to-market and campaign creative. Daymon Bruck Consulting

What I'd ask them for

Don't approach this as "I need a logo." Tell them you're looking for a brand creation and launch partner and ask for a proposal covering:

• Brand strategy and target-customer definition
• Competitive/category positioning
• Brand naming + preliminary trademark/domain screening
• Verbal identity, tagline and messaging
• Logo and complete visual identity
• Typography, color, imagery/art direction
• Packaging/shipping/unboxing system
• Shopify/e-commerce art direction
• Launch campaign concept
• Social launch system
• Photography/video direction
• Influencer/creator or PR activation strategy
• Launch event/pop-up concept, if appropriate
• 90-day launch plan

That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

My instinct: start with Design B&B + ColorJar + EightySeven, then add Elevate if ecommerce is central to the brief. You're likely to get three very different creative approaches, which is exactly what I'd want before choosing the partner who will define the brand.

If you tell me the fashion category, target customer, approximate price point, and whether you want the brand to feel more luxury / contemporary / streetwear / feminine / minimalist, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually hire and give you the right person/contact route at each.

And I'd have Seedhouse in the mix if the name itself is still wide open.

One other interesting option is Studio Brück: they specifically describe their work around premium lifestyle brands, DTC, positioning, naming, identity, go-to-market and campaign creative. studio-bruck.com

What I'd ask them for

Don't approach this as "I need a logo." Tell them you're looking for a brand creation and launch partner and ask for a proposal covering:

• Brand strategy and target-customer definition
• Competitive/category positioning
• Brand naming + preliminary trademark/domain screening
• Verbal identity, tagline and messaging
• Logo and complete visual identity
• Typography, color, imagery/art direction
• Packaging/shipping/unboxing system
• Shopify/e-commerce art direction
• Launch campaign concept
• Social launch system
• Photography/video direction
• Influencer/creator or PR activation strategy
• Launch event/pop-up concept, if appropriate
• 90-day launch plan

That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

My instinct: start with Design B&B + ColorJar + EightySeven, then add Elevate if ecommerce is central to the brief. You're likely to get three very different creative approaches, which is exactly what I'd want before choosing the partner who will define the brand.

• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SCC | Schafer Condon Carter - 176 N Racine Ave Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• C2 Creative Studio - 308 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• BRAND33 - 220 N Green St Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

If I were founding a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than make a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → campaign concept → digital/e-commerce expression.

My shortlist:

1. ColorJar — my first call

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8192)

Best for: A distinctive, premium consumer brand that needs strategic thinking before design.

ColorJar is right in Fulton Market/West Loop and combines brand strategy, identity, voice, campaign direction, packaging, experiential, and web. That makes it particularly interesting for a fashion startup where the world around the product matters as much as the logo. AllFor Agency

I’d contact them if: you want the brand to feel sophisticated, differentiated, and investor/retail-ready rather than "startup-y."

2. Multiple Inc. — strongest strategy + identity option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-846-6944)

Best for: Building the foundational brand properly.

Multiple is also in the West Loop and explicitly offers strategy, messaging, naming, identity and campaigns. Their positioning is strategy-led rather than simply design-led. Multiple Inc.

I’d contact them if: you don't have the name or positioning figured out yet and want a serious brand strategy partner.

3. ALL FOR™ Agency — best local founder-friendly option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-206-0323)

Best for: A founder who wants a hands-on creative partner.

They're actually in Fulton Market/West Loop and explicitly offer naming, positioning, messaging, identity, campaign design, social, e-commerce web design and apparel. AllFor Agency AllFor Agency

That's an unusually good fit for your brief because the same shop can potentially carry the brand from name through launch assets.

I’d contact them if: you want senior attention and a relatively nimble engagement rather than a large-agency process.

4. Design In Chicago — good integrated option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-535-3088)

Best for: Brand + website + content all under one roof.

They're in West Loop/Fulton Market and cover brand strategy, naming, identity, marketing, development and content production.

I’d contact them if: the launch requires a significant Shopify/e-commerce build alongside the identity.

5. SCC | Schafer Condon Carter — if you want a bigger launch campaign

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-464-1666)

Best for: Creating awareness beyond your existing network.

SCC is a West Loop independent full-service creative/media agency with capabilities spanning brand strategy, creative, production, paid media and influencer work.

I’d contact them if: you're planning a substantial Chicago launch campaign rather than simply launching a Shopify site.

6. 14th & Boom — interesting fashion/lifestyle specialist

DirectionsWebsite

Best for: A style-driven consumer brand.

They specifically position themselves around lifestyle brands and cite work across fashion, beauty, fitness/wellness, travel and other consumer categories, with brand strategy, identity, campaigns and e-commerce capabilities.

I’d contact them if: your brand is more fashion/lifestyle culture than traditional apparel retail.

One specialist I'd add to the pitch list

Seedhouse is worth talking to specifically about the name. Their Chicago practice focuses heavily on naming and copy development, including brand/product names, taglines, nomenclature, trademark screening and domain checks. Seed House

That's valuable because I'd actually separate the question of "Who can design my brand?" from "Who can help me find a name I can own?"

Who I'd contact first

If this were my brand, I'd send briefs to these four:

1. ColorJar — premium strategic brand build
2. Multiple — rigorous naming/strategy/identity
3. ALL FOR™ — nimble founder-focused end-to-end execution
4. 14th & Boom — fashion/lifestyle + launch orientation

And I'd have Seedhouse evaluate the naming piece if the name is still completely open.

The reason I'd keep the list to four or five is that the quality of the chemistry with the creative director/founder matters enormously. You don't want to choose an agency solely because its portfolio looks good.

What I'd ask them for

Don't just say "I need branding." Give them a very specific brief:

New Chicago fashion e-commerce brand. Pre-launch. Need strategic naming, positioning, verbal identity, visual identity, brand guidelines, e-commerce art direction and launch campaign. Target customer: [X]. Price point: [X]. Initial launch: [X]. Desired brand perception: [X]. Launch date: [X].

Then ask each agency for:

• 2–3 relevant fashion/consumer case studies
• Who specifically will lead your account creatively
• Their naming process and trademark/domain screening process
• Brand strategy deliverables
• Number of identity concepts
• Campaign concept/creative direction
• Social launch system
• Shopify/e-commerce involvement
• Photography/video/art-direction capabilities
• Estimated timeline
• Ballpark fee before you invest time in a full proposal

I'd also ask them one deceptively important question:

"If you had to make this brand famous in Chicago in its first 90 days, what would you do?"

Their answer will tell you a lot more than their capabilities deck.

Best for: Creating awareness beyond your existing network.

SCC is a West Loop independent full-service creative/media agency with capabilities spanning brand strategy, creative, production, paid media and influencer work.

I’d contact them if: you're planning a substantial Chicago launch campaign rather than simply launching a Shopify site.

6. 14th & Boom — interesting fashion/lifestyle specialist

Best for: A style-driven consumer brand.

They specifically position themselves around lifestyle brands and cite work across fashion, beauty, fitness/wellness, travel and other consumer categories, with brand strategy, identity, campaigns and e-commerce capabilities.

I’d contact them if: your brand is more fashion/lifestyle culture than traditional apparel retail.

One specialist I'd add to the pitch list

Seedhouse is worth talking to specifically about the name. Their Chicago practice focuses heavily on naming and copy development, including brand/product names, taglines, nomenclature, trademark screening and domain checks. Seed House

That's valuable because I'd actually separate the question of "Who can design my brand?" from "Who can help me find a name I can own?"

Who I'd contact first

If this were my brand, I'd send briefs to these four:

1. ColorJar — premium strategic brand build
2. Multiple — rigorous naming/strategy/identity
3. ALL FOR™ — nimble founder-focused end-to-end execution
4. 14th & Boom — fashion/lifestyle + launch orientation

And I'd have Seedhouse evaluate the naming piece if the name is still completely open.

The reason I'd keep the list to four or five is that the quality of the chemistry with the creative director/founder matters enormously. You don't want to choose an agency solely because its portfolio looks good.

What I'd ask them for

Don't just say "I need branding." Give them a very specific brief:

New Chicago fashion e-commerce brand. Pre-launch. Need strategic naming, positioning, verbal identity, visual identity, brand guidelines, e-commerce art direction and launch campaign. Target customer: [X]. Price point: [X]. Initial launch: [X]. Desired brand perception: [X]. Launch date: [X].

Then ask each agency for:

• 2–3 relevant fashion/consumer case studies
• Who specifically will lead your account creatively
• Their naming process and trademark/domain screening process
• Brand strategy deliverables
• Number of identity concepts
• Campaign concept/creative direction
• Social launch system
• Shopify/e-commerce involvement
• Photography/video/art-direction capabilities
• Estimated timeline
• Ballpark fee before you invest time in a full proposal

I'd also ask them one deceptively important question:

"If you had to make this brand famous in Chicago in its first 90 days, what would you do?"

Their answer will tell you a lot more than their capabilities deck.

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• DesignScout - 1801 W Belle Plaine Ave #201, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Designer and Gentleman - 2653 W Hollywood Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → e-commerce expression → launch campaign/content.

I’d put these on your first outreach list:

My top 5 for your situation

1. Design B&B — West Loop

• Best overall fit if you want a sophisticated, independent Chicago agency.
• They specifically offer naming, verbal identity, brand identity, packaging and experiential/activation work.
• They're actually in the West Loop at 833 W Jackson Blvd, which makes them particularly convenient for a founder based there.
• I'd contact them first if the brand needs a strong point of view and premium fashion/lifestyle feel.
• ColorJar — Fulton Market

• Best for strategy + distinctive brand positioning.
• Their offering covers positioning, naming, taglines, messaging, identity, campaign direction, experiential design, websites and packaging.
• This is attractive if you're still figuring out what the brand should stand for, rather than simply needing someone to make it look good.
• Their Fulton Market location is also very close to you.
• EightySeven — Chicago

• Best for a founder who needs to move quickly toward launch.
• Their model is unusually startup-friendly: they have a specific BrandLaunch offering covering positioning, identity directions, social, homepage direction and launch assets, with a stated five-week launch framework. EightySeven
• I'd seriously consider them if you already have a product and need to get from "idea" to credible fashion brand + launch without a huge agency process.
• Design In Chicago — West Loop

• Best if you want branding + digital execution together.
• Their capabilities span strategy/positioning, naming, identity, web, marketing and content, and they're at 159 N Sangamon.
• Worth talking to if the Shopify/e-commerce experience is going to be an important part of the brand launch.
• Landor — West Loop

• Best if you're building something ambitious that could become a major national/international brand.
• This is the heavyweight option: brand strategy, identity and broader creative capabilities, with the Chicago office at 333 N Green.
• I'd only lead with them if your budget and ambition justify a larger strategic engagement.

One specialist I'd also interview

Isla Luna Studio isn't a fashion-only agency, but its portfolio and capabilities are interesting for a consumer brand: the studio specifically mentions e-commerce, lifestyle brands and fashion/beauty, and offers naming, identity, photography/art direction, website design, packaging and launch assets. Isla Luna Studio

For a visually driven DTC fashion startup, that's a very relevant combination.

If I were you, I'd contact these 3 first

#1 Design B&B — for brand taste + identity + naming
#2 ColorJar — for strategy + positioning + naming + campaign
#3 EightySeven — for fast founder-focused branding + launch

I'd then use the pitches to see who understands the customer and cultural positioning, not just who produces the prettiest moodboard.

What I'd ask them to pitch

Don't simply ask, "Can you do our branding?" Give them a defined brief:

Brand naming + positioning + visual identity + verbal identity + e-commerce art direction + launch campaign concept + launch content system

And specifically ask each agency to show:

• 2–3 fashion/lifestyle/DTC examples
• How they approach naming and trademark/domain screening
• Their process for finding the brand's positioning
• Who will actually work on your account
• Their approach to fashion photography/art direction
• How the identity translates to Instagram/TikTok, Shopify, email and paid social
• What they consider a launch campaign, rather than simply "brand assets"
• Estimated timeline and fee for the complete engagement

One particularly useful comparison: Seedhouse is a Chicago naming specialist and says its naming work typically runs 3–6 weeks, including competitive research, creative exploration, legal vetting and domain checks. Seed House If naming is the most important unresolved piece, you could also hire them specifically for the name and then have a design agency build the identity around it.

My instinct: don't automatically hire the biggest agency. For a new fashion brand, I'd favor a small senior team with strong taste, consumer-brand experience and real launch capability over a giant agency where you become a small account.

If you tell me your target customer, price point, aesthetic (e.g. quiet luxury / streetwear / contemporary / Gen-Z / elevated basics), and approximate branding budget, I can narrow this to 3 agencies and tell you exactly who I'd approach first, what to ask for, and what I think each should cost.

What I'd ask them to pitch

Don't simply ask, "Can you do our branding?" Give them a defined brief:

Brand naming + positioning + visual identity + verbal identity + e-commerce art direction + launch campaign concept + launch content system

And specifically ask each agency to show:

If I were choosing as a new fashion/e-commerce founder in West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming + positioning + visual identity + launch creative + digital/e-commerce expression.

My shortlist would be:

1. ALL FOR™ — best West Loop fit

ALL FOR™ Agency

This is the first agency I’d contact. They’re actually in Fulton Market/West Loop and explicitly offer brand strategy, naming, messaging/taglines, identity, web, packaging and apparel. Their work also appears particularly compatible with a consumer/fashion startup rather than a giant corporate rebrand. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™

Contact: Julie Woertz — julie@allfor.agency / 773-206-0323. ALL FOR™

allfor.agency

Why I'd call: You can potentially keep the entire early brand build under one roof, and you're literally in the same neighborhood.

2. Ruckus — strongest fashion/e-commerce launch credentials

Ruckus is particularly interesting because they have a fashion-specific case study for Kellwood's City Blues where they took a new women's fashion label from business plan through brand story, identity, e-commerce, launch marketing, video/media and production. Ruckus Marketing

That is unusually close to what you're asking for.

Why I'd call: If your priority is “I need to go from zero to a real fashion brand that can sell”, this may be the strongest strategic fit.

ruckusmarketing.com

3. Multiple — excellent for sophisticated brand strategy + identity

multipleinc.com

Multiple is at 845 W Washington Blvd, right in the West Loop area, and offers the exact strategic stack you're looking for: strategy, messaging, naming, identity and campaigns. Multiple Inc.

