Fashion Week of Rochester 2019: The hottest looks from the runway – Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

A decade ago, a group of community-minded folks who loved fashion started what would become Fashion Week of Rochester. They had a vision that this snowbelt town would embrace a celebration of personal style.

This week, thousands of people will see six runway fashion shows in the huge tent next to Midtown Athletic Club in Rochester. Ticket sales and show sponsorships are expected to bring in almost $1 million this year to support the Center for Youth. In its inaugural year, Fashion Week organizers were happy to aim for $30,000.

“I am thrilled that we are celebrating 10 years of Fashion Week and I really have never had time to stop and think about how quick time has flown,” said Meghan Mundy, chief fashion organizer of Fashion Week of Rochester and an original founder. “It is amazing to see how Rochester embraced this concept that was a tiny dream 10 years ago.”

From small designers and shops, Fashion Week of Rochester has expanded and helped launch new designers and new lines each year. New this year is the Louise Collection, by Jeffery Diduch, vice president of technical design at Hickey Freeman. It is named for the late Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, who represented the district that Hickey Freeman is in but never had a woman’s suit made there. While the collection is made at the factory in Rochester, it will be marketed independently by Diduch.

Other longtime favorites return to Fashion Week’s runways, including Shop Peppermint, which has grown in a similar way to Fashion Week. Owner Tanvi Asher began by selling scarves at outdoor fairs before moving to a small shop on Park Avenue followed by a move to a larger store on Park Avenue. Shop Peppermint is now at the Culver Road Armory, a spacious and stylish setting for its fashions. Asher recently opened a second boutique named Salty on Park Avenue.        

With the funds raised over the years from Fashion Week, the Center for Youth has been able to open a second crisis nursery and added a transitional living program for young men, said Elaine Spaull, executive director of Center for Youth.

The center was also able to aid the Safe Harbour program that helps sex-trafficked victims. There’s more assistance for older homeless youths thanks to the Fashion Week outreach.

“Every runaway and homeless program has been kept whole because of this community’s enormous generosity,” Spaull said.

Mundy says Rochester is truly a community that gives. Models, makeup artists and designers who work at Fashion Week shows in big cities have told her that Rochester Fashion Week is warm in comparison.

“I credit this to our Fashion Week family that we have created,” Mundy said. “All those involved, in whatever capacity, come ready to work, ready to have fun, ready to see our community shine and ready to give back to those in need.” 

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