INDstyle

Fashion Arrives in the Big Easy

by Amanda Bedgood

Fashion Week in New Orleans dresses the Crescent City in style

For years I've salivated over Fashion Week in New York. The endless shows filling tents with the absolute first look at the very best in design. Front rows filled with discerning editors and shrewd stylists. But, it was always a far, far piece and so remained on the Style Bucket List. And so, I was quite pleased to hear New Orleans folk decided to take on their own version of Fashion Week. And it starts today.

According to the organizers of Fashion Week New Orleans the event in year three was inspired by Fashion Week New York as well as Louisiana's diverse culture.

"Fashion Week New Orleans' goal is to showcase the talents and collections of established and emerging fashion designers, brand houses, boutiques and retailers in a series of runway shows, fashion events and exhibitions," according to the organization.

So, while the Gulf Coast remains known for extraordinary cuisine and music, they think it's high time the unique talents of the sartorial set from designers and boutiques to makeup artists, hair stylists and modelsĀ get their due. And we wholeheartedly agree.

The event held at the Sugar Mill kicked off with a Wednesday night party and will include shows every night with doors opening at 5 p.m. and runway at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for any single day online and $50 at the door. The shows include both designers and retailers and even a few Lafayette boutiques are getting in on the action.

On Friday night retailers from the Hub City hitting the runway include: Herringstone's, Paper Doll Studio, Raffaele Furs and Studio M. And Lafayette's own Nathan Walker is a frontrunner for their Top Design competition after taking the student award last year for his stunning work.

Go to fashionweeknola.com for more information, tickets and a lineup of the shows each night. And keep your eyes peeled, because IND Styler just may be on the loose in the Big Easy.