As the world's top designers displayed their spring collections for the past few weeks in Paris, Milan, London and New York, lesser-known names had their own moments in the spotlight during D.C. Fashion Week. The fifth installment of this biannual event culminated in the International Collections Haute Couture Show at the Embassy of France last Sunday evening.
While the event could boast a ritzy address and one or two big names, with the Sean John collection shown earlier in the week at a different venue, Washington, D.C. is not quite Milan. The show's minimal spectacle, small crowd and hit-or-miss designs highlighted D.C.'s youthfulness in a world of old fashion lines and even older fashion hubs.
With local radio personality Jeannie Jones as master of ceremonies, the show assumed the air of a pep rally as Jones cheered for the models strutting down the runway. Although it was hardly a typical approach to high fashion, it was undeniably effective in creating a feeling of camaraderie between the designers and the audience.
From a pool of 14 designers, certain collections were definitely worthy of Jones' accolades. Designer Annette Williams, a D.C. native, created a collection that featured flattering crocheted pieces. Her dresses were slim with bold geometric patterns and punches of bright red and yellow.
Zula Studio, the creation of Russian-born designer Zula Khramov, was noteworthy for excellent construction of its pieces and a whimsical attention to detail. Unexpected buttons on dress and skirt backs and oversized Peter Pan collars emphasized the skill that went into their creation.
Corjor International, owned by D.C. Fashion Week's executive director Ean Williams, closed the evening with a wide-ranging collection. With smoking jackets and red swim trunks for the men, and ball gowns with full, floor-length skirts for the women, Corjor's collection was at times innovative and largely unpredictable - much like the entire show.
Of course, to hold the D.C. couture show to the same standards as the shows in Paris, Milan, London and New York is hardly reasonable, as the D.C. show operates in a completely different arena. According to its mission statement, D.C. Fashion Week is planned by a non-profit organization whose goals are to "increase economic development" in fashion and modeling and to "enhance the visibility of the nation's capital as a cultural center of international fashion." In essence, these independent designers and models are attempting to build D.C.'s fashion reputation from the ground up using local support.
With such ambitious objectives, it's easy to forgive D.C. Fashion Week for some blunders, like velour and satin gowns, a few too many sequins and shapeless and oversized men's suits. But if the crowd's enthusiasm is any indication of their opinion, all fashion faux pas are forgiven.
The next D.C. Fashion Week will be held Feb. 25 - Mar. 4, 2007. See www.dcfashionweek.org for more information.
