Make Your Statement

Written by Rene Pacheco

A revolution is coming downtown. Tucson Fashion Week (TFW) is fast approaching, exhibiting the work of amazing local designers, hairstylists, makeup artists, photographers, and giving back to the community in the process. TFW, is four day event designed to promote local non-profits, introduce and educate the community on local designers and boutiques, and help spread the word to shop local and get people excited about fashion.

In 2009, Elizabeth Albert, the event’s Producer/Founder had a revelation after attending a fashion week in Scottsdale. She thought, “We (Tucson), need something like this, why can’t we have this?” after meeting Alexa Miller, now in charge of Public Relations for TFW, the two tossed the idea of the event, and Tucson Fashion Week along with Tucson Fashion Collective (TFC) was born. “It is out of this need for all us, to have a week showcasing and educating the public on the hard work of the fashion community in Tucson.” Says Albert.

Now in its second year of production, TFW will kick off its four day spread on , April 27 and continue to Saturday, April 30, hosting parties at various venues, such as Sapphire Lounge, Scottish Rite Cathedral, and Surley Wench.

On Saturday, April 30, 2011, TFW’s weeklong events culminate with a main runway event so big, they are taking it to the streets in heart of downtown. The event will be held on Scott Avenue, between Broadway Blvd. and Congress St.  The main runway show in essence is a block party, Showcasing 10 local designers, complete with local street vendors, artists, entertainers and much more!

Tickets are $20 per person before April 28 or $25 at the door. Cost includes admission to both Opening Reception and Main Event only. Tickets can be purchased at Razor’s Edge, Bohemia or online at <a title=”Tickets” href=”http://www.TucsonFashionWeek.net/tickets.html” target=”_blank”>www.TucsonFashionWeek.net/tickets.html</a>, Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit two local groups, Old Pueblo Children’s Academy and Skrappy’s Youth Center. Philanthropic work, such as the efforts that TFW is hard at work for, is humbling. Non-profit organizations, especially those that work with youth, are at the heart of TFW, Albert says, “Non-Profits, we all know struggle and do amazing work, we wanted to help these local organizations that work with children.”

Donald Quinn, or “Quinn”, TFW’s creative director, says, “Our main goal is beyond fashion, it’s to pull the community together, not only revolving around fashion, but adding the element of art and creativity within yourself.”  TFW sees fashion not as the superficial Television/magazine genre we all see, but more of an art form. “Everyone has their own style, and we want everyone in the community to know that this event is for them,” Albert adds, “Everyone is a fashion icon, from the moment you put on your clothes in the morning, to when you take them off at night.”

The difference in this year’s event from last is the incorporation of the fashion aspect, with a spotlight on Makeup artists, stylists, and photographers; the creative minds that are a quintessential piece with the overall success of a fashion show. Quinn says, “We take it outside of just fashion, we incorporate other artists and their own take on fashion.”

As we all know, Downtown Tucson is being rebuilt into an area with amazing potential, and the Tucson Fashion Collective team, is looking for collaboration with local businesses, businesses that want to support the event anyway they can.
TFW’s ultimate goal is to create a viable fashion district in the near future, and help create as Quinn states, “Fashion as another form of art […] where people are free to buy and wear what they want and make it their own.”

Join Nightlife Tucson and the local fashion community, by coming together to celebrate creativity, art and style; everyone is a fashion icon. Make your statement.
If you are interested in volunteering for any of Tucson Fashion Week’s events, email d.quinn@tucsonfashionweek.net

For additional information, schedule of events and a complete list of designers being showcased, visit www.TucsonFashionWeek.net