Discover local talent April 15-18 at Seattle Fashion Week
By Alison Brownrigg
NWsource shopping columnist
Louis Ongpin
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RSS for Minding the StoreSeattle Fashion Week returns April 15 to 18 after a hiatus in 2008, with runway events at Fremont Studios showcasing independent designers, local retailers, urban fashion and haute couture. Tickets range from $15 to $150 and are available online and at the door (cash only).
Thursday’s show features local independent designers Alfred Lape of Lavsh; Heart on My Sleeve; Live From the Coast; Salvationware; and Comcast student designer winner Becky Sullivan, from Seattle Central Community College.
The urban retailers show takes place Friday, with spring and summer fashion from EQPT; Two in the Shirt; Ducati; Strut; Moksha and United Colors of Benneton.
On Saturday is the big red-carpet finale, with haute-couture designs from Blayne Walsh; Logan Neitzel; David Lawrence; Wai-Ching; Dolores Gill; Naomi B and international designer Tony Galang.
All shows start at 7 p.m., are 21 and over, and have a strictly enforced dress code, although there’s no explanation of what that means on the Web site. Via e-mail, Fashion Week's media relations contact explained that “people are meant to assume that it’s a fashion show so they should therefore dress fashionably.”
But what is or is not "fashionable" is completely open to interpretation, and a dress code at a fashion show strikes me as being style-ist or fashion-ist or whatever the term is for judgment based on a person’s sense of style -- or lack thereof. Who is the arbitrator of this dress code, and will he or she really turn away people at the door? We shall see...
I am a smidge disappointed that some of Seattle’s top designers -- such as Suzabelle, Alula, Michael Cepress and Jill Lindsey -- won't be on hand for Fashion Week, but I’m intrigued and excited to experience a new (to me, at least) batch of local and international talent.
Hit me with your best shop: alisonbrownrigg@gmail.com
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
Comments
Post a comment"I am a smidge disappointed that some of Seattle’s top designers won't be on hand for fashion week"
Couldn't agree with you more on this point Alison, I could probably name about 10 more local stars who aren't on any of fashion week's lists. Maybe having all those big sponsors went to their heads and now Seattle Fashion Week is too fashionable for Seattle fashion. I guess they figure a brand with 5000 stores worldwide in 150 countries needs to be "propelled to the forefront of the national fashion spotlight."
I have been "fortunate" enough to get a glimpse of the organization of the "event" and it really is a mess.
Poor coordination, poor communication, and mismanagement. Hope the designers can rise above the mess that the management/coordinators are. And one wonders why some of the top designers aren't involved?
I highly agree. The showcased designers for SFW are totally unimpressive. Blayne Walsh might be an exception but the others...YAWN
And they need to add more indie designers with a broader range of talent besides just Urban and faux couture. Guess we will just have to wait and see if SFW will ever grow up.
Alision, I totally agree with you.
I would also add to the list of designers that is talented and didn't show at SFW. I would add an up and coming fashion designer Oscar Milano MAI.
Since his first launch in Spring 2008, I have been a HUGE fan. This designer is the only designer in Seattle that does work that belongs on the Paris runway. Two of his gowns have been worn to the B.Obama Inauguration Ball. Which other designers in Seattle have that in their belt? NONE!
We all know that Seattle Fashion Week is the most unorganized and "untalented list of participant" show ever in Seattle. How would this year be any different?
Wai-Chang work that appeared on Seattle Times looks like the model is wrap in TOILET PAPER. Talk about the lack of taste and consumer understanding.
As for Blayne Walsh, I don't know what to say. He is just a reality star. I don't think his work would be recognized if it wasn't for Project Runway.
I agreed with the post above.
Oscar Milano MAI is an amazing designer that most Seattle doesn't know about. Check out his work.
I have to say that Jme and Lavish were the highlights so far.
While I agree that Seattle Fashion Week is VERY poorly run and organized; there were, for those who posted earlier, some exceptional designs showcased at the Finale show. If you had the pleasure of attending and enduring the beginning half-which featured some questionable choices for a "couture" show, as well as musical interludes, huh?-a local designer by the name of Logan Nietzel showcased what I think the term fashion was meant to represent.
His show brought the crowd to their feet and really gave Seattle a taste of what they were missing the entire night! Exceptional detail, avant-garde structures and a truly inspired show, finally!
Wow. That is all I could say. He is most definitely one to watch! Otherwise, this event was blase, boring and not budget-friendly. I paid for a "VIP" ticket and got a bottle of Vitamin Water and coupons to a carwash in my swag bag...wish I had that money to try and buy a something from Logan Nietzel's collection....
I attended all three events and loved it, hightlights of the show on Thursday designer Salvationware, Friday Ducati (my favorite part of the show), Saturday Tony Galang, Naomi B and Blayne. the rest of the designers, boutiques YAWN! I would def. attend again next year it was alot of fun but the swagg bag sucked! guess might have some better/exciting items in it next year, we well then see.
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