PHOENIX FASHION WEEK IS BACK!!

Oh yes, my fellow fashion lovers, the wait is finally over! After 2 years of stop-everything-in-its-tracks, we are getting the best fashion show in the Southwest back. That's right! Phoenix Fashion Week will be hitting the runway this Spring 2022 on April 15-16. They are coming back with a force to be reckoned with. 

    This long awaited soiree is getting some new digs this year. The show will be a more intimate affair with a smaller venue and a smaller show being held at the luxurious event center Chateau Luxe in North Phoenix.

    There will be two days of runway love instead of three which are jammed packed with community designers, emerging designers, established designers and more. Of course, the Style Villa will be in full effect where you can pick up a piece or two from the participating designers and thensome. Although scaled down in size, I expect this fashion show to bring grand aspirations of excellent quality. For all the VIPers in the house the upscaled VIP Champagne Lounge has been elevated to another level. This is sure to be the talk of the town with award winning Private Chef Will Turner in the house working his magic.

    It has been 2 years since the valley of the sun has seen a star studded event like Phoenix Fashion Week. I don't know about you but I am ready for a jaw-dropping, eye-popping fashion show to kick us into spring. Are you not ready to see what a 2 year long pandemic and being shut-ins at home can bring to the runway? The hype is real!! We all took a hit emotionally and physically from the world being in crisis. Some have bounced back nicely proving life resumes as normal whereas others have had a more stressful time of doing just that. As time goes on we see life as we know it to start working itself back around to some sort of normalcy. This right here is why WE NEED to see Phoenix Fashion Week make their grand return to the runway. Executive Director Brian Hill and his team made sure this show would be as spectacular as ever. 

TOP 40 PHOENIX FASHION WEEK MODELS REVEALED

Photo credit: @cnsphoto

    Recently the Top 40 Models were introduced to us at Chateau Luxe. The female and male models will both be looking to win title of Model of the Year each. Throughout their strenuous preparations for the big day ahead, the models will compete in different challenges (Best Headshot, Best Group Challenge etc), have countless photo shoots and fittings. 

Photo credit: @iam_romencole

Each will be looking to score the winning title and a modeling contract with the Agency Arizona. I got my eye on a few favorites already. Show some love and support by following these talented humans on their journey to that 88-foot runway. 

Find them on Instagram:

@iamtheaisha, @alekherrera, @__alicialeal__, @annastasia_stock, @andreaspiv, @annajacquelinee, @aspenharrison, @cami.cuffari, @zerohawkofficial, @kotablue, @davidross_official, @devaughn_jones, @emmaliseab, @eri.ka_rose, @gabriellaamores, @hailey.k.hines, @ishara_rose_s, @jadenajee, @j.ess.lv, @j0seph_m0rris, @josispar, @kelseycmkelleher, @kiyra.t, @lo.spoon, @lexypuhlick, @lyzavanzee, @maddiemilton_, @miriahks, @noahcaldwell, @livdefalco, @parkerwyattofficial, @pbushaw, @peyytonwilliamss, @reynastockwell. @grizzthewiz @smariejones_ @shane.mosley, @s.yennelly @shea_fretz1 @_.rone_, @verarosalind

EMERGING DESIGNERS

    It is business as usual for the emerging designers. I mean game on! Each designer has been handpicked by the Phoenix Fashion Week team taking into account the brand and how its impact will represent PhxFW on a global scale. They have been put through a rigorous bootcamp where they have learned from A-Z what it takes to not only make the clothes but to actually brand yourself to create a successful and sustaining fashion business. 

    The education spans from marketing, merchandising, sales, community connections and more. Powerhouse mentors like Kym Gold (True Religion Jeans) have stepped up in past seasons in educating the emerging designers giving them solid clarification in building their business. For Spring 2022 we are given 4, yes I said 4, strong emerging designers. Remember we were in a 2 year pandemic. Only the strong has survived the harsh world of fashion. It takes a lot of perseverance to make it to the runway. Who will be your favorite? Find these emerging designers on Instagram an show them some fashionable love.

1. House of Mae Noir (@houseofmaenoir)  

    "Designs Contemporary Fashion For the Darkly Romantic"

               

2. Red Berry Woman (@red_berry_woman)

    "Influencing Fashion For the Progressive With Authentic Native
American Culture" 

3. Senti Designs (@sentidesigns)

    "Innovating West African Attire 

     For the Modern Man"

4. Sunlight Lover (@sunlightlovershop)

    "Creating Bohemian Inspired Resort Wear For Chic Women"

    When it comes to a Phoenix Fashion Week runway show it's not only about the who's the best top model or the best emerging designer. It is also about community and having a platform to showcase rising fashion designers. We also get to see designers who made it! 

    I am elated to see the return of an emerging designer who is now an established designer ready to hit the runway in his own unique style. Yes I am talking about JC Donaldson. I met this young man several PhxFW's ago where he blew us away with his Being Dapper men's line. I still have my NAHBRO t-shirt lol. This men's line is sexy!! 

    After several chats with JC, I knew there was something extra special inside this young man. 

    What you may not realize is that wanting and becoming a fashion designer takes not only a skillset, it takes crazy determination that pushes you through ALL the ebbs and flows of building a brand. 

    JC was not to be discouraged nor was he going anywhere. Through his mentorship in the emerging designer bootcamp program and becoming an accredited fashion designer proved his unwavering disposition will keep him in the realm of fashion and one of Phoenix fashion Week's Established Designers. 

Who by the way will be Friday night's finale. Now we get to see high fashion for both men and women from the established House of Donaldson. Way to go JC!! 

    Friday night's lineup will consist of high couture fashion from the lovely Svetik Haute Couture (one of the baddest bridal and high fashion couture to hit the Southwest runway), community designers, and of course the Little Black Dress Challenge is a fun one. This night is packed with fashion! Fabric Friday is sponsored by the global fashion technology leader Kornit Digital. Angela Johnson of LabelHorde will also be on the runway. These two days are going to be wild! There are more than 20 runway shows spanned over Friday and Saturday. I hope you got your tickets. 

Satruday night's lineup is dubbed LUXURY. Need I say more? We have:

Elevee Lifestyle

Chinese Laundry

Resty LaGare

Eli Madi from Kuwait

For The Stars Fashion House

Angelo Estera as the Grand Finale

and of course our Emerging Designers

This night is going to be on overload to say the least. Chateau Luxe is going to lit April 15 & 16. If you are still in need of tickets click here and enter code EVAFASHIONISTA to receive 20% off. 

We here at Film and Fashion Futures want to express our love and remembrance for a very special and unique avant-garde couture designer Rocky Gathercole. The passing of Rocky was devastating to the fashion world. His runway productions were just that a PRODUCTION. Watching his masterpieces grace the runway put you in a trance. The pieces were magnificent. I had the pleasure interviewing him after several shows and found him to be the most fascinating yet humble person. I truly feel honored to have known him. Gone yet never forgotten. We miss you Rocky!

                     

Now grab your tickets and we will see you on the runway!