fashionweektampabay

Posts Tagged ‘Fashion Week’

, , , , , , ,

TBFW2017 Recap!

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on October 13, 2017 at 5:59 pm

This year, Tampa Bay Fashion Week entered the double-digits. We are 10-years-old people and if you didn’t catch us last week, we’ll catch you up on what you missed.

For those who don’t know, Fashion Week is a precious time where fashion week vets reconnect, newcomers network and we party in between. We’d love to say everything went off without a hitch because we’re just great but that would be fibbing.

We started the morning off with a prayer.

Why?

Well, because we’re a grateful bunch that believes in the power of the Almighty, but also because Hurricane Irma pushed our show two weeks back and we didn’t want any more problems.

As designers, models, volunteers, hair and makeup artists filed through and we ran into more hiccups, we sent God a couple more.

Backstage was a chaotic montage of hair, makeup and fittings. Models were practicing their runway poses and snapping photos for Instagram. Designers and retail brands were doing last minute fittings. The FWTB team members were shouting at each other over our walkie-talkies. In our defense, the music was on, guests had arrived and we couldn’t hear squat!

We were showing nine designers and retail brands in one night.

On one hand, we were in awe of ourselves because we started out showcasing local designers only. Then we grew to include national, then international designers. Now we were showcasing designers who’ve grown with us (shout out Elizabeth Carson Racker) and global brands (Banana Republic)!

On the other hand…did I mention we were showing nine designers and brands in one night? Not the most we’ve ever shown in one showing, but it has been awhile. And for some additional perspective, last year we showed five per day.

Understandably, more prayers entered the atmosphere.

Then the magic happened!

Take a peek at the smiling faces below.

FOH

FOH2

Go to our Facebook page, Fashion Week Tampa Bay to see the lovely garments that graced the runway. Pandora kicked off our show followed by Lilly Pulitzer, Fabletics by TechStyle, Sopho by Alexandra Bougadis and Ohlendorf, atelier by Wendy Ohlendorf. After a brief intermission, out walked Banana Republic, Dolce Couture by Melissa Dolce, Free People and Elizabeth Carson Racker.

When you have a moment, please be sure to show some love to our 2017 Trendsetter sponsor and runway show venue host, International Plaza and Bay Street, as well as all of our other sponsors who have made this year’s event possible. We also hope you’ll consider supporting this year’s beneficiary, My FairyGodfathers Foundation, whose mission is to inspire happiness, strength, and confidence in girls and women who have faced adversity, through the magical experience of beauty.

Thank you for celebrating 10 years of fashion with us and coming along our #fashionisastory journey! Until next year loves!

Ciao!

Save

Save

Save

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Designers Announced for Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2017

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on August 17, 2017 at 2:04 pm

Ahem! We have a little somethin’ to share…the 2017 Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2017 designers and brands!

ECR designs

Elizabeth Carson Racker is returning to Tampa Bay Fashion Week for her fourth year. Constantly creating fresh and new silhouettes, this Tampa Bay-based designer knows what the modern day woman wants and always delivers.

The Dolce Couture Collection by Melissa Dolce will be making its debut at Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2017. In a class all by itself, Dolce pairs baseball tees with grass mini skirts and water pail hats with flowers sprouting out of it. Theatrical, bold and awe-inspiring, Dolce will put on a show we are sure to never forget.

Sopho by Alexandra Bougadis will be showing the Christi Collection, which combines leather craftsmanship with island flare. The line is inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle and culture. Already an international hotspot, Tampa Bay is ready for everything Sopho is going to bring.

After making its mark in the Pacific Northwest, Ohlendorf, atelier by Wendy Ohlendorf has returned to Tampa Bay and we’re thrilled! Drawing on her educational background in fine art and design, Ohlendorf’s tangible pieces express her ideas, romanticism and love for life.

 

Banana Republic is for men and women who make the most of every moment and opportunity. Their ability to make the simplest items seem so elegant is almost magical. Their contemporary classics and thoughtful design is iconic and we are glad they are returning to our runway.

 

 

Known for their on-trend designs, Fabletics inspires people to stay active in a variety of ways for all kinds of occasions. We’re excited to see their passion and energy on the runway!

Free People is for the eclectic, worldly woman with a restless soul. Rooted in femininity, courage and spirit, Free People expresses an important message through their clothing and Tampa Bay Fashion Week can’t wait to hear it!