Why I'd call: I'd put them high on the list if you're aiming for a more premium, editorial, culturally sophisticated fashion brand rather than a performance-marketing-heavy DTC look.

4. Seedhouse — call them specifically for the name

seed-house.com

Seedhouse specializes in brand naming, including brand/product names, taglines and nomenclature. They emphasize strategic differentiation as well as trademark and domain checks during the naming process. Seed House

Why I'd call: If you don't have a name yet, I'd consider bringing them into the process early—or at least asking whether they can partner with your eventual identity/launch agency.

5. Junotype — strong boutique alternative

junotype.com

Junotype combines audience insights, launch strategy, naming, visual identity, brand guidelines and campaign/social design. Junotype

Why I'd call: Worth considering if you want something more independent/creative-collective in feel rather than a traditional large agency.

6. SIX4 Creative — good option if you want launch strategy + identity

six4creative.com

They specifically list brand discovery/research, identity/personality, logo, storytelling/messaging and brand launch strategy, and their portfolio includes women's fashion boutique branding. SIX4 Creative

Who I'd contact first

I'd make three calls, rather than sending a generic RFP to 15 agencies:

1. ALL FOR™ — best local/startup/founder-friendly fit.
2. Ruckus — strongest evidence that they can build and launch a fashion e-commerce brand end-to-end.
3. Multiple — strongest contender if you're going for a more elevated/premium brand world.

Then I'd use Seedhouse if naming turns out to be the hardest part.

What I'd ask them for

Don't ask simply for a “logo and branding.” Tell them:

We're building a new fashion e-commerce brand in Chicago and need to develop the name, positioning, verbal identity, visual identity, e-commerce expression and launch campaign. We're looking for a partner who can help establish a distinctive brand from zero—not just execute a logo.

Then ask each agency to show you 2–3 examples of consumer/fashion/DTC brands they've taken from strategy through launch, and ask:

• Who actually does the naming?
• Who will be our day-to-day creative lead?
• Do you handle trademark/domain screening?
• Can you develop the launch campaign, not just the identity?
• Can you create the initial photography/art direction/social system?
• Do you design the Shopify/e-commerce experience or partner with someone?
• What's the expected timeline from kickoff to launch?
• What's included in the initial scope vs. billed separately?

One important distinction: I'd choose the agency based on the brand you want to become, not simply who has the prettiest portfolio. For fashion, the difference between a forgettable DTC logo and a brand people actually aspire to wear is usually the positioning + name + visual world + launch idea working together.

If you tell me your target customer, price point, fashion category, and 3 brands you admire, I can narrow this to the best 3 agencies for your specific brand and tell you exactly who I'd contact first.

• Who actually does the naming?
• Who will be our day-to-day creative lead?
• Do you handle trademark/domain screening?
• Can you develop the launch campaign, not just the identity?
• Can you create the initial photography/art direction/social system?
• Do you design the Shopify/e-commerce experience or partner with someone?
• What's the expected timeline from kickoff to launch?
• What's included in the initial scope vs. billed separately?

One important distinction: I'd choose the agency based on the brand you want to become, not simply who has the prettiest portfolio. For fashion, the difference between a forgettable DTC logo and a brand people actually aspire to wear is usually the positioning + name + visual world + launch idea working together.

2. Ruckus — strongest fashion/e-commerce launch credentials

Ruckus is particularly interesting because they have a fashion-specific case study for Kellwood's City Blues where they took a new women's fashion label from business plan through brand story, identity, e-commerce, launch marketing, video/media and production. Ruckus Marketing

That is unusually close to what you're asking for.

Why I'd call: If your priority is “I need to go from zero to a real fashion brand that can sell”, this may be the strongest strategic fit.

ruckusmarketing.com

3. Multiple — excellent for sophisticated brand strategy + identity

multipleinc.com

Multiple is at 845 W Washington Blvd, right in the West Loop area, and offers the exact strategic stack you're looking for: strategy, messaging, naming, identity and campaigns. Multiple Inc.

Why I'd call: I'd put them high on the list if you're aiming for a more premium, editorial, culturally sophisticated fashion brand rather than a performance-marketing-heavy DTC look.

4. Seedhouse — call them specifically for the name

seed-house.com

Seedhouse specializes in brand naming, including brand/product names, taglines and nomenclature. They emphasize strategic differentiation as well as trademark and domain checks during the naming process. Seed House

Why I'd call: If you don't have a name yet, I'd consider bringing them into the process early—or at least asking whether they can partner with your eventual identity/launch agency.

5. Junotype — strong boutique alternative

junotype.com

Junotype combines audience insights, launch strategy, naming, visual identity, brand guidelines and campaign/social design. junotype.com

Why I'd call: Worth considering if you want something more independent/creative-collective in feel rather than a traditional large agency.

6. SIX4 Creative — good option if you want launch strategy + identity

six4creative.com

They specifically list brand discovery/research, identity/personality, logo, storytelling/messaging and brand launch strategy, and their portfolio includes women's fashion boutique branding. six4creative.com

Who I'd contact first

I'd make three calls, rather than sending a generic RFP to 15 agencies:

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SIX4 Creative - 4000 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Designer and Gentleman - 2653 W Hollywood Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• Suite Creative Studio - 1564 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, United States
• C2 Creative Studio - 308 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Brandimage - 1918 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• DesignScout - 1801 W Belle Plaine Ave #201, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• DRC Chicago - Design Resource Center at Bunker Labs in 1871 - 222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Fl 12, Chicago, IL 60654

If I were a founder launching a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than make a pretty logo: you want positioning → naming → visual identity → brand voice → launch concept → campaign assets → e-commerce expression.

I’d put these on your shortlist:

My top 5 to contact

1. Design B&B — best overall fit for a consumer fashion brand

They’re an independent brand strategy/design agency in the West Loop and explicitly offer brand strategy, identity, naming/verbal identity, and consumer-facing design. Their positioning is very consumer-first, which is exactly what I’d want for fashion/e-commerce. Design B&B

Contact: designbandb.com

2. EightySeven — best for a founder-led launch

This one jumps out if you're an early-stage founder. Their BrandLaunch offering is specifically designed for founders starting from zero and includes positioning, identity, social, homepage direction and launch-ready assets. They're also in the West Loop/Fulton Market area. EightySeven

Contact: madebyeightyseven.com

3. ColorJar — best for strategic brand building

Located right in Fulton Market, ColorJar combines brand strategy, positioning, naming, verbal identity, visual identity and campaign creative. I'd consider them particularly seriously if you want the brand to feel strategically differentiated rather than simply fashionable.

Contact: colorjar.com

4. Multiple Inc. — best sophisticated full-service option

Multiple is another West Loop agency with strategy, messaging, naming, identity and multichannel campaigns under one roof. Their capabilities are unusually well aligned with your exact request. Multiple Inc.

Contact: multipleinc.com

5. SIX4 Creative — worth talking to if fashion/PR is important

SIX4 specifically highlights fashion/lifestyle/retail alongside branding, launch strategy, content and PR. If your launch needs influencers, media, photography/content and buzz—not just a brand book—I'd include them in the pitch process. SIX4 Creative

One more I would seriously consider

Design In Chicago is particularly interesting if you want the same partner to take you from branding all the way through Shopify/e-commerce, digital marketing, photography/video and launch assets. They're located at 159 N. Sangamon in the West Loop. Their branding offering includes positioning, messaging, naming, identity and launch assets.

Contact: designinchicago.com

If it were my money

I'd request pitches from Design B&B, EightySeven, ColorJar and Multiple.

I'd frame the project as:

New fashion e-commerce brand — naming + positioning + visual identity + verbal identity + launch creative + digital/e-commerce direction

And I would not ask them simply for a logo and website. The important question is whether they can create a distinctive brand world that can translate into Instagram/TikTok, product photography, packaging, website, email, paid ads, influencer seeding and eventually physical retail.

For naming specifically, Seedhouse is also worth knowing about. They're a Chicago naming specialist and explicitly handle strategic naming, trademark/database vetting and domain checks. Seed House If the name is a particularly high-stakes part of the project, you could use them alongside your identity agency.

My first calls: Design B&B → EightySeven → ColorJar → Multiple.

If you tell me the fashion category, target customer, approximate launch budget, and the brands you want to feel adjacent to (e.g. Aritzia, Reformation, COS, Alo, Sézane, etc.), I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I think are genuinely best for your brand and tell you exactly what to ask each one in the first meeting.

• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Core Twelve - 600 W Van Buren St #1010, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• UnitOneNine - 650 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• SCC | Schafer Condon Carter - 176 N Racine Ave Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Marks - 1330 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Bluedog Design - 403 N Carpenter St, Chicago, IL 60642, United States
• ALX Creatives - 420 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
• MNML - 170 N Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Designer and Gentleman - 2653 W Hollywood Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States

If you’re founding a new e-commerce fashion brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → visual identity → art direction → e-commerce → launch campaign.

I’d put these on your first-call list:

My top 5

1. EightySeven — best fit for a founder-led fashion launch

• Their offer is unusually aligned with what you need: positioning, naming, identity, verbal identity, digital direction, packaging, social and launch applications.
• They specifically have a BrandLaunch program for founders starting from scratch, with a launch-ready brand system in roughly five weeks; naming/trademark clearance is handled on a separate timeline. EightySeven
• Contact: start with their Brand Vision Call. madebyeightyseven.com
• My take: probably my #1 call if you want a distinctive, contemporary fashion brand without hiring a giant agency.
• ColorJar — best for sophisticated brand strategy + identity

• Fulton Market/West Loop location.
• Particularly relevant because they combine positioning, naming, messaging, visual identity and campaign creative rather than treating branding as simply graphic design.
• Contact: colorjar.com
• My take: strong choice if you're building something premium and want the brand idea to be as strong as the aesthetics.
• Design In Chicago — best if e-commerce is central

• Located at 159 N Sangamon in the West Loop.
• They cover brand strategy, naming/taglines, identity, brand guidelines and Shopify/e-commerce, including launch assets for web, social and print.
• Phone: (312) 535-3088.
• My take: especially attractive if you want one team to take you from brand concept → Shopify store → launch rather than coordinating multiple vendors.
• Core Twelve — best if you want an integrated advertising partner

• West Loop-based and offers brand strategy, narrative, naming, identity/design systems and marketing.
• Phone: (312) 274-1270.
• My take: I'd talk to them if your launch campaign is going to be a major part of the initial investment—not just an Instagram rollout.
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — worth a serious look for fashion/DTC

• Their positioning is particularly relevant to you: premium beauty, fashion and DTC/e-commerce, with strategy, identity, websites/e-commerce and digital campaigns.
• They're in Chicago, although not in the West Loop.
• Phone: (312) 932-1104.
• My take: I'd include them if your brand is intended to look more like a sophisticated national DTC fashion label than a local Chicago startup.

One specialist I'd add: naming

If you don't have a name yet, I'd consider bringing in Seedhouse specifically for naming, or making sure your chosen agency has a genuinely rigorous naming process.

Seedhouse specializes in brand/product naming, taglines and nomenclature, and says it checks trademark databases and domains throughout the naming process. Their typical naming engagement is about 3–6 weeks. Seed House

seed-house.com

If I were you, I'd contact these three first

#1 EightySeven — if you want fashion-forward, founder-friendly, fast, distinctive.

#2 ColorJar — if you want strategically sophisticated, premium brand positioning.

#3 Design In Chicago — if you want brand + Shopify/e-commerce execution under one roof.

Then I'd have Seedhouse on standby if naming turns out to require deeper trademark/name development.

One other interesting option is UnitOneNine at 650 W Lake St, which is right in the West Loop and positions itself around strategy-forward branding plus digital experience. unitonine.com

What I'd ask them for

Don't ask, "Can you design my logo?" I'd send a brief asking for:

Brand naming + positioning + verbal identity + visual identity + art direction + e-commerce creative direction + launch campaign

And ask each agency to show you 2–3 examples of fashion, beauty, lifestyle or DTC brands they've actually launched, not just logos they've designed.

For a new fashion label, I'd also insist that the scope addresses Instagram/TikTok, packaging, hangtags, photography/art direction, Shopify, email, paid social and launch content. That's where a beautiful identity either becomes a real brand—or falls apart.

If you tell me your target customer, price point (e.g. $80–150 vs. $300–600), aesthetic, and whether the name already exists, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually interview and give you the exact person/contact route for each.

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Someoddpilot - 2141 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• The Motion Agency - 325 N La Salle Dr Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• DRC Chicago - Design Resource Center at Bunker Labs in 1871 - 222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Fl 12, Chicago, IL 60654
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• SIX4 Creative - 4000 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States
• Lannon Consulting - Chicago, IL 60007
• ALX Creatives - 420 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
• Liska & Associates Inc - 610 N Fairbanks Ct, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → art direction → launch campaign → digital/e-commerce expression.

Based on their current capabilities and Chicago presence, these are the firms I’d contact first:

My shortlist

1. Design B&B — my first call

• West Loop: 833 W Jackson Blvd.
• Particularly relevant because it is an independent brand strategy + design agency actually based in West Loop.
• Their capabilities include naming, verbal identity, messaging, voice and brand strategy, making them a strong fit if you're starting from zero. Expertise
• Best for: a distinctive fashion/lifestyle brand identity rather than a generic startup look.
• Contact: designbandb.com
• ColorJar — excellent West Loop/Fulton Market option

• 1000 W Fulton Market
• Boutique brand strategy/design consultancy with capabilities spanning positioning, naming, verbal identity, identity systems and campaign creative.
• This is the kind of partner I'd consider if you want the brand to feel premium, culturally relevant and strategically differentiated rather than simply "pretty."
• Best for: fashion/lifestyle positioning + identity + launch expression.
• Contact: colorjar.com
• Someoddpilot — strongest creative/cultural option

• Established Chicago creative studio with a particularly broad brand transformation offering: strategy, naming, identity, campaign creative, digital experiences and production.
• Best for: a fashion brand that wants a point of view and a launch campaign people actually notice.
• I'd put them high on the list if your ambition is more fashion/editorial/cultural than conventional DTC marketing.
• Design In Chicago — strong practical all-in-one choice

• 159 N Sangamon St, right in the West Loop.
• Offers brand strategy, positioning, messaging, naming/taglines, identity, brand guidelines, launch assets and Shopify/e-commerce development.
• Best for: a founder who wants one local partner to take the brand from concept through website/e-commerce launch.
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — worth a conversation for fashion + DTC

• Chicago-based digital/e-commerce agency with stated experience in premium beauty, fashion and direct-to-consumer brands.
• More digitally/e-commerce oriented than some of the pure branding studios.
• Best for: if your priority is making the brand beautiful and converting online.
• 14th & Boom — interesting if launch/growth is the priority

• Boutique brand-growth agency focused on lifestyle brands, including fashion and beauty.
• Combines brand strategy, identity, creative/content, campaign work and e-commerce/conversion consulting.
• Best for: building the brand and then aggressively taking it to market.

