Phoenix Fashion Week, known for discovering and launching the next “it” fashion designers and top Arizona models is back this Fall with more than 20 runway shows, October 14-15 at the beautiful Chateau Luxe venue in North Phoenix. Each evening the fashion forward event begins at 5:30 p.m. with unique pop-up shopping and global runway experiences until 10:00 p.m. The two-day event celebrates the conclusion of a rigorous emerging designer bootcamp, led by executive director of Phoenix Fashion Week, Brian Hill, in which seven hand-selected designers from around the nation have been preparing to launch their collections at Phoenix Fashion Week and beyond.
“Last spring we rose up like a Phoenix back to our runways after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Phoenix Fashion Week is proud to continue our passion for local and national brands, while embracing global couture fashion brands from Armenia, Kuwait, Dubai, Philippines, and more. Phoenix Fashion Week continues to be the launch pad for international brands looking to succeed long term in the fashion industry,” said Hill.
This year’s schedule builds on the success of past designers, including former Phoenix Fashion Week Bootcamp participants returning as established designers. Such as JC Donaldson of Phoenix based menswear label, House of Donaldson.
“Phoenix Fashion Week has been a catalyst in propelling Arizona fashion forward, while creating unique experiences for guests. This fall, we are bringing back fan favorite, Fashionably Pink featuring Valley breast cancer survivors and local celebrities on the runway to shine a light on the fight against breast cancer, while raising awareness and funds for Phoenix based 501c3 charity, Check for A Lump. This evening will include our annual ‘Community Showcase,’ featuring twelve local designers and their best two looks.” said Hill.
Among notable experiences is the Little Black Dress Challenge in which Phoenix Fashion Week has partnered with Goodwill of Central Arizona. Open to the public, this sustainability challenge calls on designers of all skill levels to try their hand at up-cycled fashion by utilizing their neighborhood Goodwill clothing and competing for the chance to have their creation featured on the runway Friday, October 14th along with a cash prize. Phoenix Fashion Week’s natural evolution to creating more sustainability in fashion, led to the Mayor of the City of Phoenix, Kate Gallego proclaiming August 22 as Sustainable Fashion Day. This distinguished honor inspired the first ever Phoenix Fashion Week Green Carpet, launched in 2019.
The business of fashion, front and center each morning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the two-day event will include a variety of business, fashion, and lifestyle focused seminars sponsored by the Arizona Department of Education and taught by industry experts, offering insight and real take-a-way tools on how to launch, market and successfully run a fashion business long-term. This year’s line-up of seminars will be led by Arizona fashion brand success story and Phoenix Fashion Week Bootcamp alumni Mike Spangenberg of State Forty Eight, Lifestyle Influencer, Cynthia Sassi and Director of Education, Alison Callaway.
On Saturday, October 15, Phoenix Fashion Week will award both ‘Designer of the Year’ and ‘Model of the Year’ Male and Female. The two winning models will each receive full modeling contracts from industry leader, Agency Arizona, successfully launching their careers. Also, that evening, Hill and the Phoenix Fashion Week team will announce ‘Designer of the Year’ and a prize package comprised of goods and services to ensure long-term brand success for the winning designer.
In addition to the fabulous designer runway shows, guests will enjoy an elevated experience that includes the new Chateau Luxe VIP champagne lounge, featuring gourmet hors d’oeuvres by two-time award-winning private chef, Will Turner. This new experience includes a VIP Front Row seat, coveted swag bag filled with fashionable goodies, red-carpet experience, exclusive access to designer pop-up shopping in the Style Villa Marketplace, designer meet and greets, live music, high energy performances, and more.
The ‘Emerging Designer Bootcamp’ was designed for fashion designers to build the foundation of their brand for long term success and led by Hill. “The rigorous 3-month ‘Emerging Designer Bootcamp’ challenges all facets of the designer’s brand while competing for the title of ‘Designer of the Year. Each year we only accept a handful of unique designers into our live bootcamp,” said Hill.
These brands have started their own clothing line, and now will develop the identity of who their ideal fashion customer is, then focus on the business side of the brand to drive sales. Phoenix Fashion Week found fashion designers to be very creative, but most were lacking the business knowledge, approach and effective structure to succeed. The Emerging Designer Bootcamp curriculum teaches growing fashion designers how to rewire their mindset, perspective and daily actions by focusing on the business side of their brands first.
Phoenix Fashion Week is proud to announce their seven fall Emerging Fashion Designers.
- Armarse, Phoenix, Arizona
- City of Knowledge, Tempe, Arizona
- Hummingbird, Phoenix, Arizona
- Jerzee, Phoenix, Arizona
- Ololade, Buckeye, Arizona
- Pastiche La Femme, Coolidge Arizona,
- Royalty in the Rough, Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Fashion Week is supported by Chateau Luxe, Sanderson Lincoln Black Label, Welcome to Arizona, Fabulous Arizona, Inflect Digital, Peroni USA, Social Citizen Academy, Goodwill of Arizona, Arizona Department of Education and Adler Public Relations.
Tickets are required to attend Phoenix Fashion Week at Chateau Luxe and range from $50 GA to $375 for VIP Front Row. Tickets can be purchased here.