Lily Pulitzer’s bright, colorful pieces are easily recognized in today’s sea of neutrals and nudes. No matter the weather, using bright prints and pinks they always bring the sun and fun on the runway.

Pandora’s jewelry always draws a breath of awe from us. Their handcrafted pieces serve as timeless love links to family and friends. Made with genuine materials and stones, Pandora is sure to put a twinkle in your eye.

We are counting down the days until we see this fantastic designers and brands on the runway! Learn more about the designers and brands here: http://www.fashionweektampabay.com/designers2017

Save

Save

, , , , , , , ,

Can We Get A Drumroll, Please?

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on August 25, 2016 at 4:48 am

And a couple of French horns!

Allow us to introduce you to the designers who will be claiming the runway and spotlight at Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2016!

ECR designs

Elizabeth Carson Racker Designs

Elizabeth Carson Racker, Tampa Bay Fashion Week alum, designs for the modern everyday woman. Her colorful, patterned designs reflect the multitude of influences that color her life everyday. Recognized by tastemakers such as Andre Leon Talley and David Rodriguez, we’re looking forward to seeing her at this year’s show.

floridtaswimw

Floridita by Charlotte Marin

Floridita by Charlotte Marin, a Latin American swimwear, resort wear and accessory line was made to bring out your inner mermaid. Designs consist of bright patterns, custom embellishments and intricate embroidery to make wearers of Floridita feel unique. Each piece helps support and empowers single, working mothers who have been victims of violence and war. We’re excited to have this brand, that is making a difference, in the fashion week spotlight.

Headshot-Marsha-Vacirca-200x299

Madame Adassa by Marsha Vacirca

Marsha Vacirca’s Madame Adassa line was created to evoke the natural sensuality and confidence every woman possesses. Her pieces are deeply connected to her culture and her country of origin. It will be awesome to see what passionate expression of creativity, Madame Adassa brings to the stage at this year’s show.

Head-Shot-240x300

Allison Bailey

Ally B. Swim by Allison Bailey, is a swimwear line that individually constructs and hand makes every suit for order. They combine elements of upscale lingerie with vintage inspiration. Able to withstand any watersport any fashion-forward woman enjoys, we are ready for what Ally B. Swim has to offer for every shape and size.

 

Tracy-About-Image

Tracy Negoshian

Tracy Negoshian is a trendy multi-line, multi-season clothing label. During her time as a luxury sales and wardrobe consultant, Tracy realized you didn’t have to break the bank to look and feel good.  Geared towards the fashion-conscious, budget-friendly woman, we can’t wait to see her philosophy in action on the runway.

 

Sanford-Brown_Logo_4C_College-300x57

A select few students will be showcasing their skills on the runway again this year in  Sanford Brown-IADT School of Design’s Student Showcase. This is definitely a must-see as we’ve been impressed by the design talent we’ve seen over the years, and this year won’t be any different! This year we’ll see designs from: Smyrne Charles, Joshua Duck, Lakesha Johnson, and Rachel Ternival who will combine classroom instruction with creativity for the runway.

Elizabeth Carson Racker, Floridita by Charlotte Marin and Sanford Brown-IADT School of Design will be showing Friday, Sept. 23, 2016.

Ally B. Swim and Madame Adassa by Marsha Vacirca will be showing Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016.

You won’t want to miss it! Grab your tickets or RSVP for standing room here.

Until next time!

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

, , , , , , , ,

Let’s Talk International, Baby!

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on August 18, 2016 at 10:03 am

logo-shareInternational Plaza and Bay Street is a staple in the Tampa Bay community. Conveniently located near Tampa International Airport, International Plaza and Bay Street in the go-to destination for specialty shopping, fantastic fashion, accessories, and more, and we’re thrilled to have them as our Trendsetter Sponsor again this year!

International Plaza and Bay Street knows the importance of keeping up-to-date on the latest trends and introducing new designers and brands to customers and the community. They were home to our trunk show/fashion presentations last year in Tampa Bay Fashion Week‘s pop-up shop, PURE Haus (pop-up retail experience),  which allowed local designers to sell and showcase their clothing while interacting with customers.

FullSizeRender (10)

It was an invaluable and unique experience for participating designers and everyone involved. (Thanks to all of you who came out!)

