This year I was privileged again to work with the "Lady of Fashion," Mrs. Tracee Dundas at New Orleans Fashion Week. The week-long event envisioned and launched by Tracee herself, held this year from March 18-25, 2018, has been alive and prospering now for 8 years and continues to have a powerful impact in the creative and fashion community of the South.
This year's activities included opportunities for learning, networking and creative inspiration. From the panel at the Steve McQueen "Within A Queen" exhibit at NOMA on Sunday to the end of the week's runway shows, attendees' senses were barraged with a fantastic array of colors, art and style. And the event's impact has grown international, with NOFW8 including three international artists.
One of the great things about New Orleans Fashion Week is the convergence of so many types of creatives in one area for so many days. As always I was able to connect with artists and creatives of all types (hairdressers, makeup artists, visual artists, musicians, performers, suit tailors, jewelry artists and much more) and the highlights of my week included interviews with some of the emerging designers competing in the "Top Design Competition."
From young designer Alexandra Bujan, whose collection absolutely stunned the audience (she's just 12), to seriously pregnant Tkiani Francis Pullins of Real Gunkie, the designers this year inspired me with their stories, passion and drive.
And the more experienced designers showing on Friday and Saturday brought their A-games too. It was an honor to reconnect with Louisiana natives Romey Roe (whose gown I wore to the Emmys this past year), Clinton Whitney Downing (floral/interior designer whose "repurposed" collections amaze) and Brik Allen (of Project Runway).
This year's red carpet interviews also spanned a variety of colorful characters ranging from local fashion students, actors and beauty queens, to NFL and CFL players. I find it so fun to discover each person's unique take on style!
If you haven't experienced New Orleans Fashion Week, plan now to attend NOFW9. It's a great excuse to visit New Orleans in the spring and an amazing experience to see first-hand this continually evolving creative collaboration of fashion and art.
Want to volunteer, be a corporate sponsor, show off your new line of clothing or accessories? Contact the NOFW team at info@neworleansfashionweek.com to learn more.
Photo by Steve Hammond, Jewelry by MiStyle