On Saturday, October 23, 2010,  Motor City Casino Hotel & Soundboard hosted day two of Fashion in Detroit where some of the best designers in town and beyond came together to turn the Motor City into Fashion city.  If the designers weren’t backstage dressing their models for the show, they were in the audience getting their pictures taken and doing interviews with the press. Certainly a scene you would expect during New York fashion week but this time, the city getting all the attention was Detroit.

 Members of the press and spectators from across the nation came to the Motor City Casino Hotel to witness a fun filled fashion event that originally started October 2009.  Day one was a successful day but come day 2, the vibe was stronger and excitement filled the air as even more media members attended than the day before and the audience quickly filled up with buyers, supporters and sponsors. The energy was quite electric and it certainly was easy to get sucked in to the elation of it all.

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

With designers like Jeff Garner and Heike Jarick attending, it was no question the day was going to bring some fabulous surprises.  But that’s not to say the rest of the designers in the designer line up didn’t bring to the runway what they promised.  The show started with Femilia Couture.  Created by Fotoula Lambrose and Emily Thornhill out of Ferndale, Michigan, Femilia Couture started Fashion in Detroit much like Adriana Pavon did the day before, with dashing, whimsical designs  that simply took your breath away.  Femilia’s collection was in all white made with rich cottons and silk blends.  Displaying a wide variety of pieces, Femilia showed versatility with their creative side.   This is where Femilia Couture becomes a little more “genius” making their clothes more versatile for the buyers and fashionistas by having host, Karen Buscemi announce that the entire collection can be ordered in any color, not just white.  Femilia’s models wore short shorts, off the shoulder mini’s, leggings paired with a white trench, deep v-neck tunics, rompers and party dresses all in white. Femilia Couture’s collection can be purchased at their new boutique located at 420 Hilton St, Ferndale, Michigan.

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

Christian LaRue by Bonnie Foley followed Femilia Couture with a colorful resort collection.  Her looks started with bright colorful floor length dresses with spaghetti straps and off the shoulder v-necks.  Plunging necklines and backlines were certainly eye catching and when her evening dresses came out the crowd was definitey in tune.  The first dress of her evening apparel  made the crowd gasp.  In awe, the audience enjoyed watching the models dressed in black lace and black bobbed wigs.  The wigs, paired with the gowns, were pure genius.

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

Moosejaw being a light hearted and relaxed clothing line sure did pick up the pace after Christian LaRue.  The models wore puffer jackets, fleece vests, headbands and wristbands with cozy leggins and jeans.  The best part about the show was each model came out break dancing.  A sure way to bring the audience members in, both the models and the spectators were having a great time during this show.  As the DJ spun a few beats, both the male and female models turned into dancers doing the worm, the lawn mower and the pony all while wearing clothes from Moosejaw.

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

Heike Jarick, a German born designer known for her luxurious fabric choices, brought a classic vibe back to the runway.  After Moosejaw’s live entertainment, Jarick calmed the vibe down with class.  Jarick presented exquisite day and evening wear for the modern woman with a wide variety of sequins and feminine cuts including draped fabrics for a more sensual look. Jarick has dressed some of the most beautiful Hollywood actresses of our time including, Brittney Murphey, Halle Berry, Mena Suvari and Daryl Hannah and her clothes can be purchased at SHE located in Bloomfield Hills.

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

We have seen the next designer’s clothing on stage in Metro Detroit before.  Jeff Garner of Prophetik brought his sustainable men’s and womenswear  label to the Royal Oak Music Theater back in July, 2010.  He is known for dressing America’s most prized talents including Sheryl Crow and Kings of Leon.  Garner’s designs are not only green but his label is also made with a romantic renaissance flair, which makes a beautiful show along with the grass runway and a banjo player.  On Day two of FID, his collection consisted of tailored jackets, floor length evening gowns and long hemmed bloomers matched with tunics all made with natural dyes and recycled materials.

