Here comes Fashion Week Connecticut, New Haven Fashion Week

by MIKE CHAIKEN

Pull up your chair to a runway… or two… or three. It’s going to be an expansive couple of weeks for fashion fans in Connecticut. First off, New Haven Fashion Week kicks off its inaugural season on Oct. 5. And then before the spotlights have had a chance to cool, Fashion Week Connecticut returns to the scene to scattered catwalks throughout the Nutmeg State.

As noted, Fashion Week Connecticut is a veteran on the scene. Travis Bivans, the executive director behind that fashion venture as well as a key figure in the newly minted NHFW, was asked how his original venture had evolved this year.

“More press –international to local– are paying attention to the week, which in turn helps the fashion creatives who show with us,” said Bivans.

He continued, “Out-of-state designers and models have come in state to network and show. This exchange is valuable because it helps enrich the market with fresh ideas and ‘healthy’ competition. Models are now being scouted off our runways by New York and European model agencies. Towns in Connecticut are now inviting us into exclusive spaces for fashion shows and events.”

Plus, said Bivans, “We are seeing an uptick in multi-cultural exchange…. Connecticut can be very divided ethnically and culturally. Sometimes it’s hard to put faith in new things. We are seeing a different level of faith, and we will not disappoint.”

After several years of fashion shows, Bivans was asked how he has been able to keep events fresh. “I’ve been dying to be a part of a platform where I can openly, create and cook up anything editorial or anything event-wise. I’m like a kid in a candy store. I’m constantly inspired by every little thing I see. It stays fresh by Fashion Week Connecticut curators never being bored or never too scared to experiment when it comes to our platform. We are children of fashion.”

One of the new dimensions brought to both New Haven Fashion Week and Fashion Week Connecticut is the use of non-traditional locations.

For instance, on Oct. 9, the fashion will be presented under the night sky around an outdoor art installation in New Haven. On Oct. 19, the shows will be held in a Bridgeport brewery.

Bivans said it was important to bring fashion to unexpected places. “Art has always been an unpredictable and revolutionary act. Art is only subject to limitation of the beholder of the mind in which it lives. I believe art exists everywhere. I literally see in all movements of life. Everything is a freeze-frame of a movie or show in which the participants are styled for their moment to shine…My creative source is limitless. We don’t create art; we are creations of art who are behaving within our nature.”

There has been a burst of activity in the fashion world of Connecticut in recent years. Fashion Week Connecticut and New Haven Fashion Week are far from the only games in town. How does Bivan try to differentiate his events from the others dotting the style calendar?

“We don’t, to be totally honest,” said Bivans. “We aren’t too concerned about other fashion events or platforms outside how they impact the overall fashion ecosystem that we all live within… We have ideas for days. We are in love with what we do and are constantly attempting to figure out how to do something and do it successfully.”

As for the designers selected, Bivans said he offers no direction. “We give designers the piece of paper; it’s up to them to draw what they need to draw in order to get their own points across.”

The next two weeks are ambitious ones for a Connecticut-based fashion organization. Connecticut typically is good for one or two shows and then fans, designers, models and HMUA creatives move back to their work-a-day lives.

“It is ambitious,” said Bivans. “Twelve shows back-to-back… sheesh.”

However, the fashion entrepreneur added, “Connecticut deserves to be counted among the fashion universe. Connecticut has birthed so many shining stars that have gone on to do amazing things. Tommy Hilfiger grew up in Greenwich. His first store was in Greenwich. B. Michael was born and raised in (Durham) Connecticut. He later went to (the Fashion Institute of Technology) and has styled Cicely Tyson, Phylicia Rashad and is a part of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Christian Siriano was a resident of Westport and had a store in Westport until he moved recently to Manhattan. He has styled and dressed almost every major star and was on ‘Project Runway.’ Matthew Reisman, former Hartford resident… now styles and dresses major international celebs from Issa Rae to Janet Jackson. Betsy Johnson (was from Terryville). The list goes on.”

Bivans said, “Connecticut silently births, raises and trains major industry players but yet no one knows about Connecticut. Fashion Week Connecticut will make it known as the source of talent that it is.”

As noted, this will also be the first New Haven Fashion Week. And Bivans said the home to Yale University deserves its own fashion event.

“New Haven has become the unofficial art capital of Connecticut,” said Bivans. “But yet, and still, fashion creatives were left out of the conversation and only used as a sprinkle of flavor here and there for other art events. New Haven has a thriving fashion community; but you would never know it unless you pay attention. So, we stepped in to exhibit what Connecticut has been missing. Most of the creatives show in our weeks go to N.Y. Once again Connecticut is forcing talent to leave when they should be celebrated at home. In our eyes, New Haven was long overdue.”

And the creative community has embraced the endeavor, said Bivans. “We have gotten nothing but excitement from people. Everyone is happy to help or participate in the happenings.”

Bivans hope the patrons of New Haven Fashion Week will learn a little about the Elm City. “How diverse it is. How affordable it is. And that it’s here to stay.”

The schedule

New Haven Fashion Week

Sunday, Oct. 5, 7-10 p.m.

Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale (upstairs ballroom), 155 Temple St., New Haven

Wednesday, Oct. 8, 7 10 p.m.

Lotta Studios, 903 Whalley Ave., New Haven

Thursday, Oct. 9, 7-10 p.m.

Four Circles and a Square Alley (outside show), 964 Chapel St. (alley is right next door), New Haven.

Friday, Oct. 10, 7-10 p.m.

Cita Park (outside show), 745 Chapel St., New Haven.

Saturday, Oct. 11, 3-6 p.m.

Union Station New Haven (upper level), 50 Union Ave., New Haven.