Fashion Week in the Oldest City
Did you know that as of 2015, St. Augustine has been hosting its own Fashion Week? The city puts on quite the production in a signature fashion (there's that word again!)
The three day event summoned local designers and motivated them to proudly showcase their custom pieces.
I attended "Moda Alcazar Night 3". The name is apropos and calls to mind the venue's rich history. The event was held in what is now known as The Lightner Museum, situated directly across from Flagler College.
However, when the structure was built in 1888 by Henry Flagler, it was the luxurious Alcazar Hotel. It used to house the world's largest swimming pool (120ftx50ft and 3-12ft deep.) The pool has since been emptied and was used for cocktail hour and intermission during St. Augustine Fashion Week.
Several flights of stairs connect the former pool to a third story rectangular hallway complete with balconies that wrap around the floor. Those halls served as runways.
Night 3 featured the works of Jennifer Chabri ("Chabri" - Resortwear), Joseph Lago ("Bettie's Wardrobe" - Womenswear), Souadou Barry ("Fulani Handbags"), Alan Vinson ("JT Vinson Clothier" - Menswear), and Nicolette, Donna & Lydia Siyufy ("Lydia Anne Clothing" - Womenswear)
There was great diversity among both the designers and their respective models. One of the models, named Susanna Nelson-bears a striking resemblance to Emma Stone. She appeared on the cover of a recent issue of a local magazine called Old City Life.
The energy level was consistently high throughout the evening and the setting fostered connections between guests. I met a French professor, which was a treat because opportunities to speak French locally have been generally few and far between. Going forward, that might change.
I also got acquainted with a designer who works at the museum. She told me about a new monthly event called "Lightner After Hours". It is held on the fourth Thursday of every month and involves gallery games in what I anticipate might be a "Night at the Museum-esque" manner. I look forward to attending: yet another thing that makes this ancient city a special place in which to live and play.
My next post will likely be a retrospective on "Lightner After Hours". Stay tuned...
