Lights, camera, runway

By Christine Laughren
Jun. 1, 2009    ·    6:41 p.m.

Behind the scenes designers were corralling their models. Girls were rushing around in high heals, touching up their make up and fixing their hair.

But those sitting in the tent for Dressed on Washington Street, most likely couldn’t gauge the chaos as DJ-ZU spun the tunes before the shows began.

Saturday marked Ypsilanti’s first fashion show held on Washington Street between Michigan Avenue and Pearl Street. According to organizers, approximately 350 were in attendance for the two shows held in the afternoon and evening.

“I was really, really excited that people came, supported it and enjoyed it,” said event director Leslie Austin. “People really seemed to have a good time.”

Leslie, who co-owns What is That gallery on Michigan Ave with her husband David, coordinated the show with David and two event assistants Eva Neil and Jenni Eaton, both hailing from Eastern Michigan University.

The event pulled together 18 designers, about 55 models and more than 100 pieces. Attendees saw looks from emerging designers, recycled clothing, community professionals and wearable art. Two shows were given, one from 3-5 p.m. and the other from 7-9 p.m.

With everybody running around behind the scenes David said the event ran relatively smooth for its first year.

“There was really a lot of organization in the chaos,” he said recovering on the couch in What is That Sunday afternoon.

Austin said the event was successful thanks to the help of Neil and Eaton, who are getting college credit for helping put the event together. Austin also said sponsors, in-kind donations and people just lending a helping hand made the event run smoothly.

“We really all came together,” she said taking a break from cleaning up the gallery Sunday. “Everybody did their part like a well-oiled machine and everything went smoothly.”

That is not to say there weren’t some glitches in the show. But David Heikkinen, owner of Heikk’s Decorated Apparel as well as a sponsor and designer for the show, said the event exceeded his expectations.

“Things really did work out well,” Heikkinen said. “You couldn’t ask for a better first show.

“It was a great event,” he said.

Although David and Leslie are still recovering from a long day Saturday some initial ideas for next year’s show are already rolling around in their minds. On top of some technical things the organizers would like to improve, such as lighting and overall presentation, Leslie said she would like to expand the wearable art category and possibly have the day and evening show feature different designers and categories.

A formal report will be written to reflect on the sustainability of the event and Leslie said she would have a meeting with the “principles” to talk about what they liked and what they would like to do differently for next year.

David said several people approached him right before and during the event to see how they could be involved the next time around and that is how he measured the success of the event.

“When you have people calling you to see how they can be involved for next year, then it’s a successful event,” he said.

What is That will be displaying many of the looks modeled in the show at the gallery during the month of June.

To see a full list of the designers, organizers and sponsors visit http://dressed2009.com/

To purchase a DVD of the show in its entirety call What is That at (734) 485-0113.

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Fashion show coming to Downtown Ypsilanti