Steven Kolb, Cutting Edge Technology, Small Businesses, Celebrity Apparel, and Local Beloved Performer All Showcased at The Finale Runway Show During Fashion Week Columbus

Fashion Week Columbus (FWC), the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council (CFC), announced more details today about the Finale Runway Show which is on Saturday, October 15, from 6:00pm-10pm at the Lazarus Building Galleria in downtown Columbus, Ohio. Tickets start at $100 and can be purchased by visiting www.FashionWeekColumbus.org.

In addition to the main event which features a runway show with collections from eight leading designers who are shaping the fashion industry, as well as celebrity headline designer, Natalia Fedner who will also show her collection, the Finale Runway Show will feature several other highlights:

Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)

FWC and the CFC are thrilled to welcome Steven Kolb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), to the Finale Runway Show. He will make a few remarks about the state of fashion in Columbus, the economic and creative impact that FWC has had on the region, and more. He will also be joining the CFC Board, CDDC, and Mayor Ginther with a private ribbon cutting ceremony for the new downtown Fashion & Retail District lead and developed by the Columbus Fashion Council, in partnership with the CDDC and IL Moda Brands.

The CFC is an inaugural Affiliate of CFDA Connects, a national initiative that recognizes, promotes, and provides business development support to select Regional Fashion Organizations, their Fashion Weeks, and the local designers based within these key US markets.

Cutting-Edge Technology

During the VIP Reception, two brands, Encinas Designs and Maris Equi, will showcase some of their apparel using the holographic machine called PROTO.  Attendees will experience a new view of fashion for the near future including NFT (non fungible tokens) and Meta Fashion.

The Fashion Presentations 

The Fashion Presentations concept was piloted last year to expand the visibility and reach of additional small business owners/designers who bring tremendous creativity and economic impact to Columbus. It was so popular that FWC is bringing it back again. This time, FWC is partnering with The OSU Urban Arts Space to showcase eight additional designers to buyers, media, and the public during the VIP Reception. Each designer will showcase their apparel in a presentation fashion instead of a runway show. The presentation designers include:

• Triple T Studios
• Verity
• White Canvas Designs
• Mellissa Miller
• Renae Kotarski
• Maisha Loeb-Munson
• Encinas Designs (NFT Fashion w/PROTO)
• Maris Equi (Meta Fashion w/PROTO & Plasma)

Celebrity Fashion Exhibition 

FWC is adding a new fashion piece to their Finale Runway Show guest experience, a Celebrity Fashion Exhibition, which will include designs worn by: Cardi B, JLO, Billy Porter, Fergi, Miss Peru, Nina West, and others. Guests will experience this fashion exhibit as they enter the venue.

Opening Act: Boyoncé

Columbus native Anthony Brown will perform his high-energy and beloved Beyoncé-inspired numbers as his Drag persona, Boyoncé. Part of the Virginia West family, Anthony has been performing as Boyoncé since 2013 and has won many prestigious industry awards.

Columbus is ranked third in terms of the number of resident fashion designers, only trailing New York and Los Angeles.

Fashion Week Columbus runs Sunday, Oct 9, 2022, through Saturday, October 15, 2022. For more information, please visit https://fashionweekcolumbus.org/.

About Fashion Week Columbus

Fashion Week Columbus is the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council, which produces a full week of fashion shows and fashion related programs showcasing emerging fashion designers to media, buyers, and the incredible fashion community in Central Ohio. Since its debut in 2010, Fashion Week Columbus provided a platform for 150+ fashion designers, 2000+ models, has awarded $40k+ in scholarships to fashion design students, and produced 150+ fashion shows.