One more I would seriously consider: Seedhouse

seed-house.com is especially compelling if the name itself is still undecided.

They specialize in naming and explicitly handle competitive research, trademark vetting and domain checks throughout the naming process. Their typical naming engagement is described as roughly 3–6 weeks. Seed House

I'd consider using Seedhouse for naming and then either having them continue or pairing the naming work with a fashion-oriented creative studio.

If I were you, I'd contact these 4

I'd send the same brief to:

And I'd add Seedhouse if you haven't settled on the name.

What I'd ask them for

Don't ask, "Can you design my logo?"

Tell them you're looking for a brand creation and launch partner and ask for a proposal covering:

• Brand strategy and positioning
• Target customer/audience definition
• Competitive/category analysis
• Brand naming + trademark/domain screening
• Tagline and verbal identity
• Logo and complete visual identity system
• Typography, color, photography/art direction
• Packaging/unboxing direction
• Shopify/e-commerce visual direction
• Launch campaign concept
• Social/paid-media creative
• Launch photography/video/art direction
• 90-day launch creative roadmap

That distinction matters. You want an agency that can answer "Why should this fashion brand exist, and why will people care?" before answering "What should the logo look like?"

Who I'd contact first

If this were my brand, I'd start with Design B&B + ColorJar + Someoddpilot and make them pitch the brand idea, not just their capabilities. Then I'd compare the quality of their thinking, not their portfolios alone.

For a founder-led fashion startup, I'd also be wary of going straight to a giant agency like Leo Burnett/DDB/FCB. They can absolutely make a campaign, but you may get a much more senior, hands-on relationship from a smaller Chicago studio. Current Chicago agency listings also show substantial variation in minimum engagement size, so getting three proposals is worthwhile. Clutch

If you tell me (1) women's/men's/unisex, (2) price point, (3) aesthetic—e.g. quiet luxury, streetwear, contemporary, sustainable, etc., and (4) approximate branding/launch budget, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually hire and give you the specific person/contact route for each.

Don't ask, "Can you design my logo?"

Tell them you're looking for a brand creation and launch partner and ask for a proposal covering:

• Brand strategy and positioning
• Target customer/audience definition
• Competitive/category analysis
• Brand naming + trademark/domain screening
• Tagline and verbal identity
• Logo and complete visual identity system
• Typography, color, photography/art direction
• Packaging/unboxing direction
• Shopify/e-commerce visual direction
• Launch campaign concept
• Social/paid-media creative
• Launch photography/video/art direction
• 90-day launch creative roadmap

That distinction matters. You want an agency that can answer "Why should this fashion brand exist, and why will people care?" before answering "What should the logo look like?"

Who I'd contact first

If this were my brand, I'd start with Design B&B + ColorJar + Someoddpilot and make them pitch the brand idea, not just their capabilities. Then I'd compare the quality of their thinking, not their portfolios alone.

For a founder-led fashion startup, I'd also be wary of going straight to a giant agency like Leo Burnett/DDB/FCB. They can absolutely make a campaign, but you may get a much more senior, hands-on relationship from a smaller Chicago studio. Current Chicago agency listings also show substantial variation in minimum engagement size, so getting three proposals is worthwhile.

For a new e-commerce fashion brand launching from the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: brand naming, positioning, visual identity, Shopify/e-commerce thinking, campaign creative, photography direction, social launch, and a founder-level strategy process.

Here are the Chicago firms I’d put on your shortlist:

Best fits for a fashion / DTC launch

ALL FOR™ Agency

allfor.agency

Why contact them: They are literally in the West Loop/Fulton Market area and position themselves around brand strategy, naming, identity systems, packaging, apparel, web, and campaign design. They appear especially relevant if you want a hands-on partner who can build the whole brand world rather than just a logo. ALL FOR™

Ask for:

• Founder-led brand strategy sprint
• Naming + trademark screening direction
• Visual identity system
• Shopify/e-commerce design
• Launch campaign assets

Best for: A premium emerging fashion label that wants a cohesive aesthetic.

Studio Brück

studio-bruck.com

Why contact them: Strong fit if your ambition is to build a premium lifestyle brand, not just an online clothing store. They focus on positioning, brand naming, identity design, and go-to-market “brand worldbuilding.” Daymon Bruck

Ask for:

• Brand positioning workshop
• Naming exploration
• Brand story and voice
• Creative direction for launch

Best for: Luxury, contemporary, elevated basics, designer-inspired brands.

Junotype Collective

junotype.com

Why contact them: Their capabilities span strategy, naming, identity, launch strategy, social media, and digital experiences. Junotype

Best for: A founder who needs the strategic foundation before spending heavily on creative production.

Studio Fulchi

studiofulchi.com

Why contact them: They have direct apparel/boutique experience, including creating a brand identity, packaging, Shopify experience, retail assets, and social materials for a Chicago fashion boutique. Studio Fulchi

Best for: Boutique fashion, lifestyle, accessories, or brands with a strong visual story.

Strong broader branding agencies

Adcetera

adcetera.com

Why contact them: They offer naming, positioning, identity, go-to-market planning, campaign creation, and production. Adcetera

Best for: If you have funding, ambitious growth goals, or want a more scaled agency partner.

KAKE

kakeme.com

Why contact them: They work through research → strategy → identity → implementation, which is useful if you’re still defining your category and customer. KAKE

Best for: Founder-led brands that need clarity before execution.

My recommended outreach order

If I were launching a West Loop fashion e-commerce brand, I’d start with:

1. ALL FOR™ — closest fit for a founder-led fashion launch.
2. Studio Brück — if you want a more premium/luxury positioning.
3. Studio Fulchi — if the brand is boutique/lifestyle-oriented.
4. Junotype Collective — if naming and strategy are the biggest unknowns.
5. Adcetera — if you’re planning a larger-scale launch.

What I would send them

Don’t ask “Can you design my logo?” Instead send:

“I’m launching a Chicago-based e-commerce fashion brand in the West Loop. I’m looking for a partner to help create the brand name, positioning, visual identity, and launch campaign — including digital, social, and e-commerce touchpoints. I’d love to discuss your process, timeline, and typical investment range.”

Also have ready:

• Target customer
• Price point
• Comparable brands you admire
• Launch date
• Initial SKU count
• Budget range

For a serious fashion launch, I’d expect a meaningful identity + launch engagement to often land in the five-figure range, depending on how much strategy, naming, photography, web, and campaign production you include.

“I’m launching a Chicago-based e-commerce fashion brand in the West Loop. I’m looking for a partner to help create the brand name, positioning, visual identity, and launch campaign — including digital, social, and e-commerce touchpoints. I’d love to discuss your process, timeline, and typical investment range.”

Also have ready:

Studio Fulchi

studiofulchi.com

Why contact them: They have direct apparel/boutique experience, including creating a brand identity, packaging, Shopify experience, retail assets, and social materials for a Chicago fashion boutique. Studio Fulchi

Best for: Boutique fashion, lifestyle, accessories, or brands with a strong visual story.

Strong broader branding agencies

Adcetera

adcetera.com

Why contact them: They offer naming, positioning, identity, go-to-market planning, campaign creation, and production. Adcetera

Best for: If you have funding, ambitious growth goals, or want a more scaled agency partner.

KAKE

kakeme.com

Why contact them: They work through research → strategy → identity → implementation, which is useful if you’re still defining your category and customer. KAKE

Best for: Founder-led brands that need clarity before execution.

My recommended outreach order

If I were launching a West Loop fashion e-commerce brand, I’d start with:

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• All For Agency - 160 N Elizabeth St, Ste 809, Elmhurst, IL 60607
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Designer and Gentleman - 2653 W Hollywood Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• The Motion Agency - 325 N La Salle Dr Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• DRC Chicago - Design Resource Center at Bunker Labs in 1871 - 222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Fl 12, Chicago, IL 60654
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Liska & Associates Inc - 610 N Fairbanks Ct, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• DesignScout - 1801 W Belle Plaine Ave #201, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• BatesMeron Sweet Design - 1006 S Michigan Ave #601, Chicago, IL 60605, United States

For a new e-commerce fashion brand in West Loop, I would not look for a generic logo shop. You need a partner that can help create a brand world: naming, positioning, visual identity, Shopify/e-commerce experience, photography direction, launch storytelling, and a campaign that makes people care before you have scale.

These Chicago agencies/studios are the ones I’d put on a founder shortlist:

Best fits for a fashion/lifestyle e-commerce launch

1. EightySeven — founder-led brand studio

DirectionsWebsite

Best for: naming + identity + launch-ready brand system

Why I’d talk to them:

• Strong fit for founders starting from zero.
• Their process focuses on positioning, naming, identity, launch assets, and making a brand feel complete before going to market. EightySeven
• West Loop/Fulton Market proximity makes collaboration easy.

Contact:

• madebyeightyseven.com

Ask for:

“A founder-led fashion brand launch: naming, positioning, identity system, e-commerce art direction, and launch campaign.”

2. Design B&B — consumer brand identity specialists

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-753-3037)

Best for: premium consumer feel, packaging, storytelling

Why:

• West Loop-based.
• Strong emphasis on brand strategy, identity systems, packaging, and consumer-facing experiences.

Contact:

• designbb.com

Good match if your brand is aiming toward:

• elevated basics
• luxury streetwear
• boutique fashion
• lifestyle positioning

3. All For Agency — West Loop design partner

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+17732060323)

Best for: brand identity + apparel + digital execution

Why:

• Located in Fulton Market/West Loop.
• Offers naming, brand strategy, identity systems, campaigns, e-commerce design, packaging, and apparel-related work. ALL FOR™

Contact:

• allfor.agency

4. ColorJar — strategic brand consultancy

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8192)

Best for: a bigger brand vision

Why:

• Right in Fulton Market.
• Stronger fit if you want a serious brand platform: positioning, differentiation, identity, and long-term growth strategy.

Contact:

• colorjar.com

Best if you’re building:

• a venture-backed fashion company
• a national DTC brand
• a brand with retail ambitions

5. Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — fashion/DTC digital strength

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-932-1104)

Best for: e-commerce experience + conversion

Why:

• Has experience positioning itself around premium beauty, fashion, and direct-to-consumer brands.

Contact:

• elevatestudios.com

If I were the founder, I’d contact these 5 first

My outreach order:

1. EightySeven — strongest founder/new-brand fit
2. Design B&B — strongest premium consumer identity fit
3. ALL FOR™ — strongest West Loop convenience + apparel crossover
4. ColorJar — strongest strategic brand-building option
5. Elevate Studios — strongest e-commerce execution partner

What to send them (to get better responses)

Do not just say “I need branding.” Send a one-page founder brief:

• Brand concept (2–3 sentences)
• Target customer
• Price point
• Fashion category (streetwear, luxury, contemporary, basics, etc.)
• Competitors you admire
• Desired launch date
• What you need: - name creation
• trademark screening support
• brand strategy
• logo/identity
• packaging/tags
• Shopify design
• launch campaign
• photography/content direction

A realistic early-stage budget in Chicago is often:

• $15k–$40k: focused naming + identity + launch foundation
• $40k–$100k+: deeper strategy, full digital experience, campaign production

For a fashion startup, I would prioritize brand strategy and identity before spending heavily on ads—the name, aesthetic, photography language, and first impression will determine whether customers perceive you as a real label or just another online store.

• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Point B Communications Inc - 600 W Fulton St #710, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• California Design Firm - 330 S Thomas St, Pomona, CA 91766, United States
• Moxie Creative Solutions - 820 N Mountain Ave #225, Upland, CA 91786, United States
• SCC | Schafer Condon Carter - 176 N Racine Ave Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 789, Inc. - Marketing, Branding & Design - 101 N Citrus Ave #3c, Covina, CA 91723, United States
• Manifest - 626 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• BRAND33 - 1622 Gramercy Ave Ste a, Torrance, CA 90501, United States
• Hueman Studio - 11799 Sebastian Way Ste 103, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, United States
• C2 Creative Studio - 308 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States

If I were a founder launching a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: name + positioning + visual identity + e-commerce expression + launch campaign.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Multiple Inc. — my first call

• Why: West Loop-based and unusually well aligned with your brief: strategy, messaging, naming, identity, campaigns and digital experiences. Multiple Inc.
• Best for: A sophisticated fashion brand that needs a strong strategic foundation rather than just attractive graphics.
• Contact: 845 W Washington Blvd, 5th Floor; 312-846-6944; info@multipleinc.com. Multiple Inc.
• multipleinc.com
• Design In Chicago — strongest if e-commerce execution matters

• Why: They're in the West Loop and combine branding with Shopify/e-commerce, UX, digital marketing, photography/video and web development.
• Best for: A founder who wants the brand and the actual online shopping experience developed together.
• Contact: 159 N Sangamon St., Suite 200; 312-535-3088.
• Point B Communications Inc — strongest for a bigger launch campaign

• Why: West Loop/Fulton Market, full-service branding/advertising, with strategy, campaign planning and creative execution.
• Best for: If you expect the launch to involve paid media, PR/communications, social, activations and an ongoing campaign—not simply a brand identity.
• EightySeven — strongest founder-focused option

• This is particularly interesting for a startup. Their BrandLaunch is designed for founders starting from scratch and combines positioning, identity, social, homepage direction and launch-ready applications. EightySeven
• They're at 159 N Sangamon St., Suite 206, right in the West Loop. EightySeven
• madebyeightyseven.com
• Studio Brück — interesting if you're building a premium/luxury fashion position

• They specifically describe their specialty as premium lifestyle brands, with positioning, brand naming, identity, materials, campaign creative and go-to-market brand development. Daymon Bruck
• Chicago studio: 235 W Van Buren St.
• studio-bruck.com
• ALL FOR™ — boutique West Loop option

• Located at 160 N Elizabeth St., they explicitly offer naming, positioning, messaging, identity, campaign design, e-commerce web design, packaging and apparel. ALL FOR™ ALL FOR™
• This could be a particularly good fit if you want a smaller, hands-on team and need the brand to extend into packaging/apparel.
• allfor.agency

One specialist I'd also interview: Seedhouse

Seedhouse isn't my first choice for the entire launch, but I'd consider them if the name itself is still unresolved. Their specialty is strategic naming, taglines and nomenclature, with competitive research, trademark/database screening and domain checks built into their process. Seed House

seed-house.com

Who I'd contact first

If this were my brand, I'd send briefs to these four:

I'd also get a proposal from ALL FOR™ as the boutique/local comparison.

