Uptown Fashion Affair ups the ante with full-scale runway

Michigan City's Uptown Arts District saw plenty of fashion flair Friday at the fourth annual Uptown Fashion Affair.
The event, held at historic Barker Hall, showcased several of the region's local boutiques, salons and artists and the latest trends in women's and men's fashions.
The event, which sold out in 2013 and 2014, boasted about 400 followers last year; this year, 300 out of 330 tickets were sold. Less were made available to accommodate for the debut of a full-scale runway, 48 feet long by 4 feet wide.
The Uptown Fashion Affair serves as a fundraiser each year to benefit the revitalization of the Uptown Arts District. Last year, between $6,000 to $7,000 was raised, said Abigale Thayer, Uptown Fashion Affair Committee Chair and manager/buyer at Urban Soles, 624 Franklin St.

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"It's more about creating awareness within our community on that end of town," she said.
Thayer emphasized the goal is "to never make it feel like there's an exclusivity down there," and said, "it's astounding to me how many people think we are new and we've been there four years."
"If we can gain 50 more people that get excited and attend events and shop, it's going to have a positive effect," she said.
"This event is primarily to highlight merchants of Mainstreet, which is growing all the time," said Diane Wilczewski, Michigan City Mainstreet Association's executive director.
She said not only does the Michigan City Mainstreet Association organize events such as the Uptown Fashion Affair, but it also works diligently behind the scenes, partnering to help promote the area.
Wilczewski said Mainstreet and the city work closely together on decisions and projects regarding the Uptown Arts District.
Design and style pairings on the runway included: Elle Salon/The Closet by Franklin Vintage, Salon Cilla/Luxe Boutique, Timothy Jeffry Salon/Darling, Paris House of Bridal/Lakefront Salon & Day Spa, Dory Salon/At the Beach, The Parlor/Urban Soles, Hair's the Thing/Ella's Bella and J. Hilburn. Special artists were Chef Bizzaro Millinery and the Region R.A.T.S.
Jewelry and accessories for the Uptown Fashion Affair were provided by beach bum jewels, Urban Soles, Amy Gawron and Debbie Shinn, Darling's Julie Biehl and Threadbenders Quilt Shop. Music was provided by Richard Houck of Rolling Sounds.
"The art element is incorporated whenever it can be," Thayer said.
Furthermore, Thayer said when choosing the 90 models, "we really made an effort to include people who are locally involved."
For the first time, a program for the fashion show allowed viewers to follow along and make notes on what they might like to buy.
Kate Lawson, who is employed by Elle Salon, 113 W. Eighth St., attended the event with her husband, Aaron Lawson.
"I think it's amazing, and they do a really great job. It's a fun event to go to downtown," she said.
Brandy Hula, the owner of Maxine's, 521 Franklin St., said, "It gets the community involved. It's as local as it gets. It allows us all to get together and to work together."
In addition to the fashion show, the $25 admission ticket included small bites by Pickle & Turnip, Maxine's and Arturo's Baked Goods & More. More local establishments, Shoreline Brewery, Burn 'Em Brewery and Shady Creek Winery, provided beverages.
A silent auction included a weekend stay at Beachwalk, restaurant gift certificates, local art items and more. Each attendee also received an exclusive goodie bag that contained special coupons, deals and samples.
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