If you haven’t heard, it’s my honor to tell you that I have been invited to show a collection at Midwest Fashion Week 2011. Midwest Fashion Week (MFW) began in 2006 when Catou Couture fashion designer Berny Martin, discovered a need for an outlet to allow local, national, and international designers, models, stylists, and photographers to showcase their talents. I’ve designed a new collection for the season and this is an amazing opportunity for me to share it.

I’m looking forward to showing a re-imagined, evolution of my Signature Collection with some smart and highly functional handbags. A handful of entirely new pieces  will round out the showing.

Summer has gone, no time to be sad.

The fall air is also bringing me closer to nature, natural (bold) colors and materials, these things inspire me lately. Structured shapes and refined finishes put a feeling of luxe and lasting quality to the natural materials. While I may find myself going back to the tried and true classics of fall fashion for a look, it’s always a good time for a ‘statement piece’ accessory, especially a handbag.

I’m REALLY excited that I get to show this new season in my hometown of Indianapolis. It means a lot after living outside of Chicago for the last ten years to get to come home and be part of this years show (extra butterflies). I really hope to get a group of friends and relatives to attend (hint, hint). Alas, these next four weeks (and sadly the show as well) will be gone in a flash, so I am going to make this one to remember, I hope you all enjoy it!

Let me begin by saying that I am a huge fan of the Akira boutiques, so naturally there was no question that I would have to make it out on a “school night” to attend the “Possessed” Fashion Show at the House of Blues on September 14th. Atkira offers a fabulous mix of clothing and accessories for the discerning taste of the Chicago fashionista. They have separate mens and womens stores and an accessories boutique with a yummy array of top notch kicks. Every time I set foot in that shoe store I want to leave with absolutely everything!

Okay enough with my obsession…

At any rate, the House of Blues was a great place to host the event, it fit the whole voodoo, New Orleans meets urban witch-doctor theme and everything appeared to be well planned with a nice mix of attendees and still enough elbow room to not spill your Sunday night cocktail on your brand new heels.

The lights went down, the music started, and suddenly I got quite a shrieking earful from a red spandex clad woman sporting a feather headdress of sorts and some metallic purple leggings. Now, for the record, I’m all for artistic expression and I do enjoy new forms of entertainment but this interpretive dance/ song set was just something I was not prepared for! We’ll just leave it at that… I think the outfit should have been an omen.

Akira Possessed Fashion Show

The rest of the show was really gorgeous, an absolute urban-voodoo-safari with great jackets, lovely dresses (especially the last one of the show) love it!!! Some gentleman wearing horse heads and plenty of feathery flair. Overall I would have say the event was quite a success and well worth the day after haze I knew would await my Monday morning.

Akira Possessed Fashion Show

I’ll just skip the whole part about heading over to Crimson Lounge for the after party, but seriously if you do happen to be in the neighborhood, Crimson Lounge is a nice place to stop and have a drink. It’s open but intimate and the decor is lovely.