Photos provided by Savannah Fashion Week
Dark lines inspired by nightmares and sportswear inspired by the battle between cowboys and Indians will star in Savannah Fashion Week’s runway show on Thursday night in Forsyth Park, along with beachwear, new summer collections and bridal gowns from local designers.
“It encompasses everything from children’s wear to bridal to true custom, couture designers,” said Heather Burge, president of Savannah Fashion Week and owner of BleuBelle.
This year, more than half of the featured designers are SCAD alumni. April Johnston, Brooke Atwood, Faith Thornburg, Mary Liz Pulk and Catherine Fain all graduated from SCAD. They are behind the push for Savannah’s fashion industry to grow.
“Savannah Fashion Week is an incredible opportunity to truly see the talent and passion of our many creative entrepreneurs,” said Burge.
April Johnston graduated with a fashion degree from SCAD in 2010, went off to New York and competed in the eighth season of “Project Runway” and again in “Project Runway All Stars,” developing high end clothing lines. She decided to come back to Savannah for Fashion Week to showcase her Mangled Courtesan collection.
“Being on the show has definitely been a platform for me, but there is so much more to it than that,” said Johnston. “I have had to build my brand over the past four years and I am still building.”
Johnston encourages students to work their hardest, especially when they are right out of school and entering the industry.
“It’s about hard work and when that hard work meets opportunity,” said Johnston.
Her line will hit the stage on Thursday night during the runway show, which runs from 7 to 10 p.m. After holding the show in the Lucas Theater for the past four years, the organizers decided to switch it up.
“We have wanted to host the runway show in Forsyth Park from the very beginning,” said Burge. “And our fifth year is the perfect opportunity to take the event to the next level.”
New collections will not only be presented on the stage at Forsyth Park, but also on a runway stretching down the middle sidewalk from the fountain toward Gaston Street. This was made possible with the help of Sebrell Smith Designer Events and Alex Clayson from Event Haus.
While the models and designers prepare for the big runway show, local stores are opening their doors with special deals to debut new spring and summer collections.
Local boutiques and shops including BleuBelle, Zia, Satchel., Custard, James Gunn, Trunk 13, Sara Jane, J. Paige, Mamie Ruth and MLiz are all hosting trunk shows throughout the week. Custom couture, champagne and cupcakes are just a few of the perks local designers offer guests at these events.
“We are launching our own charitable entity, the Savannah Style Fund with all of the proceeds from every Savannah Fashion Week event,” said Burge.
The first recipient of the Style Fund contributions will go to the Savannah Arts Academy, their 2014 charitable partner, to help their new fashion program. They also plan to use the Style Fund to launch a summer camp for students that want careers in creative fields.
“Our partnership with Savannah Arts Academy this year is a great example of how that community support can inspire students to pursue an ambition to further the development of our stylish Savannah fashion community with their own contributions,” said Burge.
For more information about the trunk shows going on throughout the week, the runway show or Savannah Fashion Week, go to www.SavannahFashionWeek.org.
