Daily Loaf

The 2010 collections of 15 local and regional  designers were featured in this years Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2009. The event, held at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk, was packed full of  fabulous fashion, VIP soirees, after parties, vendor and exhibitor boutiques, and two nights of runway couture. The organizers have a two-fold mission: to bring together emerging and established fashion and accessory designers for the bay area to enjoy, and to raise funds for non-profit organizations. This year’s beneficiary was Best Buddies, an organization dedicated to enhancing lives of those with intellectual disabilities.

Hit the jump for more drool-worthy designs from local haute heroes like Ben Chmura, Ivanka Ska, Sana Hassan and more. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to On the Radar, where we preview up-and-coming arts events to mark your calendar for. This Sunday, Czar hosts Sweatshop III, a massive mash-up of music, art and fashion.

Lately it seems like, all of a sudden, the artsy folks of Tampa Bay looked up, discovered each other, and decided, “Hey! Your stuff is pretty rad! Maybe we can help each other out.” And from that realization came a string of collaborations mixing the worlds of art, music, fashion, and the need to be seen and heard. Sweatshop is at the forefront of these kickass pan-art events, and its third incarnation “celebrates the decades-long love affair between fashion and rock music,” with runway offerings from Ben Chmura (whose raven wing dress is pictured) and DEMENTA by Raven Reda, and a stylish soundtrack from The Vera Violets and In Fireworks. Properly Polished presents a live painting and fashion installation, and Jedd Lancaster and James Dormer-Schneider rock out fabric art. As if local couture mavens weren’t already drooling to get in the door, there’s also a trunk show where you can find the latest (and the yet-to-be-discovered) from independent designers. Sun., Sept. 6, 10 p.m., Czar, 1430 Seventh Ave., Tampa, $13 ages 21 and up, $15 ages 18-21, czarybor.com. – Franki Weddington