???Lights. Models. Action.
???While a fashion show during a recession might not seem like the best idea, Mass Appeal, Buffalo's own rendition of New York Fashion Week, took place on Friday in the hope of softening the Queen City's economic woes by bringing the consumer back to local retailers.???
???Working in conjunction with the Elmwood Village Association, the event was a fundraiser to promote neighboring businesses who both make and sell their own designs locally. The show took place in the historic Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, pews moved to border the massive 70 foot runway that ran down the center of the church.
This impressive feat was only made possible by the utter determination and passion of local fashion guru Erin Habes, the mastermind producer behind Mass Appeal.
???"This is a village; it's really about all the people that live here. The restaurants as well as the shop owners, everybody is a part of one big unit. We are all trying to make it a great place to live, work and shop in." said Cathleen Chiappone Finan, owner of Cosefini boutique, who put together the gift baskets for the event.
The show pulled together 10 boutiques including Krudmart and Spoiled Rotten, six salons and makeup courtesy of Sephora, whose products transformed the girls into neon harlots with their avant-garde rendition of the smoky eye whose up-do's were reminiscent of '70s punk mixed with big hair that dominated the '80s. The event ran seamlessly, as female DJ duo Shock & Awe kept the audience and models upbeat and energized with their eclectic blend of electronica and contemporary pop.
Using 70 models to showcase their designs, the show featured a selection of strutters from local high schools, Buffalo State and UB, all of whom devoted their time to helping Habes' vision grow legs. The entire show was about owning your look, believing in your individual style and using clothing as your medium of self expression. The hour-long show captured the edgy street trends that have walked off the sidewalks of New York and into the pages of Vogue.
The highlights of the night were the great denims shown for both men and women and the warm color palette of deep purples and scarlet reds seen in plaid shirts and loose dresses that could be worn for any occasion. It was all about layering and mix and matching various pieces to make your outfit stand out. No two looks were the same, and the cohesion of the entire show was based on the wearability of all the looks that both young and older generations could appreciate.
Accessories were also stand-out as Habes' handmade beautiful feathered head pieces for her girls to wear were runway-released. The shoes were an essential facet to completing the look as both sexes ushered between dressy and comfort footwear that could not be ignored.
As the show came to a close, each designer came onto the runway as his or her models took their last walk down the runway and were met by a well-deserved standing ovation. Habes took the runway to graciously bow and thank everyone who helped make Mass Appeal happen as her months of meticulous planning came to a close.
It was clear that the community was the driving force behind this entire production, absolutely reciprocating in healthy amounts. As the church began to clear out, the overwhelming chatter was about what a fantastic night it turned out to be and if there would be many more of these hopeful shows to come.
If Ms. Habes has anything to do with it, the appeal won't stray.
