District of Fashion Runway Show Ties District to NYFW
As New York Fashion Week (NYFW) prepared its fall/winter collection season, the District of Columbia’s fashion industry elite joined together on the night of Feb. 7 for its second District of Fashion Runway Show to preview Fall/Winter 2019 season collections from 11 local, national and international designers.
The event, presented by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Commission on Fashion Arts and Events (CFAE) and 202Creates, offered hundreds of guests a look at the next season’s best collections, hosted by celebrity stylist and television personality Paul Wharton at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. District of Fashion guests were offered VIP tours of the museum’s Rodarte exhibition ahead of its closing weekend.
“Tonight, we shined a well-deserved spotlight on some of our favorite designers, brought together hundreds of fashion industry leaders and enthusiasts and collectively elevated the District of Fashion,” said BID President and CEO Neil Albert. “The District’s fashion economy is growing by the day and this event helps act as a catalyst for that upward trend.”
The show featured designers Amanda Casarez, Andrew Nowell Menswear, Brittany Christina Collection, Dara Oji Collections with 2Heads by Atsu, Lorra Rivers, Love Soul Style, Shafei Han, Tout Sur LeCuir, Tori Soudan, Victim15, international brand Peruvian Connection, and international fashion buyer Planettogs featuring unique collections from Fashion Weeks of São Paulo, Australia, Singapore and Berlin. Hair and makeup led by celebrity stylist Eva Styles featuring teams from Jacqui Davis at PR at Partners Salon and Aveda Institute (DC).
“The Commission on Fashion, Arts and Events is honored to represent Mayor Bowser tonight in partnership with the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) and 202Creates to highlight the incredible talent of our local fashion industry,” said Kristopher Johnson-Hoyle, Chairman of CFAE. “The DC fashion scene has been rapidly building over the past several years and the commission looks forward to continuing to elevate and support the District of Columbia’s fashion and creative industries.”
“202Creates is proud to be in partnership with the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) and Mayor Bowser’s Commission on Fashion Arts and Events (CFAE) to present this year’s District of Fashion Runway Show,” stated Angie M. Gates, Director, DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment. “This event is an opportunity to showcase DC Fashion and the economic impact it has on our community. Mayor Bowser’s 202Creates initiative celebrates the District’s vibrant and creative community in which the fashion industry plays a key role.”
Guests sipped unique signature cocktails sponsored by Courvoisier, Effen Vodka, Makers Mark and El Silencio Mezcal, tasted bites from new Indian concept RASA and enjoyed music curated by Vette Bailache and spun by DC’s own DJ Dirty Hands. An immersive, slow-mo video booth in partnership with Peruvian Connection, gave guests the opportunity to document all the night’s fashion-forward fun.
The District of Fashion seeks to bridge the gap between DC and New York City by aligning the District with industry standard practices in fashion and highlighting the unique talent in the DC metro area. In addition to promoting local designers, the show itself employs local models, hair and makeup staff and other fashion industry related local talent.
The Feb. 7 District of Fashion Runway Show was the second in its series, a follow-up to the successful, inaugural show on Sept. 5, 2018. The BID will host a third runway show in Sept. 2019, showcasing Spring/Summer 2020 fashion.
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With love,
FWO