This year, International Plaza and Bay Street is our host venue again, but this time for two days of runway shows! Local designers will be on the runway showing their spring/summer 2017 collections, as well as some of International Plaza’s retailers. Select retailers will also debut their spring 2017 collections!

Along with all of the fashion everywhere at International Plaza, there are also many businesses in the surrounding area, and its restaurants cater to everyone from the working professional to professional socialite. It isn’t uncommon to catch the stylistically-inclined dining and catching up on the latest.

Going to International Plaza and Bay Street is always a fun experience! Grab a cone at Häagen-Daazs while you stroll around. Take your kids (or nieces, nephews, little brothers/sisters, etc.) to the play area for children. Eat at the food court or one of their dine-in restaurants. International Plaza has partnered with Tampa Bay Times so you can read the newspaper while you’re on the go. And last but not least…shop!

Whatever you do, just make sure to have fun! We can’t wait to see you there in September!

~Jessica

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

, , , , , , ,

Three Tips to Find a Job in Fashion

In Fashion, Updates on August 5, 2016 at 1:27 am
Image courtesy of UnSplash

Image courtesy of UnSplash

Working in fashion is a dream of many. It seems glamourous, sparkly, creative and innovative, which it truly is. But it’s much more than that. Hard work, indepth industry knowledge and experiences are crucial to succeed. Here are three tips to find and get a job in fashion:

Demonstrate your experiences and know-how
Every career path starts somewhere. Fashion designers visit a fashion school to learn all about fabrics and design, buyers often study business or enroll for a course related to fashion management. However, having attended an educational institution isn’t a guarantee for glory and a successful professional life. Most companies require hands-on experiences through internships, volunteering, etc. Therefore, gaining
experiences and highlighting them in your job application is king!

This is especially important for those who are looking for a career change within the industry or across industries. A successful event manager might also be able to organize catwalk shows. In order to convince your potential employer about exactly that, another thing is especially important:

Be informed about the industry
Whatever career path in the fashion industry you are following. Make sure to know what’s going on. Reading the latest fashion news to be informed about recent developments is crucial. This should be more than knowing who was sitting front row and what the Kardashians wore. FashionUnited combines crucial industry information on just one platform, which is pretty handy. If you opt for ultimate convenience, a newsletter will deliver the essential knowledge directly to your email account.

Check out niche job boards & maintain your network
Various websites list various job offers. Unfortunately many of those websites are general career pages with positions in different fields outside the fashion world. To simplify your job search and to minimize frustration, look for platforms that focus on careers in fashion. You will be able to find more vacancies that are relevant for your search.

Another important source for job opportunities is your personal network. Make sure to connect with former colleagues, students and companies on business platforms such as Linkedin. Job opportunities might cross your way!

This post is a guest contribution from Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2016 media partner:

 Fashionunited-logo-black_600x64

FashionUnited is the international platform for fashion professionals. Globally active, the website reaches more than 1.5 million industry professionals per month. The philosophy of FashionUnited is to make the

industry “ more fun and efficient” by combining essential industry information on just one platform.

, , , , , , , , ,

2013 TBFW Designer Runway Show Recap – Part 5

In Designers, Events, Fashion on October 7, 2013 at 8:06 am

Accessuri – Rachana Suri

Designer Rachana Suri used one word to describe her Accessuri line – “rockanrolla.” Accessuri is all about providing fabulous clothing while also doing good for the community through her commitment to sustainability and anti-human trafficking initiatives.

 TBFW Instagram  

Rachana’s collection featured many glamorous and easy-to-wear dresses. The sunset hues on this purple dress would catch anyone’s eye! The collection was full of variety; ranging from effortlessly pretty work-day looks, to sexy date-night looks!

k.hendrix – Kimberly Hendrix

Kimberly Hendrix is no stranger to uniqueness. Her line k.hendrix features raw designs, each made with recycled materials. This year’s collection proved that Kimberly knows exactly how to restore life to those recycled materials and use them to create beautifully unique pieces!

 

This angelic cream dress wowed the crowd, while the black and white design found the perfect blend of delicacy and fierceness. You definitely won’t see dresses like these anywhere else!

~Stephanie

, , , , , , , ,

2013 TBFW Designer Runway Show Recap – Part 4

In Designers, Events, Fashion on October 5, 2013 at 1:04 pm

Sandra Hagen

There was no shortage of variety in Sandra Hagen‘s gorgeous collection! From fabulous daytime outfits to lovely dresses perfect for special occasions, Sandra brought it all to the runway.

