Trend-setting celebrities who came out to support independent fashion design this season included: Kat Graham (Vampire Diaries), Bella Thorne (actress), Johnny Wujek (celebrity stylist), Nastia Liukin (Olympic Champion), Russel Westbrook (NBA), Constantine Maroulis (American Idol), Sammi Hanratty (actress), Kristen Ruhlin (actress), Skeery Jones (Z100), Shaun Ross (model), Soledad O’Brien (news anchor), Madeline Brewer (Orange is the New Black), Jessica Pimentel (Orange is The New Black), Mila J (singer/rapper), Mayer Hawthorne (recording artist) and Kristen Taekman (Real Housewives of New York).
The first solo show on September 8th featured Katty Xiomara, who was fresh off her July 2014 Pret-a-Porter Sketchcolors Project Award, and presented a collection inspired by the art form of a “chocolatier” which melted geometric shapes into organic forms. The finale dress was a collaboration with Nolcha’s sponsor, OtterBox, integrating the new “Alpha Glass,” a fortified glass screen protector for mobile phones. Actresses Kat Graham, Kristen Ruhlin, and Sammi Hanratty all attended the show wearing original Katty Xiomara designs.
The group show on September 8th featured designers: Rinat Brodach, Mariana Valentina, Sofia Arana, Mimi Tran, and a collective of menswear brands including: pants by Alberto, knitwear by Codice, shirts by Haupt, and sports jackets by Carl Gross. Celebrity friends & family came out to support model Andre King (brother of Swizz Beats and brother-in-law of Alicia Keys) as he walked in the menswear show.
The “Ones To Watch” collective show on September 9th featured emerging brands including: Monstruosite, B’VENAJ Designs, Gregory Apparel, Oiselle, JBurgos, and Charles & Ron. The collective ended with the second annual Project SUBWAY, which challenged up and coming designers to construct one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by vegetables found in a SUBWAY(R) restaurant. A celebrity panel critiqued the designs, including: Bella Thorne (actress), Johnny Wujek (celebrity stylist), Nastia Liukin (Olympic champion), and Russell Westbrook (pro basketball’s MVP of fashion and SUBWAY Famous Fan), and ultimately, they chose the onion-inspired dress by Veritee Hill as the winner.
Nolcha Fashion Week’s official sponsors include: Dasani, Franciacorta, DON Q Rums, Adrian London Skincare, OtterBox, SUBWAY, Defiant Whisky, Bella Forma Wines, and Neulook.
For all runway images from each show, visit: http://nolchafashionweek.dphoto.com/#.
For more information, photos, or designer profiles, visit: www.nolchafashionweek.com.
By: Ashley Lutzker
