Submitted by Melissa Howsam — Correspondent
Local chic stole the night and the SPARKcon spotlight as it strutted the City Plaza catwalk in this year's busting-at-the-seams fashionSPARK spectacle of a show. From fashionistas to the couture-curious — a throng of Triangle onlookers saw models and a bevy of brand boutiques — a la fashion and jewelry designers, as well as salons — swagged up the stage.
A haute display of tomorrow’s most mod and avant-garde looks and dapper duds — from prim to provocative to pioneering patterns — prowled the Fayetteville Street promenade for the fifth annual fashion mainstay of SPARKcon.
Crowd favorites waned from the eclectic to sophisticated, as a range of ready rags paraded the platform. LLLavender staged some early swagger with vibrant textures and bold knitwear by designer Lauren Smith, followed by a stage shake-up by Fysh Clothing Co’s attitude-infused casual street-smart attire. Then, making the mood a lil “Moulin Rouge,” was the ever-daring Domino, with a clown-like, sexy showcase of spunky and fearless playful party attire, conceived by fashionSPARK vet-designer Jessica Domino.
Bookie Designs reaped rave reviews with a prêt-a-porter portfolio of a shimmering, sleek vintage-embellished ensemble, envisioned by designer Crystal Pickard. And Payton-Alexis perked up the runway with the launch of her eco-friendly classic and elegant in-vogue Victorian-esque bridal line, Equipoise, showcasing “silhouette and symmetry,” culminating in a partially sustainable cutting-edge gorgeous, progressive gown made of used coffee filters.
Fresh faces took stage with Lindsay Kay’s pint-sized pinafores, as tots with long tresses and sweet dresses in big smiles and soft palettes strutted to vocal “awe” by spectators. Then, pushing the envelope, Zac Schell Designs begged the question “is the future of fashion fabric?” with models armored in Gaga-esque mod metallic makeshifts.
Raleigh popular Ahpeele pleased with bold geometric, graphic prints accented by zass design’s “green” posh pieces that “transform and upcycle paper printed materials and plastics into hip colorful jewelry.” And DRC Apeparel’s “cool to be conscious” fusion of street-culture and Pan-African getup posed a “conflict free” enlivened and expressive unique aesthetic of clothes that speak of vitality, choice and personality.
An easy-pleaser, newcomer Jess Pati’s intricate, embellished cocktail couture took stage to woots and whistles with sultry, but elegant, surface-detailed gorgeous, glam garb, culminating in a breathtaking long, flowing, ornamented gown.
The fashion-forward event finished with a nod to North Carolina’s token textile heritage as much-anticipated forthcoming fall boutique Raleigh Denim took center stage. Husband-wife duo Sarah and Victor Lytvinenko’s sleek, sexy samples of their raw material, hand-stitched, hand-signed denim line got a ton of cheers from the audience.
Reckoning the Triangle as a hot spot for fashion talent, the bustling event, cyber-captioned online with the Coco Chanel quip “a fashion that does not reach the streets is not a fashion” — literally took garment gurus to the streets in Raleigh’s epicenter as Friday’s fashion fete, six months in the making all-volunteer effort, saw top Triangle talent showcase the fashion-forward of 20 of the hottest area and up-and-coming designers.
Locals looking to deck their wardrobe with some of these designer duds can visit Saturday’s fashionSPARK “stop and shop” from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at City Plaza near the main stage.
