Lethbridge designers, vendors and restauranteurs strut their stuff this weekend as The Lethbridge Fashion Weekend returns to the Galt Museum, Nov. 6.
The ever expanding annual event, modelled after fashion weeks in major centres like new York City, attracted a capacity crowd last year during their first year at the Galt Museum.
Lethbridge Fashion Weekend began in 2007. While the sale used to be the day after, the sale and show will all be on one day this year.
“ It’s going to be pure fun,” said Shelly Court who organizes the event with her husband and a dedicated core of volunteers.
Six is the magic number this year with six different designers participating including “Of A Feather” from Lethbridge College Fashion design program alumni and Airdrie based Sarah Auston, Lethbridge designers “Penny Lane” by Stephanie Hogan, “Troy Anthony Designs” from Troy Anthony, “donell” by Donell Kollias, “Veena ” by Jena Murray, “Aniimiism” by Vancouverite Cassie Dee and “Shelly Kanyo Studios” from Court herself. Beautiful models from Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge and Winnipeg will be modelling the new designs.
The event also features six vendors selling clothing, skin care products and jewelry. There will also be plenty of free food from Umani, Crazy Cakes and Cora's.
“For $20 you get free food, cheap drinks, the first 80 people get a gift bag, you get to see the clothing, the models and you get to shop,” Court enthused adding while they used to hold the sale the day after, this year the sale is right after the show tog et people while they’re inspired by the designs.
“There are also two DJs coming from Edmonton and there is an after-party at the Rogue Restaurant (in the watertower),” she added.
“It’s something different for Lethbridge and you get to dress up without being looked at funny. Though it isn’t mandatory though most people do,” she continued, noting there will be a red carpet and a professional photographer Jayson Domingo photographing the runway action.
“People are getting excited about it,” Court continued.
She is excited about the designers.
“Cassie Dee has been featured in British Vogue,” she said.
She said while Lethbridge Fashion Week traditionally is a showcase for Lethbridge designers and models, it has been opened up to the rest of the world.
“It’s more about supporting local designers and artists and models, but we didn’t want to pigeonhole ourselves to just Lethbridge. We want a good variety,” she said.
“ My designs are resort meet winter wear. I use a lot of pink and blue. I play a lot with volume with wide legged trousers and voluminous tops,” she said.
“There's pleather, Stephanie has a ’70s vibe because she’s really into that style. Cassie Dee’s designs are ready for summer 2016 because the fashion industry works a year in advance. Jena Murray launched a crowd funding program and raised $50,000. Her designs are made in India. Her designs are all about promoting confidence in young girls. So it’s going great. But you never really know until the day of,” she enthused.
Tickets are available at Nicholai downtown for $20.
Doors open at 7 p.m., Nov. 6, with the show beginning at 8 p.m.