  

Sandra Hagen’s fabulous dresses were a hit with the crowd. Gorgeous prints, luxurious materials and fabulous cuts. These two dresses found the perfect balance of sexiness and class; each are terrific go-to dresses for any upcoming special occasion!

Monstruosité by Dolly Donshey

Dolly Donshey is no stranger to dramatic runway shows and designs. We expected theatrical and edgy designs from Monstruosité, and it was delivered!

Scarlet red, onyx and grey were incorporated into many of Dolly’s designs, giving the collection a wonderfully romantic and mysterious mood. The audience was blown away by the powerful scarlet skirt on this dress! Dolly also paired a few dresses with baseball caps; a fun and unique touch!

Elizabeth Carson Racker

Elizabeth Carson Racker has been a successful evening wear designer for years. This year, she premiered her new line “A New” and proved that she can design fabulous every-day clothing as well as stunning evening gowns!

  

This dazzling red gown would make anyone the center of attention and is ideal for any special occasion! Elizabeth’s new ready-to-wear designs were a hit with the crowd as well, especially this gorgeous pastel shirt and maxi dress combo!

~Stephanie

, , , , , , ,

2013 TBFW Designer Runway Show Recap – Part 3

In Designers, Events, Fashion on October 5, 2013 at 5:03 am

The Academy Student Designer Showcase

The International Academy of Design and Technology showcased designs from four students at this year’s Tampa Bay Fashion Week! Student designers Alexandra Lin, Carly Edwards, Gwenn Everett and Ivette “Gigi” Guerra put their skills to the test and proved that they each have a great eye for design.

     

Bright floral prints, metallics, ruffles and retro maxi dresses were just a few of the fabulous looks from the student collections. Each student’s individual style reflected clearly in their designs. We will be sure to keep an eye on these emerging designers!

~Stephanie

, , , , , ,

2013 TBFW Designer Runway Show Recap – Part 2

In Designers, Events, Fashion on October 4, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Lolodaisy by Lorena – Lorena Knezevic

Lorena describes her style as “modern romance” and her spring/summer 2014 collection stayed true to her description! Her dresses managed to find a harmonious balance between modern cuts and romantic vibes.

 

The crowd could not get enough of the gorgeous pleated dress Lorena sent down the runway, which could easily be taken from a day time to a date-night look!

Audrey “Pat” McGhee

One of the hottest trends right now is women in menswear. It’s also one of the hardest fashion trends to pull off without losing a sense of femininity in the outfit. Well, Audrey “Pat” Mcghee proved to us that she knows just how to incorporate menswear into a woman’s wardrobe, without sacrificing any of that feminine beauty!

  

Audrey “Pat” McGhee put a fabulous twist on a classic white button-down by cropping the front, and provided the perfect pops of color with a bright green clutch and adorable hair bow. And Pat’s silver tailored tuxedo? A night out on the town in that outfit will surely make a bold statement and demand that all eyes are on you!

~Stephanie

, , , , , , , ,

2013 TBFW Designer Runway Show Recap – Part 1

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on October 4, 2013 at 9:00 am

Well, Tampa Bay… we did it! Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2013 is a wrap! The 2013 selected designers went out with a bang on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 with their runway shows. We were so happy to see all of our fellow fashion lovers there! We had an amazing turnout, but in case you were not able to make it we are providing mini-recaps of the shows here.  Read on to see how the show came to life, along with a peek at some of the fantastic looks!

Rhonda Shear

Designer Rhonda Shear had a special treat for attendees this year. Not only did they get to see pieces designed by Rhonda for Rhonda Shear Intimates, she featured collaboration designs by Crystal Hefner and Kato Kaelin!

TBFW Instagram

Anne Phillips Photography - Rhonda Shear - Runway8026 copy copy

From glittering bras to adorable onesies and cozy pajamas, Rhonda’s show had all the intimates!

SW8 – Stephen Ogaga

There was no mistaking which line was Stephen Ogaga’s. His SW8 collection featured plenty of his signature leather pieces, from leather pants to leather skirts, and everything in between!

  

These red leather pants burned up the runway. Another great look was the plaid and leather combo on one of the male models. Ogaga’s SW8 collection was able to effortlessly incorporate leather into everyday looks!

~Stephanie