Reporter| Diana Widder- Charmed Magazine
Charmed | How did Baltimore Fashion Week start?
For as long as I could remember, I have always wanted to grace the runways of then called, New York Fashion Week. I would watch the models and then try to imitate them in their walking style. Since the age of 5, I have always had a zest and LOVE for fashion.
On June 27, 2006, I woke up and decided that if I could not walk on the runways of New York, I would make it happen right here in my hometown. We have really talented designers and professional models that could use the exposure. So, Baltimore Fashion Week was born, why not? My first task was to find a mentor. I contacted about 11 people who were doing fashion weeks, but only one agreed to help me and that was Bryan Heath, Founder/Executive Producer of Detroit Fashion Week. We spoke via email and our first telephone conversation was about 4 hours long. He not only told me what to do, but he also informed me that it would not be easy and I would be probably doing 99.8% of the work by myself. Well, everything he said was true.
After I got off the telephone with him, I went home and sat on my bed and prayed about it. The next week I started my task towards Baltimore Fashion Week, and the rest is history as they say…
Charmed | You are in the third year for Baltimore’s Fashion week; this year will be a lot different from previous years, what triggered the idea for change?
I think the change triggered when I left my job and decided to do this full-time. That is when I knew it was no longer a game; this was real. With that realization, I had to make quite a few changes in order to get the just due respect that Baltimore needs when it comes to fashion. I will tell you that the changes, improvements, and reorganizations were not easy. But, I am glad that I have a strong team that believes in my vision and wants to see it through.
Charmed| Why did you decide to hold this year’s Baltimore’s fashion week in Towson instead downtown Baltimore?
The main decision for this change was our guests. For the past 2 years our guests have been inconvenienced with parking, either paying for parking or parking far from the venue. I had to do something so that the guests that attend BFW would not have to pay for parking, but could also be in close proximity to the event. Having BFW 2010 at the Sheraton Baltimore North was the perfect venue location. And, the guests won’t have to pay for parking - it’s FREE!!
Charmed| I have seen prices for all 4 days of fashion week as low as $110.00! This is a great deal- what types of tickets are for sale?
The tickets are on a first-come-first-serve basis, but are only available online or by mail order. This is a seated event, so when guests arrive they will be escorted to their seats.
This year we are also offering “Gifted Seats”. Gifted seats are guest seats that will receive a gift/swag bag. These seats go for $60.00 each night or $200.00 for the 4-day pass. The gift bags will be the same as the guests on the front row. These seats will be on a first-come-first-serve basis, but there is not a guarantee that these guests will sit on the front row.
Charmed| This year there will be a design scholarship awarded to ten students for funds to use towards their academic training for a career in the fashion field. Why do you believe academic training is important for this career choice and how much can the students expect to receive?
I am a firm believer in education no matter what the field. I believe you can never learn enough. I started the scholarship award for those students that might be on the edge of dropping out of school because they are forced to make the decision between purchasing the text book needed to complete a course or purchasing a coat to keep them warm. This scholarship award will be a check made payable to the student. So, if they need to purchase a coat they can do that, and still have money for their text book. The amount each student can earn is $200.00. This scholarship awards will be given on a daily basis. Mainly during the school session of Fall, Winter, and Spring.
If a student applies for a scholarship award during the summer, the funds will be awarded to them after the summer course is completed and we have received their final grades. We do it a little differently for the summer students because we do not want to cancel them out all together, but they too can receive this funding.
To apply all you have to do is complete the scholarship form and send it in.
Charmed| There seems to be a bigger range of designers this year, even a designer from Africa showing a collection called Diamond Eye- why is it important to make sure there is diversity within the catwalk?
Fashion is Diversity and Diversity is Fashion. You cannot have one without the other.
With this being our 3rd year we had to step our production game up just a few notches. Some of the designers that were able to place in 2008/2009 were not able to participate this year because of the skill set as a designer must be at a higher level than the past two years.
My motto is, I really do not care where you’re from if your collection/line looks good and your seams are clean you can be in. Not everyone has the same taste in fashion that I do, so it is key to have a diversified presentational palette. Humm I like the way that sounds.
