Each September, the upper-echelon of the fashion editorial world sits shoulder-to-shoulder with celebrities and savvy socialites on the frontlines of designer runways displaying next season’s trends. The eyes of the couture world are fixed for four weeks on the major cities of production—Paris, London, Milan, New York.
D.C. is not one of these lavish locales, but don’t count out the land of blue ties and power pantsuits just yet.
This week marks the 10-year anniversary of D.C. Fashion Week. The project began in 2004 as a small hotel soiree and has since matured into a seven day runway marathon at some of the District’s most recognizable venues. Kors, McCartney, Chanel and Diane Von Furstenberg will not be on display, but the event will exhibit looks from over 30 international designers.
“We want to be, truly, an international fashion week,” said D.C. Fashion Week’s Executive Director Ean Williams. The founder of DCFW, Williams told the Voice that this week’s designers have flown in from Africa, Indonesia and Paris. “We want to showcase designers from all over the world and make sure they have the opportunity to launch their label here in the U.S., and what better place to do it than in the nation’s capital?”
D.C.’s contribution to the fashion industry is not limited George Washington graduate Rachel Zoe. The city’s internationality gives residents a sense of style entirely their own. Take a walk down M St. and you’ll see that every major designer has a presence here. But take notice of the shoppers on your stroll. Whether tourist, student, government official, local hipster or mother of three, the District’s diversity weaves a bold and rich tapestry, a unique backdrop for a fashion week installation.
“During the day we run the most powerful city in the world, but when it comes to fashion, we take off our day job and we go out on the town—it’s a totally different experience,” said Williams. “We have multiple personalities.”
Tuesday opened the week-long anniversary event at the National Archives with a fashion show from Corjor International, Williams’ label. The designer, highlighted in this year’s British Vogue Big Fashion Issue, took the audience on a ride through two collections.
First came an ode to the black evening gown and the different iterations the classic has taken on over the past decade. After a vocal performance, the final presentation was the Corjor International 2015 spring ready-to-wear line. Magenta organza cocktail dresses with hand stitched detail and gold metal belts flew down a roped-off runway, set to an orchestral version of Beyonce’s “Drunk in Love.”
Organizers read Mayor Gray’s official declaration of fashion week in front of the Constitution, with portraits of the founding fathers watching from above. A representative from the National Archives mentioned there is always something to discover at the Archives; Tuesday’s well-attended visit unearthed a budding international fashion community.
A number of Georgetown students were in attendance, seizing the opportunity to dress up. Abigail Femi-Ogunyemi (MSB ‘16) enjoyed the show: “[The production] could’ve been a little bit more polished, but the clothing was really interesting to see…I was surprised there was a D.C. fashion show at all though, it really worked for me!”
