Colors, fabrics, gems and stones – in three days, Boston is kicking off its 20th Fashion Week at the W Hotel. This year’s annual fashion celebration takes a look at how fashion blends with Arts and Culture, Science and Tech. Topping it all off, BFW is taking place during Hispanic Heritage Month – leaving it safe to say that Boston Fashion Week 2014 will surely stand out from the others.
“It’s all about content,” says BFW founder, Jay Calderin. “That’s something people tell me about Boston Fashion week, it’s all about the clothes – not just a fun party.”
In addition to bringing back the Fashion Show as a launch vehicle for new designers, Calderin hopes to bridge fashion into all of Boston’s communities, with events happening all over town. And with over 40 events taking place during the week, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
So, just how do you prepare for Boston’s most stylish week?
Calderin suggests that BFW guests curate their experience for the week, stating specifically that “Everybody is a fashion person, fashion is a lifestyle.”
Fashion consultant, event producer and the brains behind The Stylist Closet, Terri Mahn, agrees with Calderin’s sentiments.
“Wear the outfit that you feel best in,” says Mahn. “The outfit that you feel you could conquer the world.”
Mahn, who’s working on several events this year like The Launch and Expression: The Faces of Boston Fashion, specifically had style tips for men.
“The biggest mistake I run into with men is sizing. Just because you’re over six-feet tall, doesn’t mean you’re a 34 long,” says Mahn, while also noting that men, in general, are starting to pay more attention.
“They’re starting to experiment with fashion. You don’t always see the same Ray-Ban style sunglasses, they’re branching out. Boston men love color.”
Ready-to-Wear fashion designer and New York Fashion award recipient, Daniel Hernandez, who will be showcasing his 2015 collection during BFW, called the week an “invitation to get creative and fashionable.”
Known for his “smart line,” Hernandez suggests timeless pieces, looking at his own use of classic fabrics like tweed and wool for items like capes, purses and jackets.
“Strong shapes are new for me. There’s always a mix of the modern with the authentic” says Aaron. He suggests people dress with a very classic look, “classically elegant.”
The famed Ministry of Supply will also be at BFW 2014 – showcasing (and testing) their made-for-your-body-at-the-moment clothes.
“We’re building a seasonless wardrobe,” says Jarlath Mellet, Design Director for MoS.
Mellet and MoS co-founder, Kit Hickey, described the MoS aesthetic as clean and modern – encouraging people to not just try on the clothes, but test them out as well. Phase changing materials, moisture wicking fabrics, the MoS team suggested that guests bring more than just their fashion sense.
“Come curious for how clothing will be in the future,” said Mellet. “Because it’s happening now.”
“I want people to open their minds with jewelry they’ve never seen before,” says Bentz, “ that you dress comfortable and express individuality.”
“I wanted to bridge the gap between imitation and real jewelry,” says Twinkle Morbia Gautam, Syna’s Collection designer. “I wanted to collaborate with someone who cares about fabrics.”
Shubrah, who makes clothing out of recycled saris, stated that she wanted to collaborate with Twinkle because of her intricate jewelry design.
Both designers expressed a want for guests to be comfortable, fashionable and trendy.
As the BFW founder put it, “It’s lifestyle. Lifestyle is something you want to wear.”
| List of events: |
Event Name: The Launch
Event Type: Official Opening Night | By invitation only
Location: The W Hotel
Time: 6:00 pm
Event Name: A Maven’s World Lifestyle Brand
Event Type: Launch Party/Shopping | Invite Only
Location: Liquid Art House
Time: 6:00 pm
Monday, Oct. 6
Event Name: VanaVain Vintage Trunk Show
Event Type: Mixer/Shopping | RSVP needed
Location: Forum
Time: 6:00 pm
Event Name: Copley Catwalk Series (featured school: School of Fashion Design)
Event Type: Runway | Open to public
Location: Copley Place – Center Court
Time: 6:30 pm
Tuesday, Oct. 7
Event Name: Caramelo Clothing Co. presented by The Stylist Closet (BFW anchor event)
Event Type: Runway – Menswear | Free
Location: Petit Robert Central
Time: 6:00 pm
Event Name: Daniel Hernandez Ready-to-Wear Collection 2014-15 presented by DH Studios
Event Type: Runway | Ticketed
Location: Venu Boston
Time: 6:00 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 8
Event Name: St. Germain Boutique Fashion Presentation presented by Luxe Boutiques
Event Type: Informal Fashion Presentation | RSVP needed
Location: Copley Fairmont
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Event Name: Science of Style: Designing Fashion with Tech Elements presented by Gihan Amarasiriwardena, Kit Hickey and Aman Advani
Event Type: Social/Interactive
Location: Ministry of Supply H1
Time: 6:00 pm
Event Name: Copley Catwalk Series (featured school: MassArt)
Event Type: Runway | Open to public
Location: Copley Place – Center Court
Time: 6:30 pm
Event Name: Luke Aaron Spring/Summer 2015 Collection presented by Luke Aaron
Event Type: Exhibition | By Invitation only
Time: 7:30 pm
Event Name: LIT Boutique Modern Mixer presented by Nathalie Fanfan Fashion Stylist & Personal Shopper
Event Type: Shopping/presentation | By Invitation only
Location: LIT Boutique
Time: 8:00 (presentation starts at 8:30)
Thursday, Oct. 8th
Event Name: Élysées Boutique Fashion Show presented by Luxe Boutiques
Event Type: Informal fashion show | RSVP needed
Location: Mandarin Oriental Boston
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 pm
Event Name: Nevena Bentz Jewelry Trunk Show presented by NOA Gifts Boston
Event Type: Informal fashion show | RSVP needed
Location: Itadaki
Time: 6:00 pm
Saturday, Oct. 11
Event Name: Exotic Jewelry Runway Presented by Syna’s Collection
Event Type: Informal Fashion Show | RSVP needed
Location: Tantric India Bistro
Time: 3:00 pm (show at 3:30 pm)
Event Name: Shubrah presented by Shubhra Designs, LLC
Event Type: Informal Fashion Show | RSVP needed
Location: Tantric India Bistro
Time: 3:00 pm (show at 4pm)
Event Name: EXPRESSION: The Faces of Boston Fashion Presented by The Stylist Closet & Fashion Group International of Boston
Event Type: Exhibit/Official Closing Night Event | Tickets only
Location: W Hotel
Time: 8:30 pm