Friday, September 22, 2023 Philly came out for the Avant-Garde Ball on Commerce Square for Philadelphia Fashion Week. Founded by Kevin Parker and Kerry Scott in 2006, Philadelphia Fashion Week is in its 18th year. This year has 5 days of workshops, networking and of course runway shows.
The Avant-Garde Ball was a magical outdoor event on Commerce Square last night. The weather gods were good to Philly and absent a little wind, it was a perfect night. The evening included live models who wore incredible designs. I walked around and talked to attendees donning a few of my favorite looks about what they put together.
Lindsey McGraw
Lindsey is a former Mrs. Delaware American so we immediately had the pageant thing in common. Her look was so strong. Her jacket was a closet find given to her originally by a woman who was a pageant competitor in the 1980s. The jacket had been part of her British Heritage Change of Guard costume. She said the boots were from a thrift shop. The leather shorts were from high school resurrected for the evening. And the bag was by Shein. You can follow Lindsey at @lindsey.mcgraw
Isaiah Cheatham
Isaiah told me his look was inspired by Karl Lagerfeld and I think he nailed it. He bought the corset/skirt from Shein and bedazzled it yesterday to make it his own for last night’s event. The cropped jacket was custom. You can follow Isaiah at @isaiahcheatham_
Jason Kelly
Jason is always a standout and last night was no exception. He described his look as “slime sailor bot.” It was a custom ensemble by Frankie Sanchez. You can see more of her amazing designs at @f_sanch3z_ and follow Jason at @jasonxkelly.
Grady Lights
Grady shared that his ensemble was inspired by Billy Porter and Quentin Crisp. The tails were thrifted at Thrift for Aids. The skirt and hat were purchased at Cece Boutique. You can check out more of their merchandise at @cece_bags and follow Grady at @belacpt.
Calvetta Lane
Calvetta wore an incredible sequined jumpsuit custom made by designer Kymareo (Kameereo Crisp / @kameereo). And matching showstopper earrings by All4uBoutique (Shareece Gregory/ @all4uboutique). Calvetta is walking for Philly Fashion Week this weekend as well. You can follow her at @vettablu.
There is lots more to experience during the weekend! Check out all the events and purchase tickets at phillyfashionweek.org.