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!

Phoenix Fashion Week's Shop Garment District 2015

This year's competition is sure to be a closely ran journey all the way to the finish line (or at least to October 3rd). There is such a crazy amount of talent amongst the top 13 emerging designers and accessory designers who have brought their own unique style, tweaked it a wee bit to give that flare, then present us with some jaw-dropping "wows".

Me and Misha Mendicino

Phoenix Fashion Week's Shop Garment District set up shop in the swanky boutique-y hotspot the Hotel Palomar at CityScape in the heart of downtown Phoenix. It was wall to wall packed with guests trying to get that perfect look of their favorite designer.

I even bumped into last year's Designer of the Year winner Misha Mendicino. She has been on a whirlwind of a ride ever since then. It was awesome to see past designers come out and support this year's emerging designers. But for now, its showtime!

Designer Rachael Levine-center

The first emerging designer to hit the runway was Rachael Levine's 
ARAE. This brand is, in my fashionable opinion, one of two most unique designers in the competition thus far. Arae uses 100% wool to 
make her signature line of fingerless gloves, scarves, and leg warmers all tie-dyed by hand.


 Granted, we don't need any of that in our sweltering heat, but I will be picking me up a pair of those fingerless gloves this fall.

But for the Shop Garment District, Arae gave us bare shoulder, sexy, femininity at its finest. I saw lunching with the girls to heading out to the club. This collection was styled by Vanessa Gonzales. She paired each piece with the beautiful Beltshazzar Jewels .

Azmara Asefa brought a very VERY nice collection to the runway. Architectural designs coupled with fashion are driving this designers level of creativity to new heights. Soft demure colors in strong geometric lines and cutouts make this a spectacular collection.

There was so much going on I actually wanted to see more! And to be paired with Beltshazzar Jewels was definitely on point.
This magical collaboration was perfected by Jenesis Styles. Fantastic job!

You know it's not a real party till beautiful models hit the catwalk

in breathtakingly beautiful swimwear. On this evening,

Charmosa Swimwear brought not only the sexy, but the fun side

of the brand too.

The deep mustard yellow two-piece with the long fringed skirt,

or cover up was to die for. Yep I said it...to die for! I may have to

start a petition for Charmosa Swim to make a plus-size line lol. I

need to get my Charmosa on!

Cute Like Mad gave us a classy Jackie O vibe on top with the big round sunglasses and soft scoop neckline, but then went into

"time to get my groove on" on the bottom.



I love the fringe (screaming at the top of my voice) on the short mini!!


The bright colorful romper was super adorable and comfy looking.







Stylist Audree Kate did a great job pairing Maccimize and Beltshazzar Jewels with theses looks.






Look at that one piece!








Now, I would have to do my research, but I would bet there isn't much by way of athletic wear on the runway...until Haute Body showed up.

  Uber sexy active wear for today's modern woman. It's so true what they say about feeling good in your workout wear can make for a productive workout. I truly believe that.

I mean really, the sports bra comes with a built-in hoodie. A built-in! I would own the gym if I could look that stylish while sweating. Psst, Raquel let me know when you start carrying fluffier sizes thanks.

 

Natasha Duran Lynch

Since I have been following Hues of Ego these past few years, I felt pretty confident that we were going to get a couture show from Natasha Duran Lynch style. Well, let's just say Hues of Ego blew me away the most on the runway.

The four piece collection, styled by Nuvia Magdahi and coupled with Beltshazzar Jewels, took

you from morning, noon, in to night. Striking, bold, daring yet ladylike with the blush pink brocade-like designs.





But that body suit?! Oh me, oh my, I think the entire room gasped! You never cease to amaze us, Hues of Ego. Fantastic job!

 Next on stage came Laura Tanzer Designs. Beautiful classic linen shift dresses were suitable for

everyday wear. Coordinating blazers with the stand alone collar made the look quite posh. I can see

Laura Tanzer styles in any

corporate setting. The playful

red hemlines were a nice

added touch. I believe Totah 

Designs provided the baubles

for this collection.
 

This next designer has such a beautiful spirit inside and out. She

is Sherelle Hall of Leola Sky, which happens to be named after

her grandmother. I had the pleasure of interviewing this young

lady, which you can see on our Talking The Five page, earlier in

the evening and she is a cute as can be.




Leola Sky is free flowing with comfort and ease while being

quite stylish for everyday living.

The first word that pops into my head when I think of the next

designer Lily V Designs, I think whimsical. Vibrant colors that

are soothing and give way to a carefree attitude. Halter maxi

dress, short flowy skirts makes this a very doable collection.

Lily V

Breanna Skoon's Lousy Rich is the must have collection for every budding fashionista. The always 

fun LBD (Little Black Dress, for those of you who don't know) is the absolute must have for every

woman. And of course, I just about lost my mind over the pink 

tulle skirt. Again, I gotta get one of those. This collection is 

strong and demanding and gets two thumbs up from me.

The only menswear in this year's lineup definitely gives the ladies not only some great fashion but some great eye-candy as well. We love to see those make models working the runway. Medium Apparel Co is urban street wear no doubt.








The level of creativity within the designs of tee-shirts sets Medium apparel on top of the street wearables. Snap backs, skater tees, tie-dyed, camo, you name it.






There is something to be sought after by every guy looking for street cred. Stylist Tim Boado was right on the money.









When you think of Michelle Hebert words like heavenly, ethereal, romantic, dainty, feminine, avant garde, love...I could keep going. Michelle Hebert has been known for her one of a kind wedding gowns and evening wear where she merges art ad fashion to create spectacular pieces.


She has now launched herself into the world of lingerie with ever so dainty bralettes an matching panties. Michelle is unstoppable,. This collection styled by Jackie Marin.

Michi Knitwear is one of the most unique emerging designers I have seen in a while. Each piece in this collection is individually machine knitted to look like a piece of art. I am so impressed with the intricate details of this brand.



This brand is sophisticated, desirable, figure flattering and just downright beautiful. Paired with Totah Designs, I am ready to own one of everything! Michi Knitwear is truly wearable art. Incredible job!

And that's that. As you all can see, this year's competition is fierce. 13 emerging designers and 3 accessory designers vying for that big win in October is going to make for a great Phoenix Fashion Week. Stay tuned in and follow us to keep up on all the happenings with these amazing creators.

See you on the runway!

Toy Taylor

All photos were provided by Jim Johnson of 602 Photography. Thanks Jim!

Presented by www.chronicbehavior.com / @chronicbehavior www.facebook.com/FilmFashionFutures.com

Thanks to the Chronic Behavior team for their excellent coverage of the event. They are the team helping to support and promote the brand. We appreciate you for your continued support.