Big Apple to Big Easy
By: Kelly Ryan
On a daily basis, the fashion police would certainly indict the vast majority of New Orleanians. Food, not fashion, is top priority in New Orleans. In fact, when it comes to getting dressed, literally anything goes here. Perhaps this is why it takes so long for trends to trickle down south from the Big Apple to the Big Easy. Finally, after many attempts at bringing a true Fashion Week to New Orleans, NOLA Fashion Week looks pretty legit. With an impressive group of up-and-coming designers at the helm, Fashion Week NOLA 2011 may be what all you hipsters have been waiting to see.
Fashion Week NOLA claims to be the biggest Fashion Week the Crescent City has ever seen, and strives to be the leading fashion industry event in the Gulf Coast Region. Inspired by Fashion Week NYC, Fashion Week NOLA possesses New York style swagger with a 60-foot long, 4-foot high catwalk that will be jam-packed with line-ups each night.
The week commences Tuesday, March 15 with a Kick-Off Party where guests can enjoy cocktails and hor d’oeuvres while mingling with local and national designers. Wednesday, March 16, the Top Design Competition hits the runway, along with collections from local boutiques. Thursday, March 17, more local boutiques and designers grace the catwalk with their original looks. Friday March 18, Fashion Week concludes with many national and international brands, as well as local designs. The event culminates with the three finalists of the Top Design competition announced.
Though the nightly runway shows are the main event at Fashion Week, there will be events and parties going on at local boutiques around the city. In addition, there will be a Style-Lounge, sponsored by various local businesses, for shopping and viewing fashion looks and accessories each night.
Fashion Week NOLA is partnered with charitable organizations such as NO/AIDS Task Force, Dress for Success, Fashion Institute of New Orleans, and New Orleans Firefighters, so your attendance will benefit several noteworthy organizations. So put on your swankiest fashions and join some local and international designers for the trendiest four nights New Orleans has ever experienced.
WHAT: Fashion Week NOLA 2011
WHEN: March 15-18 2011 (6pm-10pm nightly, doors open 5pm)
WHERE: The Sugar Mill
TICKETS:
$25 single night student
$35 single night general admission
$135 V.I.P. Weekly Pass (includes Kick-Off party entry)
MORE INFO: fashionweeknola.com
