Clients rave about the evolution of Tonya Gross. "She gained momentum as a creative force in the local community, not only in millinery, but also as an innovator."

Gross embraces the organic, choosing materials rich in texture and sculpture. She uses recycled materials with a strong sense of style and color.

"Gross stepped off the corporate ladder and launched Tonya Gross Millinery in 2007. Her commitment to collaboration with other designers, small business owners, and her peers and mentors has been a boon for those aching for a new fashion voice in the Midwest."

Gross received the Raymond Hudd Millinery award at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, her hats were on the runway for the Mayors’ Fashion Council and Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. She launched Chicago Millinery Artists on social networking site Neeetz http://chicagomillineryartists.neeetz.com/, and was a featured artist at the guerrilla runway show by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs at O’Hare Airport to launch 2008 Chicago Fashion Week.

Her millinery blog is at http://tonyagrossmillinery.blogspot.com