DC Fashion Week: The Designer's Showcase, A Celebration of Life and Art Through Fashion
On Saturday, emerging designers had their moment to showcase new collections and launch their name into the District’s fashion market. Night two of #DCFW 2019 presented the M.E.D.I.A. Showcase (that is, Metropolitan Emerging Designers & Indie Artists). On a vibrant evening punctuated by pounding music and flashing cameras in Capitol Hill’s Liaison Hotel, the following designers were featured:
2NiteWear
That evening, the city’s fashionable elite stepped out to see and be seen, sporting everything on trend to all things bold and eye-catching - more than one ensemble fabulously paired neon with leather and it was fire! Guests were eager to be snapped standing on the red carpet, laid out at the entrance to the hotel ballroom, where the stage awaited. As the start time loomed, everyone was aflutter - I chatted with designers and makeup artists and other members of the press in attendance, and the energy was palpable.
It was definitely a night for the blue leopard suit….
Exhibit A Lifestyle/Culture Editor, Taylor Logeman looking Smart and Chic as ever at DCFW
Prior to the show, guests had their chance to shine on the red carpet, showing off their nighttime getup for the evening.
To everyone’s delight, the opening designer, MIE Sewing, kicked off the night with whimsical amusement. Viewers were pleased at the immersion of bright colors; sassy, strutting child models; and evident young talent of the designers. When the two girls stepped out on the runway to receive their applause, the audience all but gasped upon seeing how young they were (elementary age).
In between designers, musical guests and recording artists performed on stage, amidst flashing cameras and onlookers, stepping out in their stylist’s best. The overarching genre was R&B, as singers both crooned slow love ballads. One even sang a Prince cover, and got the audience vibing to her lively rendition of “Kiss”.
I have to applaud Roots by Bella, a leather goods designer, as their collection was strikingly stunning and my favorite designer’s work in the show. Many of our dramatic slo-mo footage from Exhibit A’s Insta stories took place during their collection unveiling on the runway.
via Instagram
The masquerade masks, dark and elaborately adorned, featured throughout her collection got me thinking about what I’ll be wearing to my own Mardi Gras masquerade party with my friends next week. Whether that chronology was planned or not, the accessory definitely added to her novelty, not robbing from her tried-and-true edginess, but complementing it. A few of the collections’ ensembles were a bit reminiscent of BDSM...Christian Grey, where u at?
Speaking of Christian Grey, I know the audience appreciated our male models who stepped out in fabulous shirtlessness, draped in chains and leather. It was so risque and hot, that had Rihanna been present, no doubt she would have chased after him on stage, serenading him with her own song, “S&M”.
I love a good marriage of feminine and edgy, and what better way to pull it off than merging lots of leather with tulle? Good lord, the two looks that featured tulle trains floating behind them were magnificent. The length in the trains, the leggy models in high heels, and the black shoes. Pieces melding together with their dark skin to further elongate what seemed to be everything, heightened their visual drama. Everything in these looks screamed long and lean. More? More, more, more please!!
Logan Kelly was also fun - her urban aesthetic brought a vibrant street style to life in her runway collection. What a melding of styles: think camo, hoop earrings, sock booties and pops of red.
Overall, it was an eclectic mix of styles and occasions. From plunging necklined-suits (my own outfit of choice for the night), to fluttery maxi dresses, to cocktail gowns, we enjoyed quite the visual array.
Cover image via Raleigh Marketing
