MISSION: Phoenix Fashion Week Takes Emerging Designers Mainstream
We wanted to have a signature fashion event that would represent our industry. ~ Brian Hill, Executive Director
Furne One at Phoenix Fashion Week 2012.
PHOENIX — Each season as the fashion week frenzy commences across the globe in fashion capitals such as New York, Paris, London, and Milan; we clamber to get the latest deets on our favorite designers such as Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Burberry, and Versace. Seldom do we peer outside that fashion bubble to seek designers who steer too far off the "it" fashion path. But I've recently found reason to broaden my sartorial sleuthing.
In the heart of the Southwest, Phoenix Fashion Week (PHXFW) has risen. Since 2005 the burgeoning fashion event, founded by Arizona-based industry professionals, showcases emerging and established designers including Furne One, 7 Diamonds, Blaque Label, Stop Staring. The event is quickly gaining prominence with a mention in the October 2012 issue of Time magazine and garnering a celebrity audience including model Kelly Mittendorf, musicians Wyclef and Pras from The Fugees and Far East Movement, as well as actor Frankie Muniz – who have attended the event.
PHXFW has a unique niche and approach to the fashion week concept. Their mission of bridging designers and buyers is unlike any other fashion week since much of what they do is to support young designers, even offering a bootcamp where they teach designers how to build their brands.
"We wanted to have a signature fashion event that would represent our industry," says Phoenix Fashion Week executive director Brian Hill. "It was really to put a credible stamp on the fashion industry here that would lead to more sales individually for our brands while pushing Arizona fashion forward."
