Page 42 - Outstanding Women Friendly Physicians (2)

A BRIGHT LIGHT FOR

SAN DIEGO’S FASHION

By Lisa Matar

Photography by Lisa K Miller

San Diego's second Fashion Week was held in October and
showcased local designers which enabled attendees to interact
with industry professionals. Allison Andrews, FWSD's producer is
the mastermind behind this event. She has a degree in Fashion
Merchandising from FIDM and a degree in Organizational Lead-
ership from National University. She also is at the head of her
company, APA Business Consulting Inc.
based out of San Diego.
The events of the week started off with
a mixer at Roppongi Restaurant in La
Jolla where the chosen 12 designers
mingled with spectators and press.
The second event, held at the W Hotel
in Downtown was visually stimulating
and explored the art and beauty behind
fashion. Next came an industry profes-
sional evening which FIDM hosted
on their new Downtown campus. The
evening featured an interactive discus-
sion that explored the state of local
42 retailing, manufacturing and trend spot-
ting influences in San Diego. The next
was a preview event which allowed
the designers to show one piece from
their collection. The setting allowed for Fashion Week San Diego
discussion and interaction between
the designers and spectators. Fashion celebrity.
Week reached an exciting climax with the runway shows at the During the
Hard Rock Hotel in Downtown San Diego. More than twenty-five intermission
hundred Audience members, buyers and press were able to score of the Runway
designers on wearability, creativity and overall production via Shows, DJ Vi-
smart phone. Kenneth Barlis, the designer with the highest score olinist ‘Spags’
was awarded with a business package to help launch his line. The wowed the
first runner up was Jessica Faulkner and the second runner up crowd with a
was Dos Caras Swimwear. Fashion Week came to a close with a unique and
private shopping event held at the Hard Rock Hotel where buyers artful electric
had the opportunity to add local designers' work to their ward- violin per-
robes. formance.
The runway event was highly entertaining with an outstand- Spags took
ing display of collections created by the 12 accomplished San to the stage
Diego designers. Most notably, Jessica Faulkner's sportswear dressed in a
line was impressive as it was completely wearable for the San cropped black
Diego woman; a very fashionable collection. Dos Caras swim leather and
and resort wear dazzled the audience as the models took to the lace dress with
runway dressed in sexy bikinis and seductive loungewear. Love is knee high boots. As she performed on the runway she command-
a Devil presented its jewelry collection on models who wore nude ed the audience's attention by playing her ultra modern, exception-
leotards with fishnet stockings. The jewelry popped on the model's ally small electric violin. Her passion lit up the room. Two male
blank canvases. Kenneth Barlis presented a whimsical collec- dancers performed along side her to add to her theatrical perfor-
tion of eveningwear, which was suitable for any red carpet event. mance. Spags wildly entertained the crowd.
Impressive details and impeccable tailoring were trademarks of Fashion Week San Diego was a delightfully interactive event that
Kenneth's formal wear. Andre Soriano's glamorous eveningwear cast a bright spotlight on our city’s emerging and talented fashion
and presentation of his collection was the grand finale of the show. designers. Allison Andrews is looking forward to bringing this won-
His collection commanded attention as his models were dressed derful event to San Diego for many more years to come. Fashion
in classic couture quality gowns suited for Hollywood's most chic Week San Diego is already being planned for 2013.