GFW 2010 Runway Cheat Sheet

Wednesday, 07 April 2010 13:24

This year Gainesville Fashion Week 2010 has expanded with a new, larger venue and five new designers and boutiques added to the line-up. We compiled this user-friendly Runway Cheat Sheet to guide your way this week.

By Stephanie Granada

Wolfgang, Matthew Turner, owner/buyer
1127 W University Ave.
Thursday, April 8 at The Vault, 8pm
Wolfgang opened in 2007 after establishing itself in Jacksonville. The boutique caters to students and young professionals with a range of hip, young labels like Modern Amusement and French Connection. With this show, Wolfgang will be debuting the spring/summer lines for recent additions like Ksubi, Pleasure Doing Business, MG Black, Moserat de Luca and Motel.
Expect: Sexy dresses, casual looks, swimsuits, edgy guys looks, crazy accessories and whatever surprises the Wolfgang staff comes up with.
For those who like: Pushing boundaries, exploring new looks, standing out and turning heads. Theme: The store’s shows are always as varied as the store’s clientele.
Insider tip: Join the mailing list for invites to Wolfgang's famous cocktail/sale parties. E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Calzatura, Robert Betancourt, owner 201 SE 2nd Ave.
When: Thursday, April 8 at The Vault, 9pm
Calzatura has been part of Gainesville for 10 years. The store has evolved to continue carrying the same high-quality merchandise at lower price points. Now the store caters to the everyday young woman looking for stylish day clothes and sassy eveningwear.
Expect: Fun, flirty dresses for day; sexy, classy looks for night.
For those who like: Cute, quality clothes at sensible prices.
Insider tip: Go into Calzatura and tell them you saw them in Gainesville Fashion Week to get 20 pe rcent off your purchase.

Kenneth McCraney, designer
When: Thursday, April 8 at The Vault, 10pm
Kenneth began as an intern for GFW vet BobbyK in 2009. This season he debuts his own collection connects individuality and synergy. His women’s collection will be full off contrasting elements that take the sophistication of the uptown vibe and mix it with the downtown freedom. Expect: An eccentric take on dressing from day to night.
For those who like: Expressing their creativity through their clothes. “My collection is for maximalists,” he says.
Insider tip: Maximalists - (noun) a person who favors direct action to achieve all his goals and rejects compromise.

Sironna Swimwear, Sandra Meza and Diana Vargas
Facebook
When: Friday, April 9 at The Vault, 8pm
This Colombian design duo met in high school, and they have been pouring over new fashion ideas since. From design blouses post-high school to starting their own swimwear line in 2008, the women show their knack for fit and aesthetics in every unique, handcrafted design. With their line, Sandra and Diana aim to create swimwear that emphasizes a woman's body and beauty and "makes her feel like a real goddess."
Expect: Unique handcrafted swimsuits created with an array of textures, textiles, colors and handmade elements.
For those who: Spend a lot of time in the sun and want to be the center of attention.
Theme: Sironna shows off its Colombian roots with its use of earth colors and handcrafted details.
Insider tip: Snatch some of these swimsuits up quick. Colombian swimwear has a reputation for being the best, and it won't be long before these ladies' suits end up on A-List bods.

Mesh
201 SE 2nd Ave.
When: Friday, April 9 at The Vault, 9pm
Mesh is the newest addition to the downtown shopping scene. For its first GFW, Mesh will be presenting an array of intricately detailed pieces in vibrant colors.
What to expect: Bright colors, short hems, summer fabrics, pretty details.
For those who like: To go out and look good.
Theme: Glamour, edge, seduction.

Dahlia
Christy Morgan, owner
2441 NW 43rd St., #22
When: Friday, April 9 at The Vault, 10pm
Dahlia Boutique is a local favorite among those looking for high-quality designer pieces. The store was named "a great place to shop" by Lucky Magazine for its chic store design, customer service and selection of coveted brands like Rebecca Taylor, Cynthia Vincent, Current Elliot and J Brand—lines not found within a 90-mile radius of Gainesville!
What to expect: Soft and sophisticated animal prints, florals, bright colors, beading, metallics, great jewelry
For those who like: Subtle, feminine yet unexpected pieces.
Insider tip: Get on the mailing list to find out about new shipments, discounts and events. Message This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mikho Karajito, Miguel Blanco, designer
When: Saturday, April 10 at The Vault, 8pm
This GFW marks Miguel's first fashion show. His label began as a quest for the perfect swimsuit, and it has yielded into a juxtaposition of fabrics, colors, shapes and cuts melded together to produce one cohesive line. Miguel mixes classic patterns like houndstooth, tweed and pinstriped with metallic accents and retro cuts to create a ying-yang effect in his clothing's aesthetic.
Expect: Heavy-duty fabrics, splashes of color and contrasting designs.
Theme: Inspired by the busy, polished people of New York City.

Pigskins & Ponytails, Wendy Newell and Sarah Bress, founders
When: Saturday, April 10 at The Vault, 9pm
As if the name doesn't give it away, this label is all about fun. Wendy and Sarah started this project in 2009, as a way to merge their inkling to help the community and have fun along the way. The result was a game-day apparel line that produces track suits, tees, tanks, dresses, bottoms and jewelry. Our motto is fashion, fun, football and philanthropy," says Wendy.
Expect: Orange and blue, high-quality, game-day dresses, tops, bottoms and accessories.
Theme: UF
For: The true Gator girl, who wants to flaunt her team spirit with style and flair.

BobbyK Design, BobbyK designer
When: Saturday, April 10 at the Vault, 10pm
BobbyK has been with Gainesville Fashion Week since the beginning. His shows attract a huge turnout and often showcase three or four lines in one. The designer started in 2005, and since has grown to have his pieces carried at local boutiques like Calzatura and worn by women from coast to coast. This season BobbyK plays tribute to the beauties of the silver screen with his “Old Hollywood" show.
Expect: Big hair, voluminous silhouettes, slick looks.
Theme: “It’s about Old Hollywood; deconstructing the rich, showing the difference between the haves and have-nots. Very glam.”