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Linda Dresner – In Memoriam

March 31, 2026

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The College for Creative Studies Mourns the Loss of Board of Trustees Member and Detroit Fashion Legend, Linda Dresner. Linda passed away on March 30, 2026.

As a longtime member of both the Board of Trustees and the Fashion Advisory Council at the College for Creative Studies, Detroit native Linda Dresner did more than advise; she championed the future of design. Her belief in the transformative power of education lives on through the Linda Dresner Endowed Chair, ensuring the support of the College’s Fashion Design program and its chair position in perpetuity.
Linda spent four decades as a visionary in the fashion industry running two influential, avant-garde boutiques in Birmingham, Michigan and New York City. She embodied the very core of CCS: a rare combination of fearless creativity and flawless craft.
Her work in fashion retail has been lauded by many. In a 2021 New York Times piece about her, Ikram Goldman, owner of the Chicago boutique Ikram, was quoted as saying: “For her, it wasn’t about clothes. It’s about the hunt of discovering that next talent. To me, that was her magic. That was her special sauce. She was always after the hunt and always had her ears and eyes so wide open so as not to miss anything or anyone.”

CCS President Don Tuski said, “Linda’s fashion industry insight was highly valued by myself and the CCS Board of Trustees. Her support to the college and fashion program was immense and she will never be forgotten, and her astute advice missed greatly.”

“Linda Dresner was a Detroit visionary with a global reach. She was not only a tremendous supporter of CCS and its students, but also a dear friend.” said Aki Choklat, the Linda Dresner Endowed Chair of Fashion Design. “Her legacy and name will always be connected to our fashion family. I miss my weekly visits to her shop, where she would make me a coffee and we would talk about the latest shows. I miss her dearly.”

Linda was the beloved wife of Edward C. Levy Jr. Cherished mother of Mark (Rena) Lewis and Steven (Amy Jo Miller) Lewis. Treasured grandmother of Samantha Lewis (Leo Reap), Lauren Lewis (Connor Flanigan), Ryan Lewis, and Alex Lewis. Adoring great-grandmother of Noah Lewis-Reap and Ava Lewis-Reap. Loving sister of Tisha Roth and the late Richard Varkle.

A service honoring Linda’s life will be held on Monday, April 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Ira Kaufman Chapel. Those wishing to further honor the memory of Linda Dresner may do so by making a contribution to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD).

We invite you to honor Linda Dresner’s legacy by supporting her lifelong commitment to creativity and the next generation of designers. Your gift to the Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design carries forward her vision and ensures lasting impact.

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