Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Do you consider yourself a fashion easta Would you run
the walkway or walk the runway? Is it that's in
your wheelhouse? Or to order yourself AFFI?
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Or do you just live it? I mean, what do
you think I'm living it today?
Speaker 3 (00:15):
I've got on like this pink leather, pink leopard, you know,
thing with the stripe, and who knows, I've.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Never considered myself a fashionista. I like to look and learn.
I can see what other people wear and do and
I think, huh, I might be able to do that.
Speaker 4 (00:30):
Well.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
I think that's what fashion weeks are about, right, And
we are so fortunate we have one coming up in
Columbus that really has a great history to it and
a lot going on with it. Thomas McClure, founder and
Interim Executive Director of the Columbus Fashion Council and Fashion
Week Columbus, joins us on the line.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
Thomas, it is so good to talk to you.
Speaker 4 (00:52):
It is so good to hear both of your voices.
And let me just say, I see you both on
TV and you're both fashionable.
Speaker 1 (00:58):
Oh A person who's ever told me that? But I'll
take it. So Thomas break it down for us like this,
I don't think people unless you're in the fashion world
realize what a big deal fashion is to Columbus, Ohio.
We're up there. I'm not going to say compared to
New York and Paris, but.
Speaker 4 (01:15):
We're up there, right, We absolutely are. You know, just nationally,
we're ranked number three in the nation for the number
of fashion designers that live in central Ohio. That's right
behind New York.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
And LA So we're close. We're right there'd be in
the United States.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
So how did that connect to Fashion Week Columbus starting Thomas, Like,
what was there a connection there and then it rolled
out of that or how did it all begin?
Speaker 5 (01:43):
It?
Speaker 4 (01:43):
Actually, it all began in twenty ten when I was
running a very respected talent agency in the tri state
area in Columbus and Cincinnati and Louisville. And at the time,
I had a bunch of models that said, Hey, we
want to walk in a fashion show. But you know,
hig Halloween was the only real runway fashion show we had,
and we love Highball, I mean, that's a great cator costume,
(02:06):
you know, fashion show, but we didn't have anything that
was specifically industry related where designers would utilize a fashion
week platform as their marketing tool right to elevate their brand,
to launch their brand. And so that's how we started.
And in that time we learned of how many designers
we actually had in Central Ohio. And in twenty twelve
(02:29):
is when that study came out that ranked us at
number three, and it's.
Speaker 1 (02:32):
Just grown from there. I mean, why do you think
that is about our little Columbus, Ohio.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Well, I think a couple of things. First of all,
we had this pool of designers that had moved here
to work for these major corporate hubs, you know. And
but I will say this, I've worked with over two
hundred independent designers that have never worked in corporate But
also another factor is when we started Fashion Week Columbus,
(02:58):
what we didn't understand was how opening was we were
developing the fashion ecosystem in Central Ohio. We didn't just
have designers that were part of the platform. We had
models and makeup artists and hairstylists and photographers and videographers,
you know. And so all of these people or may
I say small businesses, helped create the magic of Fashion
(03:20):
Week Columbus and helped create the magic of the fashion
culture here in Central Ohio.
Speaker 3 (03:24):
Who gets showcased in an event like this, absolutely anybody
as long as you are a designer that's ready to
launch your brand.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
We have all levels of designers. A matter of fact,
one of our favorite veteran designers, Joan Madison, was just
on Project Runway and she's been showcasing with us over
the years as a veteran designer. Then we have new
designers that are trying to launch their brand for the
first time. So truly all different levels and all different
experiences and genres of course, from catore to ready to
(03:56):
wear to resort wear. You know, we celeb at all designs.
Speaker 1 (04:01):
So what are the big fashion trends that we're going
to see this coming full this winner and even in
the next spring and summer.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
Do you go that far?
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Oh geez? I mean, you know, as a designer, you
are supposed to be designing a few seasons ahead, and
some of our designers do that, some of them do not.
Some of them are to tour designers, so they're designed
specifically for private clients. As far as trends, I mean,
you know, right now, a big push is just authenticity
(04:32):
and to really tell your message through your collections and
through your designs. So I think you're going to see
a lot of interesting, authentic messages with these collections that
will be showcased.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
It is, it is fashion, but the event also is entertainment.
