Sometimes when you start a journey, even with a plan you often times don't know where you will end up. What's even more extraordinary is that alignments and people are working behind the scenes that will support you and be there to provide guidance before you even realize you may need it. That same group may be actually just waiting for you to show up and be ready to change the world by following your passion. This is the best way from an artist perspective to describe what Phoenix Fashion Week has created and does. From the moment certain key people came together, the vision of Phoenix Fashion Week appears to have been clear, even before the organization realized itself the power the platform it has created would have. The tag lines of "Push Arizona, Fashion Forward" and "Bridging Designers & Buyers" make it perfectly clear where they see themselves in their daily mission and what they want to been seen as by the rest of the world.
Phoenix Fashion Week 2015 Launch Party was the perfect mix of style, fashion, and experience all brought together to announce the next group of Emerging Designers, Accessory Designers, and Top 40 Models. All the participants going through the boot camp style program are enabled to see the opportunities beyond themselves and what possibilities exists with their brands. They are taken from 0 to 100 in a four month intense program that challenges them at all levels to be better about business, branding, promotion, and production of their products. What's more exciting is that Phoenix Fashion Week literally has "turnt up" the stakes on all sides of the house to make this one of the greatest seasons so far.
They announced changes to the program that really lit up the room on Thursday night including a reality show involvement with the program for the top 5 designers of this year's program, as well as the expansion of the winner circle for the emerging designers. There will now be winners selected for every night of Phoenix Fashion Week, covering everything from Lifestyle, Evenings Gowns, to Couture. The new facets being added have just raised the bar and the stakes for fashion in Arizona ten-fold. While it is still common to hear from people that they didn't know that Arizona had fashion, the fashion world here can say with confidence that Arizona fashion has made the map. International publications such as Time Magazine and Adweek just to name a few are calling out what Phoenix Fashion Week does and has placed them with the likes of NY Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week and others experiencing more notoriety.
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| Emerging Designers 2015 |
At the event, the designers coming into the program had a chance to show a single design on runway that provides a flavor of what their collection is or will look like. In addition, the designers were able to share some valuable insight at their press conference with media before the event actually began. The Accessory Designers were also in the house with shoppable booths that showcased their products and were filled with items available for immediate sale. These are specific types of exposure that are encouraged to help provide awareness to the brand as well as educate the audience on what their business direction is about and what their collections look like.
Now in addition to all the lovely fashions, models, and accessories, what attendees were able to experience was nothing short of what an actual Fashion Week night party might feel like. The partnership with Livewire AZ - Concert Venue is just one example of how Phoenix Fashion Week works with local organizations to evolve events and provide access to venues often times locals may have never seen before.
But of course the highlight for the night was the runway with the two shows which were presented by the emerging designers and the Top 40 models. We were excited to see some familiar faces returning to the designer line-up this year, including Michelle Hebert, Hues of Ego, Medium Apparel, and Charmosa Swimwear. What they all bring is experience and confidence that will drive this year's season to the next level. Each designer has something unique to offer and with that kind of spunk they will keep you wanting more.
Check out the following designs, models, and accessory designers and see who your favorites are. We have ours, however, we applaud each and every designer, accessory designer, and model part of the program. The following photos represent the first taste of what this fashion season has in store for the die-hard fashion fans of Arizona.
Accessory Designers
We appreciate you for your continued support.
Designer photos provided by Kate Doster Photography are copyrighted and permission is required to obtain, use, or copy.
