CLEVELAND, OH – On a late July summer evening in the Midtown section of downtown Cleveland, “The Rock and Roll Capital of the World” showed its fashionable side thanks to the much-anticipated fashion event, The Runway presented by Fashion Talks fashion show.
Thanks to an array of high-end Cleveland-area fashion designers such as Nomia, Victoria Cohen, Mixd Fashion, Liv by Olivia Grandis, Luxe Redux Bridal Boutique Beachwood, Bohanon and Co., Fetch and Co. and Fetch and Co., notable VIP guests such as FOX 8 News’ Stefani Schafer and former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Fratello.
Notable Cleveland ladies of influence such as Founder + Chief Designer, Emily Roggenburk Studios +Creator of Cleveland AF, Emily Roggenburk, Cleveland Ward 14 councilwoman, Jasmine Santana, the first Latina elected to serve on Cleveland City Council, Mary Verdi-Fletchers, founder and artistic director of America’s first physically integrated dance company, Dancing Wheels, co-owner of Cocky’s Bagels and The Workshop Cle, Natalie Bata and Chief Movement Leader at Nola Movement, Nike Olabisi Green were also on hand.
Local area sponsors such as Intercontinental Hotels Cleveland, Marquee Magic, Runslow/AHC, Core Water, Mehron, Shoofie, Zuzu Chocolates, Ikoo Hair, Poppin CLE, Lavender and Lace, Kimble Recycling helped give The Runway a true Cleveland vibe.
Billed as a runway production curated with elegance, diversity and inclusion and hoping to bring elevated events of elegance to Cleveland, The Runway, put together by Toronto-born and Cleveland-based fashion entrepreneur and designer, Aimon.
An experienced fashion runway show producer, stylist and creative director with seven-plus years of experience in producing events in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver, Aimon brought her A-game in helping make The Runway a rousing success as some of the season’s hottest looks and brands showed their wares in style and class in a truly elegant and refined way.
While no fashionista will ever mistake Cleveland for the likes of New York, Los Angeles or Miami, The Runway showed that the CLE has some style to go along with its blue-collar, gritty and industrial Midwestern charm.
New York Fashion Week this was not, but The Runway could become to Cleveland what NYFW has been to the Big Apple for decades, in becoming the quintessential must-see—and be-seen-at—Instagrammable fashion event of the year for local-area designers, models and fashion lovers.
If there was a proverbial stepping stone for The Runway, the 22,000 square foot Madison—built in the 1900’s—stole the show as the perfect venue and locale in providing a warm and inviting space that was both open and gave off a luxurious and high-end aesthetic.
If the pre-show buzz and after-event hype are an early indication, then Cleveland can add Fashion Talks as its main marquee fashion show with The Runway being their own showcase.
Thanks to Cleveland singer Siena capping off a wonderful evening—with ballerinas in tow—in single her new single, Carousel, The Runway proved to be a runway hit and smashing success, with all in attendance clapping and giving a standing ovation to Ali and the wonderful crew who put the event together.
In the industry, they say that fashion waits for no one, and thanks to the success of The Runway, Cleveland no longer has to wait in being consider one of the up-and-coming places to be.