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.
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!
