Style swept the valley as all the fashionistas gathered in one place- Phoenix Fashion Week. Hosted at the beautiful Talking Stick Resort, the 80-foot long, pure white runway stretched across the lower outside atrium towards the pool area creating the center of the festivities. The event set up was gorgeous as even more impressive people lingered in heels, sipping cocktails, and flirtatiously conversing about the evening.
Thursday night's events included an "Established" and "Emerging" designer's runway show. The diversity of every collection was across the map stretching from Retro Brand's casual vintage inspired sports T-shirts, to Te Boutique's luxurious fur vests and suede handbags.
The overall theme of the night was "Lifestyle Apparel" (Friday will feature "Trendy" fashion and Saturday "Evening Wear"). Sitting front row (thank you, press pass), the Established Designer's show hosted five designers and local stores- Velvet Boutique, Te Boutique, Bilby & Moss, Original Retro Brand, and Veronica Brett Swimwear.
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As a credentialed Fashion Blogger at the event, I was allowed behind the scenes and got me to meet Will Chandler, owner and designer of "Dejamone Designs." All the way from Minnesota, Chandler is an emerging designer working with denim in totally new ways to create geometric patterns and interesting appliqué elements. Dejamone, named after his daughter, is largely influence by his experience in graphic design.
Chandler's first ever runway show was nothing short of entertaining as the models strutted down the catwalk in rugged denim vests, colored denim dresses, and other garments. He also designs menswear, as male models wore multiple outerwear jackets, shirts, and pants.
Phoenix Fashion Week hosted an after-party on the 14th floor of the hotel after the shows emerging the models, designers, media, and fans together. The music and flash bulbs of photography was unreal and inspiring while looking out of the enormous glass pane windows at the city lights of Phoenix.
In conclusion, it was an incredible experience and I recommend anyone with an interest in fashion, or not, to try to attend next time. It was not only a learning experience, but it forced onlookers to see fashion in a different light while also supporting local designers and stores. Not to mention, it was a great reason to dress up.
