Over 192 emerging designers have been shown over the past decade and half at STYLEWEEK Northeast, the Rhode Island fashion event that is celebrating its 15th season this month. Despite taking place in the smallest state in the Union, STYLEWEEK Northeast has grand intentions. “We pride ourselves on having high caliber designers and a high-quality production that provides attendees with the feel of a metropolitan fashion week,” says Rosanna Ortiz, founder and president.
In addition to showcasing 12 professional fashion designers from the region, including newcomers Jonee Anderson from Nantucket and Boston-based Amy Lane, STYLEWEEK Northeast features four student designers from the Student Design Challenge program. This year, eight 10-year-old artists called SEEDlings have been paired with STYLEWEEK Northeast designers to create a three-piece collection inspired by their own imaginations.
The SEEDling collections will be shown on opening night where a panel of judges will provide a live critique and choose a winner to receive a cash prize. Previous years’ events have showcased college students from institutions, such as the Rhode Island School of Design, Mass Art, Johnson and Wales, the School of Fashion Design Boston and high school students from Lincoln School in Rhode Island.
Organizers feel that showcasing student work is a powerful tool for resourcing new ideas for the future of fashion in the northeast. In fact, RISD student Zoe Grinfeld, a SEED Student Design Challenge participant last September, is the first former challenger to be a featured designer in STYLEWEEK Northeast.
The fashion show takes place September 19-22 at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence. STYLEWEEK Northeast partners with local tourism councils and businesses, with an additional goal of boosting the local economy. “This event is important to the region’s fashion industry because we have a focus on attracting tourism to the Rhode Island area,” says Cortiz.
For more information and schedule of events please visit: http://www.styleweeknortheast.com/
