Phoenix Fashion Week ready to strut its stuff on the runway
Oct 13, 2016, 5:52 AM
(Facebook Photo)
(Facebook Photo)
Scottsdale, Ariz. — More than 30 local and global designers will show off their creations during Phoenix Fashion Week, which begins Thursday and runs to Saturday.
“It’s an incredible event: Three days of incredible global designers that are going to come to this awesome runway, 80 feet long,” Abbei Brown, designer and buyer leader for Phoenix Fashion Week, said.
The fashion event will feature nine established designers, 11 emerging and more than 10 accessory designers presenting everything from luxury sportswear, high-fashion swimwear, accessories and more.
“We have emerging designers from South Africa, from Botswana, from the Cayman Islands,” Brown said, adding that established designers from Lebanon, the Philippines and Kuwait will also showcase alongside those from across the U.S. and here in Arizona.
On the first night, Phoenix Fashion Week will host Community Night featuring 12 local designers, including State Forty Eight, #LoveUp and Isy B.
Marisa Mike is from Tonalea, Arizona, and will be part of the community line up. She officially established her brand in July and will be presenting it for the first time during Phoenix Fashion Week.
She described her style as a unique spin on her Navajo heritage that gives way to fashion: She pairs traditional Pendleton blankets with a chiffon skirt and also creates full length dresses out of Pendleton blankets.
“Some of my family members in the past had requested for me to make something contemporary for a special occasion,” Mike explained, saying she wanted to create something younger generations would want to wear.
Phoenix Fashion Week will also be the culmination of the Emerging Designer Bootcamp. Designers from New York, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago and Phoenix, among others, are entered in the four-month competition. Winners will be selected as designer of the year and will get to market their collections on the televised home shopping network “EVINE” in the spring of 2017.
The goal of the bootcamp is to develop their brands, explained Brown.
“They’ve worked on press releases, on marketing plans, on budgets and to get a lot of exposure for their brands and take the next step.”
One of those designers is Loren Aragon, of Maricopa.
The second night of Phoenix Fashion Week will have a contemporary theme, with designers such as Amanda Casarez, Brothers Tailor and Resty.
The final night — Saturday — is all about luxury couture and will showcase designs by local line Aconav, Rachad Itani Couture and Barbara Bultman.
Phoenix Fashion Week will be hosted at Talking Stick Resort located near Indian Bend Road and the Loop 101. Tickets are available online.
