Austin Fashion Week 2016: Night 2

Friday night at Austin Fashion Week kicked off with a bang in true Austin style! So many people came out to see what night two's designers and artists had in store for them. For night two of fashion week, I chose to wear this emerald green pleated maxi dress in honor of Earth Day from Victoria's Secret. I completed my look with loose waves and a deep side part, and these sparkling champagne, seafoam drop earrings by Suzanna Dai.  Shortly after I walked in, I received one of the sweetest compliments from one of the representatives of Chloe Wine Collection who said I sure knew how to make an entrance in a bright and bold dress such as this. Because my personal style is more casual, comfortable, and consists of mostly pieces in the navy, blue, and white, striped variety,  I loved that it allowed me to stand out from my norm and feel so elegant.

After enjoying a glass, or two, of Chloe Wine's prosecco, my friend and photographer, Dori and I perused the Gallery. The Gallery showcases craftsmen and women and designers, both local and not, of shoes, jewelry, handbags, clothing and more. One of my favorite Gallery brands and artists this year was Janika of Janika Design. Her minimal, architectural pieces were so on trend and beautiful. I was especially drawn to the different variations of marble stones she incorporated into her designs. These were some of my favorite pieces at the display. After meeting and talking with Janika, she allowed me to style one of her cube marble bolo ties. I loved how this piece was simple, beautiful, and eye catching all at once, and that its versatility allowed it look like a lariat necklace, or like an actual bolo tie! Either way, it was perfect for Austin Fashion Week. After all, we are in Texas, y'all.

Once the browsing and shopping in the Gallery was done, we took our seats and prepared for the runway shows. I was eager to discover what 15 year old-high school sophomore and San Antonio based designer, Lauren Nicole, would showcase. Her fall/winter 20 piece collection featured texturally rich fabrics and sleek metallics all with a rocker-chic vibe. Every piece fused modern, everyday silhouettes with trends like vegan leather and rose quartz. As soon as the lights came on and her designs started to come down the runway, the audience began to clap and cheer. Here are a few of my personal favorites from her collection:

I loved how feminine, trendy, and practical her designs were. Plus, I could not believe that such beautiful and thoughtful designs were envisioned and created by someone so young and so talented! After the show, I had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Lauren and ask her a few questions about her collection. Here's what she had to say!

Q: Where did you draw your inspiration for this collection?
It's not really a thing, but a feeling. That feeling of being comfortable and confident. I designed this collection for any woman, at any age, and any body type.
Q: What are three words you would use to describe your fall/winter collection?
Romantic, fit for every woman, fit for every day.
(Who doesn't love that!)
Q: What are some of your favorite trends currently?
Fringe and vegan leather.
(I think we can all totally agree!)
Q: What do you do when you're not showcasing your designs?
Catch up on sleep! And I try to balance my time with my family, friends, and school.
(After all, she is only 15!)
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself in college hopefully at Parsons, working in my studio at home in New York, and opening my first boutique.
Q: Can you give us a sneak peek into your next collection?
I don't want to give too much away, but I will be working with a jewelry designer from Paris, and you will see a lot of ivory, emerald, and shades of blue.
(So excited about that!)
Q: What do you want people to remember most about this collection and you?
I want people to remember my designs are fit for any woman, any age, and any body type. Most importantly, I want to be remembered for making women feel comfortable and confident.

Wow!
I so enjoyed getting to sit down with this talented, emerging designer, and am so excited to see what's to come from her future collections and to follow her journey!

Fashion Week is always such an exciting time in Austin, and for me personally! I love seeing what the Fashion X Austin team puts together each year, and the opportunities it gives me to discover new brands and emerging talent, to meet fellow creatives of local businesses, and how excited and inspired I feel afterwards.
Thank you, Fashion X Austin, for another wonderful year at Austin Fashion Week, and thank you all for reading!

Little bitty love,

Kimberly

Special thanks to Suzanna Dai for partnering with me for Austin Fashion Week.
Photos by: Dori Chappell