Chicago is known for producing superstars, with athletes, performers, creative artists, and designers breaking boundaries. These icons don’t conform to societal expectations or restrictions. One such rising designer continues to make an impact in the fashion and entertainment industry. His signature icy glacier tags are flooding social media feeds and major media platforms, catching the eye with their unique creations. Whether it’s custom garments, denim, jewelry, or footwear with blue hues, this multifaceted designer has created an iconic, lasting fashion staple.
Ron Louis, 32, never imagined his exclusive signature glacier tags would take over his city so quickly. However, he’s deeply grateful for the women who have organically built a community around his blue tag denim, propelling the movement in ways he never anticipated. Louis is quick to credit these women for their role in his success.
“I read all the comments from women on social media, proudly wearing and talking about how ‘in the know’ they are for owning a pair of my jeans,” Louis tells GU with admiration. “The community spread awareness organically, mostly through word of mouth and across these platforms, many with strong followings. I believe women set the standards, period. Fashion is just another vessel.”
Louis recalls the surreal moment he secured a luxury fashion collaboration with Coach, an opportunity he cherished in honor of his mother, who adored the brand. Coach was the first luxury label he noticed in his household. His collaboration with Nike and his team at Locale also marked a major career milestone, particularly when their Air Force 1 canary yellow sneakers sold out within an hour at a retail activation in Tokyo (Nike Japan).
“I actually went into Coach with a close friend, who was an influencer at the time, to help him record content. The District Manager happened to be there, so I asked if the brand was interested in collaborating with artists,” he says. “She told me they were, but it was usually for something like bag painting, and then pulled me aside to discuss it further. The night before, I had prepared a deck just in case an opportunity arose. I showed it to her, and she took my info, saying she had something bigger in mind. I stayed in contact through LinkedIn for about a year while they opened a new retail spot on Michigan Ave.” Louis continues, “Several months later, I got a text from her saying her bosses were in town and I should come to the new store’s grand opening. Myself and my team went, pitched our idea, and a year later, the rest is history!”
In most creative spaces, the goal is to leave an intricate mark. But Louis aims for something much greater—an impact that extends beyond himself. He feels deeply honored by the sacrifices made by those who paved the way for designers and creatives like him. His mission is to break barriers and set a new standard for those who will follow.
“To be completely transparent, I try not to get too caught up in influence and impact,” he says. “I want to make it easier for the next generation in Chicago to express themselves at a high level, provide opportunities, and be a resource for those from similar backgrounds. I never imagined having this much support and love from the city, but I knew it was possible if I just kept being myself and worked hard.”
As fans and consumers continue to flock to his unique creations, Louis recently shared a sneak peek of an upcoming collaboration with Clint, a designer jeweler. The preview featured a captivating ice’d Jesus pendant V2 sample, which sparked an influx of positive responses.
“I have to thank Clint, the jeweler I worked with on this piece. We put a lot of thought and intention into it over the last two years, and it means a lot to both of us,” Louis says. “Without giving too much away, we want our audience to ask questions about why it’s blank-faced. We want them to focus on the celebration of the thorn crown and what it represents.”
As his prominence in the fashion and entertainment industry continues to rise, one of Louis’s first memorable experiences was styling rapper and songwriter Pusha T. In 2018, Louis landed the opportunity while working on pieces for Chicago rapper Valee the night before the music video shoot for the hit track “Miami,” featuring Pusha T. He cherishes the opportunity to collaborate with other major artists like Future, Lil Baby, Playboi Carti, Lucki, G Herbo, and King Louie, who regularly flaunt his exclusive garments. In the future, Louis hopes to collaborate with performers Doechii, Doja Cat, Rihanna, and Rico Nasty.
“It was my first time doing something of that magnitude,” Louis recalls. “I actually turned it down at first, but the team was very sure I could get the job done. I got the call from Valee’s manager, Andrew Barber, around 11 p.m. as I rushed to finish the garments. I eventually accepted.” Louis continues, “The call time was 8 a.m., and I had no pulls—stores were closed—but luckily, Valee’s stylist did pulls and shipped them with Pusha to Chicago. I just put together looks based on what was pulled and added what I could. I was so nervous, but I got the job done to everyone’s liking. It was also a photoshoot announcing Valee’s signing with Def Jam and G.O.O.D. Music, something I wasn’t aware of. The next day, I saw the press run featuring my clothes on Valee and Pusha T, styled by me. That moment taught me early on to always stay prepared because you never know when career-changing moments will come.”
Louis views the world as a creative canvas, often drawing inspiration from daily interactions and experiences. He’s driven by an uncontrollable passion to share his art with the world. Curiosity and imagination fuel him, and there’s intentional meaning behind each design and its connection to the human experience. Stay tuned for the third installment of his glacier link collection, in the form of earrings, releasing this spring. The world is truly his.