Editor's Letter | Summer 2023 Issue
5 min read | Magazine | A.M.
A version of this article was Published in our Summer 2023 Issue and is reprinted here with additional links for further reading. Cover Image featuring Madison Wellinghoff wearing Iván Delfín Fashion with hair and makeup by Nathalie Hering and photo by A.M.
This season marks our first back since last fall. And what a season it has been. The world of fashion took stage during SS23 with some clear hits and obvious misses. Though most recently we’ve seen incredibly strong offerings from Jacquemus, Thom Browne, Iris Van Herpen, Schiaparelli, Louis Vuitton Homme now under the helm of Pharrell, and more from the typically on-trend fashion houses so many of us know and love. Additionally, we’ve been waiting with baited breath for the release of Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Barbie movie which promises to be more than a simple brand-name-cash-grab, instead providing Greta’s sharp wit and progressive commentary that have made her previous work both delightful and relevant—especially Greta’s take on Little Women, which if you haven’t seen it yet, drop everything and do so immediately. Additionally, this will be the same weekend that Christopher Nolan’s magnum opus promises to illustrate just how doomed our civilization has truly become. So, it’ll be an interesting double-feature to say the least.
Left, Margot Robbie on the cover of American Vogue’s Summer 2023 Issue. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ETHAN JAMES GREEN and STYLED BY GABRIELLA KAREFA-JOHNSON, courtesy Condé Nast.
Right, campaign image of Zara’s new Barbie-inspired collection photographed by Nadia Lee Cohen, courtesy Zara.
Here at home, social media has been ablaze with the return of the fashion runway event, with shows from Metropolitan Fashion Week, Africa Fashion Week Seattle, Pride Fashion Week, and announcements from FashioNXT and Vancouver Fashion Week both showing this October, as well as the return of one of Puget Sound’s largest shows Couture & Cars from Fashion District NW later this month. Quite a lot of fashion weeks, though in truth, the events themselves last mere hours on a single date at random times throughout the calendar year, far from the organization one expects from such a storied tradition, and a difficult sell for journalists, influencers, bloggers and buyers whom often hear about a show weeks after it has occurred. However, looking to create a positive shift in the event space is the announcement of a new fashion event from some of the sartorial minds behind FGI Seattle. The event has been officially called Seattle Style Week. Here’s the copy:
“It’s about time Seattle had a proper stage to showcase ALL the talent in this city, all at once, for the world to see. This is Seattle Style Week. A complete week of shows, workshops, debuts, show casings [sic] and panels centered around the designers, stylists, curators, brands, models, photographers, creative directors, influencers and passionate people of the Seattle Fashion Scene.” And importantly: “We must state that we are in no affiliation whatsoever to Seattle Fashion Week, Seattle SF, SFW, or any associated brands/companies and we never will be.” Emphasis theirs.
Editor’s Note: Seattle Style Week have since taken down their website after the publication of this article. However, their Instagram profile remains public.
So what does this mean? First, competition in the event space is heating up for the first time in years. And honestly, it’s rather exciting. Second, FGI Seattle are promising an honest-to-Anna week’s worth of fashion events from September 28 - October 5 with their first show arriving in 2024. Plenty of time to connect with designers and fashion houses and creatively direct a compelling season. Lastly of note, whilst the event is titled Seattle Style Week, the show is open to international businesses and artists, and to what end is anyone’s guess at this point. Technically, Bellevue Fashion Week by The Bellevue Collection hosts international fashion from some of the largest companies operating today. Is this simply BFW by another name? In any event, the future of fashion events in Seattle looks bright indeed.
Julie Danforth Designs showing her brightest Barbie-adjacent collection to date at the Couture & Cars runway event, July 2022. She will be showing her latest additions this July at the same event.
And speaking of the future, Artificial Intelligence has been promised for years, and has finally arrived in force, for better and perhaps for worse. Later in the issue we’ll have a proper look at the technology behind AI’s language models and demystify what that means for working fashion professionals. Short answer: AI is here and will never go away. What that means for our species is up to us to determine. Though editorially speaking, I would echo the sentiments of Nick Knight and the many others urging more Artists of every discipline to get involved in this process before corporations lock us out, at the very least.
SHOWstudio panel discussion on the state of AI in fashion, February 2023.
In local news, it is with deep sadness that I report the passing of one of our community’s brightest lights, Joy Egbejimba, founder of Nuciano and ardent supporter of local fashion. This is the first time I’ve had to write an obituary. And so, in keeping with Joy’s overwhelmingly positive energy, I’ve instead penned a celebration of life. Myself and everyone involved in Seattle Fashion Collective are immeasurably grateful for the impact she has brought into our lives personally and professionally. And it is in this spirit that we wish her family well during this time.
Portrait of Joy Egbejimba photographed by A.M. 2021.
One of the more surprising things to come from my travels last fall was a chance interview with local actor and model Parker Simmons whom recently walked in his first fashion show in New York. I was quite pleased when, after discussing details with his mother Shelly, the three of us had the chance to Zoom for an hour to discuss life, happiness, and what the future looks like for a now 18-year-old whose generation will one day govern where we have left off. Deep things spoken of deeply. And a welcomed breath of fresh air. With a fabulous editorial photographed by the wonderful and accomplished Mcklyn Valenciano and styled by Shelly herself.
Parker Simmons on the Alt Cover of our Summer 2023 Issue, photographed by Mcklyn Valenciano and styled by Shelly Simmons.
Finally, we have several fashion editorials dedicated to the fine art of one of Seattle’s favorite pastimes—thrifting. Only this time, the name of the game is boutique. As Seattle’s well-to-do discard their gently loved garments for yet another season, the second-hand market has become flush with luxury offerings at reasonable discounts looking for a new forever-home with people that will love them for this and multiple seasons to come. In addition to reducing garment waste, this has proven to be an excellent way to acquire named luxury brands in a more personal, experiential way, with stockists like Katybird and The Refind Closet offering Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Bottega Veneta in nearly every colorway and configuration. And new on the block, almost across the street from Ladybird, is Nido offering hand-selected luxury garments catering to those with both high concept art and comfort in mind. Nido’s owner Rita Sheckler has a thoroughly modern sensibility, having served as a stylist for a many seasons, and having worked with Baby & Company which should tell you everything you need to know.
Portrait of Rita at Nido, 2022. And if you look closely, you can see Peg keeping watch in the background.
It is with great joy and distinction that we present to you Seattle Fashion Collective’s Summer 2023 Issue. Made with great love. And even greater people. On a personal note, it is my sincere hope that this inspires you to step out of your wardrobe’s comfort zones and explore the broad and exciting world of Northwest Fashion. We are far more than Birkenstocks and Columbia puffers. Soon, we will be a thriving fashion destination on a truly international stage where all whom love fashion are most welcomed indeed.
— A.M.
Editor’s Note: Links provided for further reading. We do not make a commission.
you may also like