One important distinction: don't brief these agencies with “I need a logo and website.” Tell them you're looking for a brand platform and launch system. Your initial scope should ideally cover:

• Brand naming and preliminary trademark/domain screening
• Positioning and target customer
• Brand story, voice and messaging
• Visual identity system
• Art direction / photography direction
• Packaging, labels and unboxing
• Shopify/e-commerce art direction
• Social identity and launch content
• Launch campaign concept
• Paid/social creative
• Launch calendar and rollout guidelines

That will make the proposals much easier to compare—and prevent you from ending up with a beautiful logo but no distinctive brand.

If you tell me the fashion category (women's/men's/unisex), price point, aesthetic (e.g. luxury/minimal/streetwear/contemporary), and your approximate branding budget, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually interview and give you the specific person/contact route for each.

I'd also get a proposal from ALL FOR™ as the boutique/local comparison.

One important distinction: don't brief these agencies with “I need a logo and website.” Tell them you're looking for a brand platform and launch system. Your initial scope should ideally cover:

• Brand naming and preliminary trademark/domain screening
• Positioning and target customer
• Brand story, voice and messaging
• Visual identity system
• Art direction / photography direction
• Packaging, labels and unboxing
• Shopify/e-commerce art direction
• Social identity and launch content
• Launch campaign concept
• Paid/social creative
• Launch calendar and rollout guidelines

That will make the proposals much easier to compare—and prevent you from ending up with a beautiful logo but no distinctive brand.

• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Point B Communications Inc - 600 W Fulton St #710, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• C2 Creative Studio - 308 S Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Someoddpilot - 2141 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• UnitOneNine - 650 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Bluedog Design - 403 N Carpenter St, Chicago, IL 60642, United States
• MNML - 170 N Sangamon St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• COHO Creative - 222 N Justine St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Killian Branding - 73 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
• HLK Chicago | HughesLeahyKarlovic - 954 W Washington Blvd Ste 405, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

If I were choosing for a new fashion e-commerce brand in West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → visual identity → digital expression → launch campaign. That combination is particularly important in fashion, where the brand itself often sells the product before the customer has touched it.

My shortlist

• ColorJar — my first call

Located right in Fulton Market, ColorJar is a boutique brand strategy/design consultancy. Its capabilities line up unusually well with what you’re asking for: positioning, naming/verbal identity, visual identity, and campaign/brand expression. ALL FOR™

Why I'd call: Strong fit if you want the brand to feel distinctive and premium rather than like a typical startup identity.

Contact: colorjar.com

• EightySeven — best founder/startup fit

This one is especially interesting for a founder launching from zero. EightySeven has a specific BrandLaunch engagement covering positioning, naming, identity, social, homepage direction and launch assets. Its studio is at 159 N. Sangamon, right in the West Loop. EightySeven EightySeven

Why I'd call: They explicitly work with founders who are trying to get from "I have the idea" to "I'm ready to launch," rather than primarily serving established corporations.

Contact: madebyeightyseven.com

• Design B&B — strongest consumer-brand option

A West Loop independent agency with capabilities spanning brand strategy, identity, naming/verbal identity, packaging and consumer-facing systems.

Why I'd call: Particularly compelling if your fashion brand will eventually extend into packaging, physical retail, collaborations or a broader lifestyle ecosystem.

• Point B Communications Inc — if you want serious launch marketing

Point B is in Fulton Market and combines branding with advertising/campaign execution. Its work goes beyond identity into media, digital and campaign activation.

Why I'd call: Good choice if you're looking for an agency that can help create the brand and then make noise around the launch, rather than handing you a brand book and sending you off.

• Landor — big-brand/ambitious option

Landor has a West Loop office at 333 N. Green and is a much larger global brand consultancy.

Why I'd call: If you're building something intended to become a major national/international fashion brand and have the budget for a substantial strategic engagement. I'd expect this to be a different budget tier from the boutique studios above.

• C2 Creative Studio — strong all-in-one alternative

C2 covers naming, brand architecture, identity, messaging, web, packaging and campaign development, including examples of naming + identity + launch campaign work.

Why I'd call: Worth putting in the pitch process if you want one partner to take the project from strategy through creative execution.

One specialist I'd also interview

Seedhouse is worth considering specifically for the name. Its naming practice focuses on strategic naming plus trademark/domain screening throughout the process, with typical naming engagements running 3–6 weeks. Seed House

I'd potentially use them if the name is the most important unresolved piece, then have your broader brand agency build the identity and launch around it.

seed-house.com

Who I'd contact first

If this were my fashion brand, I'd send briefs to these four:

I'd start with ColorJar and EightySeven, then use Design B&B and C2 as competitive bids.

One important caveat: I wouldn't select based on portfolio aesthetics alone. Ask each agency to show you 2–3 examples where they created the strategic positioning, name/identity, and then translated it into an actual launch, preferably for a consumer brand with a sophisticated visual audience.

And when you contact them, don't just say "I need a logo and branding." Tell them you're looking for a brand invention and launch partner. That will attract a much stronger caliber of response.

If you tell me your fashion category, target customer, approximate price point, and whether you're aiming for contemporary / luxury / streetwear / accessible premium, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually hire and give you the specific person/contact route for each.

If you’re launching a new fashion e-commerce brand from the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → visual identity → campaign concept → digital/e-commerce launch.

My shortlist:

My top 5 to contact

1. ColorJar — best overall fit for a premium consumer brand
1000 W Fulton Market. They’re particularly interesting because they combine brand strategy, naming/verbal identity, visual identity, and campaign creative—essentially the whole brand-building problem rather than just graphic design.

2. Design B&B — best if fashion/consumer aesthetics are the priority
They’re actually in the West Loop, at 833 W Jackson, and focus on brand strategy, identity, packaging, naming, verbal identity and consumer-facing brand systems.
I'd put them high on the list if you want the brand to feel fashion-forward, sophisticated and highly art-directed.

3. EightySeven — best for a founder who needs to move quickly
Their positioning is unusually relevant to a startup: their BrandLaunch is designed to take a new brand from positioning and identity through social, homepage direction and launch assets in about five weeks. Their process explicitly includes naming. madebyeightyseven.squarespace.com
This would be one of my first calls if you already have a launch date.

4. Design In Chicago — best local end-to-end execution
They're at 159 N Sangamon in the West Loop and cover discovery, positioning, messaging, naming, identity, guidelines, web, digital marketing and launch assets.
Good choice if you want one partner to take the brand all the way into the e-commerce experience.

5. ALL FOR™ — best boutique West Loop/Fulton Market option
ALL FOR™ is founder-led and located at 160 N Elizabeth, right in Fulton Market. They explicitly offer strategy/positioning, naming, messaging, identity, web/e-commerce and campaign design, plus apparel/packaging. allfor.agency
This could be especially attractive if you want a hands-on boutique relationship rather than a large agency.

One specialist I'd add

Seedhouse — if the name is the most important unresolved piece.
Seedhouse specializes in naming and says it combines competitive research, creative development, trademark/database and domain checks. Their typical naming engagement is 3–6 weeks. madebyeightyseven.squarespace.comwww.seed-house.com

I would consider using them either as the naming specialist or asking your chosen full-service agency whether they have comparable naming/legal-vetting capabilities.

If this were my brand

I'd contact ColorJar, Design B&B, EightySeven and ALL FOR™ first.

I'd frame the project as:

New fashion DTC brand — naming + positioning + identity + launch campaign + e-commerce art direction

Don't ask them simply for a "logo and website." You want them thinking about the brand world from day one: name, personality, typography, photography direction, packaging, social language, launch creative and Shopify experience.

For a fashion brand, I'd also ask each agency to show you 2–3 examples of consumer/lifestyle/fashion work, not just their prettiest corporate branding.

My ranking for your situation:
ColorJar → Design B&B → EightySeven → ALL FOR™ → Design In Chicago.

If you tell me the fashion category, target customer, approximate price point, and whether you're going luxury / contemporary / streetwear / accessible, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually pitch and tell you exactly what to ask each one for.

• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Someoddpilot - 2141 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• SIX4 Creative - 4000 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States
• The Motion Agency - 325 N La Salle Dr Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• DRC Chicago - Design Resource Center at Bunker Labs in 1871 - 222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Fl 12, Chicago, IL 60654
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Brandimage - 1918 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• ALX Creatives - 420 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654

If I were founding a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → digital expression → launch campaign. You want one strategic idea to carry all the way through Shopify, social, packaging, photography, email and paid acquisition.

My shortlist:

My top 5 for you

1. ColorJar — my first call

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8192)

1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago

ColorJar is particularly interesting for a founder because it combines brand strategy, naming, messaging, logo/identity, packaging, websites and campaign creative rather than treating branding as just visual design. It is also literally in Fulton Market/West Loop. ColorJar ColorJar

They've done brand creation for consumer-oriented businesses including MINNA, Local Style, Swish House, Getaway and Weekday Wines, so there's evidence of consumer brand-building rather than exclusively corporate identity work. ColorJar

I'd contact them if: you want a sophisticated, strategically differentiated fashion brand—not something that looks like a generic Shopify label.

colorjar.com

2. Multiple Inc. — excellent West Loop founder option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-846-6944)

845 W Washington Blvd, West Loop

Multiple is another very strong fit for your exact brief: strategy, storytelling, naming, identity and campaigns are all core services. Multiple Inc.

I particularly like them if you're still figuring out the meaning of the brand—who it's for, why it exists, how it should sound and what makes it different—before jumping into aesthetics.

I'd contact them if: the brand concept is strong but still needs to be crystallized into a distinctive point of view.

multipleinc.com

3. EightySeven — best for a founder who wants speed

DirectionsWebsite

EightySeven is unusually explicit about working with founders starting from scratch. Its BrandLaunch offering is designed around getting a new brand launch-ready, including positioning, identity directions, social, homepage direction and launch applications. EightySeven

Their process also includes naming when needed and then taking the chosen identity through activation.

I'd contact them if: you're thinking, "I need this brand to exist in the real world, not spend six months in agency strategy decks."

madebyeightyseven.com

4. Design In Chicago — best if e-commerce execution matters heavily

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-535-3088)

159 N Sangamon St, West Loop

This one is particularly relevant because they combine branding + naming + identity + Shopify/e-commerce + launch assets. Their brand work includes positioning, messaging, naming, identity systems and rollout, while their digital practice includes Shopify development.

I'd contact them if: you want the same partner thinking about the brand and the actual online shopping experience.

5. Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — worth considering for fashion/DTC

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-932-1104)

Elevate is more explicitly positioned around premium beauty, fashion and DTC/e-commerce, with strategy, identity, UX, e-commerce and digital marketing capabilities.

I'd contact them if: you're already relatively clear on the brand concept and want strong fashion/e-commerce execution around it.

One specialist I'd add: Seedhouse

If the name itself is the biggest unresolved question, I'd consider bringing in seed-house.com.

They're unusually specialized in brand naming, including trademark/database and domain checks, product names, taglines and nomenclature. Seed House

You could have them establish the name and then have ColorJar or Multiple build the world around it.

And one "big agency" option

vsapartners.com is the heavyweight option. They do brand strategy, verbal identity, visual identity, campaigns, digital experiences and media activation, and explicitly work with both established brands and emerging challengers. VSA Partners

I'd not make them my first call for a bootstrapped/early-stage fashion startup unless you have a substantial budget. They're better suited if you're building something with serious ambitions and a meaningful launch budget.

Who I'd actually contact first

I'd send briefs to three agencies, not ten:

1. ColorJar — strongest overall fit
2. Multiple — strongest strategic/creative alternative
3. EightySeven — strongest founder/fast-launch alternative

And I'd potentially add Design In Chicago if Shopify/e-commerce execution needs to be part of the engagement.

What I'd ask them for

Don't simply say "I need a logo and branding." Tell them you're looking for:

Brand naming + positioning + verbal identity + visual identity + e-commerce art direction + launch campaign

And ask each agency to show you 2–3 examples of consumer/fashion/lifestyle brands they've taken from strategy through launch, along with:

• Who would actually lead the project?
• What is the proposed process?
• How many naming/identity directions?
• Do they handle trademark/domain screening?
• Does the engagement include campaign concepting?
• Can they produce launch assets for social, paid media, email and Shopify?
• Who handles photography/video/content?
• What is the expected timeline and total fee?

The biggest thing I'd investigate is their fashion/consumer portfolio. A beautiful branding agency isn't automatically good at creating a fashion brand that can acquire customers and sell online.

If you tell me your fashion category, target customer, approximate launch budget, and whether you already have a name, I can narrow this to the best 3 agencies for your specific brand and find the right person/contact at each one.

3. EightySeven — best for a founder who wants speed

EightySeven is unusually explicit about working with founders starting from scratch. Its BrandLaunch offering is designed around getting a new brand launch-ready, including positioning, identity directions, social, homepage direction and launch applications. EightySeven

Their process also includes naming when needed and then taking the chosen identity through activation.

I'd contact them if: you're thinking, "I need this brand to exist in the real world, not spend six months in agency strategy decks."

madebyeightyseven.com

4. Design In Chicago — best if e-commerce execution matters heavily

159 N Sangamon St, West Loop

This one is particularly relevant because they combine branding + naming + identity + Shopify/e-commerce + launch assets. Their brand work includes positioning, messaging, naming, identity systems and rollout, while their digital practice includes Shopify development.

I'd contact them if: you want the same partner thinking about the brand and the actual online shopping experience.

5. Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — worth considering for fashion/DTC

Elevate is more explicitly positioned around premium beauty, fashion and DTC/e-commerce, with strategy, identity, UX, e-commerce and digital marketing capabilities.

I'd contact them if: you're already relatively clear on the brand concept and want strong fashion/e-commerce execution around it.

One specialist I'd add: Seedhouse

If the name itself is the biggest unresolved question, I'd consider bringing in seed-house.com.

