by VICTORIA HENLEY
CTFashionMag.com
Operating under the guidance and leadership of Brittany Alphonso, St Augustine Fashion Week is an innovative and beautifully produced celebration of independent fashion designers and boutiques in “America’s Oldest City.”
May 5 marked the eighth Season finale show at the landmark Lightner Museum courtyard. There was a thrilling line up of local, regional, and national creators specializing in a wide variety of looks and genres.
Alphonso, who has previously been highlighted as a featured guest on the Backstage Pass on IHeart Radio show and podcast, worked with some of the top names in the corporate fashion and retail realm before branching out into the exciting world of fashion production and entrepreneurship. Since the inception of St. Augustine Fashion Week, Brittany, along with her creative team (including Carrie Kyoko Lacayo-Benton, vice president and director of operations; Dawn Wallace, director of photography with Daybreak Photo; and Kristen McKennon, hair and makeup artist of Salon Honey + Sage) have successfully executed countless network forums, lectures, meet and greets, and of course, the fashion week productions for which they have become best known.
During the 2020 pandemic, the St Augustine Fashion Week team quickly pivoted its production model toward a virtual show that featured the lush, luxurious and elegant backdrop of the Lightner Museum’s gardens and a curated collection of clothing from brands such as The Way We Were Vintage, Fulani, and my collection, Magnifique (a conglomeration of my own designs as well as vintage, my company retail partners and the works of my ateliers.)
Season 8 of Fashion Week marked the return of the company’s live shows, proving that the community of fashion enthusiasts that comprise the St Augustine Fashion Week empire cannot be deterred from its mission of bring fashion to the catwalk.
This year’s catwalk included Fulani Couture (featuring flowing, brightly colored frocks, and sleek handbags); Earth Moon Boutique; Imani Couture/Beautiful Vibes; Magnifique by Victoria Henley: Powered by Unique Blue Rose/Lisa Hopkins; Bartram Trail Fashion Academy; Deborah M.; Noelani The Label; Holding Court by Courtney Barringer.
Barringer, a designer and model based in Los Angeles brought the house down with her grand finale showing of retro aesthetic, up-cycled couture and one-of-a-kind fashions for the eclectic and bohemian fashionista.
Magnifique Models; Lisa Hopkins (who is also the curator and CEO of Unique Blue Rose and Liana Rose Bardin made special appearances.
Longtime Magnifique collaborators, SAKE Clothing and Holland’s Luxury Retail were also highlighted during the Magnifique presentation.
Lynn Henley Photography (@lynnhenleyphotography on Instagram), co-owner of the Magnifique brand, served as the house photographer for the Magnifique presentation
The St Augustine Fashion Week team is already working on next season’s line up.
Models, designers, and creatives within the fashion industry are invited to connect with the production team on all major social media platforms for the scoop on all latest behind the scenes happenings , exclusive sneak peeks behind the creative process of fashion event production and a full roster of upcoming events and dates.
Special thanks to the wonderful Brittany Alphonso for having us back at another successful and fabulous St Augustine Fashion Week Event.
WEBSITE: www.stafashionweek.com
INSTAGRAM @sta_fw
Victoria Henley writes Backstage Pass for iHeart Radio and CTFashionMag.com