Gainesville Fashion Week began as the small project of a few friends, but, after six seasons, it has become something much bigger. GFW 2014 is already in the works and will take place April 2-6.
Holly Kobus, director of talent, is now accepting inquiries from brands and designers to show collections at the April shows.
Big plans are in the works for this year’s designers, she said, as previous season’s designers as well as local talent and businesses will be asked to return for the seventh season. Last year’s talent included two “Project Runway” season finalists as headliners.
Reflecting the kind of professional growth it catalyzes in its alumni, GFW 2014 will be inspired by the themes of evolution and creative collision between the different creative communities the event brings together.
For the seventh season of Gainesville Fashion Week, Art Director Chrissy Sedgley employed solid, tangible colors and objects, as well as a combination of clean, san-serif and hand-drawn fonts for a new logo. The primary brand colors of black, ivory and gold are sharp and clear, creating a professional feel to complement each photo.
Almost entirely produced by interns, the four-day party of runway shows, musical performances and art exhibits has become a powerhouse of professional development for Gainesville’s fashion-focused students.
“Our alumni can be found working full-time jobs at some of the most respected companies in fashion,” said Albert Coronel, one of the founders and producers of GFW. “When I think about when they first started working with us, they were just kids. Now look at them.”
Coronel spearheaded GFW in 2008 with a co-worker, Tiffany Williams Propes, and the owner of Sharab Lounge, Gustavo Bonet, as a vehicle for encouraging collaboration between Gainesville’s various groups of creative professionals.
The GFW offers a diverse leadership team built for generating exposure and magnetism to your brand or works of art. GFW is in a constant state of cultivating relationships in the name of exposing creative talent in the realm of fashion and complimentary fields.
Aspiring fashion powerbrokers have taken notice of the trend. More than 100 people applied to participate in the GFW intern program this year, ultimately yielding 40 interns to produce this year’s event.
Interns are one thing, but models, designers and hair and makeup talent are another. The annual casting call for models will take place Feb. 1 at the GFW offices in Neutral 7, 2444 NE 1st Blvd. #700.
Prospective sponsors, designers, press and volunteers should contact [email protected]. Gainesville Fashion Week supports local design, creative content, music and business and provides an outlet for artists.