They're unusually specialized in brand naming, including trademark/database and domain checks, product names, taglines and nomenclature. seed-house.com

You could have them establish the name and then have ColorJar or Multiple build the world around it.

And one "big agency" option

vsapartners.com is the heavyweight option. They do brand strategy, verbal identity, visual identity, campaigns, digital experiences and media activation, and explicitly work with both established brands and emerging challengers. VSA Partners

I'd not make them my first call for a bootstrapped/early-stage fashion startup unless you have a substantial budget. They're better suited if you're building something with serious ambitions and a meaningful launch budget.

Who I'd actually contact first

I'd send briefs to three agencies, not ten:

1. ColorJar — strongest overall fit
2. Multiple — strongest strategic/creative alternative
3. EightySeven — strongest founder/fast-launch alternative

And I'd potentially add Design In Chicago if Shopify/e-commerce execution needs to be part of the engagement.

What I'd ask them for

Don't simply say "I need a logo and branding." Tell them you're looking for:

• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• SIX4 Creative - 4000 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States
• Someoddpilot - 2141 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Liska & Associates Inc - 610 N Fairbanks Ct, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• The Motion Agency - 325 N La Salle Dr Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• DRC Chicago - Design Resource Center at Bunker Labs in 1871 - 222 Merchandise Mart Plz, Fl 12, Chicago, IL 60654
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• ALX Creatives - 420 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
• Brandimage - 1918 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60612, United States

If I were choosing for a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → name → visual identity → art direction → launch campaign → e-commerce expression.

Based on their current capabilities and location, these are the firms I’d contact first:

My shortlist

1. Multiple Inc. — strongest overall fit

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-846-6944)

West Loop | 845 W Washington Blvd

Multiple is particularly interesting for a founder-led launch because it combines strategy, naming, messaging, identity and campaigns rather than treating branding as just visual design. Their work also extends into digital and social applications. Multiple Inc.

Why I'd call: You want one strategic creative partner to figure out what the brand is and then make it feel distinctive.

multipleinc.com

2. EightySeven — best for a founder who wants a fast, contemporary brand

DirectionsWebsite

West Loop | 159 N Sangamon St

This is probably the most compelling startup/founder-oriented option on the list. EightySeven specifically offers a launch-oriented engagement covering positioning, identity, social, homepage direction and launch applications. They describe their approach as director-level partnership rather than handing a founder off to a junior team. EightySeven

They can also handle naming, although they note that trademark clearance can add time.

Why I'd call: If you're aiming for a fashion brand that needs to look cool, current and launch-ready without a giant-agency process.

madebyeightyseven.com

3. ColorJar — best for positioning + sophisticated identity

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8192)

Fulton Market / West Loop | 1000 W Fulton Market

ColorJar is worth talking to if your biggest question is "What should this brand stand for, and how do we make it ownable?" Their capabilities include positioning, naming, verbal identity, visual identity and campaign creative.

Why I'd call: Particularly good if you're still working out the brand's strategic territory rather than simply needing someone to execute an existing vision.

4. Design In Chicago — best if e-commerce is central

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-535-3088)

West Loop | 159 N Sangamon St

They combine brand strategy/identity with Shopify, e-commerce UX/UI, launch assets and digital implementation. Their branding offering explicitly includes positioning, messaging, naming, identity and rollout. Design in Chicago

Why I'd call: If the brand experience needs to go directly from identity into a high-performing Shopify store.

designinchicago.com

5. Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — worth a serious look for fashion/DTC

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-932-1104)

They're Chicago-based and specifically position themselves around premium beauty, fashion and DTC/e-commerce, combining strategy, brand identity, digital design and campaigns.

Why I'd call: Your category makes their fashion/e-commerce experience more relevant than a generic Chicago branding shop.

6. SIX4 Creative — strongest if PR/influencer buzz matters

DirectionsWebsite

SIX4 combines branding with PR, content, marketing strategy, visual production and launch strategy, and their positioning includes fashion/lifestyle brands.

Why I'd call: If your launch needs to generate attention—press, creators, social content, events—not just establish an identity.

One specialist I'd add: Seedhouse

seed-house.com

If the name itself is still completely open, I'd consider Seedhouse alongside your creative agency. They specialize in naming and explicitly handle trademark/database and domain checks as part of their process. Seed House

That can be valuable because naming a fashion brand is unusually consequential: trademark conflicts, social handles, domains and international expansion can all become expensive problems later.

Who I'd contact first

If this were my brand, I'd send briefs to these four:

1. EightySeven — for a sharp, founder-friendly fashion launch.
2. Multiple — for the strongest combination of strategy + naming + identity + campaign.
3. ColorJar — for deep positioning and brand differentiation.
4. Elevate Studios — specifically because of the fashion/DTC/e-commerce fit.

And I'd speak with Seedhouse separately if the name hasn't been decided.

The nice thing is that three of the strongest candidates are actually in or immediately around your West Loop/Fulton Market neighborhood, so you can easily do in-person chemistry meetings. Multiple is at 845 W Washington, Design In Chicago and EightySeven are on N Sangamon, and ColorJar is on W Fulton Market.

What I'd ask them

Don't approach them saying "I need a logo and website." Tell them:

We're building a new fashion e-commerce brand from Chicago and need to create the brand from the ground up: positioning, naming, verbal identity, visual identity, art direction and a launch campaign, ultimately expressed through e-commerce, social and content.

Then ask each agency:

• Who will personally lead the strategy and creative?
• Have you launched consumer/fashion/DTC brands from zero?
• Can you handle naming and trademark screening?
• What does the first 8–12 weeks look like?
• What would you recommend spending on the brand vs. launch campaign?
• Who produces the photography/video/content?
• Can you take the brand through Shopify/e-commerce launch, or do you hand that off?
• Show me 2–3 relevant launches, not just pretty identity work.

One important point: I would not choose based on portfolio aesthetics alone. For a new fashion brand, the agency's ability to find a distinctive market position and a memorable name may matter more than whether you like their existing logos.

If you tell me your target customer, price point (e.g. $100–200 vs. $300+), women's/men's/unisex, and the aesthetic you're aiming for, I can narrow these to the best 3 and tell you exactly who I'd contact at each agency and why.

Why I'd call: Particularly good if you're still working out the brand's strategic territory rather than simply needing someone to execute an existing vision.

4. Design In Chicago — best if e-commerce is central

West Loop | 159 N Sangamon St

They combine brand strategy/identity with Shopify, e-commerce UX/UI, launch assets and digital implementation. Their branding offering explicitly includes positioning, messaging, naming, identity and rollout. Design in Chicago

Why I'd call: If the brand experience needs to go directly from identity into a high-performing Shopify store.

designinchicago.com

5. Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — worth a serious look for fashion/DTC

They're Chicago-based and specifically position themselves around premium beauty, fashion and DTC/e-commerce, combining strategy, brand identity, digital design and campaigns.

Why I'd call: Your category makes their fashion/e-commerce experience more relevant than a generic Chicago branding shop.

6. SIX4 Creative — strongest if PR/influencer buzz matters

SIX4 combines branding with PR, content, marketing strategy, visual production and launch strategy, and their positioning includes fashion/lifestyle brands.

Why I'd call: If your launch needs to generate attention—press, creators, social content, events—not just establish an identity.

One specialist I'd add: Seedhouse

seed-house.com

If the name itself is still completely open, I'd consider Seedhouse alongside your creative agency. They specialize in naming and explicitly handle trademark/database and domain checks as part of their process. Seed House

That can be valuable because naming a fashion brand is unusually consequential: trademark conflicts, social handles, domains and international expansion can all become expensive problems later.

Who I'd contact first

If this were my brand, I'd send briefs to these four:

1. EightySeven — for a sharp, founder-friendly fashion launch.
2. Multiple — for the strongest combination of strategy + naming + identity + campaign.
3. ColorJar — for deep positioning and brand differentiation.
4. Elevate Studios — specifically because of the fashion/DTC/e-commerce fit.

And I'd speak with Seedhouse separately if the name hasn't been decided.

The nice thing is that three of the strongest candidates are actually in or immediately around your West Loop/Fulton Market neighborhood, so you can easily do in-person chemistry meetings. Multiple is at 845 W Washington, Design In Chicago and EightySeven are on N Sangamon, and ColorJar is on W Fulton Market.

What I'd ask them

Don't approach them saying "I need a logo and website." Tell them:

We're building a new fashion e-commerce brand from Chicago and need to create the brand from the ground up: positioning, naming, verbal identity, visual identity, art direction and a launch campaign, ultimately expressed through e-commerce, social and content.

Then ask each agency:

• Who will personally lead the strategy and creative?
• Have you launched consumer/fashion/DTC brands from zero?
• Can you handle naming and trademark screening?
• What does the first 8–12 weeks look like?
• What would you recommend spending on the brand vs. launch campaign?
• Who produces the photography/video/content?
• Can you take the brand through Shopify/e-commerce launch, or do you hand that off?
• Show me 2–3 relevant launches, not just pretty identity work.

One important point: I would not choose based on portfolio aesthetics alone. For a new fashion brand, the agency's ability to find a distinctive market position and a memorable name may matter more than whether you like their existing logos.

• Design B&B - 833 W Jackson Blvd Fl 7, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Someoddpilot - 2141 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• The Motion Agency - 325 N La Salle Dr Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 11hundred - 1210 W Granville Ave, Chicago, IL 60660, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• One Design Company - 230 W Superior St #700, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• ALX Creatives - 420 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654
• Cultivate Brands - 111 N Wabash Ave Ste 100-1066, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand based in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → visual identity → art direction → launch campaign → digital/e-commerce execution.

I searched current Chicago agencies and would put these on your shortlist:

My top 6

1. Design B&B — Best overall fit

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-753-3037)

West Loop | 833 W Jackson Blvd

This is probably my first call for you. They’re an independent West Loop brand strategy/design agency with capabilities spanning brand strategy, naming, verbal identity, visual identity, packaging and consumer-facing brand systems. Expertise

Why I'd call: They seem particularly appropriate if you're trying to create a fashion brand with a point of view, rather than simply making an attractive Shopify site.

Ask for: A founder-led brand strategy + naming + identity + launch campaign engagement.

2. ColorJar — Best for sophisticated brand strategy

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8192)

Fulton Market / West Loop | 1000 W Fulton Market

ColorJar is especially interesting because they cover brand strategy, naming/verbal identity, visual identity and campaign creative—essentially the entire problem you're trying to solve. Their location also puts them right in your neighborhood.

Why I'd call: If your ambition is to build something that feels like a real fashion label rather than an e-commerce startup, I'd want to see their portfolio.

3. EightySeven — Best for a founder launching from zero

DirectionsWebsite

EightySeven is explicitly built around founders and launch-stage companies. Their BrandLaunch offering is designed around positioning, naming, identity, social, homepage direction and launch assets, with a publicly stated five-week timeframe. EightySeven EightySeven

Why I'd call: This may be the most practical choice if you're pre-launch and need to move quickly without hiring a giant agency.

4. Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — Best if fashion + e-commerce execution matter

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-932-1104)

This one caught my attention because its capabilities specifically include brand identity, e-commerce, digital marketing and campaigns, with experience in beauty/fashion and premium DTC commerce.

Why I'd call: If you want the same partner to think about the brand and how that brand actually translates into an online shopping experience.

5. Someoddpilot — Best for a bigger creative idea

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-529-7128)

Someoddpilot is a Chicago independent creative agency with experience in brand platforms, integrated campaigns and digital, including consumer/lifestyle brands such as Patagonia, Saucony, Merrell and Fjällräven.

Why I'd call: If you're trying to create a culturally interesting fashion brand with a campaign people actually notice—not just a polished identity.

This would be a particularly good call if you have substantial launch ambitions/budget.

6. Design In Chicago — Best West Loop all-in-one option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-535-3088)

West Loop | 159 N Sangamon St

They offer branding, naming/taglines, identity systems, websites, digital marketing and launch assets under one roof.

Why I'd call: Convenient, integrated, and potentially a good fit if you don't want to coordinate separate branding, web and marketing firms.

One specialist I'd seriously consider

Seedhouse isn't my first choice as the entire agency, but I'd consider them if the name itself is the most important unresolved question.

They specialize in brand naming and say their process includes strategic development, trademark/database research and domain checks. Their typical naming engagement is 3–6 weeks. Seed House

That could be useful if you want an exceptional name first and then have a creative agency build the identity around it.

Who I'd contact first

If I were in your shoes, I'd send an initial brief to:

1. Design B&B — strongest overall brand/fashion fit
2. ColorJar — strongest strategy + naming + identity combination
3. EightySeven — strongest founder/launch-stage fit
4. Elevate Studios — strongest brand + fashion/e-commerce execution combination
5. Someoddpilot — strongest "make this brand culturally memorable" option

I wouldn't send the same generic "we need a logo" inquiry. Tell them you're looking for a foundational brand build, including:

• Brand positioning
• Customer/audience definition
• Competitive/category research
• Brand naming
• Verbal identity / voice
• Visual identity
• Art direction
• Photography/content direction
• Packaging
• Shopify/e-commerce design direction
• Launch campaign concept
• Social launch system
• Paid/social creative
• Launch strategy

That will immediately tell you which agencies actually understand the assignment.

One important distinction

If your brand is intended to be premium/contemporary fashion—think editorial, cultural, aspirational, distinctive—I'd lean toward Design B&B, ColorJar or Someoddpilot.

If it's DTC-first, performance-oriented fashion—where Shopify, paid social, conversion and rapid content production are equally important—I'd lean toward EightySeven or Elevate.

And if you tell me the type of fashion (women's/men's/unisex), target price point, aesthetic, and approximate launch budget, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually interview, including what I would ask each one and who at each agency to contact.

5. Someoddpilot — Best for a bigger creative idea

Someoddpilot is a Chicago independent creative agency with experience in brand platforms, integrated campaigns and digital, including consumer/lifestyle brands such as Patagonia, Saucony, Merrell and Fjällräven.

Why I'd call: If you're trying to create a culturally interesting fashion brand with a campaign people actually notice—not just a polished identity.

This would be a particularly good call if you have substantial launch ambitions/budget.

6. Design In Chicago — Best West Loop all-in-one option

West Loop | 159 N Sangamon St

They offer branding, naming/taglines, identity systems, websites, digital marketing and launch assets under one roof.

