Fri 5/30 – Sun 6/8
By Josh Usmani
To celebrate their tenth anniversary, Fashion Week Cleveland is hosting a number of events designed to raise awareness of the potential of a proposed downtown retail district. The week of events all leads up to runway shows and a VIP reception on Sat 6/7 @ 7pm.
Saturday’s black-tie runway show will feature new designs by Leanne Hautala, Phoebe Kao, Lindsay Adams, Rose Corrick, Jeuarlet McClanahan, Amanda Renee, Jae Jarell Menswear, Lotty by Lotty Lewis and Lindsay Adams (in order of appearance).
“What we do is put a spotlight on downtown retail development, promoting retail and fashion design; the key is education, putting design and retail in the forefront and connecting interested parties,” says Fashion Week Cleveland’s founder, Donald Shingler. “Downtown Cleveland needs a part of this market, Clevelanders and tourists demand it. It has been a slow process, but this year city leaders, downtown developers, civic groups, and the national media understand the power of our fashion week; everyone gets it now.”
The events will take place in the Arcade and the 5th Street Arcades (located across Euclid Avenue from each other).
“We are extending the nationally recognized success of East 4th Street and its dining scene around the corner of the 5th Street Arcades and their steadily growing market for fashion and retail,” says Dick Pace. “We are delighted that Fashion Week Cleveland has chosen the 5th Street Arcades to host Retail’s Night Out! and GlamJam. These events will put a spotlight on fashion designers and retailers, bringing downtown back as the unique place to shop.”
The week’s events offer much more than traditional runway shows. Organizers have worked hard to offer a variety of workshops, seminars, exhibits, films and industry tours. Fashion Week Cleveland has partnered with a number of local universities, cultural institutions and museums. This educational focus is central to Fashion Week’s programming. Topics include fashion design, retail growth, merchandising, education, manufacturing, consumerism and more.
For a complete list of events and more information, click here.
“Fashion Week Cleveland’s admirable commitment to the community is demonstrated by the incorporation of the area’s respected collegiate, cultural, and medical institutions to present high-quality exhibits, films, industry tours, seminars and workshops,” says US Senator Sherrod Brown. “This event fosters friendship and mutual understanding by introducing the work of American designers and informing consumers and industry leaders about the cultural and economic importance of fashion design, manufacturing, marketing, and merchandising.”
“Another great opportunity for our entire community to celebrate creativity through Art and Design,” says David Deming, former President and CEO of Cleveland Institute of Art. “A fashion show and runway event isn’t just about cutting edge consumerism for fun or sophisticated outfits for the season, but it is a snapshot of a moment in our evolving aesthetic development and a reflection on our cultural values and interests. It is exhilarating and fun!”
“The U.S. retail apparel industry employs 4.4 million people and boasts annual sales in excess of 180 billion dollars a year,” explains Shingler. “Cleveland’s fashion week educates consumers and industry leaders as to the importance of fashion design and retail and it is this distinctive competency, that of ‘The Educational Fashion Week’ that makes Fashion Week Cleveland truly unique and of great value to participants.”
A free after-party will follow the runway shows on Saturday night. Sunday will feature a children’s fashion show and Brunch at the 1890 Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency inside The Arcade. The show will feature new designs by Mary Ann Carandang and Lauren Primm.
http://fashionweekcleveland.com
Josh Usmani is a 27 year old local artist, curator and writer. Since 2008, his work has been featured in over 50 local and regional exhibitions.