Austin Fashion Week a force to be reckoned with

Hi friends!

I hope your breaking for spring was full of fashion, fun, maybe even some SXSW madness??

Austin is full of so many incredible events that promote music (like SXSW and Austin City Limits), art (like the upcoming Art City Austin festival April 2 and 3) and fashion! What I'm speaking about in terms of fashion is, in particular, Austin Fashion Week. Last year a coalition of Austin fashionistas hosted the 2nd Annual Austin Fashion Week and made a splash on the fashion scene across the nation and are gearing up to do the same this fall.

With the help of non-profits Austin Involved and Dress For Success which will also be supporting the festival this year, the city opened up to host over 125 events throughout the week of August 14-21, according to the festival's website. In 2010, Fashion designers from across the city and state collaborated on outrageous and fabulous looks for the Austin Fashion Week Kickoff Event where models strutted down a 120 foot-runway for a packed audience. This year guarantees to make the Kickoff Event bigger and better.

The fantastical and breathtaking promotional poster from the 2010 Austin Fashion Week via fashionweekaustin.com

Nationwide fashion blog, College Fashionista, promoted the event on their website and commented that many of the events are free so it is a great option for college students looking to expand their fashion knowledge.

Austin Fashion Week features designers and artists from across the state including photographers, hair stylists, makeup artists, models and the clothes designers themselves who come together not only to create an incredible event for the city but to win Austin Fashion Awards. These awards given throughout the week break up into two categories: People's Choice Awards which include "Best Retail Store" and "Best Overall Designer" and Industry Choice Awards chosen by Austin fashion professionals.

Of the designers in attendance was Austinite and Project Runway Season 6 contestant, Louise Black. She brought her innovative and vintage style to the capital city's fashion fest and made a splash at her trunk show at Feathers Boutique and other various events throughout the week.

a Louise Black original creation on Project Runway via fashionweekaustin.com

A winning design during Austin Fashion Week with clothes designed by Louise Black via fashionweekaustin.com

Gabrille Faust, nationwide blogger, thanked the fashion festival and its creators, "for being such a driving force in bringing a true fashion week to the capital city," on her blog. 

This year's Austin Fashion Week will be held August 20-27 2011. How will you get involved?