Going Places with Dina Guzzardo
Fashion week is a term synonymous with cities such as New York, Milan, London, and Paris. The world’s most successful designers showcase their latest designs for the upcoming season on some of the world’s most famous runway models. In 2011, Lamont and Jeana Bowling ambitiously set up a fashion week to rival those, and it has been going from strength to strength since its commencement. The weeklong event sees thousands of people descend on Atlantic City to witness or participate in high-fashion runway shows, seminars, celebrity appearances, retail events and industry parties. The biannual event is presented in part by fashion STYLE Magazine and KingBeeMedia and will return this February 7th-12th, with the main events taking place at the Showboat Hotel (801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City).
In previous years, the event has drawn designers from all over the world, including England, Hungary, Russia, Australia, Haiti, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic, and of course, the United States. There have also been some notable retailers who made appearances such as Michael Kors, OshKosh B’Gosh, Abercrombie and Fitch, Tiffany’s, and Invicta. It has even seen lines from designers from the popular television show “Project Runway”, including Helen Castillo, Lantie Foster, and Dom Streater. It is safe to say, this is fashion week which is truly on the global stage.
This year marks the 10th anniversary and season 20 of the AC Fashion Week. The week starts at 7 pm on the 7th with a seminar regarding the Business of Fashion featuring Couture Designer, Sofia Davis. On February 8th, Rowan College at Burlington County will showcase their Black History Month Fashion Show at the RCBC Student Success Center (1500 College Circle, Mount Laurel, NJ). The event is free and all are welcome.
On February 9th, “Modeling 101” will take place offering a free virtual workshop on the business of modeling, which is highly recommended for current and aspiring models. There will be a model Q & A featuring American fashion model Ronald Epps whose campaigns include Balmain, Ralph Lauren, River Island, and Old Navy. The annual Student Fashion Show and Competition will take place on February 10th this year at the Showboat Hotel at 7 pm. The coveted competition boasts designs from some of the best up and coming fashion designers in the country, with prizes of $1000 cash, the Atlantic City Fashion Week Lead Crystal Award, a Brother sewing machine, and the chance for a designer’s collection to be shown either on the Ready-to-Wear or Couture night during ACFW S20.
On February 11th, the Ready to Wear Fashion Showcase will take place at both 3 and 7 pm, and the final main event on February 12th will take place at both 3 and 7 pm to showcase Couture and Avant Garde pieces. Ready-to-wear is the term for ready made garments which come in standard sizing opposed to being custom-made and is what most of us will be accustomed to. Avant Garde fashion, however, is defined as, “a forward-looking movement animated by innovative designers and artists who dare to go against the mainstream and propose ideas that stand out from the conventional.” You’ve see it in those wacky pictures from New York Fashion week with outfits that you could not dream of wearing in public. This line of fashion is more about making a statement rather than producing something for the average person to wear, and it is most certainly a spectacle to witness.
There will also be vendors selling a variety of fashion related products, and anyone interested in becoming a vendor can apply here: https://www.atlanticcityfashionweek.com/vendor-table.html. The event is also looking for volunteers to help with various
tasks. So, if you are an aspiring creative director, media director, or can work security, you can apply to volunteer at ACFW here: https://www.atlanticcityfashionweek.com/volunteers.html. You must be available from 11 am – 9 pm each day; although this may seem intense, the experience will be invaluable.
If you have a local business which would be interested in sponsoring the event, there are several packages available starting at $1,500 up to $25,000 and with benefits ranging from VIP tickets and luxury hotel room accommodations to your company’s name featuring on the red carpet backdrop and fashion show wall. Given the international exposure this event produces, even the basic “bronze” package could prove lucrative for your business.
Tickets for all three shows (Thurs-Sun) start at only $60 (plus fees), with VIP options for the Ready-to-Wear and Couture shows costing only $100 (plus fees). There are also cheaper rates for rooms at the Showboat Hotel for anyone attending the event using the code, “AFW222”. To purchase your tickets and hotel rooms, go to: https://www.atlanticcityfashionweek.com/home-1.html.
Dina Guzzardo is the President and Executive Promoter of Dina Media Group LLC. Dina Media Group is an innovative cutting edge event production and marketing company that produces and promotes large events as well as a talent agency that manages some incredible talent.www.dinamediagroup.com
