Hitting the catwalk at Houston Fashion Week
Fashion Houston 2011 brought global icons to the Houston community, elevating Houston's identity as a new fashion capital. International designers, red carpet VIPs and a spectacular venue were just a few of the elements making the second annual fashion event at the Wortham Center memorable. The event revealed the thriving fashion and business community of Houston. Guests from Los Angeles to Holland expressed comments about Houston's emerging vibrancy, showing how Fashion Houston 2011 brought a global perspective to the city.
The founder of Fashion Houston, Jared Lang, was motivated by the vast amount of sartorial talent in Houston, and wanted to "personify what we are as a fashion destination as well. Last year[‘s Fashion Houston] was a concept and this year is showing the sustainability and that we are able to compete and be involved in the fashion world. We are on the worldwide fashion calendar now."
Unlike most fashion events across the globe, Fashion Houston is open to the community, increasing its appeal to those beyond the fashion circuit. "[Fashion Houston] is something accessible," Sofia Adrogue (Brown College '88) said. Everyone may not be able to have a front row seat, but everyone has the opportunity to participate in some way."
Houston, which currently has the third largest population in the United States, holds a variety of culture and opportunity for commerce. Fashion Houston showed the numerous different nationalities that make up the overall Houston community. Designers at Houston Fashion week represented a vast array of cultural backgrounds, such as "Project Runway" winner Chloe Dao and New York-based designer Cesar Galindo, both of whom are immigrants raised in Houston, whom are now succeeding in the fashion industry. "[Houston Fashion Week] is indicative and representative of Houston," Adrogue said. Dao showed wearable day dresses with edgy prints that were still knowledgeable of the consumer. Galindo showed a dramatic collection consisting mainly of ruby red gowns.
Several influential figures from beyond the Houston community were extremely and equally impressed at what Fashion Houston offered. Miss Texas 2012 Brittany Booker agreed that the shows could be a source of inspiration for when she competes in the upcoming Miss USA pageant. "We exude fashion… Every year [Fashion Houston] is getting better and I just love it," grammy-award winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams, who attended with her family said.
Influential philanthropist and global fashion figure Becca Cason Thrash received the Fashion Houston Style Icon Award at the event. Thrash is widely known for her efforts to unite European fashion to the Houston community, and has hosted several events in Paris, such as the Liaisons au Louvre. At Fashion Houston, guests were shown classic couture gowns from legendary international designers, linking couture to the community. Thrash's favorite couture pieces were presented, from a classic white Christian Dior jeweled gown to an Alexander McQueen dress with wings stretching down the train.
Fashion Houston 2011 featured a wide-range of designers from Australia to Houston, whose collections centered on everything from altruism to evening wear. Arnold Schwarzegger's son, Patrick Schwarzegger, Nick Sheinberg and Kimberly Barth, the designers of Project 360, debuted their first runway show at Fashion Houston, from which proceeds go towards various charities.
Fashion Houston not only highlighted the creativity of the designers, but also showed the thriving business aspect of Houston's fashion industry. Former Ford model and fashion production company founder of Ursaline LLC., Ursaline Hamilton states the event is, "different in that there are a lot of locals here, so you see people from [various] entities of business." This event is unique as it aims to involve not only celebrities, but also the community, attracting several guests from various ages to fashion.
Fashion Houston united influential people from across the globe to view original and groundbreaking designs from recognized Houston and international designers. The event also shows how Houston is producing designers that are grabbing the attention of audiences across the world. Fashion Houston 2011 redefined the perspective of the city through fashion, creating future opportunities for the fashion society to thrive in not only the community, but throughout several continents.
More from The Rice Thresher
Founder’s Court goes alt-rock as bôa kicks off U.S. tour at Rice
Founder’s Court morphed into a festival ground Friday night as British alt-rock band bôa launched the U.S. leg of their “Whiplash” tour. The group headlined the third annual Moody X-Fest before what organizers estimate was “a little bit over 2,000 students” — the largest turnout in the event’s three-year history.
Rice launches alternative funding program amid federal research cuts
Rice is launching the Bridge Funding Program for faculty whose federal funding for research projects has been reduced or removed. The program was announced via the Provost’s newsletter April 24.
This moment may be unprecedented — Rice falling short is not
In many ways, the current landscape of American higher education is unprecedented. Sweeping cuts to federal research funding, overt government efforts to control academic departments and censor campus protests and arbitrary arrests and visa revocations have rightly been criticized as ushering in the latest iteration of fascism.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.