Local Runway Shows
Along with Kansas City Fashion week, I have been grateful to participate in Local Runway for 5 seasons from 2017 to 2021.
Take a look……
Kansas City really has a thriving arts scene and fashion is a vital part of that. In addition to my multiple seasons of Kansas City Fashion week, my next favorite show to participate in is Local Runway, hosted by Local Fashion Link Magazine. Each season was presented with a goal of selling our runway pieces directly after the show. Our garments would come off the runway afte rthe show and be set up in our individual pop up area for sale, all items $200 or less each. As a designer, I created a five look collection where the items I designed were flexible in sizing and purpose so that they have the greatest chance of finding a home.
Each season would bring attendees and participants from all over KC and surrounding areas who loved to see what designers created. The space we showed in the last few times was Unity Village, a beautiful location with fountains and classic architecture. I was grateful to participate each season along with top tier models, hair and makeup designers and photographers.
While designing each collection, I kept in mind a cohesive story or connection design elements that really stood out on the runway. Because they were smaller sized collections, I was able to experiment with more elaborate and precious fabrics while also designing the garments to be wearable, fit a variety of bodies and inspire those attending.
Local Runway 2017 - Purple, Green and Blue velvet
My first Local Runway show was in between my wedding and my honeymoon! I could not have been more booked and busy if I tried. While the time spent on this collection felt like a blink of an eye, I was so honored to create a collection that sold nearly all the items off the runway.
Local Runway 2018 - Orange, brown and gold velvet
This next show for Local Runway was one of my favorites and also a crowd hit. I ended up adding a model last minute whose designer had an issue and was so grateful to work with some of the top models in all of Kansas City, who were also amazingly kind ladies.
Local Runway 2019 - Red, green gold and gold burnout velvet
This collection combined my love of velvet, rich colors and elaborate textures. I found a burnout gold and red or green velvet that was a dream to work with and created such a vibrant and inspiring palette
Local Runway 2019 - Gold brocade with Turquoise, purple, blue, brown, and gold
Continuing with my use of brocade fabrics, i found this gold textured brocade with hints of blue, purple, and brown. The fabric itself was the star of the show and the accompanying fabrics were the perfect side dish to the main. Nearly all of these items have sold and many are used in various photo shoots as well. Jewelry by Ngan Vuong of Enve Designs.
Local Runway - 2021 - Turquoise, green and blue velvet with faux fur
After a delay of a year for public health and safety due to Covid, it was a joy to be able to show my last collection with Local Runway. This was likely my favorite of all collections I’ve made, and so far, my final show collection of any kind. These looks used velvets in turqouise, blue and green as well as those colors in a metalic sheen velvet. I used fauz fur as an accent piece and was lucky to style it with jewelry by Ngan Vuong of Enve Designs. The design for this collection came to me in a mystical rush of inspiration on a full moon, Friday the 13th, in only a few hours. Anyone who designs knows that a whole collections takes weeks if not months to fully design. This one was divine timing.
