Gilded Summer: West 18th Street Fashion Show (My Picks.)

I was invited to attend the West 18th Street Fashion Show this year, and the theme for 2013 was Gilded Summer.  And what a gilded event it was (right down to the traffic cones.)

A few of my favorite picks from the evenings artwork*:

Margie Hogue & Heidi Herrman for Awava 

I thought I loved it from the front, then she turned around.....

I love everything about this look!

Chante Gossett

I can't get enough of the cognac leather shoes and accessories!

That skirt!

Emma Lammers & Kate Nickols

Exode - Clemence Lawson & Elodie Auvray

Not all suits can be pulled off without lapels, but this one is amazing.

Lana Leavens 

Better than tights, I loved this styling

*While more pictures can be found on my facebook page, check out these photos from Landon Vonderschmidt Photography.

A huge congratulations to each of the 18 designers who showed their impressive collections this year!  A special congratulations to the producers of the show (and everyone behind it, as well.)  The West 18th Street Fashion Show is an amazing event patronized by generous supporters of the Kansas City Art District (and art in general,) the hip young crowd always on the city scene (wanting to see and be seen,) those who eschew society and its' rules, and everyone in between.  There's an air of excitement mingled with artistic snobbery, and if you've never experienced that........well, this is the time and place to do it.  

Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with Anastasia Rendina, one of the designers inspired by Shibari (it's amazing, trust me.)

One last shout out to the amazing sponsors of the show:

That's what I call a Swag Bag!

Baron Mini
Hammerpress
The Pitch
Birdies Panties (think Miss Hannigan in Annie - then replace Miss Hannigan with Grace Ferrel - keeping the lingerie and pearls of course - and you get Birdies.  You will love it, guaranteed.)
Sporting KC
Hotel Philips
Tannin
Berg Event Space
Kansas City Dental Works
Sterlinghouse LLC
Missouri Bank
The Guild
Lamar
The Nicholson Group
Kissick Construction
Donna's Dress Shop (another must shop.)
The Westside Local
Artist Craftsman
Foot Traffic
Asheer Akram
Aron Real Estate
Stage Port
Pizza Bella (now I'm hungry.)
The Jacobson
Paws Around the Plaza
The Rieger Hotel Grill & Exchange
Luminopolis
360 Architecture
Inner Space Yoga
Milk & Honey
The Farmhouse
The Local Pig
Grunauer
Etiquette
Natasha's Mulberry & Mott (love this patisserie)
Jamie Miller Hair Parlour
The Bride and the Bauer
Cigi's Makeup Studio
The Filling Station
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.
Ladybird Styling
Fishtank
Boulevard Brewing Company
Cosentino's Market
Mercy Seat
Black Bamboo and many more (see full listing and links here.)