DC Fashion Week smashed every problem plaguing fashion today

In a sea of events where minority groups are under represented or not represented at all, DC Fashion Week stands out.  And I’m not just talking about in one way, I’m talking about in every freaking way.

I’m talking about that #blackgirlmagic #bodypositivity #fyourgendernorms and everything in between. Can I get an amen?

Sitting in the audience watching people of every shape, size and color strut their stuff on the runway was honestly inspiring.

DC Fashion Week was a clear and definite example that diversity is possible in fashion, but larger events and fashion houses refuse to acknowledge it.

Instead, they prefer to pigeon-hole plus sized models to wear “plus sized clothes,” or ostracize them completely. What’s wrong with men modeling dresses? Or having an equal proportion or more of black models on the runway? They made the obvious effort to celebrate diversity, and have lacked the media coverage and attention it deserves.

The show opened with two outstanding fourteen year old designers. Yes. Fourteen. But these fourteen year olds can sew and design garments that rival the likes of Vetements and Alexander Wang.

Fourteen year-old, Kamilla Redd said she started “designing in the 4th grade and it’s really her passion.” Her inspiration is hard to pinpoint, but it mostly comes from the people in her life.

While another fourteen year-old star, Hannah Z’s main inspiration comes from “bright and bold colors” and “insects.” This was immediately clear from the presentation of her collection. It contained garments with embroidered flowers, brightly colored prints and bold colors, like the hot pink knee-length dress pictured above. The music she used to back her collection was as upbeat and lighthearted as the collection she presented, and flowed seamlessly with the walk of the models.

After Hannah’s Collection came Kari’s “Kari Bare Couture.” She’s from Tennessee and she “started sewing when [she] was seven.” Her collection was “made entirely from antique car materials,” and antique cars are also her main inspiration.

No one has an excuse to be unfashionable, if it is an actual possibility to rip up an old car and look this good.

Kari thought outside of the box to create her collection and demonstrate where her inspiration came into play. Her collection was very well put together and organized, from the garments down to the accessories. As a 24-year-old designer she had a bit more experience than the first two. The color scheme of the collection was dominated by red, black and orange hues, which tied the whole presentation together.

As finishing touches, she adorned some of her garments seat belts as statement belts and the models wore thick round aviator glasses, which were reminiscent of steam-punk fashion. The models exuded confidence walking down the runway; the collection was a perfect mix of edginess and femininity and the models’ demeanor showed it.

Next, Nandi’s Collection displayed some great options for plus sized girls. She’s an up and coming designer who just recently launched her online store.

As the plus sized models strutted down the runway, there was a roar of cheers from the crowd. This, however, didn’t distract them or keep them from looking head on.

Though lots of the models were used in multiple designers’ presentations, it was impressive how their walks and poses shifted from collection to collection.

The speed and sassiness of their walks changed to embody the essence of the designers’ collection, including the colors and structures of the garment, and the music chosen to back the presentation. If the garment accentuated the model’s curves, then that was reflected in her walk and pose at the end of the runway.

Franz Christie, who came all the way from Kingston, Jamaica, just recently opened up his own boutique in his home country. His collection was backed by a remix of Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money.”

Franz Christie’s collection was the most versatile of the group of designers. Garments ranged from revealing leotards to evening gowns. His collection also made use of diverse fabrics and patterns including leather and chiffon, and leopard print.

There was a sexiness to his collection that was immediately evident.

It was refreshing to see different women feel sexy and comfortable in their own skin, despite their flaws. This was the most memorable quality about Franz Christie’s collection: the clothes didn’t wear the models, the models wore the clothes, and it was apparent they felt confident and sexy doing so.

Nooshin, a Persian designer, said, “there’s not enough of Iran in the fashion world.” She’s an artist and a popular designer back in Iran. She mainly works with textile design, and the majority of her fabrics are handmade and printed by her. Her main inspiration his her Persian culture and heritage.

The prints and color schemes of her garments were reminiscent of colorful Persian tapestries and the accents on the gowns and accessories were golden and vibrant. Nooshin’s heritage was reflected in every detail, like the handmade gold coin belt, for example, and the music she used during the presentation of her collection.

Del’ Casbah closed out the show. She’s an Algerian-born french girl whose main source of inspiration is her home country. She is interested in modernizing the traditional Algerian garments, and putting her country on the map in any way she can.

Not only were her garments inspired by Algeria, but she stated that the music she used was by up and coming Algerian artists.

Del’ Casbah’s collection was reminiscent of what most Americans would consider Coachella or music festival clothes. There were lots of billowing tops and skirts, and embroidered suede. Tassels and pom-poms accentuated the garments along with lace and brightly patterned fabrics.

She took a modern take on harem pants, giving them side slits and pairing them with matching crop tops. Del Casbah gave a cultural identity to her garments and collection, which was a beautiful way to honor and represent to her home country.

Overall, the show was very successful in giving under represented minorities a platform to showcase their art and love for fashion.

Ean Williams, Executive Director and Producer of DC Fashion Week told The Tab: “We embrace diversity, it’s not what you would see in New York or Europe.”