THE DUST CLEARS AND A RUNWAY IS CREATED

Fashion shows have a tendency to always be super clean and perfectly planned.  You think of neatly aligned chairs, perfectly painted white walls, blinding lights, super expensive stages, chic tents, and venues.  Depending on the overall vision of the producers and designers, these elements would be perfect to capture the gaze of an audience consisting of hundreds of diehard fashion buyers and critics.  In my city, we have rough and stylish hidden treasures, a fashion sense of our own and a rising fashion culture that is hell bent on not being compared to the New York, LA or Miami's way of fashion.  This fashion journey, for me, started on the edge of Detroit's historic Corktown at my new home by the name of 5e Gallery. 5egallery.org

In my attempt to make a name for myself throughout my own cities fashion culture.  I was directed to a planning meeting of a upcoming show organized by a group that proudly called themselves Design Define Detroit www.designdefinedetroit.com.  This fashion industry gala was being produced by Ris Money, native to the bay area of Northern California, notable b-girl, blogger and designer.  The second part to this dynamic duo, Piper Carter, native to Detroit also calling New York her second home, highly sought after fashion photographer and co-founder of 5e Gallery.  After 20 minutes or so sitting in on the meeting, I could tell that this would be a fashion experience of a lifetime.  I quickly added my opinions and feedback on the discussion and was immediately asked what my speciality was.  I replied "everything, I will be your super assistant and super excited about learning the business."  It was amazing that some noticed me from the previous event that I had done with "Walk" which made me super excited and really ready to roll.  The event was powered by several unique and visually fashion forward fashionista's and fashionistra's.  Most of the people that attended the meetings were volunteers working toward a dream of "creating sustainable fashion industry" in the Metro Detroit Area.  

Design Define Detroit would take place at the 5e gallery, on the thirteenth of November, two thousand ten at four o'clock in the afternoon.   With a lot of work need to be done before lights, camera, action, we knew that this would be one of thee most rawest shows that anyone has ever seen.  The one thing that I loved about the show over the weeks leading up to it, was the team and supporter's ability to find funding to completely transform the whole gallery, create flyers, promote our event, pull all resources for prop design with little to no money.  We literally, knocked down a walls, put in bathrooms with complete plumming, re-wired,  painted, dusted and cleaned up until minutes before showtime.

As the crowd piled in they would have never known that 5e gallery's event was literally an act of faith.  Could we literally pull this off with soo much work to do? was the question all week but I will never question the heart of a lion and the love people have for Detroit again.  I literally didn't get dressed until most of the guests were comfortable, but once I washed off the paint, threw some curls in my hair and put on my outfit being the Executive Assistant to the Producers (Ris Money & Piper Carter) was something that I worked hard to be.  

The show started off with a panel discussion which included Charles Pugh, Mark England, Sarah Lapinski, Emin Kadi, Elizebeth Kincade, Adriana Pavon, Emily, Thornhill, John Conyers, Sharhona Anderson, Rich Rice, Fotula Lambros, Haji Flemings and Brian Health-Founder.




After a very productive panel discussion, media hour commensed with hard work by my friend, fashion blogger and PR professional Asia Willis who without her I would have never been apart of this rising movement.  Next was the Fashion Stylist Spotlight, featuring Benny Lumpkins Jr. and Fanciee and special showing by Von Jour Reece, who also lended the event his talent of runway coach over the weeks leading up to the show.

A runway show has always begun with the heartbeat of a turntable and then appears our first model.   Couture Designer showcase included, Culture Couture, Gina T Fashion, Femilia Organic Couture, Ziam Penn, jewelry by B-Flyy Creations and display fashion by Peace. Love. Spandex from Angela McBride.   I don't know about anyone else but I was holding my breathe the whole time.  Design Define Detroit's journey to show what we could do was completely sending my heart into overdrive.  So many thanks are needed and please don't be mad if I forget you.

 I have never worked with this amount of people that gave there heart, soul, time, blood and sweat to see a collective dream come to life.  To the sponsors 5e Gallery, D.D.D FORMzine, Sole Sisters, Blank Canvas Detroit, VitaminWater, Get the Connections, Fusicology, SRA, Edible Arrangements, Donoven's Salon, SRA Consulting Services, Risism.com, EN GARDE Detroit, NYLA Report, Red Door Digital, we truly appreciate everything that you have done.  Special thanks to the MUA's who created some great looks, Beauty Salon by J Lyle Ltd who did an awesome job on hair concepts, graphics and design by Robin Collins, set design by Nneka Jackson, production by Eboni DeBerry, Charlena Hall, Danni Little, Jakki Kirouac, Tabiha Brown and the WHOLE!!! DDD Team.


Last but definitely not least our fab producers Ris Money and Piper Carter.  You have completely inspired me to believe in a dream and never give up no matter what the obstacles are.  Fashion has become so intoxicating to me know, by seeing it through your eyes.  I have never been as blessed to meet collegeues like you and proud to be recognized as your assistant and a member of the Design Define Detroit family.  I hope that I have proved to you that I can deliver on my promises, and look forward to 2011's growth as a team.

These are the ramblings of a fashionista and a compete supporter of Detroit's Fashion industry.  I have been completely initiated into this wonderful wonderland of colors, textures, and style.  My blog is my way of showing you a glimpse of my journey to achieve fashion history.  I am your SPECIAL EVENTS MANAGER, I will dedicate my soul to my purpose, and I will crush all competition. This is the story of a fashionista's come-up, follow me if you dare.

Aisha Iam Scarlet