Designers from Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois will be showcasing their designs. A couple of designers like Omobonike Odegbami, 43, of UNICAS and Ashleigh Wingfield, 24, of Yvonne Fields Designs gave The AFRO an inside scoop on what to expect at the event and their interpretation of being mad about fashion. “Nigerians are mad about fashion,” Odegbami said. “We may not have money to eat, but we look good.”
Wingfield, of Yvonne Fields Designs, said, “It’s something that you eat, sleep, and breath,” adding a paraphrase of the famous line from The Devil Wears Prada, “Fashion is so great because you live your life in it.”
Baltimore Fashion Week, an annual event since 2008, focuses on the theme “Wonderland of Fashion” from August 11-16, as they let designers be in control on what inspiration to bring in their designs. Walt Disney Characters are plastered on the flyers as well as for the fashion show “Mad About Fashion & Africa Art Collective,” as they expect designers to bring their creative energy onto the runway.
“This will be our first launch in Maryland,” said Odegbami from Michigan. Odegbami is a hand-made jewelry designer, who specializes in making ‘French-style’ influenced statement necklaces called UNICAS, which is derived from the Portuguese language meaning unique. She also partners with her close friend Sade Adegboyo from Columbia, MD, as they both opened their online collection in Maryland and Michigan, called UNICAS.
Odegbami hand makes all of her designs in a way that brings them to life. “We have 10 items that we have not shown anywhere else,” Odegbami said. “It’s going to be very colorful.” She uses a type of fabric called, soutache that allows the quality beading to fall directly along the center of the chest.
She mentions that all of her inspiration comes from life experiences, and what’s captivated her in modern day society. “I’ve never had a traditional wedding,” said Odegbami. “I created this piece called ‘Dream’ because it has always been my dream to walk down the aisle in all-white.”
Odegbami will have her jewelry designs available for purchase at the event. UNICAS custom-made necklaces and sets start at $150.They are also on available on her website www.unicasllc.com
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