Street style: A view from the rooftop pool fashion show at the W Hotel

Published: Monday, June 04, 2012, 12:00 PM     Updated: Monday, June 04, 2012, 1:44 PM

 By Susan Langenhennig, The Times-Picayune 

Fashion Week New Orleans and the W Hotel took a dip on Sunday with a poolside fashion show that proved at least one thing: New Orleans can pull of a cool attitude even in the June heat.

Steven Forster, Times-PicayuneSTAFF PHOTO BY STEVEN FORSTER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE

Samantha Bean at the Strut & Swim Poolside Fashion Show at the W New Orleans on Sunday, June 3, 2012.

 New Orleans Street Style: Strut & Swim Poolside Fashion Show gallery (9 photos)

  

The show – featuring designs from Jolie & Elizabeth, Hemline boutique and Swim N Sport - was the first of a series of fashion presentations held waterside on the hotel’s rooftop.  Times-Picayune photographer Steven Forster was there capturing the scene. Click through his photo gallery, at left, for a few looks that caught his eye.

Looking ahead, the next shows in the series will be July 1, with looks by Leah Bauer, Michele Marcombe and Vernon boutique. On Aug. 5, designers Kano Branon, Alicia Zenobia and Elise Doran will be in the spotlight. The shows are free, but the crowds are fierce. Click here for more details. 

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS!

PROJECT RUNWAY INSPIRES FASHION WEEK NEW ORLEANS COMPETITION

Top Design Competition Spotlights Growth of Local Fashion Industry

NEW ORLEANS, LA 12/19/11: Fashion Week New Orleans (FW NOLA) produces a series of runway shows featuring local designers and retailers. Incorporated into the five-day event, scheduled for March 21-25, is a Top Design Competition (TDC), in which 10 designers will showcase their collections to a panel of judges in hopes of winning a prize package including 90 days of in-store presence at a local retail boutique and many other great prizes! NOLA hopes to receive as many applications as possible to increase awareness of the recent growth of the local fashion industry and the FW NOLA TDC. The application process is open until Jan. 15, 2012.

Inspired by Fashion Week New York and Louisiana’s richly diverse culture, FW NOLA’s goal is to showcase the talents and collections of established and emerging fashion designers, brand houses, boutiques and retailers in a series of runway shows, fashion events & exhibitions.  New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are recognized globally for the authentic cuisine, musical talent, budding film and celebrity presence & distinctive culture.  It is only fitting that the unique talents of fashion designers, boutique owners, make-up artists, hair stylists, models, and fashion enthusiasts are included in the region’s repertoire of artistic talent.

In the last five years, regional fashion weeks have formed in places such as Charleston, Portland, St. Louis and Austin.  Fashion Weeks in these markets have positively impacted their local economies, set new standards in their fashion communities, and established each city as a top destination for fashion lovers and professionals. FW NOLA’s task is to present a consumer driven showcase of prêt-a-porter fashion by local retailers and boutiques, while also giving emerging, established, and renowned regional fashion designers a platform to display their current collection. Committed to the local community, FW NOLA’s includes NO/AIDS Task Force, Dress for Success, & The Fashion Institute of New Orleans as charitable recipients.

Fashion Week New Orleans 2012 Schedule and Locations:

March 21, 2012                     Kick-Off Party                                    Twist Lounge

March 22 – 24, 2012             Runway Shows and TDC Competition         The Sugar Mill

March 25, 2012                     Bridal Runway Showcase                The Westin at Canal Place

Fashion Week NOLA hosts "Fashion Party" for children's cancer patients

It was a day of bonding, beauty, modeling and fashion. Through the efforts of Walgreen’s , Fashion Week New Orleans , and Designer Anthony Ryan Auld , a group of young Children’s Hospital patients were given a world of fashion experience.

Click to read more ...

FASHION WEEK NEW ORLEANS JOINS RIVER RANCH FOR FASHION NIGHT OUT

Fashion Night Out is an annual event that was initiated in NYC three years ago by Vogue Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour. It has since blossomed into a phenomenal celebration that has quickly spanned worldwide. The genesis of the event is to breathe new life and excitement into the fashion industry by encouraging consumer to shop and promoting all things fashion.

Click to read more ...