For years, Columbus designers have been all dressed up with no place to go. But this year, for the first time, local industry professionals decided to take matters into their own hands with the launch of Columbus Fashion Week.
Producer Ed Kavishe explained that the inspiration behind the event came on the heels of viewing a litany of local fashion shows that were high on fashion, but low on execution.
"The quality of the shows was just not there," he said. "A lot of clubs and galleries were not designed to host a fashion show. We wanted to create a real showcase for talented local designers and retailers."
Kavishe, a longtime high-fashion photographer whose clients include New York's Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, said there are several important factors needed to effectively show clothing. Proper lighting is key—too dim, and the garments' details will be lost; too harsh, and the results can be unflattering.
What: Columbus Fashion Week
When: March 13-17
Where: Bar of Modern Art, Downtown
Web: columbusfashionweek.com
Walk It Off
Columbus Fashion Week schedule of events
March 13, 8 p.m.: Designer/boutique G&Co, showcasing European denim designs and couture wear
March 14, 10 p.m.: The Design House of Atomic Geisha by Geisha EL Hasan
March 14, 11 p.m.: Xantha Designs' "Ghettoe Bluz" funky denim collection and accessories
March 15, 10 p.m.: Demetri by Samara Collins
March 16, 10 p.m.: Retailer Arden B
March 17, 10 p.m.: Grand Finale Show with European couture Designer Silva Levit
An amply long runway is also essential. "You need time to really see the clothes, not just take four or five steps and turn around," Kavishe said. "You need at least 60 feet to walk."
With this year's first Fashion Week, themed "Indulge in Fashion," Columbus joins the ranks of New York, Milan, Paris and other couture crossroads.
"Columbus is a pretty fashionable town, if you think about it," Kavishe said. "We've got Limited Brands and Abercrombie and Fitch right here in town, along with a lot of talented designers. We wanted to give those designers a real platform to showcase their work."
The shows aren't just for fun, either. They will serve to connect local designers with boutique owners, models, reps from the local fashion corporations, the press and the public, Kavishe added. It can be a vital step in furthering a designer's career.
Columbus Fashion Week events are open to the public. Tickets cost $20 per event; proceeds benefit NineMillion.org, a charity that aids refugee children around the world. Now the fashion-forward of Columbus can look good and feel good.
If you'd like to share your fashion sense with Off The Rack, e-mail mstarker@columbusalive.com
March 8th, 2007
Copyright © 2007 Columbus Alive, Inc. All rights reserved.
Showing posts with label Brooke Williams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brooke Williams. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Model Behavior by Brooke Williams
Fashion week is a time for designers to shine. Their names are emblazoned atop the runway for all to see. They take a bow at the end of the show. Every piece in the collection bears their name on the tag.
They'd walk them down the runway themselves if they thought it would sell the clothes, but designers aren't idiots. They know that high cheekbones, long legs and svelte figures can make a good outfit great, and a great outfit legendary.
Models are the designer's way of saying, "This is how it's meant to fit." In other words, if it doesn't look good on you, it's not the shirt's fault.
Models are quite literally in the spotlight, but only a few live the life we imagine they do—the one of fame, fortune and dating Tom Brady.
I caught up with one the models walking the runways of the inaugural Columbus Fashion Week to find out what other model misconceptions may be lurking in the public psyche.
The ladies were at Easton Town Center for their Arden B. show fitting. Too many episodes of Project Runway made it easy to expect tart, twiggy, tardy girls. Thankfully, there were no egos in evidence—certainly no Naomi Campbell phone-tossing outbursts.
What: Columbus Fashion Week
When:March 13th Through March 17
Where: Bar of Modern Art, Downtown
Web: columbusfashionweek.com
Instead, most arrived early with smiles and hugs for Columbus Fashion Week producer Ed Kavishe. And while there wasn't a size large in the bunch, the body types ranged from naturally boyish to curvy and voluptuous.
They're not all hardened professionals, either. Many aspiring models maintain other jobs to pay the bills; some are finishing their education and modeling on weekends.
Jorden Oliver can't stop smiling. Hailing from near Canton, the high school junior will be 17 next week, and she's elated that her modeling career is taking shape.
"I've had dreams about walking in the runway shows, and going on America's Next Top Model," she said. "I get Vogue and study it for like two hours at a time. I love everything about fashion!"
Oliver believes that models should also be role models. She credits "just being nice" with much of her success. She also revealed that many models don't starve themselves or indulge in expensive beauty regimens.
"I use Proactiv for my skin, I eat chocolate—I had two Reese's cups on the way here!" Oliver said. "I am thankful for my family's naturally high metabolism."
She paused, and perhaps reminded of her vow to be a good role model, added with a winning smile, "I don't really eat healthy, but I've been trying to work on that."
If you'd like to share your fashion sense with Off The Rack, e-mail mstarker@columbusalive.com
March 15th, 2007
Copyright © 2007 Columbus Alive, Inc. All rights reserved.
They'd walk them down the runway themselves if they thought it would sell the clothes, but designers aren't idiots. They know that high cheekbones, long legs and svelte figures can make a good outfit great, and a great outfit legendary.
Models are the designer's way of saying, "This is how it's meant to fit." In other words, if it doesn't look good on you, it's not the shirt's fault.
Models are quite literally in the spotlight, but only a few live the life we imagine they do—the one of fame, fortune and dating Tom Brady.
I caught up with one the models walking the runways of the inaugural Columbus Fashion Week to find out what other model misconceptions may be lurking in the public psyche.
The ladies were at Easton Town Center for their Arden B. show fitting. Too many episodes of Project Runway made it easy to expect tart, twiggy, tardy girls. Thankfully, there were no egos in evidence—certainly no Naomi Campbell phone-tossing outbursts.
What: Columbus Fashion Week
When:March 13th Through March 17
Where: Bar of Modern Art, Downtown
Web: columbusfashionweek.com
Instead, most arrived early with smiles and hugs for Columbus Fashion Week producer Ed Kavishe. And while there wasn't a size large in the bunch, the body types ranged from naturally boyish to curvy and voluptuous.
They're not all hardened professionals, either. Many aspiring models maintain other jobs to pay the bills; some are finishing their education and modeling on weekends.
Jorden Oliver can't stop smiling. Hailing from near Canton, the high school junior will be 17 next week, and she's elated that her modeling career is taking shape.
"I've had dreams about walking in the runway shows, and going on America's Next Top Model," she said. "I get Vogue and study it for like two hours at a time. I love everything about fashion!"
Oliver believes that models should also be role models. She credits "just being nice" with much of her success. She also revealed that many models don't starve themselves or indulge in expensive beauty regimens.
"I use Proactiv for my skin, I eat chocolate—I had two Reese's cups on the way here!" Oliver said. "I am thankful for my family's naturally high metabolism."
She paused, and perhaps reminded of her vow to be a good role model, added with a winning smile, "I don't really eat healthy, but I've been trying to work on that."
If you'd like to share your fashion sense with Off The Rack, e-mail mstarker@columbusalive.com
March 15th, 2007
Copyright © 2007 Columbus Alive, Inc. All rights reserved.
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