I can’t wait to discuss all of the latest trends on the Kansas City runway (ahem, a LOT of green, ahem) but I also want to know what you think. So drop a comment below and let me know – who are your favorite designers this season? And which runway looks are you most excited about?
Wednedsay Night Designers
- Cahri’s Boutique
- Kingdom Culture
- Elsi Marie
- Gabuarti
- Sam Macke
- Venture
- Selvage Collective
- Kindred
- Reduce
- Madora
- Anji B
Cahri's Boutique
Edgy formalwear with some clasic throwbacks like lace driving gloves marked Chari’s Boutique debut on the Kansas City Fashion Week Runway and started Night One off on the right foot.
As her collection progressed, looks became more daring and revealing. The consistent neutrals and soft textures and patterns were accented with subtle sparkles and fit and flare silhouettes.
Kingdom Culture
Every child deserves to beaming with joy and pride. That’s why this collection had a total of six gorgeous looks for little ones, all showcasing bold beautiful patterns from around Africa! Neutrals with pops of bright orange made each outfit shine. And those big smiles? They won over everyone who watched them model their new threads proudly.
Elsi Marie
Elsi Marie’s second released line is a perfect balance of elegance and youth. This young designer is showing off a more mature style with cohesive theme of pink, baby blue, tweed and gold that flows beautifully together.
How does a young designer keep up with the demands of multiple fashion weeks? With family support of course! I visited her booth during pre-show festivities where I was drawn to the tweed displayed on the clothes rack and learned that the friendly and knowledgable woman behind the table was in fact her mother. I took special care during the show to document her parents in the audience, where you could see how seriously they take their daughter’s career in design and how much they enjoyed seeing her shine.
Gabuarti
Gabuarti has created a new category in ties with his innovative designs. These intricate bejeweled ties are more than just a clothing accessory and more than jewelry; they are art.
He has also succesfully moved ties from being solely a man’s accessory, by making them sparkly and beautiful, and closer to the brooch category.
Sam Macke
Sam Macke took loose silhouettes and relaxed material and made something that could have been “lounge” and made it glamorous instead. His combination of warm tones, draping, and bold cutouts made his collection a cohesive head-turner that wrapped up the first half of the fashion show.
Selvage Collective
Safety pins are often a designer’s friend, but rarely do they want them on display. Selvage Collective took this everyday tool of the designers’ and crafters’ world and made it an accent that held together – literally – Sarah Gorden’s runway collection.
Sarah Gorden is a Kansas City native who grew up with passion for sewing and creating garments using unconventional materials (hence the name “selvage.”)
The color block denim, fringe, and soundtrack brought 80s playfulness and some punk energy to the runway.
Kindred
Kindred brought remnants of dark academia, 90s cool girl, and lots of layers and pattern-mixing to the runway. I noted the use of corset belt, mini purse, chunky heel, and houndstooth.
You can shop and support this long-time sponsor of Kansas City Fashion Week at either of their shops at the Plaza and Oak Park Mall or online.
Reduce
70s and 90s vintage made with sustainable materials and softened by pairing quilted textures and structured jackets with silk. Designers Katie & Hannah mentioned how they were inspired by quilting patterns and re-using and re-imagining fabrics [source: Journospeak].
Madora
Silky, sexy, and soft are the three best words to describe Madora’s vintage lingerie-inspired line. Le temp de l’amour was the song choice to set the mood for this chic and elegant collection of gowns, garters, and corsets.
Anji B.
AnjiB Designs brought nature to the runway in all her beauty and boldness. Green snakeskin, wings, feathers, animal print – and a cheeky surprise.
Anji b, a native of Kansas City, designs for the first impression and fuses femininity and sophistication in her custom pieces.
Photographers: Morgan Pashen
Sponsors: Oak Park Mall, CFDA Connects, Ulta Beauty
If you are a model or designer that participated in Kansas City Fashion Week Wednesday Night show, please reach out to me via email or on Instagram and I’ll send you photos and videos if I have them!
Shop the Look
For the first night of KCFW, I wore a custom piece by Austin designer Thuan Nguyen. I’d actually worn this on the runway as part of the Austin Fashion Week Kick-off at the University of Texas a year before Glen was born and luckily it still fit! I’ve linked some items that can help you achieve a similar look, but if you want the real deal made to your size you’ll want to contact the designer himself. You can also read my interview with Thuan here.
