Kansas City Fashion Week kicks off Sunday with a brunch garden party. Plus: what else to expect from this year’s KCFW
Let’s talk local fashion. We have some big names in Kansas City, many of whom will be represented on the Union Station runway starting Wednesday, September 26.
This year’s Kansas City Fashion Week — now in its seventh year and fourteenth season — features four nights of show filled with local designers. On the schedule: the latest lines by HER by Georgina Herrera, Lucia’s Sarto by Nataliya Meyer, and TR Brown by Tiffany Brown (who we talked to last season). There are a few new faces, too, like Marmalade, a first-time collaboration of three product development students at Stephens College in Columbia. (We’ll be sharing an interview with them later this week.)
“On the runway this season you’ll see a mix of very bright colors and pastels and many mixed prints within one collection,” says Teisha Barber, President of KCFW. “Many designers are taking inspiration from previous decades and cultures in their work and bringing back some styles that may look familiar to many, but with a more modern twist.”
Aside from local talent, this season’s biggest name is Rachel Roy, founder and creative director of the namesake brand that designs ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. Roy is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and she founded Kindness is Always Fashionable as a way to help female artisans around the world create a sustainable income. She was also recently named a UN Woman Champion for Innovation for advocating for gender equality. Her designs will be closing out KCFW’s Saturday night show.
“Not only does Rachel bring her amazing collection to our runway,” says Barber, “but she also brings a lot of experience and wisdom, as an established clothing and accessory designer. She has vast experience with high-end runway shows with her brand and she is very interested in mentorship and helping guide emerging designers in their careers.”
Another new addition this season is a vendor’s market. More than 20 designers will be selling their off-the-runway garments and looks at Union Station all day on Saturday. But before the runway, this season KCFW is kicking things off with a brunch garden party on Sunday, September 23. They’ll have a special performance by Brian Kennedy, a five-time Grammy Award winning composer, songwriter, and producer (he was credited on Rihanna’s “Disturbia”). Plus there will be snacks, mimosas, and Bloody Marys.
We’ll be sharing Q&A’s throughout the week of some of this show’s local designers, so check back. Here’s the full schedule of events:
KCFW Brunch Garden Party — Kick-off Event 2018
Sunday, Sept. 23, 1-4 p.m.
Hosted by The Koehler Bortnick Team
10 Dunford Circle, Kansas City, MO 64112
Wednesday Evening Runway Show
Sept. 26, 7 p.m.
Thursday Evening Runway Show
Sept. 27, 7 p.m.
Friday Evening Runway Show
Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Evening Finale Runway Show
Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.
All four runway events held at:
Union Station
30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108
Official After Party
Saturday, Sept. 29 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.
BeeHouse
208 West 19th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
