The state’s center will be its fashion center during Middletown Fashion Week

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UPDATE, NOTE TIMES

by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com

A model walks for producers of Middletown Fashion Week at a recent casting call held at Oddfellows Hall in Middletown. MIKE CHAIKEN PHOTO

From April 19-23, Middletown will not only be the center of Connecticut, but the Middlesex County city will also be the center of Connecticut’s burgeoning fashion scene.

The first-ever Middletown Fashion Week kicks off next Wednesday, April 19 and offers an array of fashion shows and vending events that highlight local talent as well as the talent of visiting creatives from the world’s fashion capital, New York City.

“The purpose of this fashion show is to bring something new to the city and to give Connecticut designers more opportunities to show their skills and talent,” said the show’s producer Jessi-Mar Ewart. “We have many talented creatives in Connecticut, but the exposure to them (is limited). So, I wanted to create a platform for our creatives. Being that (Middletown lies at the center of) Connecticut, I think that it would be fitting for fashion and art lovers to (savor) something different.”

For fashion fans in Connecticut, Ewart said Middletown Fashion Week should satiate their need for style. “The designer selection will be an eye-opener with well-established and published designers… The audience doesn’t have to worry about being bored.”

The designers on the bill for the inaugural event are Artystry, Cardicci, Jus10n, Jmar, Karlene Lindsay Design, The Maine Attraction, Grace, Richie Rich, Society21, Avado Clothing, The Eye Am Collection, Cacci Bridal, Sade Nicole, Level Up Designs and Vibrant Souls Only.

“The designers at the fashion show will be from all over the country bringing their best streetwear, couture wear, suits, jacket, swimwear and gowns,” said Ewart. Each designer will be selling each other their pieces at the Middletown Fashion Week Marketplace scheduled for April 23.

In addition to fashion, Ewart said he is bringing in performers to entertain the audiences. “We will have local artists from Connecticut performing live on each day… On the opening night (April 19) we will have live painting.”

And fashion fans also should expect some star power to spice up the fashion, said Ewart. “There should be some celebrities from New York that will make an appearance; but we are still waiting for the final word. But we hope to have some in our midst.”

Ewart opted to jump into the Nutmeg State style landscape because “I am a creative director of a magazine (NYSFE) and a fashion show (New York Summer Fashion Explosion) in New York and I just felt that my new city (Middletown) was missing something that I love, which is fashion. I think that doing this fashion show will bring life to people (aspiring to become fashion designers) and inspire them to start a business of their own in the fashion industry — and more so, (do it) in Middletown.

Ewart, who lives in Middletown, said he sees his hometown as a potential creative shining star in Connecticut. “(It) is growing in all different directions of business… I chose Middletown (as my home because) it has a college with a diverse student base –and I think (Middletown Fashion Week) will encourage (students to become involved in the community) and show interest in entrepreneurial endeavors.”

Besides putting the spotlight on his hometown and highlighting its potential as a business center for fashion designers, Ewart said Middletown Fashion Week is intended to “showcase the talents Connecticut has, and the creativity of the performers and designers.”

Ewart, who also has his own fashion brand that will be shown at MFW, said the event will be funded primarily by tickets sales and designer fees. Some local merchants, such as Middletown Toyota and Main Street Market, have helped defray costs for venues.

The schedule is:

Wednesday, April 19 at 6 p.m.– A press conference will be held to introduce the models and designers at Main Street Market, 386 Main St., Middletown.

Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m., the Sassy and Thrifty fashion show will be held at South Church, 9 Pleasant St., Middletown to showcase thrift fashion. There also will be a drag fashion show with Connecticut local drag queens.

Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m., Middletown Fashion Week Influencer Night Out will be held at Middletown Toyota, 634 Newfield St., Middletown. The evening will focus on streetwear and couture fashion.

Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m. at Middletown Recreation Center, 1 Wilderman’s Way, Middletown, the Expression of Fashion will showcase gowns, couture fashion and streetwear.

Sunday, April 23 from 12-4 p.m.., Marketplace will be held at Main Street Marketplace. It will be a pop shop event where designers and other local vendors can sell their products or services to the public.

For tickets and details about Middletown Fashion Week, visit bit.ly/3UxO4Xj. A portion of the funds will go toward supporting the worthy causes in the Middletown community and the St. Vincent de Paul Middletown Homeless shelter, said Ewart.