Syracuse Style [12] brought local retailers and fashion lovers together to showcase the hottest trends this season on Thursday night.
The Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Inc [13] and Syracuse Fashion Week co-produced the seventh semi-annual fashion show despite the last minute change of venues from Armory Square’s Walton Street to the historic Landmark Theatre.
The event featured clothing and accessories from 12 downtown retailers, one comic bookstore and one tattoo parlor.
Every year the focus of the event is to encourage consumers to shop in downtown Syracuse and buy local instead of purchasing clothing and accessories from national retailers.
Syracuse Fashion Week Executive Director Lisa Marie Butler said if there are beautiful boutiques downtown that will give their customers hot, off-the-runway clothes, then people need to know they are there.
This year Butler stressed to retailers to include everyday people to walk in their show in order to broadcast to the city that trends like velvet dresses, spotted fur coats and off-the-shoulder tops can be purchased and worn locally.
“Local stores are so important. They bring a bit of New York [City] to Syracuse,” Butler said.
Models for boutiques like Showoffs Boutique [14] and The Changing Room [15] graced the runway with sassy floral dresses and flattering puffy-sleeved blouses.
While the only men’s boutique to display fashions this year, Projex214 [16] exhibited warm-colored sport coats and casual vests that accented the shoulders, along with dark denim jeans to pair with either of the two.
Not only did the show spark creativity within fashion, but it also brought life to comic book characters this year.
Local comic book and toy store, Cloud City Comics & Toys [17], had comic characters like Wonder Woman, Spider-man and Princess Leia work their super powers down the brightly lit runway to promote its new brick-and-mortar store. It is slated to open in downtown Syracuse this October.
Accessory boutiques like New York Optometric [18] and Accents of Armory Square [19] with Designs by Bronce Bersani presented chic oval-shaped eyeglasses and bold, jeweled-toned necklaces and earrings accompanied with edgy scarves.
The Eureka Company [20], Fashion Fix Designs, Indie Kids [21], Vintage Love [22], Midnight Sun Armory Square [23], Ish Guitars [24] and Oculus Tattoo Lounge [25] also strolled the catwalk with modern and classic looks that may turn heads this season.
Jamie Ann Owens of Syracuse was the Syracuse Woman Magazine [26]’s September issue cover woman. She said she is excited to see Syracuse citizens going back to their roots by buying local again. She is also excited that residents are going out on the edge by trying fashions that push the envelope.
To tie fashion to the community, Executive Director Butler uses her influence to encourage fashionistas to donate any monetary contribution to the Food Bank of Central New York [27].
The banks’ Chief Development Officer, Lynn Hy, said that a dollar is enough to create three balanced meals for Central New York residents.
At the time of print, the total amount of moneys the fashion show raised for the food bank has yet to be determined.
“I think people underestimate Syracuse and we have adapted to what people think we should be,” Owens said. “We are finally realizing that we are better and sharper and you will see what Syracuse’ style truly is in the next few years.”
