KC Fashion Week: rooftop runway show, can't-miss designers

Kansas City Business Journal

Kansas City Fashion Week is gearing up for another sold-out season.

A new event this year is "Runway on the Rooftop," a runway show and cocktail party at the rooftop pool of One Light, a new luxury apartment tower in Downtown.

"It's something we've never done," KCFW President Teisha Barber said of the outdoor show. "We're always looking for new and different things to do."

Wednesday's rooftop runway show will feature a mix of KCFW designers and looks from retailers in the Kansas City Power & Light District. One of the showcased designers, Mary Mwash Collections, is new to KCFW and will showcase her safari resort line, Barber said.

VIP attendees will get first dibs on the "experience stations" on the rooftop, which will include giveaways, hairstyling, makeup touch-ups and more. The event also will feature international DJ Scotty Dynamo.

Can't-miss designers

Once again, KCFW features designers from the TV show "Project Runway." Michael Drummond, whose collection includes women's ready-to-wear, is returning for his third season with KCFW. New this year is Joshua Christensen from season nine of the show, who will feature a mix of men's and women's wear.

A few other "can't miss" designers include Jill Patton (My Heirloom), Kate Nickols (Katie Lee), Alicia Janesko, Molly Elizabeth and Brooke Cromley (Gypsy Blaque), an up-and-coming designer, Barber said.

Cromley is new to KCFW, and KCFW officials were impressed with her passion and quality of work, Barber said. Black is a staple in Cromley's collection, and "it's a little edgy," Barber said.

Both Patton and Nickols will showcase bridal designs.

"The amount of time it takes to make a bridal gown is amazing to me, and the fact that they do 12 to 15 of them for a runway show is just crazy. Both of them are very impressive, and I think the audience will be very taken aback by their collections," Barber said.

Benefit show

Thursday's show will benefit Fair & Fashionable Inc., a nonprofit started by husband-and-wife team Dr. Molly Menser and Dr. Brian Matthys of Sunflower Dermatology & Medical Day Spa in Riverside.