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

Last but certainly not least, Metro Detroiter and finalist from the hit television show Project Runway, Joe Faris rocked the house with his Motor City Denim collection which was revealed for the first time on stage.  Faris, also an FID executive committee member, describes his line as “industrial couture”.  As the last show of the day and of the entire Fashion in Detroit event, Motor City Denim had quite a following in the audience.  The DJ spun tracks by Eminem and Kid Rock while  models and local Detroit celebrities wore denim shorts, jeans, denim corsets, t-shirts, outerwear and even a denim evening gown all within the Motor City Denim label.  The Detroit crowd cheered for their favorite designs and Faris’ collection was enjoyed so much, the audience members gave Faris a standing ovation.  For those of you who support Michigan made products,  Motor City Denim is made at the TDIC, Inc. automotive plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan and will begin arriving in stores in the early months of 2011.

                    

Last Sunday, Faris showed several of his designs on the runway on Style Sunday at the Buy Michigan Now Festival, downtown Northville. He embraced the runway with a few favorites, from leather minis to his new jeans, which by the way, have the town buzzing.  Rumor has it, when ladies put his jeans on, they feel like they’re 20 years old again! 

During the show, he was wearing a “Fashion in Detroit” shirt hoping to spread the word about Detroit’s annual fashion celebration.  A celebration which he is an executive member of along with Leslie Pilling, K’Kio Hardin, Rino Marra, Lians Jaden and Styleline Magazine editor,  Karen Buscemi.

 It’s true Northville had a big star in town for Style Sunday, if you missed the show, you can view the slideshow at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-14960-Detroit-Fashion-Examiner~y2010m8d10-Joe-Faris-brings-designs-to-Buy-Michigan-Now-Festival

                    

Fashion lovers can enjoy great deals during the sidewalk sales and can even enjoy looks from top Michigan designers including  Cynthia LaMaide, dress designer Katerina Bocci and fashion designer, Joe Faris of the hit T.V. show Project Runway on Style Sunday.  Style Sunday is sponsored by Styleline Magazine and will be hosted by Michigan native Suzanne Sena.  Suzanne is known for her work on E! Channel, CBS, and Extra.  She has also interviewed Hollywood’s elite on the red carpet of the Oscars and Emmys and has even been nominated for an Emmy herself as the host of Celebrity Homes on E! Channel.

Those who want to support Michigan and attend the festivities,  can view the schedule of events including the fashion show details at  www.buymichigannow.com.  The Buy Michigan Now Festival will be held downtown Northville on Main Street. 

Photo – Joe Faris at Fashion in Detroit, October 2009

                    

FID is a two day fashion event that started back in October 2009.  It’s co-creaters consist of Project Runway’s Joe Faris, Styleline Magazine editor Karen Buscemi, Leslie Ann Pilling of Presence II Productions, K’Kio Hardin and photographer Lians Jaden.  This year the Fashion in Detroit event will take place at Motor City Casino Hotel, downtown Detroit, October 22nd-23rd. Within two days, fashion lovers will enjoy twelve runway shows by local and national designers, a VIP private reception, an afterglow party and a chance to win several fun giveaways.

For designers interested in entering, they  must send a cover letter along with a resume and photos of five different designs to info@fashionindetroit.com.  All submissions must be in by midnight, Aug. 1, 2010. The winner will be announced on Day 1 of Fashion In Detroit.

                    

An exhibit that displays plain Jane bras that have been transformed into master pieces is otherwise known as “The Bra Show”, and is  now available for viewing until December 17th.  The Bra Show features bras decorated by local and national artists and celebrities such as Joe Faris of “Project Runway”; fashion critic Steven “Cojo” Cojocaru; Robin Schwartz, reporter for Fox 2 News, Peter Soronen, fashion designer to celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Hudson and first lady Michelle Obama, costume designer Scarlette Jade, whose worked on “Detroit Rock City,” “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” and  the local production of “Legally Blonde.”

Other artists giving their best to the project are Hillary Levin, Donna Pellegata, Taryn Boyn, Susan Emerling, Diane Nunez, Amy Durfee, Ilene Harris, Gilda Snowden, Cliff Harris, Robert Schefman, Mollene Levin, Lisa Fox, and Susan Massucci and many more! 

The Janice Charach Gallery is located in the D. Dan & Betty Kahn building in W. Bloomfield, for more info please contact Gallery Director Terri Stearn at 248-432-5448 or tstearn@jccdet.org. 

