This year will be the 4th year for Austin Fashion Week, can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday I was in the front row watching 80s pop icon Tiffany singing one of my go-to karaoke songs wondering what the hell she was doing there (or what I was doing there). It’s had some questionable moments, but whether you’re a fan of Austin Fashion Week or not, the truth is that it is a great platform for designers to get their name out there and their designs seen. In a somewhat roundabout way, I actually met one of my best friends and also got a job thanks to Austin Fashion Week. True story: I saw one of the Mash Up Team photos and decided that the watch company TIKKR would be a fun brand to use for a photo shoot for my blog. That resulted in me meeting the owner Cory Stout who I now consider to be one of my best friends and also still work for today. The Mash Up Teams in particular is one of my favorite things about Austin Fashion Week. It is a great way for an individual trying to break into the fashion industry in Austin to work with people that they might not have necessarily worked with otherwise. This of course can lead to lasting friendships or working relationships, OR it can result in extreme hatred for a complete stranger that you hope to never have to work with again. If you choose to participate in a Mash Up Team, I hope it results in the former for you and not the latter!
Here’s the lowdown on how to get involved in Austin Fashion Week this year:
The deadline for participation is Friday June 1st!
BECOME A SHOWCASE DESIGNER:
For the Austin Based designers category: The AFW Advisory Board will convene to review all applications and samples. The top 16 designers will be awarded “Showcase Designer” status. They will receive as follows:
- The top THREE clothing designers will be awarded a complete runway show (20 – 25 looks) at the Driskill Runways.
- The top THREE jewelry or accessory designers will be awarded a booth at the Driskill Marketplace.
- The next TEN designers will be awarded Showcases at local retail and salon venues — these showcases are meant to be amped up trunk shows.
Click here to read the Application Process and fill out the Application! The application fee is $95.
BE ON A MASH UP TEAM:
This year you can register a complete Mash Up Team if you know whose team you would like to be on. Or you can register as an individual and be placed on a random team. The team works together to produce one fashion photograph which is voted on by the general public. (Check out last year’s Mash Up Team Photos)
Click here to read the Application Process and fill out the Application! The application fee is $50
AWARDS & VOTING:
1. Beginning JUNE 4, nomination forms will be made available to the general public via FashionWeekAustin.com. Users may NOMINATE deserving candidates for TRAILBLAZER or RISING STAR awards.
2. On JUNE 22, nominations will close.
3. All nominees will be presented to the 13-member Board for Austin Fashion Week. This Board consists of the following members i.e. people you should start sucking up to now:
- Stephen Moser: Austin Chronicle Style Writer
- Eve Nicols: Director of Apparel Design, University of Texas
- Linda Asaf: Fashion Designer
- Kendra Scott: Fashion Designer
- Lance Avery Morgan: Brilliant Magazine, The Society Diaries
- Elizabeth Gibson: Owner, Eliza Page
- Allen Ruiz: Owner, Jackson Ruiz Salon
- Justin Brown: Owner, Wilhelmina Brown Modeling Agency
- Chad Harlan: Photographer
- Lisa Brooks: Hair Stylist & Owner, Diaz & Brooks
- Rochelle Rae: Owner, Rae Cosmetics
- Anne Marie Beard: Fashion Designer
- Sandra Antoun: Stylist
ATTEND:
- Kick Off 8/10
- Showcase Events 8/11-14
- Driskill Runways and Marketplace 8/15-17
- Austin Fashion Awards 8/18.
Click here to buy a ticket to Austin Fashion Week! OR you can become a Volunteer and help out behind the scenes.
If you are Press or think you might be considered Press (hey, I am and I’m just a girl with a blog) then email Kristen Chin at POM Public Relations: Kristen@POMpr.com. She will hook you up!
Joanna
Keep Austin Stylish