Why you should go to Phoenix Fashion Week
At 10 years, Phoenix Fashion Week is still going strong.
Director Brian Hill worked hard to establish the event as a way to help educate emerging designers and provide a platform to get their brands off the ground. So far, it seems to be working.
“We’re always pushing the envelope so much further every year and just try to do better for emerging designers globally,” Hill said. “Our pillars are fashion, education and community, which are proving what sets us apart and created a niche for us. We’re really about emerging fashion talent.”
This year, the event returns once again to Talking Stick Resort, with three nights of diverse runway shows, a Style Villa and cocktail receptions, and the announcement of Model of the Year and Designer of the Year on Saturday night. Each night is a different focus: Thursday is lifestyle, Friday is contemporary, and
Phoenix Fashion Week
5:30-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 18-20.
Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Salt River Reservation.
Different levels of seating are available each night. $50-$240. VIP cabanas are available.
phoenixfashionweek.com. Saturday is ready to wear.
Here are five highlights of this year’s event:
Emerging designers
From June to September, 15 designers, chosen from hundreds across the country, participated in an intensive boot camp. They will show their collections at Phoenix Fashion Week, and the lineup is diverse, including:
❚ MollyKate Cline: A free-spirited clothing line based in Ohio, featuring woman’s clothing made from sustainable materials. Proceeds benefit mental-health awareness organizations.
❚ Orlando Dugi: A Santa Fe-based fashion house that blends the traditional and modern in an elegant way, rooted in the Navajo culture.
❚ Zelenco: The designer out of San Jose features daring, modern clothing for women with unique embroidery and European style.
❚ Amanda Casarez: The St. Louis designer makes women’s clothing that is described as “tomboy chic.” The streetwear brand is comfortable, yet stylish.
❚ Being Dapper: A Phoenix clothing line aimed at the modern man, showcasing high-quality garments that help build confidence.
High-end couture
Saturday’s closing night show is always a blockbuster event, with two returning couture designers that bring the wow factor to the runway.
Filipino designer Rocky Gathercole’s fanciful avantgarde designs have been worn by Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Nicki Minaj. Dubai-based Yas Couture by Elie Madi will bring her stunning gowns, which have been seen on Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Lopez and Ciara.
Fashionably Pink
The signature runway show benefits Don’t Be a Chump! Check for a Lump! The evening begins with a no-host cocktail reception, a pop-up shop inside the Style Villa a silent auction. The organizers did a public call-out for breast-cancer survivor nominations, and Hill said they decided to include all 30 of the survivors. The Glam Squad and Mac Douggal designed pink dresses for them.
“We will show a behind-the-scenes video at the show of the fittings, because many of them haven’t been celebrated before, and we want to make them feel special,” Hill said.
Details: 6 p.m. reception, 8:15 p.m. show start.
Thursday, Oct. 18.
Cox Media livestream
For the first year, Phoenix Fashion Week will be streamed live online in partnership with Cox Media. Anyone who can’t make one of the nights or make the event at all doesn’t have to miss a moment. Day one is $9.99, and the three-day stream costs $24.99.
Livestream link: phoenixfashionweek.cleeng.com.
The Business of Fashion Seminar Series
If you’re thinking about a career in fashion, then sign up for the Business of Fashion Seminar Series, presented by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. The three-day program, which takes place the morning before Phoenix Fashion Week, features topics that include “Your Community is Crucial for Success” with State Forty Eight lifestyle brand, “So Many Fashion Degrees: Which One is For Me? - The FIDM Advantage,” and “MORE Than the #OOTD: The Business Behind Blogging” with stylist and blogger Audree Lopez.
Details: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 18-20. Seminar rooms at Talking Stick Resort, 9800 Talking Stick Way, Salt River Reservation. $20 for individual seminars; $55 for one-day packages. eventbrite.com.