September 29 - October 1, 2006.  DC Fashion Week (DCFW) is where the seriously fashion forward designers come to play.   For one week in September, Washington, D.C. is host to some of the most amazing apparel worn by some of the most amazing models in our area.

Models with chiseled faces, six-pack abs, and legs even Tina Turner would envy, graced runways across the city for a fascinating display of talent and couture.

Created by  Ean Williams, Executive Producer and Director, DC Fashion Week brings attention to talented designers in our Nation's Capital, while also educating area design students about the fashion business. 

A designer inspired by 1950's era of vintage clothing worn in movies like The Imitation of Life, and in television shows like The Lucy Show, Mr. Williams, says "how a person is dressed is important, and says a lot about how people see you”. He designs clothing that captures attention.

The week long event kicked off with its " H" Street Festival where several designers displayed their pieces for customers to purchase straight off the rack. 

Monday's fashion show, held at the National Press Club, featured designs from Mr. Williams' own CorJor International collection (inspired by Mr. Williams two sons, Corey and Jordan). The show, for aspiring fashion students, was also attended by various teachers from local high schools such as Robert E. Lee (Springfield, VA), and Westfield High (Chantilly, VA).

Vera Woodson, a fashion and merchandising teacher of two years from West Springfield High, helped coordinate the effort to bring the various schools together for the event.  She says, "the show is an excellent venue for the students to see how a fashion show is put together". 

In a world where models appear to go to extreme measures to be a certain size, Ms. Woodson, a former buyer for Nordstrom, when asked if her students feel pressured to be thin said, "our students come in all shapes and sizes and are very much inspired by the fashion industry".  She also mentioned that several brands, like Old Navy, have incorporated larger sizes into their collections to accommodate a variety of body types.   

DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine interviewed a few of the students afterwards to get their take on the show to see how they would introduce their own ideas and style into today's fashion. One student said she would feature models wearing lower heeled shoes; while another student mentioned that she would design clothing that covered a woman's cleavage a bit more.

Could this be the start of a new dynamic in the fashion industry?  This certainly remains to be seen.

A Saturday evening swimwear fashion show held at Love Night Club, the first night club to host a fashion show of any kind in our area, featured both ladies' and men's swimwear designs.

Sunday featured The International Haute Couture show with pieces by a host of emerging designers who fetch their fashion inspiration and ingenuity from as far as Ghana and Russia. 

Hosted by WKYS radio personality, Jeannie Jones, the show featured designs of designer D-Maxsi, Glam Gowns by Glynn Jackson; J-Bri Designs, Michele M. Walden's MICHI (pronounced mee-she) collection; Debrah Sterling, who hand knits her designs and accessorizes them with cowry shells; KNAF Couture; Matador Oliver Davis Designs; Annette Williams; and Zula Studios.

Of course, behind each successful fashion week is a good support team.

Jimmie Jones, the show's Associate Producer has worked with Mr. Williams for almost seven years.  Mr. Jones says he "enjoys working behind the scene" setting up the show's props and such.

April Miller, Training Coordinator and model, fine tunes the steps on the catwalk.

Public Relations manager, and former NY Institute of Fashion student,   Abbey Slitor, is in charge of press and advertisement of the fashion shows.

Damion Miller, the group's Photographic Coordinator, ensures each shot taken of the models during a show is picture perfect.

DCFW provides several opportunities for the models.  A few models have been in music videos, while others have been presented with other modeling opportunities.  The models' ages range from 13-30 and are several of the most diverse group of models of any agency in terms of size, height, and ethnic background.  (It is not unusual to see a model less than 5'6 walking the catwalk of a DC Fashion Week show.)

Now in its second year, we asked Mr. Williams, "What’s next for DC Fashion Week?" to which he replied  future shows "will continue to educate people about the talent here in Washington, D.C and showcase the talent of the area's designers".  There will also be more shows, some for free.

With DC Fashion Week 2006 being the huge success that it was, we can hardly wait to see what the talented crew will bring to us next year.

DC FashionWeek Team: (seated L to R) Ean Williams, Abbey Slitor, April Miller, Heather Cohen, Jimmy Jones.