Her Story

ABOUT JERMIKKO

Jermikko Shoshanna Johnson—the first Black woman to own a retail fashion store on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

A patented inventor, cultural icon, and CEO of the Jermikkodesign™ and JJ Hobeau labels, Jermikko has defined American fashion for over five decades—fusing streetwear with high fashion long before it was trending.

Her designs have been worn by global legends including Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Whitney Houston, Della Reese, and NFL Hall of member Gale Sayers, who trusted Jermikko to create all his custom leather looks.

A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Jermikko trained under Stanley Korshak before launching her label in 1979. Her patented SWAP-Out Hoodie™ gained global recognition when it was featured in Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq, and the hit series Empire.

JERMIKKODESIGN™ IS MORE THAN FASHION—IT’S A CULTURAL MOVEMENT.

Every piece carries the DNA of innovation, power, and elegance. From limited-edition capsule drops to made-to-order couture and wearable tech, the brand commands attention on red carpets, city streets, and global runways alike.

AWARDS & HONORS

Jermikko’s career has been widely recognized for its groundbreaking contributions to fashion, innovation, and cultural leadership. She is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Designer of the Year award from the Apparel Industry Board, winning in 1997, 2003, and one additional year. In 2000, she was named Manufacturer of the Millennium by the Chicago Manufacturer’s Group, recognizing her as one of the most impactful creators in American garment production.

In 1980, one of her gowns was inducted into the permanent collection of the Chicago History Museum, a milestone that solidified her role in fashion history. Since 1985, she has been included in Who’s Who in American Women, honoring her continued impact across decades.

Jermikko has also been named Fashion Designer of the Year by the State of Illinois in both 1997 and 2003, and received the Women’s Clothing Designer of the Year award from the Apparel Industry Board in 2003. She was honored with the Women of Excellence Award by the Chicago Defender in 2010, and the Paul Berger Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Columbia College (year unlisted).

She has been recognized by the Society of Mannequins as Woman of the Year, and made history as the first Black fashion designer to be featured on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), the fashion industry’s definitive publication. Her legacy is also preserved in the national record—inducted into The HistoryMakers and honored by the Library of Congress as a StyleMaker.

Jermikko and her dual-patented SwapOut Hoodie™ have been nominated twice for the Chicago Innovation Awards, further establishing her as a pioneer in wearable fashion technology. In 2021, her life and contributions were featured in the book You Are What You Risk by Michele Wucker, now translated into multiple languages worldwide.

• Designer of the Year – Apparel Industry Board (1997, 2003, and one additional year)

• Manufacturer of the Millennium – Chicago Manufacturer’s Group (2000)

• Gown inducted into the permanent collection – Chicago History Museum (1980)

• Inducted into Who’s Who in American Women (1985–present)

• Fashion Designer of the Year – State of Illinois (1997, 2003)

• Women’s Clothing Designer of the Year – Apparel Industry Board (2003)

• Paul Berger Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year – Columbia College (year not publicly listed)

• Women of Excellence Award – Chicago Defender (2010)

• Society of Mannequins – Woman of the Year (year not publicly listed)

• First Black fashion designer featured on the cover of Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) (year not publicly listed)

• Inducted into The HistoryMakers and honored by the Library of Congress as a StyleMaker (year not publicly listed)

• Dual Nominee – Chicago Innovation Awards (years not publicly listed)

• Featured in the book You Are What You Risk by Michele Wucker (2021)