Fashion Week

The opportunity to help each designer fulfill their vision and inspire their audience, by complementing their work with professional hair design, is a rewarding experience that I take very seriously. As a hair designer, I hope that even the simplest elements, whether hair color, a wisp or curl, a texture or length, can inspire the viewer to experiment with their own personal style and show the world who they are or want to be.

As Managing Vice President of Mitchell's Salon & Day Spa, and Pump Salon, I have had the honor of being Key Hair Stylist for Cincinnati Fashion Week two years into production, along with my show team, which consists of stylists from both Pump Salon and Mitchell's. I am excited to apply my experience as a member of Wella USA and various New York, Paris and Milan Fashion Week hair teams, to the outstanding production team of Cincinnati Fashion Week.

In my career I have had the opportunity to participate in shows for designers such as Mr. Armani at Armani Prive Couture, Emporio, and Giorgio Armani with Oribe, as well as Cynthia Rowley with Wella USA, and Rad Hourani and Edward Ames with Ramona Ersbach; although there is something very special about having a fashion week of our own. CEO and founder Nathan Hurst's unwavering dedication and passion for quality is evident in everything he does and is mirrored by everyone who has since joined forces with Cincinnati Fashion Week. The production and show quality for Cincinnati Fashion Week 2011 will provide our city with an even bigger and better event than 2010.

Our recent campaign work with global photographer and local genius Annette Navarro (whom I've had the pleasure of working with for over 15 years as our photographer for Mitchell's and Pump Salon) was an exciting experience.

For special backstage photos and
how-to videos from Mitchell's, check out
www.facebook.com/mitchellssalon.

WHAT: CFW partners with A-LINE magazine to celebrate in "Warhol Factory" homage, the communities that keep Cincinnati on the creative edge of design. Join us for dancing, fashion and creative expression.

WHEN: Private VIP reception, including Warhol-inspired fashion show, from 7-9 p.m. Doors open to the public
at 9 p.m.

WHEN: 6-8 p.m.

WHERE: Christian Moerlein Brewing Company,
1621 Moore St.

WHAT: Japanese fashion guru Mary Baskett will host an exhibition of her new finds across the seas. Also, see a runway production exploring a contemporary look at historically-inspired Japanese hair design by Mitchell's Salon
& Day Spa.

WHEN: Reception 6-7 p.m., lecture 7 p.m., after party 8 p.m.-midnight.

WHERE: Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive

WHAT: Global branding and design firm Landor Associates Cincinnati will host an exhibition of fashion as seen through the windows that once housed the Shillito Department Store. See how various art forms impact the fashion industry and how fashion feeds design.

WHEN: 7 p.m., unveiling of
the windows on Race Street 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: 110 Shillito Place

TICKETS: $10.

WHAT: Help raise money for the Cincinnati Design & Fashion Fund, which supports the retention of design, fashion and retail talent in the Queen City. Also, meet the designers who will show at the CFW Finale.

WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: Via Vite, 520 Vine St.

TICKETS: $65, including prix-fixe meal of three courses.

Saturday May 14: Spring Production Finale

WHAT: Industry-level runway production featuring national and international designers.

WHEN: 5:30 p.m., runway show 8 p.m.

WHERE: The Edge, 310 Culvert St.

TICKETS: $10-$100; separate $15 for after party at the Weston Art Gallery in the Aronoff Center for the Arts (fashion show 10 p.m. from Knickers of Hyde Park, David Dewitt's infamous photo booth and jams provided by
DJ Pillo)

NOTE: An "All Access VIP Pass" for the week is $250.

WHAT: Merchant fair
featuring local and international designers, craftsmen and artists.

WHEN: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: LINDSEY LUSIGNOLO

After a stunning showing of her debut collection of bridal and evening wear at Cincinnati Fashion Week 2010, independent couture designer Lindsey Lusignolo makes a triumphant return with a cocktail and evening wear collection and bridal collection that will push the envelope.

Cincinnati Fashion Week CEO Nathan Hurst says Lusignolo was chosen to show in 2010 and 2011 because of her "unique contributions to the fashion movement in the city of Cincinnati," with her one-of-a-kind couture designs.

Lusignolo takes pride in the tedious process of producing couture pieces. "It's a beautiful process that I've always found very riveting," she says. "The final result is what you can't buy off the rack in a department store. The piece is custom-designed ... to your body."

Lusignolo, a Cincinnati native who studied costume design at the School for Creative and Performing Arts and graduated in 2009 from the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program, says her bridal collection will take bridal wear to "an unconventional level of modern glamour, where it is fashion-inspired."

Lusignolo has worked in film and theater, with organizations including Cincinnati Ballet, Cincinnati Opera and The Rockettes, and draws inspiration from her favorite costumes of the past.

"I also draw inspiration from the 1920s and 1930s, as well as other couture gowns and custom-made, tailored garments you see in museums and art books," she says. "I want to take aspects of old Hollywood glamour and make them new, fresh and approachable so today's modern woman can be glamorous again."

Look for Lusignolo's couture designs during Cincinnati Fashion Week 2011's Fashion Finale, and at her new store, opening at the end of May in the heart of Over the Rhine at 1329 Main St. 

Cincy Magazine is proud to partner with Cincinnati Fashion Week.  We encourage you to come and check it out! "”The Editors