This year, Fashion Week Columbus (FWC) made a statement by becoming the first-ever fur-free fashion week in the United States. Then, celebrity designer Prajjé O. Jean Baptiste and some of Columbus’ fashion leaders had their turn Saturday night at the 14th Annual Finale Runway.

A Fur-Free Runway

“We want to use our platform to bring awareness to changing societal industry norms and supporting missions that allign with our goals,” said Chatman.

FWC, the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council became the first U.S. fashion week to adopt a public fur-free policy, joining fur-free fashion weeks in Copenhagen, Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Melbourne and Perth.

The policy, forged in collaboration with the Humane Society of the United States, took effect during this year’s FWC programming and was highlighted during the finale runway.

Keira Chatman, the executive director of FWC said the Columbus Fashion Council, with help from the Humane Society, has brought awareness of the mistreatment of animals in fashion to the Columbus City Council in hopes of having legislation passed against new fur sales in Columbus.

“We host one of the largest fashion weeks in the nation and we want to use our platform to bring awareness to changing societal industry norms and supporting missions that align with our goals,” said Chatman. “We want to make fashion fun, but without harming animals in the process.”

Chatman said that FWC will no longer support fur within their events or on their runways and has hopes that FWC can serve as a role model for others around the world.

Fashion in Columbus

“Now it’s my turn to give back,” said Najjar.

The event began with remarks from Columbus Fashion Council president Lubna Najjar, who told the story of her own experience in the program before joining the board in 2016.

“Ten years ago, I showcased my work as a designer for the first time in Columbus,” said Najjar. “Fashion week really propelled my brand forward and the council’s resources were a big part of that. I know what it did for me and I know what it can do for others and now it’s my turn to give back.”

The focus of both FWC and the Columbus Fashion Council is to help small businesses grow, said Najjar.

“We love the creative world,” said Najjar in an interview with Scarlette. “The angle for us is that we want to take talent and make it into a business and help people sustain a business doing what they love.”

One year ago, the Columbus Fashion Council and the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation teamed up to create the Common Thread Shops on 3rd, a shopping destination located in the ground-floor retail space of the Columbus Commons Parking Garage that Najjar said is dedicated to helping local designers grow their businesses.

“The hope is that people realize that they don’t have to leave Columbus to pursue a career in fashion,” said Najjar. “You don’t have to go to New York or Los Angeles, there is so much right here in Columbus.”

The Designers

Peruvian designer Juan Jose Saenz-Ferreyros opened the show with a collection of evening wear featuring chiffon, crystals and intricate beading. Looks that he said were inspired by the extravagant parties his parents used to host in Lima, Peru.

Following Saenz-Ferreyros was a minimalist collection from designer Renae Kotarski, using eco-friendly and ethically sourced materials to create a line of modern clothing with a feminine high-fashion appeal.

James White, a self-taught fashion designer filled the third portion of the show, featuring a collection of bold patterned dresses and suits.  

Austin Tootle, a Columbus native and recent Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) graduate, featured a lingerie collection telling two different stories, one representing gods and the other representing monsters, telling the audience, “You can decide which is which.”

Reusing and recycling, designer Xantha Ward said she prides herself on her use of eco-friendly practices in her designs and presented her sustainability collection – with a focus on repurposed denim – during this year’s fashion week.

Prajjé O. Jean Baptiste – a Haitian-born, U.S.-based designer who has been featured on two seasons of “Project Runway” and since then has grown his brand, Prajjé Oscar into a worldwide name – presented his collection, “Nos Ginen,” as the headline designer during this year’s finale runway.

“They chose me, and I am glad they did,” said Baptiste.

The collection, Baptiste said, was inspired by childhood memories of dressing up in clothes from his grandmother’s closet. The looks featured bold colors and floral patterns, giving off a couture meets streetwear feel.

“It was time to tap into the memory box,” said Baptiste in an interview with Scarlette. “My childhood with my grandmother are some of the happiest moments of my childhood.”

Baptiste said that he had never traveled to Columbus before but that the experience had left a lasting impression on him.

“The one thing that impressed me the most is the platform that the council with Fashion Week is creating for designers,” said Baptiste. “They chose me, and I am glad they did. I have new, very determined and dedicated friends pushing fashion forward.”

To view Scarlette’s full gallery from the event click here.

PHOTOGRAPHY Bella Sgarlata