Why I'd call: Convenient, integrated, and potentially a good fit if you don't want to coordinate separate branding, web and marketing firms.

One specialist I'd seriously consider

Seedhouse isn't my first choice as the entire agency, but I'd consider them if the name itself is the most important unresolved question.

They specialize in brand naming and say their process includes strategic development, trademark/database research and domain checks. Their typical naming engagement is 3–6 weeks. seed-house.com

That could be useful if you want an exceptional name first and then have a creative agency build the identity around it.

Who I'd contact first

If I were founding a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → name → visual/verbal identity → campaign concept → launch assets, with enough consumer/commerce sensibility to make the brand feel distinctive online.

My shortlist

Two specialist calls I'd make

For the name specifically: Seedhouse. They're unusually focused on naming and describe a process covering strategic naming, trademark/database vetting and domain checks. www.designbandb.comwww.seed-house.comwww.studio-bruck.com

For premium lifestyle positioning: Studio Brück. They specifically position themselves around premium lifestyle brands and offer positioning, naming, identity, go-to-market worldbuilding and campaign/content creation. www.studio-bruck.com

Who I'd contact first

I'd not send this to 10 agencies. I'd start with these four:

1. Design B&B — strongest overall fit for a fashion/consumer brand.
2. ColorJar — if you want something more distinctive, strategic and premium.
3. EightySeven — if you're founder-led, moving quickly and want a defined launch process.
4. C2 Creative Studio — if you already know the launch will depend heavily on photography, social and campaign content.

And because you're in the West Loop, there's also ALL FOR™, literally at 160 N. Elizabeth in Fulton Market. They explicitly offer strategy, naming, identity, messaging, campaigns, social, web, packaging and apparel, which makes them a very practical local option. allfor.agency

What I'd ask for

Don't ask agencies for a "branding package." Tell them you're looking for:

Brand strategy + positioning → naming → verbal identity → visual identity → launch campaign → e-commerce/social launch system

I'd also ask each agency to show 2–3 examples of consumer, fashion, beauty, lifestyle or DTC work and explain who would actually be doing the work day-to-day.

If you give me your target customer, approximate price point, aesthetic (e.g. quiet luxury vs. streetwear vs. contemporary), and launch budget, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd personally pitch—and find the right founder/creative director contact at each.

• ColorJar - 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Multiple Inc. - 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• UnitOneNine - 650 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
• SCC | Schafer Condon Carter - 176 N Racine Ave Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• 14th & Boom - 444 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SO Dsgn - 1719 S Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Betty Chicago - 1 S Wacker Dr Ste 300, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Core Twelve - 600 W Van Buren St #1010, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Brandimage - 1918 W Walnut St, Chicago, IL 60612, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Landor - 333 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Designer and Gentleman - 2653 W Hollywood Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → brand voice → launch concept → campaign assets → digital/e-commerce expression.

Since you’re in the West Loop, there are several particularly strong fits nearby.

My Chicago shortlist

1. ColorJar — my first call for a founder-led fashion brand

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8192)

ColorJar is in Fulton Market and specializes in brand strategy, positioning, naming/verbal identity, visual identity, guidelines, and campaign creative. That combination is unusually close to what you're describing. ALL FOR™

Why I'd call them: They appear well suited if you want the agency to help answer “What is this brand supposed to mean?” before jumping into aesthetics.

colorjar.com

2. Multiple Inc. — strongest West Loop all-around brand partner

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-846-6944)

Multiple is actually on W. Washington Blvd in the West Loop. Their offering explicitly covers strategy, storytelling, naming, identity, campaigns and digital experiences. Multiple Inc. Multiple Inc.

Why I'd call them: If you want one partner to develop the brand foundation and then turn it into a sophisticated campaign system, they're worth a serious conversation.

Phone: 312-846-6944
Email: info@multipleinc.com Multiple Inc.

multipleinc.com

3. UnitOneNine — boutique / digital-first option

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-970-0019)

They're in the West Loop on Lake Street and position themselves around strategy, branding and digital experiences.

Why I'd call them: Particularly interesting if the brand is going to live primarily through Shopify, Instagram/TikTok, digital advertising and a highly polished DTC experience, rather than traditional retail.

4. SCC | Schafer Condon Carter — if the launch campaign is the big priority

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-464-1666)

SCC is also in the West Loop, at 176 N. Racine. It's a much more substantial integrated creative/media agency with a long Chicago history and a stated focus on challenger brands.

Why I'd call them: If you're envisioning a real launch campaign—photography/video, social, paid media, experiential, PR-type activation, etc.—rather than primarily a brand identity project.

The tradeoff is that a young fashion startup may get more agency infrastructure than it actually needs.

5. Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm — fashion/e-commerce specialist

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-932-1104)

This one caught my attention specifically for your category. Elevate describes its work as sitting at the intersection of strategy, design and technology, with particular experience in premium beauty, fashion and DTC brands, including e-commerce, brand identity and digital campaigns.

Why I'd call them: If your priority is “Make this look like a serious premium fashion brand online and sell through the site”, rather than building a traditional corporate brand.

6. 14th & Boom — consumer/lifestyle + fashion angle

DirectionsWebsite

Their Chicago operation focuses on brand growth and creative across consumer lifestyle categories including fashion and beauty, with capabilities spanning positioning, identity, campaigns, content and e-commerce consulting.

Why I'd call them: Good candidate if you want the brand to feel culturally relevant and campaign-driven rather than simply polished.

One more I'd put on the list: Seedhouse

seed-house.com

Seedhouse is particularly compelling if the name itself is still undecided. They're a Chicago naming specialist and say they handle brand/product names, taglines and nomenclature, with trademark and domain checks incorporated into the process. Seed House

They're at 4043 N. Ravenswood, so not West Loop, but I'd absolutely include them if naming is a critical part of the assignment.

If I were you, I'd contact these 4 first

And I'd bring Seedhouse into the process if you haven't landed on the name.

What I'd ask them for

Don't ask for a “logo and branding package.” That's too narrow.

Tell them you're looking for:

Brand naming, positioning, verbal identity, visual identity, brand guidelines, launch creative concept, campaign art direction, social/digital launch system, and e-commerce brand expression.

Then ask each agency for 2–3 relevant fashion, beauty, lifestyle or DTC case studies, the senior person who would actually lead your project, approximate timeline, and a rough budget range before you spend time on a formal pitch.

For a new fashion brand, I'd also specifically ask: “Show me how you'd make this brand recognizable without putting the logo everywhere.” That's a very revealing question.

If you tell me your target customer, approximate price point (e.g. $150 vs. $500 garments), aesthetic, and launch budget, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually pitch—and tell you exactly who at each agency to contact.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → e-commerce expression → launch campaign.

My shortlist:

The three I'd contact first

1. EightySeven — best overall fit

This is the one I'd put at the top of your list. Their model is unusually aligned with a founder launching from scratch: they explicitly work with founders, handle positioning/naming/identity, and have a five-week BrandLaunch offering covering positioning, identity directions, social, homepage direction and launch applications. Their naming work can extend the timeline because trademark clearance is separate. www.madebyeightyseven.com

EightySeven

2. Design B&B — best if you want fashion/consumer sophistication

I'd talk to them if your ambition is something that feels editorial, premium and consumer-facing, rather than a generic startup identity. Their capabilities span positioning, naming, verbal identity and visual systems, and they're right in the West Loop.

3. Multiple — best balanced brand + campaign option

Multiple is compelling if you want the same partner thinking about what the brand stands for, what it's called, how it looks, and how the campaign communicates it. Their stated disciplines are strategy, messaging, naming, identity and campaigns, and they're at 845 W Washington Blvd. multipleinc.com

Multiple Inc.

One additional agency I'd seriously consider

ALL FOR™ is particularly interesting because it's actually in Fulton Market/West Loop and explicitly offers naming, positioning, identity, campaign design, e-commerce web design and apparel. That's a very direct match for a fashion e-commerce startup. allfor.agency

ALL FOR™

What I'd ask for

Don't approach them asking simply for "branding." Give them a brief along these lines:

Phase 1 — Brand foundation

• Competitive/category research
• Target customer definition
• Positioning
• Brand strategy
• Naming + tagline
• Trademark/domain screening

Phase 2 — Identity

• Logo/wordmark
• Typography
• Color system
• Art direction
• Photography direction
• Packaging/shipping experience
• Social identity
• Brand guidelines

Phase 3 — Launch

• Launch concept/big idea
• Campaign creative
• E-commerce homepage direction
• Paid/social creative
• Launch photography/video
• Influencer/creator creative direction
• Email/SMS launch assets
• Optional West Loop launch event/pop-up

That's important because the agency that makes a beautiful logo isn't necessarily the agency that can make people care about the brand.

If I were spending my own money, I'd request proposals from EightySeven, Design B&B, Multiple, and ALL FOR™, then choose based on the thinking in their pitch, not the prettiest portfolio.

And if your brand is positioned as luxury/premium, contemporary streetwear, women's fashion, men's fashion, sustainable, or Gen-Z/DTC, tell me which — I can narrow this to the 3 Chicago agencies whose portfolios/style are most appropriate and give you the specific person/contact route for each.

Yes. For a new e-commerce fashion brand, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than make a logo: you want naming → positioning → visual/verbal identity → campaign idea → launch assets → social/content, ideally with an understanding of DTC/fashion culture.

I’d put these at the top of your Chicago shortlist:

My top 5

1. Someoddpilot — best overall fit

This is the first call I’d make. They’re an independent Chicago creative agency with capabilities spanning naming, brand strategy, identity, campaigns, digital, and production. Their portfolio includes fashion/lifestyle-adjacent work, DTC brands, product launches, and culturally driven campaigns. They also run an apparel/art venture themselves, which makes the fashion relevance particularly interesting. someoddpilot.com

Why I'd call: If your ambition is to create a brand people want to belong to, rather than simply a polished Shopify store, they're a strong candidate.

Someoddpilot — contact / agency site

2. ColorJar — best boutique brand-building option

ColorJar is actually in Fulton Market/West Loop, and its offering is unusually aligned with what you're asking for: brand strategy, naming/verbal identity, visual identity, campaign creative, and real-world brand touchpoints.

Why I'd call: A potentially better fit than a huge agency if you're a founder who wants senior people deeply involved in shaping the brand.

3. Mekanism Chicago — best for a big launch idea

Their Chicago office is on Washington Blvd in the West Loop, so they're literally in your neighborhood. They're oriented toward integrated creative campaigns, strategy, digital/social, and production.

Why I'd call: If you already have a fairly strong brand concept but need a launch campaign that creates attention, I'd put them high on the list.

4. VSA Partners, Inc. — best high-end strategic/design option

VSA is a substantially larger, established Chicago branding agency. They cover strategy, positioning, identity systems, campaigns and digital experiences. Their Chicago office is at 600 W Chicago Ave. www.vsapartners.com

Why I'd call: If you're building something with serious ambition—premium positioning, substantial funding, national expansion, sophisticated identity system—VSA is worth a conversation. I'd expect them to be more substantial/expensive than a boutique studio.

5. Design In Chicago — best West Loop practical end-to-end option

They're at 159 N Sangamon, right in the West Loop, and combine branding, naming, web/e-commerce, digital marketing, photography/video and launch assets.

Why I'd call: Particularly interesting if you want one team to take you from brand strategy all the way through website/e-commerce implementation and launch rather than coordinating several vendors.

One specialist I'd add

Seedhouse is worth contacting specifically for naming. They focus heavily on brand/product naming and say they incorporate trademark and domain checks throughout the naming process. www.seed-house.com

Seedhouse naming practice

That could be useful if the name itself is still wide open.

If I were you, I'd contact these 3 first

🥇 Someoddpilot — "Make this a culturally relevant fashion brand."
🥈 ColorJar — "Help me build a distinctive premium brand from the ground up."
🥉 Mekanism — "Give us a launch campaign people will actually notice."

I'd then keep VSA as the higher-end strategic option and Design In Chicago as the practical integrated option.

What I'd ask for

Don't approach them saying "I need a logo and a website." That's likely to produce a much narrower engagement.

Tell them you're looking for:

Brand naming + positioning + verbal identity + visual identity + e-commerce art direction + launch campaign + social/content system

And give them your target customer, price point, category, competitive set, launch date, expected first-year revenue/scale, and approximate branding budget.

The most important question I'd ask each agency is:

“Who specifically would be doing the strategic and creative work on my account, and can I see 2–3 examples of brands you built from the ground up rather than rebrands?”

That will tell you much more than the agency's awards page.

If you tell me the fashion category (e.g. women's contemporary, streetwear, luxury, accessories), target price point, and roughly what you're willing to spend on branding/launch, I can narrow this to 3 agencies and identify the specific person/team you should approach at each one.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → visual identity → campaign concept → launch creative → digital/e-commerce expression.

My shortlist after looking at Chicago firms:

Who I'd contact first

If this were my fashion startup, I'd make these five calls, in this order:

1. EightySeven — If you're an early-stage founder and need someone to actually build the brand with you. Their positioning is explicitly around ambitious businesses at launch/growth stages, and their five-week BrandLaunch product is unusually clear about scope and price. www.madebyeightyseven.com

2. Elevate Studios — If this is a premium DTC fashion brand where Shopify/e-commerce, photography, digital experience and brand expression all need to work together. The fashion/DTC specialization makes them particularly relevant.

3. Someoddpilot — If you want the brand to feel culturally relevant, editorial and campaignable, rather than like a conventional corporate identity. Their combination of naming + identity + campaign + digital is almost exactly your brief.

4. Design B&B — Especially worth meeting because they're right in West Loop and are an independent brand strategy/design agency rather than a giant network.

5. Landor — I'd have the conversation even if you ultimately decide they're too large/expensive. Their West Loop location and experience creating a complete neighborhood brand identity are unusually relevant to your situation. landor.com

One more I'd seriously consider: Aroa

If you're positioning the brand as premium, fashion-forward, design-led and relatively exclusive, I'd add Aroa Studio to the pitch list. It's deliberately small, works with fashion and other premium product brands, and the principal is directly involved rather than handing the work down through an agency hierarchy. www.aroa.studio

Don't hire them all for the same brief

I'd send each agency a concise founder brief saying you need:

• Brand naming + trademark/domain screening strategy
• Positioning and competitive differentiation
• Brand story / voice
• Visual identity system
• Packaging / hangtags / labels
• Art direction and photography direction
• Shopify/e-commerce visual direction
• Social launch system
• Launch campaign concept
• Campaign assets for paid social, organic social, email and PR
• Optional West Loop launch/pop-up activation

That's important because a lot of "branding agencies" are excellent at identity but aren't necessarily the right partner for a fashion launch campaign.

