Calderin came up with the idea for the event after moving to Boston from New York City in 1989 and taking up 7th on Sixth, which was the name of New York Fashion Week in the 1990s.
He liked the idea of focusing on the New York fashion scene in a central location for the event. “I thought maybe we could do something similar here, for local talent,” he said, adding that while Boston has always had this scene, “we never have this kind of focus once a year.” “It was never a guess,” he added.
Highlighting local talent and welcoming newcomers remains a priority for Calderin. It also differentiated Boston Fashion Week from runways in other cities and reminded people that they didn’t have to leave Boston for industry opportunities. Calderin points out that local schools such as the School of Fashion Design and the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, which produce new designers every year, and retailers such as Chanel, Valentino and Armani consider Boston a strong choice for stores.
The opening day of this year’s BFW, September 28th, saw a collaboration with Cambridge Science Festival’s Fashion Day, with a range of programs centered around the future of fashion.
“People talk about big cities like New York and Paris, but the future of fashion is happening right here,” Calderin said. “This is a new frontier with technology and science.”
From designs exploring performance fabrics to the MIT course “Introduction to Three-Dimensional Artwork: Textiles, Fashion, and Performative Art,” new developments can be seen in clothing and in the classroom.
This year’s BFW events include Emerging Designer Installations on October 9th and House Fashion Week shows on October 11th and 12th.
From October 13th, it’s packed with bold men’s fashion at the RegiJames Productions Fierce Styles Menswear Fashion Show, the beauty pageant Miss India New England: Timeless Fashion Show, and the vibrant designs of LoveCashionista at the LoveCashFashion Show. A week full of programs begins.
HumanKind’s Every Body Belongs show on October 15th focuses on inclusivity, featuring traditional and adaptable designers and models of various ages, sizes, and abilities. Designers Sense-ational You, befree, My Skirt Dealer, and Qlynton:Wavvz Concepts will showcase their creations, including sensory clothing and wrap skirts made from upcycled Indian sari materials.
HumanKind founder Christy Raymond partners with True Story Theater, a local nonprofit that presents improvised performances based on true stories. Cecilia Gouzy, an 8-year-old girl with Down syndrome, and her mother, Della Gouzy, talk about her experiences in the world of art and fashion, and an improv group plays out her emotions on stage.
“No matter what industry you’re in, I hope it inspires you to think about what actions you can take to promote inclusivity in your own life,” Raymond said.
At the end of the week, enjoy storytelling with GlamSlam and The Narrative. GlamSlam is a returning event where six fashion experts, including Raymond, talk about their work and the people behind the fashion.
“It’s very moving and sometimes funny,” Calderin said. “It feels really great to connect with people on a human level.”
Narrative is an event run by the newly launched Heart & Soul Studio, founded by Hannah Richards and Becca Parker. The two designers founded the organization to provide a creative community for young professionals.
The show, located at the studio’s 125 High St., is an intimate setting with lounge seating and a runway, featuring eight local designers including Richards’ brand HER Fashion and Parker’s Obscur brand. We plan to get together and talk about design and process.
“This is the era of fast fashion. I don’t think people realize how much work goes into designing clothing, especially for small businesses and small designers,” Richards said. Ta.
Other events include the Boston En Vogue Classic Luxury Runway Show, Femme Fatale Boston III, fashion design school information sessions and tours, and multiple Caribbean Fashion Week events celebrating culture and innovation. A full list of events can be found at bostonfashionweek.com.
For those who are interested in joining BFW and may be on the fence, Richards says, “Go in with an open mind.”
“Some people don’t feel like they belong in a fashion show,” agrees Raymond. “But of course you participate in fashion shows. You wear clothes every day.”
boston fashion week
October 13-19, bostonfashionweek.com
Shanna Kelly can be reached at shanna.kelly@globe.com. Follow her @shannakelly_19.
