The Style Issue: Local Love

“The reality is, for Tampa Bay’s fashion scene to exist, we have to claim it. Make it so.”

That’s what I wrote in my first High on Style column for CL last year. Think of the following pages as proof positive that the Tampa Bay fashion scene is not only alive, it’s thriving.

Every look featured in “The Locals” was freshly picked off the runway at this year’s Fashion Week Tampa Bay. Nine designers showed Spring/Summer 2014 collections, and every one of them is represented in a shot from this editorial.

The local love extends beyond the clothing. All of the credited jewelry was sourced from Graphi-ko Gallery on the 600 Block of Central Avenue, and we clutched a clutch from Eugenia Woods in St. Petersburg, too. The creative team behind the shoot is entirely local, and our cosmopolitan models hail from Tampa, Clearwater and Plant City.

Downtown Tampa served as the backdrop. If pictures are worth a thousand words, these, by Brian James Gallery Photography, should speak volumes about the talent residing here. Get down with The Locals — or shout about them from the rooftop like we did.

Elizabeth Carson Racker

With its innovative rope detail and plunging neckline, Elizabeth Carson Racker’s dress raised the roof at the runway show. It was only fitting for us to photograph it on the rooftop of The Franklin Exchange.

Necklace and earrings from Graphi-ko Gallery

Model: Mary Butterly, Level Talent Group

This street-savvy leather ensemble is cool at every angle. Lorena Knezevic lives in Ocoee, FL, but she qualifies as an honorary local as far as fashion goes. Before launching her design career at the tender age of 17, she’d been modeling here for other designers like Sandra Hagen for years.

Necklace and bracelet from Graphi-ko Gallery

Clutch by Eugenia Woods

Model: Emily Kenyon [page]

Monstruosite by Dolly Donshey

When this black dress (with a red zipper up to there) hit the runway, it was featured with a detachable crimson train. Upon the dramatic reveal, it became instantly clear that this dress would end up here.

Earrings, ring and cuff from Graphi-ko Gallery

Model: Mary Butterly, Level Talent Group [page]

SW8 by Stephen Ogaga

Leather keeps its cool in shorts. Add peek-a-boo pocket details and a shiny, gold collar, and SW8’s looks turn up the heat on the street.

Models: Mary Butterly and Nate Johnson [page]

Audrey Pat McGhee

Audrey Pat McGhee paired up with Classic Gentlemen Boutique, a local haberdashery, to present “Adam”— a menswear collection featuring tailored suits and this platinum tuxedo, ideal for illustrating the menswear-for-women trend of the season.

Photographed at The Vault [page]

Accessuri by Rachana Suri

Wear your heart on your sleeve or some skulls and roses on your halter dress. This little number is from Accessuri’s premier clothing collection, “The Rockanrolla.” [page]

Rhonda Shear
Lingerie designer Rhonda Shear made a scene this year by unveiling bicoastal collaborations with Crystal Hefner and Kato Kaelin. These “Slacker” pants from the Kato KouchPotato Wear line cozy up to the idea of laid-back style.

k.hendrix

Twinkle, twinkle, k.hendrix. Kimberly always brings sparkle to the runway, and this year was no exception. In addition to her beloved dresses we were happy to find something fresh to feature. These shorts, paired with a barely-there melting sequin capelet from her Naked Cadence collection, did the trick. [page]

Sandra Hagen

Sandra Hagen’s “Between the Lines” collection dripped with jewel tones, and this graphic look with cropped, pleated pants captured the street style vibe brilliantly.

Bracelet from Graphi-ko Gallery [page]

CL Style Issue Credits

Art Director: Leslie Joy Ickowitz

Photographer: Brian James Gallery Photography

Stylists: Leslie Joy Ickowitz & Pamela Bloomgren

Hair: Bill Baker

Makeup: Pamela Bloomgren, MOD Productions

Models:

Emily Kenyon

Mary Butterly, Level Talent Group

Nate Johnson

Assistants: Becca Barton, Cristina Casiano, Donna Green, Joe Sale

Special thanks to The Vault for hosting the shoot.

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