Fashion Week Columbus features national and local designers

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When Fashion Week Columbus returns on Oct. 3, it will do so with not one, but two headlining

designers.

Designer and luxury eyewear line founder Stevie Boi will participate along with couture designer David Tupaz.

Both are A-list celebrity designers, says Fashion Week Columbus founder and executive director Thomas McClure. The designers will showcase their own work during the finale runway show on Oct. 10 while also serving as a resource for local designers at other events during the week.

Boi’s shades have been worn by celebrities including Lady Gaga, Kayne West, Elton John and Beyoncé, while David Tupaz has supplied red carpet outfits to such Hollywood personalities as Martin Sheen, Lucy Liu, Kristen Chenoweth and Mariel Hemingway.

A total of nine designers will display at the finale show. About 25-30 designers applied for the chance to show their work at the week’s various events. About 15 were chosen, and they are predominantly from central Ohio.

Stephanie Foster was one of the designers chosen to appear at the finale show. The

Columbus native, who also showed at last year’s Fashion Week Columbus, has a design aesthetic that favors pieces that can easily transition from the professional work day to an evening out.

 Foster was introduced to the basics of sewing while attending high school at the Northeast Career Center. Motivated by the challenge she faced finding properly fitting clothing, she decided to start making clothing for herself, watching YouTube videos to pick up new skills.

“I just kind of did it on my own and taught myself,” she says.

While Foster has a full-time job as a 911-dispatcher, she hopes to one day be able to design full time.

Started in 2010, Fashion Week Columbus initially featured 3-4 events and only one runway

show, McClure says. Today, its runway shows include a Kids Fashion Show, the Human Rights Campaign Federal Club Fashion Show, the Wedding Runway Show and the Finale Runway Show.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s great,” McClure says.

Hosted by Columbus drag company the Glamazons, the Human Rights Campaign Federal Club Fashion Show will feature drag performances and a two-part show that features denim and swimwear and undergarments. For the latter part, the Glamazons will channel the Victoria’s Secret runway models a bit with angel wings.

“It’s a fun, casual, sexy show,” McClure says.

Fashion Week Columbus is held from Oct. 3-10. For a schedule of events and more information, visit fashionweekcolumbus.org.