It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. But what if that village happened to be very well-dressed, and the child was Fashion Week Columbus?
This year marked the 15th year of Fashion Week Columbus (FWC), which was first started in 2009 by then-Columbus resident Thomas McClure.
As Columbus emerges as a major fashion hub in the country, FWC provides a platform for emerging designers, models and entrepreneurs in the fashion world of Columbus to share their work with the city and the rest of the world.
The 15th Annual Finale Runway Show — which took place from 6-10 p.m. at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, located at 400 N. High St. — displayed community, growth, and of course, high fashion apparel, with designs from four emerging designers including Austin Tootle, Ryan Grant, Jasmine Burton and James White, along with headline designers and twin brothers, Bruce and Glen Proctor.
Along with these featured designers, a multitude of other local designers were able to showcase and sell their work prior to the start of the runway.
One designer, Lara Philips of Lara Dee Artistry, showcased a secondhand collection that featured both clothing and stationery products.
Philips said for her, one of the most important things to highlight in her brand is sustainability and upcycling. This, she said, is because she hopes to spread the message to other designers and creators about the importance of using sustainable materials that will allow the fashion world to continue to grow and thrive.
Philips said this love for upcycling comes from her upbringing. She said growing up she didn't have much and therefore grew a deep-rooted love and appreciation for thrifting and secondhand materials, something her mother has continued to nurture.
"Every time my mom comes to visit, she hands me boxes and boxes of scrap materials that she's collected knowing that I am eager to create something with them,” Philips said. "I want to show people that not only can scraps of fabric be used to create clothing, but it can also be used to create other things like paper and journals."
Philips’ motto, producing “one-of-a-kind secondhand designs,” was something she said came about sort of by accident.
"I got started with my business in 2020 when I accidentally got a bit of bleach on a black shirt,” Philips said. “From there, I started painting shirts and really enjoying it. I would paint my friends' shirts too, and they loved them. I can make anything into something someone will love."
Philips said her hope is to create a brand that will leave a lasting impression on others who have a similar love for upcycling.
"I really hope to reach people that share a love for thrifting and sustainability just as I do,” Philips said. “I'm a graphic designer by trade, but I love to incorporate fashion into my life in any way possible."
Another Columbus entrepreneur, Breanna Johnson of Melanin Mama Boutique shares her unique way of sharing her art with the world.
With the intention of bringing together minority models who are often underrepresented in fashion, Johnson said she hopes to create a fashion community in which everyone uplifts one another despite their different creative visions.
"Everyone has a different style, and I think it's really important that we're able to showcase that,” Johnson said.
Johnson said her slogan, “a whole new look to classy, for any age in every shade,” brings a whole new meaning to fashion by changing the narrative that all models are tall, thin and Caucasian, instead focusing on each model’s differences.
"We need more people of color in the fashion industry,” Johnson said. “I created my brand with the hopes of getting more models of color out there."
Jasmine Burton — the first of the designers to showcase her collection in the runway portion of the show — said during a video interview played before the runway that she hopes to excite people and “make them light up” when viewing her pieces. Her collection, from her brand Alexandria Jay, featured a variety of evening gowns, often made from organza.
The collection displayed Burton's ability to work with a multitude of materials, including feathers, fringe and tulle, which are common motifs in her work.
One of Burton’s featured pieces was a wedding-style dress made with fluffy, white organza billowing from the waist to the floor. The top portion featured dazzling rhinestones that shone like stars in the runway’s spotlights.
The most striking part of the look, however, came from the model’s hair. The model sported a large afro, adorned with white flowers, vines and crystals, that highlighted the beauty and majesty of Black hair while also emphasizing how fashion extends beyond clothing.
Ryan Grant doesn't have “the traditional background of a designer,” coming from a background in screen printing, sketching and hand sewing. In an interview clip played before his portion of the runway, Grant said his pieces proved that he is certainly an unconventional designer with a bright future in fashion.
As the reator of Ivy Alexander Italy — an Italian luxury fashion brand for men, women and children — Grant showcased a high fashion streetwear collection adorned with leopard print, sequins and bright blue furs.
With an even split of male and female models, unisex pieces were styled, showing off Grant's versatility as a designer.
One of Grant’s standout pieces was a fully sequined iridescent trench coat. Each panel of the coat was created in a different color, creating a stunning rainbow reflection across the audience.
James White said in an interview clip played before his portion of the runway show that his brand, The House of JOW, showcases luxury in the form of ball gowns and suits, something he displayed on the FWC runway as well.
The ambiance created during his portion of the show was reminiscent of a fairytale, with a soft but powerful love song serving as background music.
One particular creation of White's was a modern take on a tuxedo. The piece had the typical slacks and loafers, but the waistcoat and suit jacket were tailored in a way that fused the two together, creating a dramatic silhouette and defined waistline.
The suit jacket sleeves were made of mesh, with little black flowers made of tulle blooming throughout. As a finishing touch, crystals were added to create a shimmer as the model walked the runway.
Austin Tootle — the founder of the fashion brand Tutel — shared his visions for this year’s FWC in an interview clip played before his portion of the runway. Tootle said he hoped to incorporate AI into the world of fashion and did so with the aid of a video that presented the marriage between biology and technology.
As the video played, Tootle’s models took to the runway wearing designs that included a lot of experimentation with silhouettes and latex, offering a multitude of creations for the audience to enjoy.
One of Tootle’s pieces was a latex bodysuit made to extenuate the model's body shape, as there were cutouts around the thighs, midsection and arms. The model had waist-length black hair and thigh-high boots that exaggerated the look.
The closing act of the runway came from headline designers Bruce and Glen Proctor, identical twins who not only share a face but also a love for fashion.
The models make their joy to be on stage obvious, exchanging smiles and handshakes with one another. The pieces the Proctor brothers featured in the collection also brought joy, with bright colors and bold patterns.
Ending the show with a bang, Bruce and Glen Proctor showcased a bright yellow and green jumpsuit that featured long flowy bellbottoms. The model flaunted a short afro with a bright orange headband, reminiscent of the 1980s.
Community is an integral aspect of fashion that is often overlooked, but not in Columbus. Columbus’ fashion community is tight-knit, with each member bringing something unique to the table.
For more information about FWC visit the organization’s website.
