Fashion Week Alabama 2016

I was invited by Regina Miller of Alabama Fashion Alliance to attend Fashion Week Alabama 2016 as a guest blogger. I was honored to have behind-the-scenes privilege during one of their many rehearsals and early access to the shows each night.  I must say that I was impressed with what I witnessed in this little town called Huntsville. There are just so many hidden gems in this city! I attended Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday night of Fashion Week and want to share with you an inside peek to what I experienced. There were many amazing photographers in attendance and I connected with a couple to share some of their work capturing the essence of Fashion Week Alabama. Take a look at the weekly lineup and photos from each night…

Fashion Week Alabama 2016 – Celebrating 5 Years of Fashion + Beauty in Alabama

Tuesday | March 1 | Industry Mixer + AFA Model Walk-off 

Fashion, Beauty + Creative Professionals celebrate the kick-off of FWA 2016 under one roof!
Location: Real Estate Row | 1806 University Drive | Huntsville, AL

• AFA + The Valley’s CW Network’s FWA 2016 Next Top Model Walk-Off
• Celine Smith Collection (16 year old fashion designer protégé) – Headlining Designer
• Retro Fitt Boutique @ Bridge Street – Headlining Retailer

Photography by Vergara Photography

Wednesday | March 2 | DAY 2 | Wedding Wednesday | Bridal Runway Looks

Special Feature: Jewelry + Accessories Designers
Location: Real Estate Row | 1806 University Drive | Huntsville, AL

• Stay Woo Arts + Accessories
• AJ Bischoff Jewelry Designs
• Dress Up Again – Evening Gowns | Downtown Huntsville, AL
• Jenee Dionne, Fashion Designer | Stockton, GA – Guest Headliner
• EMCEE: Tiffany Allen, Life Coach/Motivational Speaker/Stylist, Owner, Thoughts Become Outfits

Photography by Vergara Photography

Thursday | March 3 | Day 3 | Charity Night

Special Feature: The hottest runway hair and make-up looks by Alabama artisans.
Location: Real Estate Row | 1806 University Drive | Huntsville, AL

• Children’s Showcase
• Alabama A&M Apparel Design + Merchandising Class
• 81 Home Gifts + Glam | Huntsville, AL
• Avant Garde Fantasy Hair + Make-up Runway Showcase + Competition

Photography by Omni Photography

Friday | March 4 | Day 4 | Friday Knights | Menswear Runway Looks 

Plus a Sneak-Peak Runway Teaser by featured Alabama Designers
Location: Real Estate Row | 1806 University Drive | Huntsville, AL

• UG White
• ClaChic Scarves + Accessories | AFA Fashion Forward Awards Winner 2015-16 | Best Accessories Boutique | Hsv, AL
• Stephon Kelly – The DeMeanr Collection
• Willette Battle (Fashion Design HEADLINER) | Willette’s Prism | Huntsville, AL
• EMCEE: Bill Young, Channel 31 WAAY TV

Photography by Omni Photography

Saturday | March 4 | Finale Runway Shows + Expo 

Location: The new Campus 805 | 2620 Clinton Avenue West | Huntsville, AL 35801

• BELK @ Bridge Street
• Francesca’s @ Parkway Place Mall
• Valley Chic Boutique | Huntsville, AL | AFA Fashion Forward Awards Winner 2015-16 Best New Huntsville Boutique
• Ellexus May of Blushing Hem | Huntsville, AL | New Emerging Designer -Fashion Week Alabama Debut
• Rachael Benton Clothing + Design | Madison, Alabama
• D’an Harold, Fashion Designer | Model Haven Boutique | AFA Fashion Forward Awards Winner 2015-16 Best Emerging Fashion Designer, North Alabama
• Terrell Kimbrough | Nasvhille, TN
• Caroline Williard | CW Couture | St. Louis, MO
• Tyler Baily Shoe Designs | Atlanta, GA
• Mychael Knight Headline Designer – Project Runway3 Fan Favorite | Los Angeles, CA
• EMCEE: Victoria Henley from America’s Next Top Model (cycle 19)

Exhibitors: Enhanced Beauty MUA, Kindzdom, LLC, StayWoo Arts & Accessories, AJ Bischoff Jewelry Designer | Paul Mitchell The School Huntsville

Photography by Scene It Photography

I took my blogging camera with me to Fashion Week and captured some footage from each night. I’m no pro lol, but here’s my own video recap of Fashion Week Alabama..

One thing I enjoyed about Alabama Fashion Week was seeing a lot of diversity. Each night the runway was integrated with women and men of different races, shapes and sizes and it was beautiful to see the array of diversity within our city.  It was also refreshing to see the faces behind some of these designs from jewelry, to fashion to shoes. To me, the designers were just everyday people who are passionate about what they do and determined to make their mark. That was motivation for me to keep doing what I’m doing in fulfilling my dreams.

About Alabama Fashion Alliance

Established in 2012 after the success of the first Fashion Week Alabama in 2011, The Alabama Fashion Alliance (AFA) is an all-volunteer group of passionate professionals, community leaders, and business owners that has been formed to work together for the common goal of uniting and advancing the fashion and fashion art industries – – locally, statewide, and nationally.  Based out of the city of Huntsville, AFA organizes style-focused networking mixers and Huntsville’s premier events, Fashion Week Alabama, Fashion WeekEND/Alabama & Fashion Forward Awards.

Great job to Alabama Fashion Alliance for an outstanding week and congratulations on 5 years of fashion and beauty in Huntsville! If you are interested in learning more about Alabama Fashion Alliance or seeing more photos from Fashion Week Alabama, visit their Facebook page at Alabama Fashion Alliance.

Until next time…