The Bryan College Station Fashion Event, March 30 – April 1, showcased local boutiques and high-fashion designers for a charitable cause. Chris Field, executive director and founder of Mercy Project, a charity aimed at freeing children in Ghana from child slavery, opened each night with a reminder that the event was not a fashion show, but a freedom show. All the proceeds from the event went towards finding long-term, sustainable solutions to create a new life for the children saved through Mercy Project.
“I love The Fash
ion Event’s mission and it is our goal to support as many charities as possible as we have more events in the coming years,” says Regina Hall, sponsorship coordinator on The Fashion Event committee.
Spread over a three-day period, the Fashion Event featured local styles from boutiques in the area as well as showcased individual designers’ work, such at Gene Kagan of Lola & Sophie, whose collection was shown during Charli’s set on night one.
“It was so fun putting these pieces together and see the clothes come to life on the runway,” says Bailey Cash, manager at Charli.
By drawing inspiration from everyday street fashion and listening to customer’s opinions, Kagan’s designs are stylish, chic, and create an overall positive viewing experience.
“By listening to the customer, I can design a collection and know it will succeed on the runway,” says Kagan. “It has been such a positive experience to be a part of this event and have the opportunity to show my work.”
The creative vision and direction of the Fashion Event was helmed by Creative Director Chance Okonski, creator of the KIE Kollection brand and owner of the award-winning KIE's Men Shoppe in College Station.
"We are bringing New York and L.A. Fashion Week all to Texas," says Okonski. "We are giving the residents of the Brazos Valley the opportunity to experience an event that's considered big city."
Raffle prizes were held each night of the event, sponsored by businesses such as Pure Bliss, David Gardner’s, and Laina Salon. The hope for next year’s Fashion Event is that the construction for the Icehouse in Downtown Bryan will be complete.
For more information about the Mercy Project and the Fashion Event's designers and participants, visit www.thefashioneventbcs.com.
