Memphis Fashion Week boosts local designers, retailers

The third annual Memphis Fashion Week (MFW) begins this week, with a kickoff party on March 27 and the first runway event on March 28 at Annesdale Mansion. The week's events attract over 650 attendees and highlight the talents of local models, designers, stylists and retailers. A total of 21 designers will be showcased during the runway events.

MFW is run by a volunteer advisory board with the support of a large group of weekend volunteers. The events are fully funded by ticket sales and sponsorships.

"Memphis Fashion Week is actually creating the fashion industry here in Memphis," says founder and Board Director Abby Phillips. "It’s creating a buzz. The excitement that has built is encouraging to the fashion industry, and it gives people a reason to stay in Memphis and create fashion."   

Phillips previously owned a talent agency in town and was tired of sending all of her models to Nashville to work. When she conceived of MFW in 2012, she wanted people who work in the industry – from models to makeup artists to photographers – to have a place to work locally.

The economic impact for local boutiques and retailers is significant, as well. Retailers hold trunk shows throughout the week, and the organizers encourage stores to host a Saturday event to take advantage of the the MFW excitement. "We want to encourage people to visit local stores and buy the things they are seeing on the runway," Phillips says. "We really try to talk up what the stores are doing."

But the most obvious goal of Memphis Fashion Week is to provide an outlet for Memphis-based designers to showcase their newest work. Runway watchers will see designers' full collections, rather than just a piece or two available in stores. "You'll get to see the artistic force behind these clothes," Phillips notes.

Proceeds from MFW events also foster the growth of local fashion design. Through the Emerging Memphis Designers Project, launched last year, new designers are invited to submit ideas to have their work funded and supported. "This is a way for upcoming Memphis designers to be a part of the shows without having to create a whole collection, which can be very costly and time consuming," Phillips says, noting the Board looks for individuality, creativity, and past experience when reviewing applications to the project.

For the designers chosen, MFW prepares them for the runway not just through monetary support but by helping with fittings and sizing, arranging photo shoots, and making design choices. “It’s a long couple of months for them to get runway ready for shows. But it's so great to go from start to finish in a project with them."

For more information on the Memphis Fashion Week schedule or participating in the Emerging Memphis Designers Project, visit Memphisfashionweekend.com.

By Anna Mullins