RUNWAY READY

How Fashion Week San Diego prepares emerging designers

Photos courtesy Of Fashion Week San Diego

Look out, Paris, London, New York, and Milan. San Diego is on track to becoming one of the most recognized fashion capitals of the world. Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) is the largest and longest standing fashion week on the west coast. Each year, FWSD’s exciting yearlong calendar of design events culminates with the FWSD Fall Runway Show. The organization’s goal is to grow the local fashion industry by promoting emerging designers and creating opportunities for retailers, designers, and consumers to connect.

Mayor Todd Gloria is an avid supporter of FWSD and believes in its potential to boost the economy by creating jobs and promoting tourism. He points out that New York City’s Fashion Week brings one quarter of a million people to the Big Apple each year, and he believes that FWSD has at least that much potential. To demonstrate his support, Mayor Gloria has proclaimed the first week of October as Fashion Week San Diego. FWSD is bicoastal, with events in New York City, as well.

Launched in 2007 by San Diego Fashion Entrepreneur Allison Andrews, FWSD is now operated by GFASH Designer Gwen Bates. “I am proud to have the honor to build upon the legacy foundation at Fashion Week San Diego for the past three years,” Gwen says.

Through the years, FWSD has received many accolades and proclamations and has been recognized as the second biggest annual media event in San Diego County. The organization has launched more than 1,000 brands and is dedicated to promoting the careers of local designers by providing them with funds and avenues to showcase and develop their work. FWSD is continually finding new ways to identify designers with professional talent in underserved communities, while supporting established designers, international talent and cultivating youth who are considering a career in the fashion industry.

“FWSD is a staple in the San Diego community for 16 years,” Gwen says. “As the new owner and CEO, I am happy to say our mission to support emerging designers and stay community driven is still at the forefront of all things we do,”

In 2020, FWSD launched a Haute STEAM program (an educational approach involving science, technology, the arts, and math) to guide student inquiry and critical thinking in fashion. The one-day workshops offer high school students the opportunity to explore important concepts such as sustainability at an early age and will partner with UCSD to offer college credit. In another initiative, the FWSD Diversity Designer and Cultural Program seeks out designers from underserved communities who need funds or other means of support. The program gives its designers the opportunity to showcase and launch their brands with full business support. In addition, FWSD recently announced a new initiative to give opportunity and funding to transitioning members of the military pursuing careers within the fashion industry in San Diego.

In years prior to the pandemic, attendance of 3,000 per night at the Broadway Pier was the norm, and this year FWSD is expecting a considerable turnout at the Andaz Hotel downtown. All 13 emerging and established designers will be featured live on runway night. FWSD opens the door for San Diego’s aspiring designers in so many ways. We can help by becoming sponsors, attending Fashion Week events, and volunteering. Together, we will create more jobs and opportunities for our community.

For more information, visit fashionweeksd.com.

FALL FWSD EVENTS

October 7
Fall Runway Shows
6pm
The Andaz Hotel
600 F Street, San Diego
Ticket Required

October 8
Trunk Event
10am -2pm
The Andaz Hotel
600 F Street, San Diego
Ticket Required