And Chicago is actually an interesting place to build this: West Loop is increasingly becoming a physical-digital retail environment, including the new Live Launch concept at 810 W Washington that puts online-first brands into temporary physical storefronts. www.axios.com

If you tell me your fashion brand's price point, target customer, aesthetic (e.g. COS/Aritzia/Skims/Jacquemus/Streetwear/etc.), and approximate branding budget ($15–30k, $30–75k, $75k+), I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually pitch—and find the specific person/founder/creative director you should contact at each.

For a new e-commerce fashion brand based in West Loop, I would prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: you need brand strategy + naming + visual identity + digital launch system + campaign thinking. Fashion is especially sensitive to taste, positioning, and storytelling, so I’d avoid a pure web/design shop unless they have strong consumer brand experience.

Here are the Chicago agencies I would put on your shortlist:

1. Multiple Inc. — Best overall fit for a premium fashion startup

Multiple Inc.
Multiple Inc.
Web
Address: 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607
Phone: +13128466944

Why consider them:

• Strong in brand strategy, naming, identity systems, messaging, and campaigns. multipleinc.com
• Located in West Loop (845 W Washington Blvd), which makes founder collaboration easy. multipleinc.com
• Good fit if you want a brand that feels like it could scale beyond Chicago.

Ask for:

“We’re launching a fashion e-commerce brand and need positioning, naming, identity, Shopify/e-commerce creative direction, and a launch campaign.”

Contact:

• General inquiry: Multiple Inc.

2. Seedhouse — Best if the name itself is still undecided

Why consider them:

• Specializes in brand naming, product naming, taglines, tone of voice, and naming systems. www.seed-house.com
• Useful if you want a distinctive fashion name with trademark/domain thinking built in. www.seed-house.com

Best use:

• Pair them with a visual identity studio, or have them lead the first phase.

Contact:

• Seedhouse Naming

3. EightySeven — Best for founder-led launches

Why consider them:

• Built around helping founders launch and reposition brands.
• Offers structured launch-focused branding programs including positioning, identity, social direction, homepage direction, and launch assets. www.madebyeightyseven.com

Best fit:

• You have the product, supply chain, and vision, but need the “make this feel like a real brand” transformation.

Contact:

• EightySeven Branding Studio

4. Adcetera — Best if you want a larger strategic partner

Why consider them:

• Offers naming, positioning, identity, launch strategy, campaigns, and customer experience work. www.madebyeightyseven.comwww.adcetera.com
• Better suited if you expect a significant launch budget or want research-driven brand development.

Contact:

• Adcetera Chicago Brand Agency

5. Junotype Collective — Best for design-forward lifestyle/fashion aesthetics

Why consider them:

• Combines strategy, naming, visual identity, brand guidelines, launch strategy, and campaign design. www.junotype.com
• Could be a good match for a fashion label where visual world-building matters.

Contact:

• Junotype Collective

6. Isla Luna Studio — Best boutique option

Why consider them:

• Boutique Chicago studio focused on identity, websites, and packaging for founder-led consumer brands. www.islalunastudio.com
• Potentially a better fit if you want a closer creative relationship.

Contact:

• Isla Luna Studio

Who I would contact first (my shortlist)

If I were launching a West Loop fashion brand, I’d start conversations with:

1. Multiple Inc. — strongest all-around brand partner
2. EightySeven — strongest founder-launch partner
3. Junotype Collective — strongest design/aesthetic partner
4. Seedhouse — if naming is the biggest challenge
5. Adcetera — if you have a larger launch budget

For your first agency call, have these ready:

• Target customer (age, income, style references)
• Price point
• Competitors you admire/dislike
• Whether you need the name created or already have one
• Launch date
• Budget range (many agencies will scope very differently depending on whether you need a $15k identity sprint or a $100k+ full launch platform)

I would also ask every agency for 3 fashion/lifestyle case studies, not just general branding work. Fashion branding depends heavily on taste level, photography direction, packaging, influencer/social thinking, and cultural positioning.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: name → positioning → visual identity → campaign concept → launch content → digital/e-commerce expression.

I searched current Chicago agencies and would put these on your shortlist:

My top 6

1. Landor — best for a sophisticated, high-ambition brand
   • Chicago office at 333 N Green St. in Fulton Market.
   • Particularly strong if you want a brand that could eventually compete nationally or internationally.
   • They can bring substantial brand strategy, naming, verbal identity, visual identity and campaign capabilities.
   • Caveat: likely the most enterprise-oriented/expensive option on this list.
   • Landor Chicago

2. SCC | Schafer Condon Carter — best for a launch campaign
   • They're actually in the West Loop, at 176 N Racine.
   • Full-service creative/media agency with a strong challenger-brand positioning, so they're interesting if you're trying to make noise rather than simply establish a pretty identity.
   • Particularly compelling if you want the agency to own the campaign and audience-building side after the identity is established.
   • SCC

3. ColorJar — my pick for a founder-led West Loop startup
   • Located right in Fulton Market, 1000 W Fulton Market.
   • Boutique brand strategy/design consultancy, which is closer to what I'd want for a new fashion brand than a giant agency.
   • Good candidate for positioning + identity + brand system, with the advantage of being physically close to you.
   • ColorJar

4. Design In Chicago — best if brand + Shopify/e-commerce need to work together
   • Located at 159 N Sangamon, right in West Loop.
   • They specifically offer brand strategy, naming, identity, launch assets and Shopify/e-commerce development.
   • This is attractive if you don't want to have a branding agency create the identity and then hand it to a completely different team to build your store.
   • Design In Chicago

5. UnitOneNine — best boutique/digital-first option
   • Located at 650 W Lake St.
   • More intimate and design-led; their positioning combines brand foundation with a polished digital experience.
   • I'd talk to them if your brand is going to live primarily through Instagram/TikTok + Shopify + editorial imagery, rather than traditional advertising.
   • UnitOneNine

6. 14th & Boom — particularly interesting for fashion/lifestyle
   • Their capabilities explicitly include fashion lookbooks, photoshoots, brand identity, websites, social content, advertising campaigns and events.
   • That's unusually close to the full stack you're describing.
   • I'd put them high on the list if the desired brand is fashion-forward, visual and consumer/lifestyle-oriented.
   • 14th & Boom

Two more I'd investigate

Design B&B is worth a conversation if you want a more distinctive consumer-brand identity. They specifically offer brand strategy, identity, naming/verbal identity and brand activation. www.designbandb.com Design B&B

EightySeven is especially interesting if you're a founder who wants a highly hands-on process. Their current BrandLaunch offering is explicitly designed for founders launching new businesses and packages a complete brand in five weeks. www.madebyeightyseven.com EightySeven

If it were my money

I'd contact four, rather than blast 15 agencies:

And I'd take Landor to a fifth pitch if you're building a genuinely ambitious premium brand and have the budget.

One important distinction: don't ask agencies simply for "branding." Tell them you're looking for a partner to develop the name, positioning, verbal identity, visual identity, launch creative, campaign platform, social/content direction and e-commerce expression. That will immediately separate the agencies capable of building a real consumer brand from firms that primarily make logos.

For the name itself, I'd also consider bringing in a specialist such as Seedhouse, which focuses specifically on naming and does trademark/domain vetting as part of its process. www.seed-house.com Seedhouse Naming

My first three calls: ColorJar, 14th & Boom, and Design In Chicago.

If you tell me your target customer, price point, aesthetic (e.g. quiet luxury vs. streetwear vs. contemporary women's), and rough branding budget ($15k / $30k / $50k+), I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually pitch and tell you exactly what to ask each one.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: name → positioning → identity → campaign concept → launch assets, with enough fashion/consumer sensibility that the brand feels culturally relevant rather than corporate.

My shortlist

Two specialists I'd add to the pitch list

EightySeven is especially compelling for a founder starting from zero. Its Chicago studio works directly with founders on strategy, story, identity and activation, including naming, messaging, typography, campaigns, websites and packaging. Its current BrandLaunch offering is five weeks at $30K, with larger engagements starting at $60K. www.madebyeightyseven.com

EightySeven

For naming specifically, I'd also talk to Seedhouse. They're unusually explicit about brand naming, trademark/database checks and domain checks, and say their typical naming engagement runs 3–6 weeks. www.madebyeightyseven.comwww.seed-house.com

Seedhouse naming

One important fashion-specific signal

I'd ask every agency to show you actual fashion/apparel or premium lifestyle work, not just generic B2B branding.

For example, Abbr. Projects has done the identity for Chicago fashion retailer SVRN, including its wordmark and typography system. simon.abranowicz.com And MAKSIM has done a fashion-designer identity involving logo, typography, hangtags, social and email applications. maksim.design

Who I'd contact first

If I were you, I'd make these five calls, in this order:

1. ColorJar — strongest overall match for a distinctive consumer/fashion brand.
2. EightySeven — strongest founder-launch proposition and unusually transparent pricing.
3. Point B — strongest West Loop option if you want strategy through advertising.
4. Elevate Studios — strongest option if the e-commerce/digital experience is central.
5. Seedhouse — bring them in if naming is the most consequential decision and you want serious name vetting.

I would not start with a huge global consultancy unless you have a substantial launch budget and complex brand architecture needs. For a new fashion label, a smaller senior team can give you considerably more founder access and creative attention.

What to ask for: don't ask simply for a "branding proposal." Tell them you need a founder-led brand launch engagement covering:

• brand positioning & audience
• competitive/cultural research
• naming + trademark/domain screening
• verbal identity / tagline
• visual identity + typography
• packaging / labels / hangtags
• e-commerce art direction
• launch campaign concept
• photography/video direction
• social launch system
• launch calendar and production

That framing will make the proposals much easier to compare.

If you tell me the fashion category, target customer, price point, and approximate branding/launch budget (e.g. $25K, $50K, $100K+), I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually pitch and find the right contact person for each.

Yes. If you’re launching a new fashion e-commerce brand from the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: naming → positioning → identity → e-commerce expression → launch creative.

I’d put these four at the top of your outreach list:

1. Multiple Inc. — my first call

Multiple Inc.
Web
Address: 845 W Washington Blvd Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
Phone: +1 312-846-6944

845 W Washington Blvd, West Loop

Multiple is probably the strongest all-around fit for the brief you described. They explicitly offer strategic naming, positioning/messaging, identity systems, campaigns, digital, photography and motion—so you can keep the brand foundation and launch creative under one roof. multipleinc.comwww.colorjar.comwww.madebyeightyseven.com

Their team includes Andy Eltzroth (Partner/Managing Director), Kelly Komp (Partner/Creative Director), and Kevin Krueger (Partner/Creative Director). Kelly in particular has a strategy + messaging + design background. multipleinc.com

Contact: Multiple Inc. contact page
Phone: 312-846-6944
Email: info@multipleinc.com

Why I'd call: You want a brand, not just fashion artwork. Multiple has the strategic discipline to help determine what the brand should stand for before designing how it looks.

2. ColorJar — especially strong for a consumer/DTC launch

ColorJar
Web
Address: 1000 W Fulton Market #213, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
Phone: +1 312-448-8192

1000 W Fulton Market, West Loop

ColorJar is particularly interesting for an e-commerce fashion startup because its offering covers brand positioning, naming/taglines, messaging, logo/visual identity, creative strategy/campaigns, websites and packaging. www.colorjar.com

They also show experience with consumer and DTC businesses, including a breakthrough DTC brand and consumer products. www.colorjar.com

Contact: ColorJar
Email: hello@colorjar.com

Why I'd call: If the goal is a highly differentiated consumer brand that has to convert online, ColorJar would be very high on my list.

3. EightySeven — best founder-focused option

EightySeven
Web

159 N. Sangamon St, West Loop

EightySeven is explicitly built around founders launching or repositioning businesses. Their BrandLaunch program is a five-week, launch-focused engagement covering the essential brand strategy/storytelling and identity needed to get a new business into market. www.madebyeightyseven.com

They describe themselves as a founder-led studio rather than a large agency, which could be valuable if you want the agency's senior people closely involved.

Contact: EightySeven
Email: hello@madeby87.com

Why I'd call: If you're a founder who wants a tight, opinionated partner rather than a large agency machine, this may be your best fit.

4. SIX4 Creative — worth a fashion-specific conversation

SIX4 Creative
Web
Address: 4000 W Diversey Ave, Chicago, IL 60639, United States

SIX4 is the one I'd add specifically because its positioning includes fashion/lifestyle, and its branding offering covers discovery/research, brand identity, messaging, visual identity and brand launch strategy. www.six4creative.com

Contact: SIX4 Creative

Why I'd call: If your brand is more fashion/culture/lifestyle than simply "a DTC company selling clothes," I'd want to see their fashion work before making the final decision.

One more specialist I'd consider: Seedhouse

If the name itself is still completely open, Seedhouse's naming practice is worth knowing about. They're specifically focused on naming and copy development and describe a process involving competitive research, trademark databases and domain checks. Their typical naming engagement is 3–6 weeks. www.seed-house.com

I wouldn't necessarily hire them instead of a full branding agency, but they could be useful if naming is the hardest part of the project.

My shortlist, in order

What I'd actually ask them for

Don't approach them asking for "a logo and branding." Give them a much bigger mandate:

Brand naming + positioning + verbal identity + visual identity + e-commerce art direction + packaging + launch campaign + launch content direction.

And tell them you're looking for a distinctive fashion brand with a point of view, not a generic Shopify apparel brand.

I'd send the same brief to the four agencies above and compare their first strategic response, not just their portfolios. The agency that starts asking smart questions about your customer, price point, cultural positioning, competitive set and ambition is probably more valuable than the one with the prettiest Instagram.

If I were the founder, I'd contact Multiple, ColorJar and EightySeven this week, then use SIX4 as the fashion-specialist benchmark.

Yes. For a new e-commerce fashion brand, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → verbal/visual identity → art direction → launch creative, with enough digital/e-commerce understanding to make the brand work on Shopify, social, email, packaging, and paid media.

