Lindsey Lusignolo
Amanda Valentine
It being my first official Cincinnati Fashion Week, I was very excited to see up close the design talent of my new fair city. This community has a wonderful, budding fashion scene that is both classic and cool at the same time and the events leading up to this big night certainly showcased this beautifully. So, seated about Cincinnati's fashion elite and across the runway from the Mayor, the show began...
Nestled between the new collections of Macy’s I.N.C. (the male version curated by the very talented Cincinnati Fashion Week CEO Nathan Hurst), were the newest designs from Lindsey Lusignolo, Valentine Valentine, and the design house Kymerah.
Lindsey, a true Cincinnatian and DAAP graduate, was the first of the three to grace the runway and I'm not ashamed to say her designs were right up my street. Ladylike, with a young fresh pop, her pieces were simply, yet beautifully designed. The almost-daisy lace and decorative headpieces shown throughout the collection were a breath of fresh air, never feeling old or stuffy. I love how she showed such great restraint within the collection, sticking to a subtle color palette of white, yellow, and flashes of gold.
Next up was Nashville-based Valentine Valentine, helmed by Amanda Valentine, who won me over by designing pieces not necessarily my style, but too good NOT to show (and make me want to wear). The chosen prints were a bit Aztec and, mixed with the pops of red, made for a cohesive collection perfect for the young hipster about town. And Amanda brought the looks to the next level with her black leather jacket and tough luxe accessories.
Lastly, the masses (me included) were treated to an up-close look at Kymerah, an upcoming design brand popular among the celebrity set and now available exclusively at Sloane Boutique. Their newest collection was absolutely gorgeous and showed some MAJOR design skills. I especially loved their use of leather: sometimes brash, sometimes sweet. I mean, if you can design a girly cocktail dress in leather that can make me swoon... Seriously impressive.
I really had an amazing time at the Cincinnati Fashion Week Finale event. These three new collections, plus the very cool looks from I.N.C., made for a truly inspiring night of fashion. I can't wait to see what Cincinnati Fashion Week has in store for us next!
Photo courtesy of Vipress Designs.
