XEX Magazine will be hosting this season’s NYC sanctioned fashion event BK FASHION WEEK{END} in collaboration with Barclays Center & MTV Staying Alive Foundation (SAF) to celebrate an evening of fashion, music, culture and community at Industry City, the burgeoning creative hub and event space located at Industry City, 241 37th Street in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park neighborhood.
Brooklyn has officially arrived! This week marks a moment in history and a citywide celebration of the world’s most infamous borough. If Jay-z concert tickets are the hottest in town, then arguably tickets to Brooklyn Fashion Weekend are the hautest. Beginning September 27 through September 30, BKFW will celebrate its 14th season by welcoming the newest member of Brooklyn, the Barclays Center, title sponsor of the borough’s premier fashion and charity event. BKFW seeks an alliance with Brooklyn’s new and existing entities including the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce sponsor of the event this season. Industry City (located at 241 37th Street) will host the event for a third season.
“Barclays Center is proud to be the title sponsor for Brooklyn Fashion Week{end},” said Bruce Ratner, Chairman of Barclays Center. “Brooklyn has a unique and eclectic style of its own and has become an entertainment and cultural destination that rivals Manhattan. Fashion Week{end} is one of Brooklyn’s most exciting events and we are happy to be apart of it.”
“We encourage the community to Grow with Us, as Brooklyn continues to expand industrially and artistically,” said Rick Davy, Creator Director of Brooklyn Fashion Week{end}.
BKFW presented by the BK Style Foundation will debut the collection of its first Middle Eastern designer, Montaha Couture (Kuwait) and showcase the authentic leather and exotic handbag collection, Torregrossa, by Brooklyn designers Bridget and Megan Torregrossa. BKFW presents an impressive lineup of emerging designers (28 in total); the remaining designers reside in the USA, Canada, Africa, Germany, UK, Italy, Philippines and Russia. The event will feature eco-friendly, ready-to-wear and couture collections.
September 27, BKFW kicks off with collections by eco-friendly designers. Guests will receive an important message from Carlo Scissura, newly appointed President & CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (Keynote Speaker for the evening). “Brooklyn Fashion Weekend brings together everything that is hip, cool and hot about Brooklyn. These burgeoning designers and entrepreneurs truly demonstrate that the next big thing is right here in Brooklyn and its Brooklyn Fashion Weekend. The Chamber is looking forward to working and growing with Brooklyn Fashion Weekend,” said Scissura.
Activist and designer, Melanie Fraser Hart will premiere her Callula Lillibelle collection (USA) and also serve as Keynote Speaker. The students of William H. Maxwell High School located in the East New York will also present their eco-friendly collections. A fun addition to the evening includes Master Mixologist, Frankie Oley creating cool eco-friendly cocktails using Pavoneo Tequila. (www.pavoneo.com)
Guest hosts include Dashuan Wesley, of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew and Barbara De Laleu, producer of WBLS 107.5 FM & BLI 106.1 on September 30.
Attendees (beauty, fashion, media and political professionals) are encouraged to bring unworn shoes and donate to the Soles4Souls Foundation to help adults and children receive shoes around the world. (www.soles4souls.org)
VIP Opening Night Performance Fundraiser After-Party begins at 9:30pm and includes sounds by Celebrity DJ Amanda Seales (entrance located at 220 36th Street in Sunset Park). The following three nights after-parties will begin at 10pm. Tickets to attend BKFW this season can be purchased atwww.bkfashionweekend.com
Additional sponsors include: Industry City (www.bushterminal.com), Hot 97.FM (www.hot97.com), Soco Restaurant (www.socobk.com), Got Props Inc. (www.gotprops.com), XEX Magazine (www.xexmag.com), SoNu Water (www.sonuwater.com) Knaps Salon (www.knapsunisex.com)
Colleen Gwen Armstrong
Brooklyn Fashion Week{end} Media Director
E: cgwen@bkfashionweekend.com