Let me be clear. I am not a fashionista. I wear shorts and a T-shirt pretty much every day. The shorts are from a thrift store and the T-shirt is from the House of Hanes, care of Target. I hate wearing shoes. I wear flip-flops. Not designer flip-flops mind you, $1 flip-flops from the children’s bin at Joann Fabric.
Fancy $30 underwear bewilders me. The closest I’ve come to an Andrew Christian thong. Well, let’s just leave that for another day.
However, I am a flip-flop wearing paradox because I love fashionable things and I am always in awe of cool design. I am a huge fan of Project Runway. My weekly treat is to curl up on the sofa to see what those clever designers can do with a few feet of chiffon and some duck feathers. I love fashion photo spreads. I love super models stomping down a runway to a Mozart /Madonna mash up. I love high cheekbones and haute couture. I even like those superior people whose careers revolve around fashion, the ones that wear eccentric eyewear and big accessories. I appreciate textiles and bold patterns and tailored suits. But I like it all on other people.
What does this all mean? Well it means that Fashion Week is coming to San Diego and I am excited about it. The weeklong event begins Sept. 30 and I’ll be attending for the very first time.
But, first thing’s first. Here’s a bit of history. Fashion Week San Diego was founded in 2008 with the intention of creating an industry event to aid the developing fashion businesses in San Diego and to benefit the city’s emerging designers. While San Diego is not New York or Paris, or even Los Angeles, there is a thriving fashion culture in America’s Finest City and so Fashion Week San Diego was formed to showcase emerging designers and their creations.
The first Fashion Week San Diego took place at different venues around downtown San Diego. This year the majority of events will be happening down at the Port of San Diego, Broadway Pier.
Those of you involved in the fashion industry, (designers, models and photographers for example) have probably attended before and no doubt know what to expect. There will be a variety of panels and some VIP happenings scheduled earlier in the seven day event that will address current trends and themes on the business side of things. The Legalities of Fashion, for example will discuss intellectual property law as it applies to fashion designers. A panel of experts will provide tips on how to avoid allegations of infringement when you are creating new designs.
The Art and Beauty Behind Fashion returns again this year by popular demand. Local and global beauty industry experts will “lift the veil” on the beauty industry. They will describe their experience and answer questions specific to their profession: nails, hair and makeup. I had a very long list of concerns I needed addressed. Wearing flip-flops 24/7 does a lot of damage to an arts writer’s toes. But I decided to pass on this one. I’m sending my hubby instead; he’s the pretty one.
Days four though day six are all about the runway shows and they are sure to be both informative and entertaining for everyone involved. Each night will highlight a handful of the 25 emerging designers chosen to show their work this year.
LGBT designers participating this year include Wishnow (Victoria Roberts) who will show on Saturday, RHCREATION (Richard and Tim) partners who will be showing on Friday and Dexter Simmons. Simmons will be participating in a collaborative show that closes the Thursday night runway. Designers competing in Styled to Rock, a new fashion series will be showcasing their spring/summer 2014 collections. The roster includes Cecilia Aragon and Andre Soriano.
As some of you may know, Andre Soriano is a veteran designer of Fashion Week here in San Diego. He presented his spring/summer 2013 collection in the 2012 runway shows and is known for his larger than life gowns. So, if what you appreciate most about fashion is the spectacle then check out Styled to Rock and his latest punk inspired collection.
Another eight of the emerging designers will debut their never before seen spring/summer 2014 collections on Friday night. The evening will also feature a Doggie Fashion Show. I was incredibly excited when I first learned of this. I was all ready to take my three mongrel Chihuahuas down to the Broadway Pier for a canine make-over. But, I got it all wrong. Instead, the runway will be graced by some highly adoptable dogs from the Rancho Coastal Humane Society with a stated goal of finding forever homes for all of them. I think this is great!
Saturday is the last night of runway shows and the final designers will get to show their work. Todd Gloria will be there to proclaim the first week of October Fashion Week San Diego. I am so curious to know what our out, gay interim mayor will wear to a function like this. Afterwards there will be live music, performances and an after-party featuring a video DJ performance by DJ Demon from Sleeping Giant Music.
The 2013 Fashion Week San Diego wraps up Sunday afternoon with a Trunk Show. It’s an opportunity to validate the local designers who have participated in the runway shows by shopping for those items you simply must have which you’ve seen all week. Various awards will also be given out.
According to the Fashion Week Web site you are advised to wear your best shoes. Me? I’m wearing flip-flops.
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but after looking at many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!