by MIKE CHAIKEN
CTFashionMag.com
The last time the phrase “Hartford Fashion Week” was in the news was back in 2018.
The organization by that name was making plans to change its leadership for shows that it planned to hold in September 2018.
Despite the leadership shuffle, those shows never happened.
Hartford Fashion Week went silent.
After several years of dormancy, however, the name has been resurrected – with a new leadership at the helm — for a series of fashion shows in April.
Bertha Angelo, who had been a designer who was showcased in the old Hartford Fashion Week, has taken over the runway brand alongside the organizers of Fashion Week Connecticut.
The shows will be scattered across several locations in the Hartford area from April 20-26.
Angelo, the brains behind the New Britain-based fashion brand LàMoo, said, “Bringing back a fashion week to Hartford was something I have been thinking of since it stopped. It’s like a hole was left (when HFW halted operations).”
The designer said, “When the opportunity came up to own it, I took the opportunity and ran with it.”
Connecticut and Hartford have not exactly been left with a fashion void since the original Hartford Fashion Week closed up shop. Other organizations, including Fashion Week Connecticut, have presented shows in Hartford. And Angelo has been active in the fashion scene as much as she could be since HFW halted. (A stroke forced Angelo and her brand to take a break while she got healthy.)
However, Angelo felt the state’s capital city needed its own brand once more.
“Hartford is very deserving of a fashion week number one it’s the capital and secondly there is a lot of talent here that needs some recognition,” said Angelo.
But, said Angelo, the show is not focused solely on the city.
“We have models from right here in Connecticut we even have models from Boston and New York,” said Angelo.
For dedicated followers of fashion, the reappearance of Hartford Fashion Week will elicit some smiles, said Angelo.
“Fans of fashion are loving what we are doing because it’s fresh talent new faces and the best part we are pretty much all inclusive,” said the fashion impresario. “We stand out because there are people who still don’t know about the talent we have here, and our shows always stand out because we do it as a community. We give opportunities to designers who would get denied in other places. We believe in giving opportunities.”
Besides organizing the events of the week, Angelo will be participating as a designer.
“I will be showing some vintage LàMoo with a couple new pieces added,” said Angelo.
And what is serving as inspiration for the new pieces? “The thing that inspires me is the love for fashion and the fact that I can create beautiful things out of a piece of fabric.”
Angelo, as noted, is recovering from a stroke. And the incident has shaken up her typical creative process.
“After my stroke, I had to retrain my brain to work differently,” said the New Britain resident. “It hasn’t been easy; but I love a challenge. And this has been my biggest challenge thus far.”
Angelo continued, “Because of my love for fashion I was able to be patient and take my time and learn to create in a different way.”
Hartford Fashion Week schedule
Sunday, April 20, 7-10 p.m.
Elemental Fabrics at Parkville Art Gallery,
1429 Park Street, Suite 204, Hartford. It is a celebration of hip hop culture and its contributions redefining popular culture. It will feature the trendiest brands.
Monday, April 21, 7-10 p.m.
Spotlight Fashion Show at Artspace Hartford, 555 Asylum Ave., Hartford. This is a fashion show that highlights higher fashion brands located in and around Hartford. This fashion show is an intimate display, sitting on the backdrop of the all-white studio space of Artspace Hartford. Admission is a $20 donation. Parking is located at Union Station. Art Space parking is for residents only.
Tuesday, April 22, 7-10 p.m.
Spotlight Fashion Show at Artspace Hartford, 555 Asylum Ave., Hartford. The show will feature urban trendy brands located in and around Hartford. Admission is a suggested donation of $20.
Wednesday, April 23, 7-10 p.m.
Infinity Project at Warehouse 860, 85 Airport Road, Hartford. Infinity Project is an exclusive event for fashion creatives to come together and make visual content. It is closed to outside guests. Submit requests for entry to @HartfordFashionWeek or apply at https://forms.gle/RUEC88UXdruv5E3G8
Thursday, April 24, 5-8 p.m.
Community Conversations at Artspace Hartford,
555 Asylum Ave., Hartford. Network and learn how Hartford Fashion Week can serve you.
Fri, April 25, 7- 10 p.m.
Fashion is Art at 30 Bartholomew Ave., Hartford. It will be dedicated to some of the different creative brands working different genres of fashions.
For tickets, visit Hartford Fashion Week