                    

Joe Faris took time out to speak to us here at Glamorous Moms on Friday and he let us in on a few juicy secrets on what’s next for Fashion in Detroit!

While working on a new season and fulfilling his title as head designer for Schott N.Y.C. and commuting back and forth between New York and Detroit, Joe has been very busy but remains fervid on the FID Spring show. 

Although the dates haven’t been released yet on when the next round of Fashion in Detroit will take place, Joe advised us the event will again take place at the Detroit Zoo and the executive team will have more in store for those planning to attend.

On October 1st and 2nd, the first  FID show had  20 – 30 minute breaks in between designers giving models the chance to change clothes and change make-up and hair styles for the next designer but leaving the audience members looking for something to do.  Some enjoyed not having to walk from tent to tent in the nasty weather while others questioned the break.

  This set up and the scheduled breaks resembles New York fashion week, as the event takes place among three tents at Bryant Park leaving 20 to 30 minutes between designers.  This break allows the press and spectators to walk from one tent to the next to watch back to back shows.

Joe advised us, the FID executive team has been discussing a few great ideas on how to make the breaks go by faster and be more enjoyable for everyone.  Back stage, the models will be busy with clothing changes while Figo Salon and other supporting hair salons change their make-up and hair for the next show and spectators may possibly enjoy hand massages, mini make-overs and spritzers to help pass the time while they wait.  Even though the plans haven’t yet been finalized and the team still has time to come up with more ideas, these plans seem to fit the occasion much more.

When asked if the same designers will be coming back in the Spring, Joe informed us that most of them will be, along with a few new designers too.  This will allow them to set the time a tad earlier in the day and add a few more models to the line up. He also mentioned the team is considering having the show on a Friday and Saturday as opposed to a  Thursday and Friday, giving one day to the trade and one day to the general public.

Stay tuned for more Fashion in Detroit updates.  The new show dates will be announced sometime in November and one month out from those, will start the designer announcements.  We’ll keep you posted on this fashionable event so you don’t miss a thing!

We thank Joe Faris for taking time out of his busy schedule to share some fun info with us!  Combining his drive and dedication along with the talented minds of the FID executive committee, we’re sure the next show at the Detroit Zoo will be one you won’t want to miss.

Photo by Beba Drakulovic

                    

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

The show started with Joe Faris and the illustrious North Beach leather.  Many of you may remember North Beach Leather back when Cindy Crawford modeled for their ad campaigns.  Another successful line for Faris, as the models wore sexy leather mini dresses and leather bustiers.  The line brought a new updated version of leather clothes that sizzled the runway.

Photo by Beba Drakulovic

Next was Project Runway’s, Kevin Christiana’s turn to show off his designs.  Bringing the sailor look back with a touch of sexiness, Christiana received rave reviews from the crowd.  Known as MYNT 1792, the line consisted of short shorts and boyfriend blazers, followed by liquid leggings and fitted jackets and vests.  Sexy and young, this line showed very well on the runway and was filled with plausible pieces.

Photo by Beba Drakulovic

Carhartt brought a cool vibe to the show by displaying jeans and cargo pants pieced with t-shirts and Carhartt jackets.  The line was young and tough.  Each wardrobe piece was believable and perfect for the Detroit crowd.   When the three Carhartt designers walked the runway at the end of their show, some members of the audience gave them a standing ovation, proving there is a whole lot of love and support for the Michigan based company.

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

Femilia Couture, gave an outstanding show.  The designers Emily Thornhill and Fotoula Lambros, created vibrant,  colorful designs with an avante-garde vibe.  The organic line was both refreshing and elegant.  The ladies in the crowd gasped with delight as they viewed dresses and one piece jumpsuits.  “  I couldn’t pick my favorite”, said Tatijana Kunik of Glamorous Moms.  “So I had to take a picture of each one”.  Even the photographers enjoyed Femilia Couture.  These designers had such an amazing show and were loved by everyone, there is no doubt these Detroiters will go far in the fashion industry.

