For my first in-person fashion week assignment as a fashion editor with MunaLuchi Bride, I traveled within my hometown of the DMV to attend the 38th season of DC Fashion Week.
You may also wonder why this fashion review came out in April when DC Fashion week was at the end of February. I vacillated as to whether or not I would write this review. For me, fashion has always evoked such a strong emotional reaction. I decided to take a period of time to be able to write an objective story of my experience seeing the collections in person.
These are my musings…
While covering the runway presentations I felt like Grace Coddington with my own notebook and pen.
Yes, you read that right. I took a notebook and pen to DC Fashion Week just like the iconic flame-haired former creative director of Vogue. While I did have my smartphone readily available, I wanted to be present. I wanted to see the clothing with my eyes instead of behind a lens. I wanted to hear the fabric move with the models.
Too bad it wasn’t quiet enough to hear the sounds of the fabric swishing down the runway. The sound of fabric actually evokes memories just like seeing an outfit. I can still remember when I was a little girl the sound of ladies wearing stockings. Yes, stockings. And don’t get me started about how I remember my mother making me wear a slip. Sigh… I digress.
On Saturday and Sunday, I had a sparkle in my eye as I anticipated seeing what new propositions designers had to offer guests and the media. And no, I wasn’t wearing the cool street-style uniform that I’ve seen other fashion editors wear. I didn’t put on anything attention grabbing since my closet is still filled with courtroom appropriate attire ( Yep… I work as a courtroom clerk full-time).
The weird and wonderful world of fashion always brings out its faithful devotees.
Arriving inside the atrium of the National Housing Center where the collections were presented felt a bit like being ushered into a secret society.
With fashion still being overshadowed by politics in Washington, I knew there would be many in attendance trying to get a glimpse of others showing off their flamboyant style. It is amusing to me how someone will still get gawked at for wearing something so bold here. But if worn in New York, no one would even bat an eyelash.
Many looked uncomfortable donning their flashiest garb from their closets. Design students flitted to and fro taking pictures with fashionable people to showcase their looks on their personal IG pages. Attendees ranged from casual devotees who wanted to be seen to those who navigate this world in unassumingly silent garb. Truth be told, these are the real power players in this secret society.
After the master of ceremonies did his pre-requisite hyping of the crowd, he explained that local models were chosen this year so that they could represent their hometowns in DC, Maryland, and Virginia (otherwise known as the DMV).
To celebrate these homegrown talents, go-go music blared from the speakers as the models strutted past attendees. It was surreal to hear a genre of music that represents the disappearing chocolate flavor from a city that has gone through such a dramatic reversal in its racial makeup.
The menswear capsule collections presented some of the most cohesive and memorable looks.
Being a writer for a bridal magazine, I have seen my fair share of women’s fashion. However, for the last few years, men’s occasion wear has really been energized. It seems designers are creating for men who are ready to present themselves in a new way.
Jewels of the weekend were Alex Risimnic Couture, Miguel Wilson, Black, Generation Typo, and Franck La Scelta.
One of the most sublime capsule collections that stood out among the rest was by designer Andrew Nowell.
For his inspiration, Nowell explained, “The F/W 23-24 menswear collection is inspired by Director Fritz Lang’s vision of a futuristic city divided by class and culture.”
The collection explored what he described as, “A metropolis. A highly stylized futuristic city where a beautiful and cultured utopia exists above a bleak underworld populated by oppressed workers, who operate the machinery below to power the city.”
The pieces in the collection struck the right note of being attention-grabbing yet wearable. They effortlessly allude to the future while still keeping silhouettes recognizable today.
Alek Risimnic Couture
Generation Typo
Black
DC still has room for another fashion ringmaster to sweep the nation’s capital off its feet.
On day two, the venue was again not filled to capacity with people being directed to fill seats in the front row. The other side where I was seated was poorly lit and since the whole catwalk was a “U” shape, many times the designers themselves did not come all the way down. This was a bit disappointing, but I’ve seen that happen at other major shows in New York or Paris. So it wasn’t a major let down.
Final thoughts.
Truth be told, I felt a bit underwhelmed. Maybe I wasn’t the only one. Even before the last collection ended the night, more than half the venue emptied out. I think this spoke to not so much the designers, but to the feeling that (dare, I say it…) there is still room in DC for another champion of fashion. For someone who has been caught in the fashion world’s seductive crystal web to come and create a new fashion week in the district.
Maybe the existing Goliath of DC Fashion Week is just fine; maybe DC only has room for one grand show. Call it a crazy hunch or just a gut feeling, but I think DC has room for an unnoticed little David to come and give us a new fashion week. One that just might make DC stay in its seats until the last look comes down the runway.
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