Kansas City Fashion Week is in full swing. Here’s what you need to know about the shows
Kansas City Fashion Week is underway. The two-week-long festival showcases the work of local, national and international designers on runways, with an opportunity to buy some of the designer’s clothing.
Taking place in Union Station, it’s a celebration of all things fashion. If you missed the first week, don’t worry. You still have the chance to see models display the current trends.
Teisha Barber, the president of Kansas City Fashion Week, spoke to The Star about what makes the two-week extravaganza a local treasure.
WHAT IS KANSAS CITY FASHION WEEK?
Throughout the two weeks, KCFW helps designers collaborate with seasoned stylists, make-up artists, models and photographers to present their collections in the most professional atmosphere imaginable.
“With an unapologetic focus on the business side of the fashion industry, each KCFW event highlights the many facets of fashion commerce,” Barber said. “Buyers from retail establishments, media personalities, online apparel entrepreneurs and celebrities help comprise an audience for each show, making KCFW a must-attend event for established and emerging fashion professionals.”
In early 2021, the national organization Council of Fashion Designers of America selected KCFW as part of a new program connecting regional fashion weeks called CFDA Connects.
Barber said that this opportunity has amplified KCFW’s reach, meaning the exposure for the design talent increases. For some of the designers this weekend, this could be their big break.
This year, over 30 designers from all over the world will have their work on display in shows that anyone can attend. You can find the full list here.
WHEN DID IT START?
KCFW started in 2010, and its first full week of runway shows happened in spring 2012.
WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT THIS WEEKEND?
Three shows are happening this weekend:
7 p.m. on April 14. This is their annual City Night show and they’ll have performances by Quixotic. Several people from City Hall will also be in attendance, and they have two Ukrainian designers presenting collections to support relief efforts.
7:30 p.m. on April 15
7:30 p.m. on April 16
All nights will showcase emerging and established designers from Kansas City and beyond.
All runaway shows take place at Union Station. You can buy tickets to any of the shows here, except for Saturday. Standing room tickets for Saturday’s show will be available at Union Station on the day of the event at 6 p.m.
For the other days, ticket prices range from $40-$100. If any designer’s work caught your eye, you can buy it there.
“I love Kansas City and our fashion scene because everyone has their own style and people feel comfortable with self-expression,” Barber said. “We have a very wide range of the types of looks that people wear, and I absolutely love that. Kansas Citians are huge supporters of their local designers and makers.”
