by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
There’s a new player in the Connecticut area fashion scene.
Last month, the first ever New England Fashion Week was held at Spectra Wired café in Hartford, Conn.
Joseph Wade– who organized the event as CEO along with Kayla Nicole (COO), Sugeily Lopez (treasurer), and Eryka Williams (secretary)- said in a text interview that the launch of the new fashion venture was “inspired by everything we already love— fashion, the community, and giving back.
“We took all those things and decided how we could put them together in our own way,” said Wade.
Wade said the region needed NEFW because “we’re open to everyone. We want everyone to succeed in fulfilling their dreams and we want to help them get there.”
“Our first show (in June) brought together talent from all over New England. We had designers all from out of state, models who traveled from New Hampshire, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, and the U.K. We brought in dancers and live painters.”
The June 9 event featured designers: M. Imbruglio; Kayla Nicole Collection; Society 21; Image Gloves; MAKP Designs; Alicia Mullings; Arcane by Aidil; Taylor Love Couture; and GMI Co.
Models were selected via two casting calls.
“So many connections were made for the models, designers, and everyone who attended really. We hope to continue that and to continue being a show the region will look forward to every few months because we bring so much more than just runway.”
“Also given people were ready and willing and supportive to drive out of state for NEFW shows that people are excited about it and they do want things like this happening in the area , so we’re only keep it going, for the people,” said Wade.
Wade said the event on June 9 was a “teaser” of what is to come. “It was everything we needed to do to put our name out there and our faces to go with it. Going into 2019 and on we will be rolling out some very creative ideas that everyone will be excited about.”
“New England has a lot of talent and we want to showcase it all,” said Wade.
PHOTOS of New England Fashion Week courtesy of photographer Stephen Geyer of Connecticut.