I mean, this is really art and action on display.
Can you talk a little bit about that. These aren't
just clothes hanging on a hangar.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
You're exactly right, you know. I used to describe it
as and I still do. I just describe it as
art that moves around the city, art that moves around
the parts, the schools, the downtown areas, because this is
what people are wearing, you know now on the runway itself.
You know, you a lot of people look at it
as just an event. But you know, as I said earlier,
a fashion week platform or even a fashion show is
(05:19):
more than just theater. It's more than just an event.
It is a marketing tool to launch these brands and
tell their stories, you know. And you know these are
small businesses. We have to remember. Every single designer that
we see on that runway is a small business trying
to make it in central Ohio without going to New York,
without going to LA. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
I think it's great and you can make it here.
And Tommy Let's be honest. How many times have you
seen things in the fashion world that were once old
and outdone come back and they are now the hippiest
things out there?
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Are you trying to get me to tell my age
than you?
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Tommy? In general, it's so funny because we think that, oh,
bill bottoms are thinking of the past, and then they
come back. It's like everything that was old becomes new again.
Mikayla's were in bill bottoms right now.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Absolutely, I bet those are very fashionable Mikayla, and they
are back. Bell bottoms are absolutely back. I know. I've
seen like there's been a whole eighties push here lately.
Love it, you know, and even even I like, earlier
this year, I pegged my pants at the bottom.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
I forgot about pegging pants. Oh my gosh, what everybody
used to do that?
Speaker 1 (06:35):
That was the rage.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
What do you do that you folded over and then
you like and you fold it up? Is that right?
Speaker 1 (06:41):
You'd have like a little cuffs at the bottom of
your jeans.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
There were two different schools. One school was you folded
it twice up and the other would you I mean
rolled it twice The other there was another school rolling
at three times, I'm like, I was the twice guy.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Yeah once or twice I was not nice.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
So eighties is there's that flavor to it?
Speaker 4 (07:01):
Is?
Speaker 2 (07:01):
The nineties still the thing I feel like.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
I see like the people who are you know, in
their twenties doing the nineties as well.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Yeah. Yeah, the nineties is being pushed right now too.
You know what I don't care about the nineties is
the whole grunge. Look, I really do not care about that,
but I have seen some of that on the runways.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
I'm with you, Tommy, I'm not into that either, never
have been depressing it is, Yes, light and bright.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Scholarships are a big part of your mission too. I
would be remiss if I didn't mention that. How do
they work? And do you have a favorite success story
from a student or an alum.
Speaker 4 (07:34):
I mean, you know, we've given over sixty five thousand
dollars of scholarships now to fashion design students, most of
them CCAD because they do such a great job with
their their fashion design program and are one of my
favorites to you know, receive this. Well, let me put
it this way. I love seeing that scholarship go the use,
especially for their senior collections that get showcased right before
(07:58):
they graduate. Right, they're able to create a senior collection
that is innovative and that carries their message as a
student designer. And that's what I think is very special
about our scholarship.
Speaker 1 (08:10):
Okay, so let's talk giveaways. What do you give it
away to our what matters listeners to love?
Speaker 4 (08:14):
Why do we give it away? We got two general
mission tickets this finale run show on September the twentieth,
hoisted by the Hilton Downtown.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Nice, fantastic.
Speaker 3 (08:25):
So we thought sending two friends to go together would
be just an amazing time. What time does it happen, Thomas?
Is it in the afternoon? Is it in the evening?
Speaker 2 (08:36):
That was the other question we had for you.
Speaker 4 (08:38):
Yeah, it is in the evening and we start accepting
general admission at seven point thirty pm.
Speaker 3 (08:44):
Okay, So six one four eight two one nine eight
eight six six one four eight two one WTVN Mindy,
should they tell us what their favorite fashion decade was.
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Or moment something like that?
Speaker 1 (08:58):
That's perfect?
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Okay?
Speaker 1 (08:59):
And building up? Why should people want these tickets?
