Recap: Phoenix Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer & Model Launch Party

By: Rosangelica Cardenas, Blush Boutique

Phoenix Fashion Week hosted its 2016 Emerging Designer & Model Launch Party last week at Livewire in Scottsdale.

Designers were exclusively selected by Phoenix Fashion Week to become a part of their fashion family. They’ll undergo what they call a “fashion boot camp”, where Arizona will become their home away from home, since many of them have traveled from cities across the U.S. and around the globe. Some of the countries represented include South Africa, Austria, the Philippines and Mexico.

Livewire was a full house on June 9th with fashionistas eager to get a peek into what’s to come in October for Phoenix Fashion Week. During the event’s press conference, each designer was faced with questions on what their feelings were on the weeks to come. Some had years of experience under their belt, while others were kicking off their first years in the industry. Nevertheless, they all seemed ready and eager to get the boot camp process started.

One of the featured emerging designers of the night was Laura Tanzer, who says her grandmother was not only her inspiration, but also her very first sewing teacher. “It’s in my DNA,” she said, referring to her grandmother as her “muse.”

Emmanuel L. Hightower explained the inspiration behind his brand, Forgiven Love. “I create high fashion in such a way that it answers questions of the human heart.” Hightower is very open about the truth of his collection, and hopes he can inspire people to discover their purpose and receive hope.

Bianca Mead, who was named “2014 Model of the Year,” hosted a presentation of the top 40 models for this year. The models were selected from the hundreds that came out to audition, and they will be competing for the title of “2016 Model of the Year.” The models will be going through a four-month boot camp featuring runway and beauty challenges, and a competition for the “Fresh Face” of Sugar Sugar. The winners will be announced at a later time.

These are your 2016 Emerging Designers: Dinezhoon, Shelby Healy, Laura Tanzer, Ines Shanks-Austria, MXN Fashion, ACONAV, Rhinestones and Relics, Emmanuel L. Hightower-MA, Amanda Casarez, ISY B., Emily Smith Designs, COSMOGYRAL, Monica Mauro, RICCI.

“Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered.” –Giorgio Armani

This article is a contribution by Rosangelica Cardenas, owner of Blush Boutique in Phoenix. Blush Boutique offers women’s apparel, shoes and accessories in unique styles suitable for any age. You can visit their official website at www.blushboutiqueaz.com, email them at blushboutiqueaz@yahoo.com or call 602.579.8725.

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