#AFW2015: The Final Walk & Awards

Another Austin Fashion Week 2015 has now been beautifully been marked in the books. Saturday was the AFW finale and it was a show stopper. The evening began with designer Ross Bennett who presented a line of menswear. The line had a very classic feel with a touch of modern colors and accessories. There was a mixture of casual, business and formal looks that showed how a beautiful suit can be worn at any time. One of the highlights of the show is when Matt Swinney, the founder of AFW, strutted down the runway as one of the models of the show.

[title subtitle="Ross Bennett"][/title]

 Following the first show, Matt Swinney spoke on why he started fashion week here in Austin. He gets asked often why he does such productions and his answer is always that the army starts with young designers and how we can give them what they need. There are so many fighting to make a name and to be seen. With AFW, they are provided with amazing production levels and allow for them to have their moment to be seen. Matt emotionally states, “The community existed but no one ever hugged it. We needed to bring support to others. But I didn’t realize that in the end, I was the one that would get hugged.”

The evening then continued with more runway shows. Rare Trends presented edgy, yet elegant looks that consisted of leather dresses, fringed leggings and fur accessories. Samantha Plasencia presented her looks next that had an urban feel of street wear mixed with jewels. Sweater dresses were highlighted in her line that consisted of black, white and reds in color scheme. Sloane was the next designer to walk to the runway with her looks that had an almost fantasy feel of plastic fabrics, burlap fabrics and lots of bright colors.

 [title subtitle="Rare Trends"][/title]

 This year the “Capsule” was presented, which features ten designers offering AFW attendees a three piece preview of their upcoming collections. Many of these designers do not have the large budget for a full line and this is their opportunity to show their vision in a small collection. Spire the Label was the final presenter in the capsule with her stunning collection that gave us clean lines and sophisticated pieces. To her surprise she was also presented the Austin Fashion Fund award that offers her a cash grant, a Bernina sewing machine, one day a month for a year with an experienced retailer to help her make connections locally and a flight to New York to meet with designers.

 [title subtitle="Austin Fashion Fund: Spire Label"][/title]

Nine Muses was the next collection with gorgeous dresses, pants and drapes of geometric cuts. LaRue Desgins was to follow with amazing Aztec prints, tasseled jewels and bold colors. Sally Daneshjou present her line of formal ware with a color scheme of red and white.

[title subtitle="Nine Muses"][/title]

[title subtitle="LaRue Designs"][/title]

[title subtitle="Sally Daneshjou"][/title]

The Mash Up Teams were then given the opportunity to bring to life their team images. The Mash Up Teams consist of local photographers, models, hair stylists, makeup artists, designers and stylists who join forces to create inspiring images. Team “Synergy” was awarded top Mash Up Team.

 [title subtitle="Synergy: Mashup Team Winners"][/title]

Gail Chovan was the final designer of the night to walk to the runway. The evening ended with Austin Fashion week being declared an official week by the city of Austin. It really was an amazing week of fashion, connecting, discovering and appreciating all the talents of so many in our great city. We are looking forward to the creations and visions that are yet to come from our local talent. Until next year AFW!

 [title subtitle="Aysa Province: CW Stylist & Style Speaks Coordinator"][/title]

 Aysa Province is a relatively new addition to the Created Woman Team and brings with her a unique passion for fashion, family, and philanthropy. Aysa has an International Business degree from Texas Tech University and enjoys traveling internationally as much as possible. Extended trips to Southern Mexico, Northern Europe, Italy and Brazil have given here the opportunity to view, appreciate, and learn the values and beauty of other cultures. Seeing people in other countries that often do more with less also inspired her to take an interest in helping women shop for comfortable, accessible, fashionable attire on a budget. She strongly believes that looking fashionable is attainable at even the smallest cost. A great outfit can help any woman feel confident and beautiful. Aysa’s desire is to help others see the joy in the art of dressing.

Aysa has experience in event planning and production work as well. She has always enjoyed putting details together for a bigger picture and being part of the process of bringing people together. As the new Style Speaks Mobile Coordinator, she will be able to use these skills to help arrange for speakers in their goal of delivering the message of Created Woman.  

Aysa continues to search for opportunities to merge her love for fashion and her desire to help others; and therefore, is extremely excited to be a part the wonderful and empowering team at Created Woman as a stylist and coordinator. As a mother, wife, and friend, Aysa has always wanted to love and encourage in any way possible, and she is so grateful to be able to use her heart’s talents to support such a powerful vision and mission. Now, more than ever, she feels like she is becoming the woman God truly meant for her to be.

[title subtitle="Photographer: Julie Fox"][/title]

 Wife, Mom, and Texas State University graduate Julie Fox is a rare combination of Glam and Nerd. She holds a degree in Computer Science and spends her days running her web development business and coding websites in her pajamas. But watch out world…There’s so much more to Mrs. Fox! Julie loves anything sparkly and has an underlying creativity that causes her to see the world from a very special point of view. Everywhere she looks she is getting creative inspiration for website designs, marketing strategies, fashion statements, photo ops, model poses, fashion shoot settings, and of course…. makeup ideas! 

Julie came on board with Created Magazine as an assistant MUA but has evolved into playing many roles including: makeup artist and backstage photographer during Editorial Photoshoots, to helping with marketing materials, and even working on CW’s digital magazine. She has a passion for inspiring confidence in women and teen girls, specifically through teaching about makeup and skin-care. She loves working with the Youth Group at her church and volunteering her makeup artistry services to organizations such as Austin Fairy Godmother. Julie is incredibly grateful that God has led her to the amazing circle of women involved in the Created Woman Foundation.