Fashion aficionados across Windsor-Essex feel the region’s largest creative showcase in recent memory is the start of an upward trajectory for the local industry.
Fashion Week Windsor wrapped up its inaugural three-day showing with a sold-out competition on Thursday.
Angelina Ebegbuzie-Terry, the head of hair design for Fashion Week, told CTV News the event saw a positive showing, even outpacing her expectations.
“A lot of times there are so many projects like this that don’t get that type of support,” Ebegbuzie-Terry said.
Fashion week featured six designers, including one from Detroit and five from Windsor-Essex. The competition challenged designers to present mini collections consisting of three to five outfits, with a grand prize of $500.
From plus-size clothing to bridal attire, the show featured different styles and showings of creativity.
“The designs were just very creative, very artsy, so much inspiration and different vibes. There was so much difference, too,” she said.
Focused on local fashion, the event created by local designer Stephen Drouin, included makeup and hair teams, which also provided an opportunity for practicing students.
In a city where the automotive and manufacturing scenes often steal the show, Fashion Week Windsor intended to highlight the art scene.
Having lived in Windsor for more than four decades, Ebeguzie-Terry said past attempts to lift up the fashion industry have fallen short.
“Prior to this, I didn’t even realize that we had like those types of designers, even in the city,” she noted. “A lot of people associate that type of stuff with like Paris and Toronto, and Windsor, you would never think.”
In its first year, the competition offered free entry to avoid creating restraints for newcomers in the industry.
“So, we wanted to create those opportunities here and because of financial constraints, didn’t want them to not be able to join something like this or be part of it,” said Ebeguzie-Terry.
“It took us six months and it was a very short time, a short turnaround. But we all had that vision, we all had that drive, and we all saw what Stephen wanted and said, you know what? We can make this work.”
She added the local fashion scene still has a large amount of work to maintain this momentum. More recently, St. Clair suspended its Fashion Design Technician program along with 17 other offerings.
“So things like this, people supporting local talent no matter what it is, that’s what can help,” she added.
With a successful first Fashion Week Windsor in the books, the intent is to see the event return on an annual basis.