Photo by Tatijana Kunik

Even though the famous Betsey Johnson failed to appear to the big event, her line was more than fun and sexy.  The first model entered the runway wearing a form fitted black dress reading “SEX POT” on the front in red. If that wasn’t hot enough to set the mood, the rest of her show was. Rumor has it, Betsey could not make it this time around due to other obligations but will be attending FID in the Spring.

Photo by Beba Drakulovic

Another big name that was unable to attend was Kid Rock.  He did have a member of his design team show up and we couldn’t have asked for a better job.   The finale of Fashion in Detroit, was Made in Detroit.  “Known as the “kick-ass” finale, the Detroit label started the show with two models dressed in boy briefs, tanks and thigh high bobby socks pushing each other around to Kid Rock’s tunes!  A fun and youthful scene and a fabulous way to end the show!

Photo by Lians

The Fashion in Detroit Executive Team did an amazing job for their first show.  We here at Glamorous Moms wish them the best of luck for the next show in the Spring.  They already started planning and have their work cut out for them.  How do they plan to top this first time around fashion spectacular they have created?  We shall see what’s up their sleeves, something tells us it’s going to be big.

                    

Joe Faris, of Project Runway, started the show with leather jackets, burnout Tee’s and jeans for Schott N.Y.C.  Faris displayed his hot masculine looks for men until the very end when the only female model in the Schott show made the crowd gasp with delight as she stepped out from backstage.  She wore a black  biker bustier and black Perfecto skinny jeans. So stunning, the designer took his finale walk down the runway with her by his side.

Schott N.Y.C was followed by PS. by Peter Soronen, displaying form fitted party dresses that shined in sequins and shimmered in metallic fabrics.  Peter also took his finale walk with a model wearing a black bustier and black liquid leggings.  His designs were nothing less than perfect for women who love to be classy yet sexy at the same time.

Dana Keaton, known for her one of a kind designs featuring oragami like fabric folds and feminine cuts showed the audience what she is truly made of on the FID runway.  A vibrant and talented designer who displays her youth and happy attitude through her clothing took the audience by surprise when her line was more than fun and vibrant . 

Marlaina Stone was the next designer to take the show to a higher level.  With necklaces ranging from $900 to $6,000, Marlaina has a reputation of making Detroit’s best hand made jewelry.  One of the highlights of the day was when Marlaina’s designs rocked the runway with models wearing sexy slip dresses with hot lace and ruffled trim.  The line was extraordinarily amazing to say the least, with hand crafted artwork on their necks, it’s a surprise anyone noticed what the models where wearing. As a whole, the slip dresses and necklaces were stunning together.  Clothing changes weren’t necessary for this designer, models took a turn on the runway, then quickly changed their necklace and went back out to show a wide variety of Marlaina’s creations. 

Designer, Kevan Hall ended the show with glorious evening gowns made with long fluid fabrics that graced the runway.  Many FID fans had left before even seeing Hall’s line, and they truly missed a spectacular designer with designs never seen before on a Detroit Runway.  It’s no wonder Kevan has dressed celebrities like Vanessa Williams and Katherine Heigl.  His runway designs at Fashion in Detroit were a very glamorous way to end the evening.

Tomorrow starts a new day at Fashion in Detroit.  The show starts at 2:00pm with Joe Faris and North Beach Leather and ends with a Made in Detroit finale, with a rumored appearance by none other than, Kid Rock.  If Kid’s going to be there, are you?

It’s not too late to buy your tickets for a well managed, very organized, elaborate Detroit fashion event.  Visit  www.fashionindetroit.com to order your tickets and reserve your seats now.

                    

Joe was a student at the Parsons School of Design and has worked for Bugle Boy, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen, Perry Ellis and Pelle Pelle. He was the founder of Faris Ltd., the founder of Red Fly and is now the Senior Designer for Schott NYC.

As you can see, Joe has a great amount of experience in the fashion industry and he is well respected. Joe is a husband and a father who is also a passionate designer who is getting the recognition he deserves. From ink slinged denim, to sexy hot leather, Joe knows his stuff and is following his dream. He’s a true inspiration to aspiring designers across the country and will be showing Detroit what he is made of at Fashion in Detroit!