I’d put these Chicago firms on your first-call list:

My top 5

Who I'd contact first

1. Multiple Inc. — my first call.
They're unusually well aligned with your exact brief: naming + positioning + messaging + identity + campaigns rather than treating branding as simply logo design. Their office is in West Loop, too. multipleinc.com

Contact Multiple Inc. — info@multipleinc.com / 312-846-6944

2. Design B&B — my second call.
I'd especially talk to them if you're envisioning a highly distinctive fashion/lifestyle identity that has to translate beautifully across site, packaging, social and physical experiences. Their capabilities include naming, tone of voice, identity, packaging and brand activation. www.designbandb.com

Contact Design B&B — hello@designbandb.com / 312-753-3037

3. EightySeven — very interesting for a founder-led startup.
This is probably the one I'd investigate if you're still crystallizing the business itself. Their process explicitly connects vision, audience, positioning, story and design, rather than jumping straight into visuals. Their published BrandLaunch starts at $30K for five weeks, which gives you a useful benchmark when talking to the others. www.madebyeightyseven.com

Book a Brand Vision Call with EightySeven — hello@madeby87.com

4. Isla Luna — strong boutique alternative.
I'd shortlist them particularly if the brand is women's fashion, sustainable/conscious fashion, beauty-adjacent or lifestyle-oriented. Their experience includes e-commerce and their services cover the whole chain from naming and positioning through identity, website, packaging and art direction. www.islalunastudio.com

Contact Isla Luna Studio — hello@islalunastudio.com

5. Junotype — if you want the launch to feel culturally relevant.
They combine strategy and branding with campaign, social, photography, video and animation, which could be valuable if your launch needs a strong visual/content system rather than just a brand book. www.madebyeightyseven.comwww.junotype.com

Explore Junotype Collective

One more I'd keep on the radar

Seedhouse is worth considering specifically for the name. They specialize in naming and say they combine creative development with trademark and domain checks. If the name is still completely open, you could use them for naming and then have another studio handle identity/launch. www.seed-house.com

Seedhouse naming services

What I'd actually do

Don't send an enormous RFP to 15 agencies. Talk to 3: Multiple, Design B&B, and EightySeven.

Tell them you're looking for:

Brand strategy + positioning → name → verbal identity → visual identity → e-commerce art direction → launch campaign

And ask each one to show you 2–3 comparable fashion/consumer launches, not just their prettiest logos.

I'd also ask for a proposal broken into Phase 1: strategy/naming, Phase 2: identity, Phase 3: launch, so you aren't committing your entire startup budget before you've validated the creative direction.

If you tell me your target customer, approximate price point, women's/men's/unisex, and the aesthetic you're after (e.g. elevated minimal, streetwear, quiet luxury, sexy, Gen-Z, sustainable, etc.), I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd personally pitch—and tell you exactly what to say when you contact each one.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than make a beautiful logo—you want naming + positioning + distinctive identity + launch creative + digital/e-commerce expression to feel like one idea.

Because you’re in the West Loop, there are several particularly strong options right around you.

My shortlist

If it were my brand, I'd contact these 4 first

1. Elevate Studios — fashion/e-commerce specialist

This would be my first call if you're building a premium DTC fashion label. Their experience is unusually aligned with what you're doing: fashion, beauty and DTC, with brand identity, UX, e-commerce platforms, digital campaigns and content production under one roof. www.elevatestudios.com

For new-business inquiries, they publish newbusiness@elevatestudios.com and 312-932-1104. www.elevatestudios.com

2. ColorJar — best all-around branding conversation

I'd call them if the hardest question is "What should this brand actually be?" They explicitly offer positioning, naming, messaging, logo/identity, packaging, websites and creative campaigns, and have worked with both startups and consumer products. www.colorjar.com

Their contact: hello@colorjar.com. www.colorjar.comwww.madebyeightyseven.comwww.elevatestudios.comwww.elevatestudios.comwww.colorjar.com

3. EightySeven — best founder experience

I'd talk to them if you're an early-stage founder who wants a tight, senior-level process rather than a giant agency machine. Their published BrandLaunch is a five-week, $30K engagement; larger engagements start at $60K and $100K. www.madebyeightyseven.com

Contact: hello@madeby87.com. They're at 159 N. Sangamon, right in the West Loop. www.madebyeightyseven.com

4. Design B&B — best design-led option

I'd put this one on the pitch list if your aspiration is fashion/editorial/high-design, rather than conventional "marketing agency." They describe themselves as consumer-first and cover strategy, identity, naming/verbal identity, packaging and brand activation. www.designbandb.com

They're at 833 W. Jackson and list hello@designbandb.com / 312-753-3037. www.designbandb.com

One wildcard: Seedhouse

If you don't have the name yet, I'd seriously consider talking to Seedhouse even if you ultimately hire another agency for the identity and campaign. Naming is their specialty, including trademark and domain screening, and they say a typical naming engagement takes 3–6 weeks. www.seed-house.com

The agency brief I'd give them

Don't ask them simply for "a logo and launch campaign." Tell them you're looking for:

Brand foundation

• Competitive/category research
• Positioning and target customer
• Brand name + naming rationale
• Trademark/domain preliminary screening
• Brand story, voice and messaging

Identity

• Logo/wordmark
• Typography/color system
• Photography/art direction
• Packaging
• Social/e-commerce design system
• Brand guidelines

Launch

• Big launch idea/concept
• Campaign creative
• Photography/video direction
• Social/creator strategy
• Paid/social assets
• Launch website/e-commerce expression
• PR/influencer/experiential ideas

That framing will let you quickly see which agencies are thinking like brand builders versus simply selling you a logo package.

My first three calls: Elevate for fashion/DTC expertise, ColorJar for strategic brand creation, and EightySeven for a founder-friendly premium launch. I'd then add Design B&B if the aesthetic/design bar is particularly high.

If you tell me your fashion category, target customer, approximate launch budget, and whether you already have a name, I can narrow this to the 3 agencies I'd actually invite to pitch and tell you what I think each one will likely be best at.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand launching from the West Loop, I’d avoid agencies that are primarily “logo shops.” You want a partner that can connect naming → positioning → visual identity → campaign → digital/e-commerce launch.

I’d put these on your first outreach list:

My top 5

1. ColorJar — best overall boutique fit
   • Fulton Market/West Loop, so very convenient.
   • Does brand strategy, naming, messaging, visual identity, creative campaigns, websites and packaging.
   • Particularly interesting for you because they have experience creating DTC/consumer brands, including Transformation and Glider Chocolates, as well as the West Loop hospitality brand HIDE + SEEK. www.colorjar.com
   • Contact: ColorJar

I'd contact them first.

2. Design B&B — best for a sophisticated consumer brand
   • West Loop, independent agency.
   • Strong combination of consumer research, brand positioning, naming/verbal identity, visual identity, packaging and digital activation. www.designbandb.com
   • Their work emphasizes understanding how consumers actually shop and what makes them add something to cart, which is highly relevant to fashion e-commerce. www.designbandb.com
   • Contact: Design B&B

3. EightySeven — best founder/startup fit
   • Very close to you at 159 N. Sangamon.
   • Specifically positions itself around founders preparing to launch, with strategy, storytelling and design.
   • Its (87)BrandLaunch is explicitly a five-week, launch-ready branding program, currently advertised at $30K. www.madebyeightyseven.com
   • Contact: EightySeven

This would be my choice if you're founder-led, early-stage and want a relatively focused engagement rather than a giant agency.

4. Multiple Inc. — strong strategy + identity + campaign option
   • West Loop, independent agency.
   • Covers the complete chain: strategy, storytelling, positioning, naming, identity, campaigns and experience design. multipleinc.com
   • Particularly attractive if you want the brand to feel strategically distinctive rather than simply fashionable.
   • Contact: Multiple Inc.

5. Schafer Condon Carter (SCC) — best if the launch campaign is the big priority
   • West Loop.
   • A larger integrated creative/media agency built around challenger brands, with brand strategy, campaign development and media/performance capabilities. clutch.co
   • I'd consider them if you're planning a meaningful paid/social/experiential launch, rather than just establishing the brand.

One more I'd seriously consider

Elevate Studios is worth a look if your priority is specifically fashion + DTC + e-commerce. Its positioning is unusually relevant: it works at the intersection of strategy, design and technology and highlights premium fashion, beauty and D2C brands, including brand identity, e-commerce and digital campaigns.

Who I'd actually call

If I were in your position, I'd make three calls, not ten:

Then I'd use Elevate Studios as the wildcard if your brand is particularly fashion/DTC/e-commerce driven.

One important distinction: I wouldn't choose purely based on being in West Loop. You're in one of the best creative neighborhoods in Chicago, but the quality and fit of the agency matters much more than a five-minute commute.

What to ask for

When you contact them, don't ask for “branding.” Tell them you're looking for a foundational brand launch encompassing:

• Brand naming + trademark/domain screening
• Positioning and competitive differentiation
• Brand story / voice / messaging
• Visual identity and design system
• Packaging, labels, hangtags and shipping experience
• E-commerce art direction
• Launch campaign concept
• Social/paid creative system
• Launch photography/video direction
• Potential West Loop launch/pop-up activation

That framing will make it much easier to compare proposals apples-to-apples.

Also, naming deserves particular attention. A name that looks great on Instagram but can't be trademarked or has no sensible domain is an expensive mistake. Seedhouse, for example, explicitly builds trademark and domain screening into its naming process. www.seed-house.com

My personal shortlist for a fashion founder: ColorJar → Design B&B → EightySeven → Elevate Studios.

If you tell me your fashion category (women's/men's, luxury/contemporary/streetwear/etc.), approximate launch budget, and target customer, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd hire and tell you what I think each one would likely charge.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo: positioning → naming → visual/verbal identity → campaign concept → e-commerce launch.

I’d put these on your first outreach list:

My top 3 for you

1. Design B&B — my first call.
They look closest to what you're describing: a consumer-first brand, not simply a website or logo. They cover brand strategy, identity, naming, tone of voice, packaging and activation. www.designbandb.com

2. EightySeven — my founder-friendly pick.
If you want to work directly with senior creative/strategy people rather than get handed to a large account team, this is compelling. Their explicit positioning around founders launching businesses is unusually aligned with your situation. Their $30K BrandLaunch also gives you a useful budget benchmark. www.madebyeightyseven.com

3. Brandworks Studios — the one I'd definitely add because you're fashion/e-commerce.
Their portfolio specifically includes a fashion brand built from the ground up, including branding, Shopify and creative direction. That's a much stronger signal for your use case than a generic Chicago branding portfolio. www.bybrandworks.com

And one important distinction

I wouldn't necessarily hire one company to do everything.

For a fashion startup, I'd want the agency brief to produce:

1. Brand strategy — customer, positioning, competitive whitespace
2. Naming — 3–5 strong territories, trademark/domain screening
3. Verbal identity — brand story, voice, tagline
4. Visual identity — logo, typography, color, art direction, photography direction
5. Packaging — mailers, boxes, hangtags, labels, inserts
6. Launch campaign — campaign idea, imagery, social, influencer/PR concept
7. Shopify creative direction — so the site feels like the brand rather than a separate web project
8. Launch toolkit — social templates, email, paid ads, launch assets

If the name is still completely open, I'd put extra weight on naming expertise. For example, Seedhouse in Chicago specializes in strategic naming and says it screens candidates through trademark and domain checks throughout the process. www.designbandb.comwww.seed-house.com

Who I'd contact first

I'd send essentially the same short founder brief to:

• Design B&B
• EightySeven
• Brandworks Studios
• Multiple
• Junotype Collective

I'd not lead with "I need a logo." Tell them you're building a new fashion e-commerce brand and need a naming, identity and launch partner. That immediately attracts the strategy/creative people you actually want.

If you tell me your fashion category (e.g. women's contemporary, streetwear, luxury, menswear, accessories), target customer, approximate launch date, and rough branding budget, I can narrow this to 3 agencies and tell you exactly who I'd contact first and why.

Yes. For a new fashion e-commerce brand in the West Loop, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a logo—ideally naming + positioning + visual identity + campaign concept + digital/e-commerce launch.

My shortlist

Two I'd add specifically for fashion

Studio Fulchi is worth talking to if you want a smaller, highly hands-on creative partner. Their Batik project is unusually close to what you're describing: they created the brand identity, packaging, retail materials, social assets, Shopify experience and launch support for a Chicago apparel boutique. landor.comstudiofulchi.comwww.six4creative.com

SIX4 Creative also deserves a call. They explicitly offer brand discovery, identity, storytelling, launch strategy and campaign work, and their Notre case study is directly relevant: Notre is a Chicago fashion/e-commerce retailer, and SIX4 handled its launch PR, influencer, press and VIP strategy. www.six4creative.com

If it were my brand, I'd contact these 5 first

1. Multiple Inc. — best combination of West Loop + independent + brand strategy/design + campaign capability.
2. ColorJar — if you want the brand to feel particularly sophisticated and differentiated.
3. UnitOneNine — if the e-commerce experience is central to the brand.
4. Elevate Studios — if you're building a digitally native fashion/DTC business and want branding tied closely to conversion.
5. Studio Fulchi — if you want a smaller studio that will get deeply involved with the founder and physical/digital brand world.

There's also a compelling argument for EightySeven if you're an early-stage founder. They're explicitly positioned around founders preparing to launch, and their current (87)BrandLaunch is a five-week, $30K launch-brand package. They're at 159 N. Sangamon in the West Loop. www.madebyeightyseven.com

What I'd ask them for

Don't approach them asking simply for a "logo." I'd tell them you're looking for:

• Brand naming and trademark/domain considerations
• Positioning and target-customer definition
• Brand story / verbal identity
• Wordmark + visual identity
• Typography, color, imagery and art direction
• Packaging, labels, hangtags and unboxing
• Shopify/e-commerce visual direction
• Launch campaign concept
• Social/creator campaign system
• Photography/video art direction
• Launch content and paid-social creative
• Brand guidelines

That framing will attract the agencies capable of building a fashion brand, rather than a shop that primarily makes logos.

One important distinction: if you already have the name and positioning figured out, I'd shift the shortlist toward Studio Fulchi, UnitOneNine, Elevate and ColorJar. If you don't have a name yet, I'd put Multiple, EightySeven, ColorJar and Landor higher because naming/strategy becomes much more important.

If you tell me your approximate branding budget (e.g. $10–25K, $25–50K, $50–100K+) and whether the fashion brand is luxury, contemporary, streetwear, women's, men's, etc., I can narrow this to 3 agencies and tell you exactly who I'd contact first and why.