YEONG MIN KIMThe Badger Herald

October 16, 2008 at 12:00:06am

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London style flies to capital

If you aren’t one of society’s darlings or the wildly privileged, chances are youweren’t jet-setting around London, Milan and New York this February to witness theraging tartan fever that swept the Fall 2008 pr?t-?-porter runways. Were it not forzealous fashion bloggers and the ever-reliable YouTube, keeping up with theexclusive and esoteric fashion world would have proven to be a rather daunting taskfor local fashionistas who don’t have the cash, celebrity or connections to set foot inthe white tents of Bryant Park.

Fashion Fridays, however, seeks to remedy the fashion industry’s inherent elitism this Fridaywith a full-fledged runway show at the Commercial Penthouse on Novation Campus (2450Rimrock Road) and an after-party at the Cardinal Bar (418 E. Wilson St.).

Initially, Fashion Fridays started out as Madison Fashion Week’s networking after-party inApril 2007 but has since branched off into a own seasonal one-night runway series completewith a “Shop and Sip” reception, a runway show with live performances, and the requisiteafter-party with best-dressed awards and up-and-coming DJs.

Being the third installment of this relatively new series, this season’s Fashion Fridays will beunited under the theme “London Calling” by paying homage to the predominant Britishsentimentality seen at the Fall 2008 runway shows. Just think androgynously tailored tweedsuits, plaid ball gowns, military-inspired jackets provocatively clashing with ultra-femininefishnet hosiery, plaid pussy-bowed blouses, voluminous checkered capes donned with goth-glam bustiers — and did I mention plaid?

“[As] a seasonal networking event and fashion event, [Fashion Fridays] looks at trends makingbuzz in the fashion industry for the current season,” producer Kristi Moe said. “The runwayshows in New York, London and Milan for the Fall 2008 season saw plaid, houndstooth,military, equestrian and Victorian elements.”

Basking in the remnants of fall foliage, Madison is certainly in the right season. Although thecatwalks in New York and Milan may already be spouting flirty spring florals and summerypalm prints, Madison, like the rest of the non-fashion-obsessed world, is still rightfully in theFall ’08 season.

While striving to emulate the professional runway shows of the more time-honored andestablished fashion capitals but also catering to its Madison populace, Fashion Fridays is able

to offer a unique and accessible fashion industry networking event that effectually engageslocal designers, models, boutique owners, stylists, photographers, fashion-loving trendsettersand just about any individual who shows interest in fashion.

Indeed, New York Fashion Week, despite its exhilarating glitz and glamour, isn’t exactlyaccessible to everyone.

“Our No. 1 priority is to make [Fashion Fridays] easily reachable to the normal person,” publicrelations coordinator Andr?a Boelke said.

Truth be told, a single lavish garment showcased in a New York runway could cost you anentire semester’s worth of tuition at the University of Wisconsin, leaving you fashionablydestitute. With reasonably priced tickets and affordable creations sent down the runway bylocal designers Kayla Garland and Rob Kessler, however, attendees will be able to become apart of the exotic and exciting fashion world without seriously breaking the bank or sacrificingtheir academic career.

“I think that’s the huge difference,” Boelke said. “We aren’t staging this exclusive event;[Fashion Fridays] is for everyone.”

According to Moe, Madison Fashion Week and Fashion Fridays aim to continue the momentumon a seasonal basis and foster the growth and collaboration of Madison’s fashion industry.

“With the [2008] Chicago Fashion Week canceling in April, and then more recently MilwaukeeFashion Week canceling early this month, a lot of people are looking towards what we aredoing in Madison to fill a void and represent [fashion] in the Midwest.” Moe said.

So this is to all of you fashionistas or closet fashion devotees out there: Fling on yourcheckered Burberry scarf, dig out that plaid miniskirt from the back of your closet, andexperience London’s style du jour tomorrow night at Madison’s very own runway show.

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For more information about Madison Fashion Week or Fashion Fridays, visitwww.madisonfashionweek.com.

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