Did you know Indiana has a Fashion Week? It does and it's been around for three years! Indiana Fashion Week is the brainchild of Denisha "Dlang" Ferguson and Michael Weston. They pour their hearts and soul into making Indiana Fashion Week a success and it's always amazing. I can't wait to see how it evolves every year.
Indiana Fashion Week (INDFW) Embodies the spirit of community, creativity, and collaboration. Presented by the Indiana Fashion Foundation, this annual event is designed to serve as the "convention" of fashion professionals and style enthusiasts from across the state of Indiana. INDFW was created to provide educational, entertainment, and exhibition opportunities for individuals and organizations that make up the fashion ecosystem of Indiana.
I volunteered as a photographer for the 2019 Indiana Fashion Week and has so much fun! This year I was asked to come on board as a lead photographer for the runway portion of Fashion Week! It is always so much fun to combine my love of fashion with my love of photography and be a part of Indiana Fashion Week. This year the runway show was held at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis at Monument Circle. It was gorgeous. Keep reading this post to see the looks from the show!
The day starts nice and early with all of the models getting into hair and makeup.
There are a few events leading up to the show (like a fashion fair around the circle and VIP and In Crowd Lounges) and then it's time for the runway show! This year the show started out with some display models featuring clothing that fit into a gatsby theme that fit the look of the venue. The clothing worn by the models below are from Kikki Blaine Couture, Desert Flower Accessories, House of Xiong Fashion, and Zodiac Vintage.
After the display models walked the stage to kick off the show, it was time for the emerging designers present their looks. The show was hosted by Jalea Brooks of WTHR.
First up to walk the runway is Emerging Designer Cahmelan Porter, owner of Komafi.
Cahmelan "CP" Porter is the designer and "problem-solver" being the Indianapolis-based streetwear brand KOMAFI. Starting out as a designer for apparel at Wabash College's bookstore in 2012, he decided to turn his ideas and designs into his own, unique brand; what became the KOMAFI. Its tagline, "inclusively exclusive," communicates that whatever you buy from the brand is going to be individual and unique. Each item is hand-numbered, and KOMAFI typically doesn't make more than fifty of the same item.
Then it was time for Emerging Designer Starry Richard, owner of StarBone Designs to walk the runway.
Starry Richards is based in Indianapolis. She started StarBone Designs with the desire to empower women by giving them unique garments with a classic silhouette and flirty flair.
Next up is Emerging Designer Dara Brandon, owner of Wear in the World.
Dara Branson is a fabric designer as well as a fashion and travel enthusiast. She has previously designed looks for the annual Purdue Fashion Show at Purdue University and for Memphis Fashion Week in Tennessee.
Then it was time for Emerging Designer Monty Matuka, owner of MELI to present his looks.
Monty founded MELI, a sophisticated, streetwear clothing brand, as a way to promote equality and cross-cultural awareness. He aspires to provide an opportunity to amplify positivity and explore the unknown through our means. His purpose is to inspire those who wear MELI and articulate the concepts of confidence, community, and mindfulness.
The first half of the show wrapped up with Winner of the 1029 INDFW Emerging Designer Competition and InVogue Designer, Jenn Felts, Owner of Tokyo Twiggy.
Jenn Felts graduated from The Art Institute of Indianapolis in 2018. While in school, she struggled with finding fabrics that matched her visions which led to her figuring out how to design her own fabrics. It was in 2018 Jenn began her brand "Tokyo Twiggy," and all inclusive streetwear brand that focuses on comfort and style. Tokyo Twiggy's fabrics are all custom textiles made by Jenn. In 2019, Jenn Felts was accepted into Indiana Fashion Week's Emerging Designer Competition, which was judged by NYFW creator Fern Mallis, and won the competition. Since winning, she has been published in several magazines locally and internationally, including a cover of an Italian magazine. She has shown in New York Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week, and other shows across the country. She will be attending London and Milan Fashion week this upcoming September.
After a brief intermission we were back with Yemisi Sanni, owner of Stylenspire.
Then it was time for Emerging Designer Jessica Palmer, owner of Jewel Fire Clothing.
Jessica first discovered her drive to design underground fashion while taking various art classes at Fishers High School. Inspired by the idea of being able to transform a 2D drawing into a real life, 3D object, she pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fashion Design at The Art Institute of Indianapolis. Jewel Fire Clothing aspires to provide a fresh perspective on alternative style by introducing themes of punk and anarchy paired with edge silhouettes and embellishment.
Next it was Emerging Designer Emily Gartner, owner of Emily Gartner Designs.
Emily Gartner is a bespoke textile artist. Exploring solutions for creating sustainable fashions. Fashion + Art + Intention.
Then Emerging Designer Misty Dodson, owner of Bond Girl No. 9 walked the runway.
Bond Girl No. 9, is a contemporary brand that is stylish, comfortable and on trend. At Bond Girl No. 9, they're all about looking great and feeling flawless from head to toe. They're here to help her put her best most amazing self forward.
Up next was Emerging Designer Stacy Hogan, owner of BBS Clothier.
Stacy Hogan is the CEO and seamstress of BBS Clothier. The Wisconsin native's mother taught her to sew at the age of 8. Her tenacity and passion for design continues to drive her to create, innovate and break barriers with fashion. The Plus Size design concept is the center of BBS Clothier. The motto, "Designed with you in mind," communicates Stacy's unique ability to create plus size fashion that is visually appealing, on trend, and wearable.
Then, Featured Designer, Rinat Brodach, owner of RINATE BRODACH presented a few of her looks to all of us to enjoy.
Rinat Brodach founded RINAT BRODACH in New York City in 2014 after attending the Academy of Art in San Francisco and The Cambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne in Paris. The brand's combination of a high-fashion sensibility with accessible and inclusive design has led to praise in publications including Elle, WWD, Vogue, ID Magazine, Forbe, and Ynet. Rinat greatly expanded her global visibility and customer base as a featured contestant on the first season of the Amazon Prime fashion competition show "Making The Cut," which premiered in March 2020 and resulted in a collaboration with Puma, In addition to selling directly to consumers at rinatbrodach.com, Instagram, and Facebook, RINAT BRODACH has been stocked in MYC< Tokyo, London, and San Francisco.
Afterwards, the lovely Dlang and Michael, who started Indiana Fashion Week said some words about the show, artist, and their mission for fashion in Indiana.
Then it was time to introduce Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and announce the winner of the show!
And the winner is..... MONTY MATUKA of MELI!
After the show, a few of the models went to the circle for a little wrap up performance.
INDFW would not be possible without Founder/CEO, Denisha "Dlang" Ferguson and President, Michael Weston. These two pour everything they have into making INDFW the best.
There were so many people who helped make INDFW the success event that it is so besides checking out all of the designers listed above, below are some of the folks who worked behind the scenes to make magic happen!
INDFW Founder/CEO: Denish "Dlang" Ferguson
INDFW President: Michael Weston
Show Producer: Temara Payton
Assistant Show Producer: Claire Quesisser
Videographer: Quintin Ross
Model Coordinator: Regina Warren
Lead MUA: Danelle French and her team of makeup artists
Lead Hairstylist: Christina Lockett and her team of hairstylists Content Coordinator: Sam Joy
Lead Stylist: Raemia Higgins
Volunteer Coordinator: Kevin White
Backstage Manager: Logan Glidewell
Lead Editorial Photographer: Dauss Miller
Lead Runway Photographer: Jasmine Norris and my team of amazing photographers- Devon, Alfie, Jennifer, and Teresa
