What do you get when you take a fashion junkie who decided to follow his heart? An annual fashion event that continues to grow and shines a spotlight on how Midwesterners express style.
Prior to moving to Indiana, Berny Martin lived in New York City. His father didn’t believe he was getting a quality college education and strongly suggested he come to Indiana. Martin did so reluctantly, realizing his heart lied in fashion.
“A group of my friends, some were in corporate and others were in fashion, came to visit me in Indiana and they felt sorry for me in terms of the ambiance they were accustomed to. They asked me why didn’t I study fashion and I said ‘because there’s no fashion here,’” said Martin. “Everything I had ever done was related to fashion, but it was like a big L on top of my head. Everyone could see it except me.”
He graduated from Purdue University and while working a corporate job, decided to get his feet wet in fashion. After hosting a few fashion shows he decided to abandon his corporate job and pursue fashion full time. Martin brainstormed and concluded that there were plenty of shows, but no fashion industry, meaning there was no fluid communication between clothing designers, models, modeling agencies, makeup artists, photographers, fabric manufacturers and boutique owners.
From that realization in 2006, Midwest Fashion Week was born.
“Instead of people competing against (one another), why don’t we accommodate each other to create something sustainable for the entire region,” said Martin. “What happened after that was remarkable.”
Since that time Midwest Fashion Week has been an event that is dedicated to “empowering the creative efforts of the clothing design community through events while discovering new ways to express individuality through fashion.”
“I think it (will eventually be) comparable to other fashion weeks worldwide,” said Nikki Blaine, local owner and designer of Nikki Blaine Couture. “Give it a few more years and it can be like the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York. It’s definitely a stepping stone in the right direction.”
It has also been a way to provide local, national and international designers a platform to showcase their work. Most importantly, Midwest Fashion Week serves as a bridge between high and affordable fashion.
Fashion enthusiast feel this is certainly important for Midwesterners, who have a sense of style that is very much under the radar. Martin describes the “Midwest look” as primarily conservative.
“It doesn’t have to do with anything being black or white or even (your socioeconomic background). We all do the same thing. People think about the way they dress before they do anything,” said Martin. “(Midwest style) is a bit New England mixed with the South. It’s the prep style of Boston or upstate New York but at the same time, there’s the cowboy look minus the hat and boots. Lots of jeans and jean jackets.”
Martin’s clothing line Catou even reflects Midwest style offering functional business wear for men and women.
Blaine agrees Midwesterners are comfortable in their T-shirts and jeans but believes deep down love eclectic fashion. She urges Midwesterners to embrace their secret love of high fashion and simply wear what they enjoy.
Fall clothing is now available and Midwesterners can begin expressing themselves in the hot trend – layered clothing in rich colors.
All that and more will be seen at this year’s Midwest Fashion Week. People can expect fashion shows and a celebration of the racial diversity of fashion in the Midwest.
“We are no longer teaching people or creating opportunities. Now we are moving to phase two of Midwest Fashion Week – placing people where they need to be,” said Martin.
Midwest Fashion Week appears semi-annually, however smaller, private events take place throughout the year, which include seminars, trunk shows highlighting local designers and fashion shows.
For more information, visit MidwestFashionWeek.com.
