Per aspera ad astra, through hardships to the stars—a motto that fits Wichita’s next fashion adventure, from ICT Fashion Tour. This non-profit organization has a mission to provide space and opportunity for local fashion designers to display their work in runway form for the community. They are hoping to amplify the diverse and unique talent of BIPOC designers and provide resources and education by partnering with local studios and businesses. Starting in March, there will be a series of pop-ups to showcase the ever-changing creativity of Wichita’s fashion presence.
Here is a list of the 6 pop-up events from March to September:
Saturday, March 12 at 1:00 PM-The Sewing Center, Sewing, Textiles, Education Market Runway
The focus of this collaboration with The Sewing Center is to promote our local sewing and small textile businesses and the resources they offer to our community, and the different applications people can use and transform everyday textiles.
Designers: Byrd & Blue, Nina Winter, Anri, Shop Risky (Guest)
Saturday, April 2 at 2:00 PM-WSU McKnight Art Center Walkway
This pop-up is located at the 2nd-floor walkway of McKnight Art Center. Their runway exudes a collegiate, art-gallery-esque aesthetic to showcase local designer pieces. Sigma Psi Zeta, Alpha Theta Chapter, will be assisting the organization of this event.
Designers: Lynn Vuong, Apparel Company, Hot and Bothered, Anri, Milkweed Clothier (Guest)
Friday, May 13 at 5:00 PM-CityArts Fashion Show
Celebrate a night of fashion and art! You’ll find Ryan Conway in the Main Gallery, and Madison Lang will appear in the Main Hallway Gallery. There will also be performances by local musicians.
Designers: Christopher Gulick, Malissa Long, Thomas Cottner, Ashley Knepper (Guest), Milkweed Clothier (Guest)
Friday, June 24 at 6:00 PM-Mulberry Arts Fashion Show
A fashion and art market collaboration with Mulberry Art Gallery featuring local black designers and BIPOC creatives in the stunning venue of Candela at the Lux to celebrate Juneteenth.
Designers: Sydney Lenox-Barkus, Thomas Cottner
Saturday, July 16 at TBD-Happy Acres
This event is an exciting collaboration with a new private farm and ranch in Augusta, Kansas, trained therapy animals. This runway show will be in a rustic, outdoor setting alongside the ranch animals: miniature horses, miniature pigs, miniature mule, miniature goats, and chickens.
Designers: Sydney Lenox-Barkus, Nina Winter, Home Girl Threads, Milkweed Clothier (Guest)
September at TBD-ICT Fashion Tour Finale
The grand finale of the first ICT Fashion Tour in Wichita, Kansas, will take place in September. All designers will feature at least six pieces in their collection—more details to come.
ICT Fashion Tour is still looking for guest designers for their pop-up events. Click here to get more information on ICT Fashion Tour.
Celebrating National Women’s History Month: The ICT Fashion Tour founder is Anri, a self-taught artist. She enjoys challenging the fashion industry, collaborating with our community, and providing resources and opportunities for the people, which is how the event series came into fruition. Ultimately, she wants everyone to enjoy what they do, be proud of what they do, and be able to share that feeling with the people around them. —By Thy X. Phan
Photo above: Photos by Scott Huynh. Left to Right: Designer Thomas Cottner, models Justin and Kaylee. Designer Sydney Lenox-Barkus, models Tyia and Vanessa. Dummy Apparel Company, Model Li Wang.