Who said fashion was only for the Coasts?

On June 11th, 18th street turned into a runway as the 11th annual West 18th street fashion show kicked off in the Kansas City’s Crossroads district. The event showcased 18 local designers, and their abbreviated collections. The weather was perfect for the event, and the streets were crowded with VIP and curious passerby alike.

Each designer loosely interpreted the theme, summer in Spain. There was everything from gothic lace to neon knits, and most things in between. The show began with a performance by a local flamenco dancer. Her beautiful dance and the live music set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Below are pictures courtesy of Tiffany Matson, the photographer for the event.

Tricia Rock

Tricia Rock

This collection opened the show, with beautifully simple, Spanish inspired white frocks and this gorgeous simple gown.

Spool

This local children’s clothing store provided a fun collection with models of all ages.

Tonia Barskdale

This collection was 50’s beach perfection. She combines here a black bandeau with wide legged rust pants, and a flopping sun hat to go along. The rest of the collection was equally as charming and wearable.

Eli Borrowman

This off-beat designer utilized horns as the primary accessory in both his men’s and women’s wear. While these pieces were interesting to look at, where the summer in Spain is, and its practicality, is lost to me.

Cheryl Eve

Cheryl Eve

Bronze was a favorite metal of the evening. This designer crafted intricate bronze breastplates with long, flowing skirts.

Tara Kloeppel

Tara Kloeppel

This beautiful collection exemplified the Spanish vibe, as well as wearability and practicality.

 Maegan Stracy

Maegan Stracy

Every color of the rainbow was used in this collection that showcased skintight rompers, and hoop skirts alike.

Chi Hiu Yim

Chi Hui Yim

This sleek and stylish look is perfect for work during the summer and even a night on the town.

Michael Wiehe

Michael Wiehe

One of my favorite collections of the evening. He pared sailor stripes with a unique bronze dog harness, which each model walked down the runway with. This gave the aura of walking down the streets of Spain with a little dog by your side. Perfection.

Ari Fish

Ari Fish

This was less of a collection and more of a mini performance as the colorful creatures dances through the runway with incense burning. This was a welcomed shift of tone and greatly entertaining!

 Yulie Urano

Yulie Urano

This collection paired intricate knits with neon tights. The juxtaposition of the fabric and colors made the design pop.

Christian Micheal

Christian Micheal

This men’s wear collection combined preppy with sassy pirate. Micheal accessorized the blazer with knee high pirate boots for a fun summer twist.

Dominique Karwoski and Steven Chau

Dominique Karwoski and Steven Chau

Horns returned to the runway again, but his time on the model’s heads. These extensive hairdos outshined the clothing in this collection.

Katie Coble

Katie Coble

These pieces were each a work of art. As the clothing moved down the runway, the white structures morphed, as they were turned inside out to reveal designs and colorful patterns underneath.

Nataliya Meyer

Nataliya Meyer

This gothic inspired collection sent lace and draping gowns down the runway.

Lindsay Rae Miller

Lindsay Rae Miller

Lindsay started her collection with beautiful color blocked gowns, and ended with equally as gorgeous florals. Her unique designs made the simple fabric and monotones stand out.

Kaylin Hertel

Kaylin Hertel

This look was one of my favorites in the collection. The nude cropped top paired with the patterned skirt and the pendant was a great, complete look.

Birdies

Birdies

Birdies, the local designer lingerie boutique, and made famous by owner Peregrine’s appearance on Bravo’s Work of Art, was the closing collection of the evening. The silk lingerie (modeled by men and women) with beautifully sewn ribbons glided down the runway with matching patent nude pumps (yes, even the men wore the heels) hair accessories and fans. The collection nicely summed up the evening of beautiful clothes, and entertainment.

This show was well done and entertaining. It is most definitely becoming a summer tradition.

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  1. [...] might remember Anna from her first interview with us, or perhaps read her articles on the annual West 18th Street Fashion Show in Kansas City and her reflections on the art of Photography. It’s also likely that [...]



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