Charmed| How are all of the designers chosen to show their work at Baltimore’s fashion week?
• The designer uploads, reads, and returns the Designer Informational Packet.
• The designer submits the packet along with three images of their best work, their bio, and the registration form.
• From the sketches or drawings submitted the designer is preliminarily accepted into fashion week. 9 times out of 10 the designer is in.
• If there are some questions on our end (usually me) I will send my thoughts to the designer before I grant any type of acceptance.
• This year we did something a little different, which I think we will continue. We had the designers to bring in three pieces from their line to be reviewed by an expert in the fashion world. Usually that person is a local individual from Baltimore that has the experience and knowledge needed to review a garment. I have learned that the designers do not listen to me because I am not a designer, but I speak to them with constructive criticism from a customer or client point-of-view. The participants stated that they enjoyed it.
Charmed| There are 26 designers representing Maryland. Is it important to have a large part of the designers representing Maryland and Baltimore fashion?
To me it is extremely important to have home-grown artists/designers to showcase in Baltimore Fashion Week, this was built with them in mind. But on the flip side of things, this event was built for ALL designers of fashion. My theory is not everyone can get into MBFW, so with our event we try to get as close to that representation as we can.
Charmed| A lot of the designers are showing their collections for the first time- are the designers allowed to return each year to show their work?
Designers are allowed to return, but you cannot repeat the same showcasing. Each designer must have a fresh showcasing each year.
Charmed| Baltimore’s Fashion Week is for providing a professional level of exposure to independent designers who show “rack-ready” fashions. What kinds of accomplishments are possible for these designers? For example, are there retail buyers that could possibly offer a place for their merchandise?
With our new found family, New York, more opportunities are becoming available for designers to step outside of their comfort zone, spread their wings, and participate in other events to showcase their work.
I spend a majority of my time during this production just trying to convince mainly buyers that Baltimore has what it takes for them to be a guest in our seats during Baltimore Fashion Week. I keep saying one day someone will say yes and come down, but it is so disheartening to hear “Baltimore has a fashion week – they have designers there.” To hear that response was excruciatingly painful when I started, but now I just let it roll of my shoulders and I just reply, “Yes we do and I would love to have you be a part of this event as my personal guest.”
Charmed| This year you are also holding a Sexy Aquatic Designer Competition to be held on opening night. The winner and their model will receive $200.00 and a round trip ticket to New York City for a day! Have there always been competitions for BFW and if not, why was the decision made for this year?
Our first competition was in 2009. The competition was sponsored by McDonald’s to introduce their new product McCafe’. The contestant had to submit sketches of garments that represented a McCafe’ look. The submissions were all great. I had to inform the panel that I could not make that decision, and that I would have to opt out. But the right decision was made and Ann Boland was the winner last year.
This year we are doing a competition, Sexy Aquatic. With this competition the designer has to create a cover-up for the models to wear as they walk down our runway. This is similar to the Victoria Secret Fashion Show.
I thought how cute would it be to have our designers create cover-up for the models to wear during the presentation. Once that idea was birthed, I was off and running to find a sponsor to provide the lingerie and swimwear. We reached out to Smart & Sexy. I came across this brand when I was shopping in Walmart and I loved their style. It is a little bit of Vickie’s but with a more affordable price. I feel in love and I had to have it. So we reached out to the company and they said yes. Now we have 20 items sitting just waiting to bless the runway.
For this competition, I did not have the time to assemble a panel to review the submissions, so we are going to let the audience on Thursday, August 19, 2010 decide who the winner is. The submitting designers are Ann Boland – McCafe’ Winner of 2009 and Wendy Kaufman, Creative Designer of Banshee. Yes, Banshee is also showcasing as a designer in Baltimore Fashion Week. The competition was open to ALL.
Charmed| Are there after parties every night for guests to meet the designers and models?
We currently have an after party scheduled for Friday, August 20, 2010 at club MIST, located on Lombard and Market Place. Due to the age requirements of MIST, we are working on finding another location/venue so that our younger participants will also be able to join in on the fun.
