An Insider Look at Fashion Forward – A Catwalk for Charity
By Caroline Friedl and Olivia Austria-Kemble
On October 12th, the Sylvee hosted the biggest fashion event Madison has ever seen: Fashion Forward – A Catwalk for Charity. The show was top to bottom operated, run, and owned by women, with showcasings from Madison’s favorite boutiques such as August, Jazzman, The Montage, Ciao Bella, and more!
Rob Bowhan, owner of August boutique, gave ALT an insider look at the fashion show. Bowhan shared his personal vision and inspiration for August’s presentation.
August’s team drew inspiration from poems by Emily Dickinson and a collection of haunting, distorted images to encapsulate the store’s modern and organic streetwear aesthetic. Bowhan added, “We wanted to do something way different than everyone else [by] making it feel like more of a performance.”
August, along with other boutiques, took full advantage of the Sylvee’s venue by creating an eerie yet beautiful display. Green and lavender lights highlighted the handmade ivy trellises, while fog rolled across the catwalk to create a mysterious atmosphere. The walk was complemented by a custom soundtrack produced by renowned artist and former August employee Malik Stevens (guest producer for Yoshi Flower and KennyHoopla). Bowhan revealed how Stevens sampled a 1952 Spanish song and remixed it by adding natural forest sounds and distortion.
Collaborating with stylist, graphic designer, and writer, Geordon Wollner, the creative team meticulously designed each individual look to bring their vision to life. Designers such as N. Hoolywood, Hoka One One, Online Ceramics, and Stussy were showcased. Bowhan further notes, “We didn’t want to dress the models head to toe in August because that’s not how we think our customers would wear the pieces.” Their cast of nine models will highlight the “diversity of the people who shop with us.” Bowhan adds, “A pillar of August is diversity and inclusion, and those are the unique folks we want to highlight.”
Although Madison has seen fashion events in the past, this was the biggest one yet. The show was the brainchild of Frank Productions and the Doyenne Group. Frank Productions made everything possible by sharing their space at the Sylvee, which was unmatched as the newest multi-media entertainment space in Madison.
All proceeds from the tickets, food, and drinks went to the Rape Crisis Center, Clean Lakes Alliance, and Doyenne. Although the event was in Madison, it will benefit thousands of people across Wisconsin.
For more information about Fashion Forward – A Catwalk for Charity, visit the August’s event page.