Speaker 4 (09:03):
They get to witness the amazing talent that we have
in Central Ohio and it's once you see it on
the runway, you will never forget it, and matter of fact,
you will be inspired to know that this is in Columbus, Ohio.
We're not in New York. We're in Columbus six one four.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Eight two one WTVN six one four eight two one
nine eight eighty six. Will wait for the calls to
come in a couple more questions, Tommy, for those who
love supporting local like we do with coffee or you know,
beer restaurants, what are some of the simplest ways that
we as individuals can support local fashion year round, not
(09:39):
during just fashion week.
Speaker 4 (09:41):
That's an amazing question, and you know the best way
to do it is find out where these designers' stores are,
whether it's online or brick and mortar, and go to
their stores, even if you're just gonna say hi and
look at their items. But purchasing local is always the
best thing because you know what, again, they are artists,
they are small businesses. They are trying to make it
(10:02):
in Columbus, Ohio, and they need people to purchase their goods, right,
they absolutely do.
Speaker 1 (10:08):
Do you think fashion is here to stay in Columbus.
Speaker 4 (10:11):
Oh absolutely? Matter of fact, we have a really amazing
collaborative initiative coming up in August of next year. And
this is a collaboration between the Columbus Fashion Council, SeaBus, Retail,
Columbus Fashion, ALLIHAS Fashion Innovation, and WAKRA to bring a
major fashion or retail conference to central Ohio.
Speaker 5 (10:31):
That's awesome, wow, it it speaks to what we're doing
here and beyond this large show that we're giving away
tickets for, what are other ways that people can enjoy
Fashion Week Columbus.
Speaker 2 (10:44):
So there's other events I know there are during that week.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
Absolutely, matter of fact, most of the Fashion Week Columbus
events are free. They are free, including Macy's Fall Fashion Show,
north Strom's Fall Beauty show Case, Philanthropy Meat Fashion where
they get to web elbows basically with the headline celebrity designer.
And also I feel like I'm missing one, oh, Recycled
(11:08):
rue Way, which is where we have designers create designs
or looks from recyclable goods.
Speaker 1 (11:16):
So where can people get more information for all this
stuff Fashion Week Columbus.
Speaker 4 (11:21):
It is at Fashionweekcolumbus dot org.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
Awesome, Well, we will get you the winner of the tickets.
Thomas was again great to talk to you, and we
wish you all the best of luck with the week.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
It's coming up here and not too long at all.
Speaker 4 (11:35):
It's coming up.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
That's so exciting though. Good for Columbus.
Speaker 2 (11:39):
Yes, and great to talk to you. Best of luck.
I'm sure it's going to be an amazing week. Oh
do we have a winner on the line?
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Hold up one second, you'll know, right, you got to
answer your question first, We don't so, Terry, Mindy has
an important question for you.
Speaker 1 (11:55):
Out of all the decades, what's been your favorite decade
when it comes to fast.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
Seventies?
Speaker 1 (12:02):
Why the seventies.
Speaker 4 (12:05):
I love the.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Twiggy look because I look like Twiggy. I love the
embroidered jeans.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
I love the bell bottoms.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
I love the bright colors.
Speaker 4 (12:16):
I love the bright patterns.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Winter Winter chicken dinner.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
She will Hey, there you go.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
Congratulations Terry Thomas. Do you want to say anything to
Terry about the what she's going to experience?
Speaker 4 (12:30):
Yeah? I mean Terry, you're going to. Have you been
a fashion week before? No, I haven't, but you and
I have had tea at Zenshaw. We have what's your
last what's your last name? Terry Barnett? Oh my gosh,
nice to hear from you.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
Oh my gosh, Small World, Terry.
Speaker 1 (12:52):
We're so glad you're the winter Winter Chicken Dinner.
Speaker 3 (12:55):
So Terry, hang on the line, Small World, we love it.
Hang on the line and we'll get your information to
make sure that we link you up with Tom's team
to get that. So hang around for that with our producer.
Thank you, and again Thomas, thank you so much for
coming on.
Speaker 2 (13:10):
Have a great fashion week.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
Yeah, thanks for being parking.
Speaker 4 (13:13):
What matter show, you got it. Thank you both.