BOISE, Idaho — Calling all fashionistas! This weekend kicks off the first ever Boise Fashion Week. Events like this are often heard about in bigger cities like New York or Los Angeles, but what can people expect in Boise?
Erica Becker is the producer behind Boise Fashion Week, and as a business owner, she said she saw a need for this.
"Boise Fashion Week is a nonprofit collective of various professionals from the fashion industry ranging from photography, designers, stage crew, that have all come together to really push the needle forward for the fashion industry here in Boise," Becker said. "I think a lot of people have really been craving something like this."
The event kicks off on Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m., and goes through the Oct. 22. Each night showcases something different and has a different theme.
"So, sustainable night is going to be a lot of collections that are kind of vintage inspired, or designers are really focused on sourcing sustainable products that use like less water, recycled materials, maybe even unique materials. Ready to wear is going to be collections that are almost like production ready," Becker said. "Special occasion is going to be more of like bridal prom, fundraising opportunity gowns and tuxedos."
Boise Fashion Week will feature established and local fashion designers, like Cartier Dior Eliasen from Pocatello. Her love of fashion design started when she was just 9 years old.
"I started making dresses out of like paper discarded materials, literally anything I could get my hands on," Eliasen said. "When I was 16, I was a contestant on the second season of Project Runway Junior. After that, when I turned 18 I moved to Paris to study fashion design."
She got her degree and later launched her brand Rhinestone Reveal.
"I'm very passionate about cultivating kind of that fashion community here and kind of places where you might not expect it. I went to school in Paris. And I actually ended up coming back for the purpose of being able to do fashion design in the place where I grew up. So, it's very special to me," Eliasen said.
Fashion designer Setharron also had a passion for fashion from a young age. People may recognize him as the winner of Project Runway Season 7.
"They asked me back for All Stars season three, that was in 2014. I went on that and I went on to win," Setharron said.
He has gone on to host many fashion events and had a show on QVC. When asked about being a part of Boise's first ever fashion week, Setharron said starting at ground zero is something he loves doing.
"I love starting at Ground Zero with fashion weeks. I've done a lot of them throughout the United States. And you know, fashion next I just showed out last weekend. I started with them 10 years ago, their very first show, and now they're named number one by the Mercedes Benz Fashion week in New York," Setharron said.
Friday's event is happening at Trailhead, a nonprofit located in the heart of Boise. Jacob Grinwis is the director of operations at Trailhead. He describes it as a gym membership for entrepreneurs.
"It is a great location for it with these big windows and, you know, sort of pillars lining the runway. So we're really excited," Grinwis said. "Our mission is to support and activate Idaho's entrepreneurs. So we do that in a couple of different ways. The first is our co working space in downtown Boise. It's kind of the surface level of our business. But really, what we do is underneath that, and it's educational programming, mentorship, fundraising opportunities, networking opportunities, and all of that good stuff."
The organizers, designers and producers promise a good time. Eliasen said she is also very excited because she is showing her collection in her home state.
"It's a night to get dressed up and come have a great time and just enjoy the show," Eliasen said. "I am super, super proud to be able to showcase fashion design in my home state."
"And I think it's just the beginning of something that is much bigger," Becker said.
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