Indianapolis will soon transform into a hub of style and glamour as Passion 4 Fashion Week returns ahead of Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration.
Founded in 2017 by Indy-based stylist and designer Nicole René, Passion 4 Fashion week aims to provide opportunities and resources to industry professionals who otherwise would not get them. From runway shows to photoshoots and interactive workshops for models, designers and stylists, René said Passion 4 Fashion Week aims to celebrate the diversity, creativity and passion that drives Indianapolis’ fashion industry while providing additional support beyond the runway.
“We just needed something different, you know, something that would get people excited about fashion in the summertime,” René said. “I created Passion 4 Fashion Week, and by doing that, I just connected with so many designers and models just because we gave them so much more opportunity than just being a part of the Expo fashion show.”
Passion 4 Fashion Week goes beyond the norm of typical fashion weeks because René said they accept everyone and focus on building confidence, body positivity and fostering good mental health. The week not only showcases aspiring and experienced models, stylists and designers but also prepares them for other fashion weeks and photoshoots by teaching both the business and talent side of the industry and fine-tuning their talents — whether that be editorial modeling, fashion styling or makeup artistry, René said.
“We support models in every aspect, again, this is a model family that we tried to create,” René said. “The meaning behind Passion 4 Fashion Week and the reason why we accept everybody for Passion 4 Fashion Week is because some designers or some Fashion Weeks won’t accept everybody. We do because we never know what anybody’s going through.”
The week kicks off on Sunday, July 9 with the Model Shootout. René said they will have four photographers and more than 130 models who will get the chance to build their portfolios, get comp cards and network to help prepare them for future events.
Monday Night Fashion takes place July 10, with a runway show at the Hovito Ultra Lounge, located downtown at 234 S. Meridian St. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and features Nate Redd Clothing, Allure by Chenel, Mahaba by Cora, Urban Hippie Co., and more. Admission is free.
On July 11, René will host a Beauty and Shopping Masterclass on Facebook Live from 6-8 p.m. in partnership with Lancôme. Guests can join the live at facebook.com/passion4fashionweek.
The following day, on July 12, is The Blankus Jazz & Blues Event — a men’s fashion preview with Allen & Allen Men’s Clothing, featuring a live jazz performance. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at Blankus Luxury Lounge, located at 501 N. College Ave, and suggested attire is “fashion forward.”
On July 13, the Rooftop Thursday Fashion Show will feature Gran Coramino, Diva’s Kitchen and more at the Regions Building, 211 N. Pennsylvania St., from 7-8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at exporooftop.com.
IBE’s free Outdoor Concert will feature a fusion of live entertainment and fashion interviews beginning at 6 p.m. on July 14 at American Legion, 700 N. Pennsylvania St. Although Passion 4 Fashion Week is a separate entity from Indiana Black Expo’s Summer Celebration, they partner for the IBE fashion show on July 15 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Indiana Convention Center. René said the lineup will feature BGals Couture, Allen & Allen Men’s Clothing, KoKo Mystique, Chokolate by KoKo Brown, Cold Butterflies Custom Designs, Kankou Elegance, Talia, Nina Parker and more in addition to a 50 Years of Hip Hop Hair Tribute.
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However, those who are not selected for IBE’s fashion show are still able to participate in Passion 4 Fashion Week, René said.
To round off Passion 4 Fashion Week, the evening of July 16 will include the Grand Opening of Diva’s Kitchen and Fashion Show at 120 Market Suites, 120 E. Market St., beginning at 4 p.m. Diva is one of the models from Passion 4 Fashion Week who René said they have continued to support outside of the fashion industry.
“I’ve picked out models — of course Diva is a great example — she still likes to model, but she’s a great cook,” René said. “So, you know, we kind of find some that do makeup and stuff, and we try to just tap into what they’re really good at, and then on top of that, just try to support them anyway we can.”
More information about Passion 4 Fashion Week and each of the events can be found at passion4fashionweek.com.
Contact staff writer Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848 or chloegm@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.
