Detroit Fashion Week has been recognized as a Midwest regional fashion industry event. Since the summer of 2005 DFW has helped to make Michigan a fashion power in the midwest region. With the hard work of their staff and numerous volunteers they welcomed designers and buyers from across the country to see what our region has to offer.
It’s bikini season right now, but come autumn, all eyes move to the runway. Certainly the well-trod New York–Paris–Milan–London circuit comes to mind, but, closer to home, Detroit Fashion Week anchors the region’s evolving fashion design trade.
Detroit Fashion Week was established basically to help to launch the careers of local designers, to bring some credibility and some notoriety to Michigan’s fashion industry,” says Brian Heath, founder and producer of the state’s only such industry event. Now in its sixth year, it will be held at the Royal Oak Farmers’ Market from Sept. 19-25.
“Detroit Fashion Week is different from New York in that we’ve taken the position of not only doing an industry event, but also educating the local design community as to what the industry expects outside of Michigan.” Heath sees this as a way to better educate local designers about the industry’s seasonal buying calendar. While it’s now an established show whose designers have attracted coverage from the likes of CNN Money and Women’s Wear Daily, the event has been quick to welcome new apparel and accessories designers.
Fashion Week typically features 12-15 designers and 8-12 fashion students. Couturiers like Katerina Bocci have appeared. Bocci is the most well-established designer in Michigan. She’s a huge supporter of Detroit Fashion Week,” Heath says.
Detroit Fashion Week may lack international buyers, so you won’t see major names like Dior there, Heath says, but out-of-town designers do take part. Among them are New York’s Gretta Wallace, of the Simply Gretta line; Carmelita Martell, whose pieces have been shown at museums; Rani, creator of the St. Pucchi bridal line; and Tanya Seals, an Atlanta fur designer who just showed at the Cannes Film Festival.
Among the designers to see at Detroit Fashion Week this September will be Angela McBride, owner and creator of Peace, Love, and Spandex. Her colorific active performance wear and unisex spandex clothing is definitely kicky; a mesh top flaunts a draped neckline with a saucy green bow; turquoise pants sport bright patchwork stamps on the rear-end.
Schedule:
- This year Detroit’s Fashion Week will be held September 19th-25th. DFW is Michigan’s only fashion industry event!
- During Fashion Week, Spring/Summer lines for 2010 will be unveiled. You don’t want to miss your dose of the upcoming year’s fashions.
- Fashion Week Press Preview Party: Black Finn, Royal Oak, Sunday, 9/13 @ 6pm. No tickets needed
- Project Muse Gallery Exhibition: Vintner’s Cellar 325 E 4th St, Monday, 9/14 from 6-10pm, Tues – Sat, 9/15-9/19 regular business hours
- DFW Short Film Screenings: Goldfish Tea 117 W 4th St, Tues & Thurs, 9/15 & 9/17, from 3-9pm
- Salon Showcase (stylists only showcase): D’Amatos 222 S. Sherman Dr. afterparty @ D’Amatos, Friday, 9/18 6pm-2am
- Runway Models Workshop and talkback with Bianca Golden (ANTM cycle 9), 11am
- DFW InStyle Fashion Showcase and Community Mixer: Royal Oak Farmers Market Venue, 316 E. 11 Mile, Saturday, 9/19 1-5pm
- Couture & Student Showcase, High School Student Fashion Illustration Winner, Vendor Marketplace: Royal Oak Farmers Market Venue, 316 E. 11 Mile, 9/19 from 6pm-2am, tix are $25 and include afterparty!
- Afterparty – D’Amatos Italian Resturant/Goodnite Gracie Jazz & Martini Bar, 222 S. Sherman Dr., 9/19