Buffalo Fashion Week is more than a runway

Buffalo Fashion Week is more than a runway show. 

It’s a greater art piece demonstrated through fashion, says Evan Leatherbarrow, the organization’s marketing manager. 

“How can that be demonstrated to tell a story in just a walk?” Leatherbarrow said. “I think that’s so fascinating and there’s so much that goes into it.”

After graduating from UB last year, Leatherbarrow found Buffalo Fashion week while looking for a way to combine professional background with his interest in fashion. He now e promotes a platform for designers, models, photographers, videographers and other creatives to showcase their work. 

Building its presence for the past three years, the Buffalo Fashion Week serves as the centerpiece of a week of events which bring fashion together with other forms of art and entertainment. Leatherbarrow said the organization has featured dancers and ballet performances in previous shows, while this year’s event will include a performance from Chicago rapper Queen Key. 

Some models have had their first modeling experience at Buffalo Fashion Week before receiving opportunities elsewhere, while designers have returned after seeing how the experience has helped them develop, according to Leatherbarrow.

“There is so much talent in Buffalo from our designers to our models to people behind the scenes,” Leatherbarrow said. “There is a lot of unique ambition in the city. And so I think it’s a really good platform that showcases it.”

Now, in its fourth iteration, Buffalo Fashion Week is continuing its “Fashion on The Field” with “Fashion on the Field III” on Oct 17. 

While the theme focuses on sports, the organization seeks to look beyond the sport itself and into how sports can influence fashion beyond traditional athletic wear.

“It’s more about what you would wear to the U.S. Open rather than what you would wear while playing,” Leatherbarrow said. 

Leatherbarrow wants attendees to think, “Wow, I cannot believe something like this is in Buffalo and not in Paris or London or New York City.”

“We’re getting better every single time, and the stakes are rising,” Leatherbarrow said.

Alejandro Henry-Jackson is the assistant arts editor and can be reached at alejandro.jackson@ubspectrum.com.