Fashion in the City is a fashion showcase designed to give emerging designers a chance to show their works to diverse audience of fashion forward people and industry professionals. Designers from Los Angeles, Chicago, Texas and Gary, Indiana, will get a chance to shine and represent this year. The Michael Jackson-themed affair literally has the city buzzing with anticipation.
The founder and creative director of the show, Shelli Blacknell, recently sat down with rolling out to discuss the event and why she felt it was important to do it in Gary instead of neighboring big brother city, Chicago.
Give us a little about your background in fashion. Is it something you always knew you wanted to do?
I have been a fashion guru forever, making my Barbie dolls clothing out of socks. I designed my first wedding gown in 2004 for a great friend of mine and that made me totally realize that my niche was in bridal-evening wear, but very edgy. I moved to California in 2004 to pursue my love of fashion within the entertainment industry. I now do fashion styling, fashion show production, fashion design and event planning. This year I’ve had the privilege of doing wardrobe for two movies; a feature film and short film.
Talk about Naute Empress and what we can look forward to with it?
Naute (naughty) Empress is my brand for evening wear and bridal. It’s for a woman who is very secure in who she is, likes to be sexy, edgy and classy all at the same time. You can expect to see Naute Empress launch a fall 2015 line and also launch Naute Empress Athletics this year which speaks for itself.
What can attendees expect from the upcoming Fashion In The City event?
Attendees can expect to see a tribute to Michael Jackson at the upcoming Fashion in the City show, couture garments on the runway, great entertainment and just pure fun. These emerging designers have worked hard to be able to showcase their amazing talent.
Did you feel it was important to hold the event in your hometown of Gary rather than neighboring Chicago?
Yes, it was very important for me to hold my show in Gary as opposed to our neighbor Chicago. It sounds great to say I had it in a big city where there is much to do, but I didn’t grow up there and I won’t fake like I did. Gary is starving for more things to do, so I wanted to bring my talent back to where I started. Gary may not be ideal for the fashion industry, but the city made me who I am today and I won’t hide from that. If those that went away can continue to bring their talents back to Gary we can start to hopefully see amazing change. I am a G.I. girl for life!
What’s next for Shelli Blacknell and the Fashion In The City brand?
Fashion in the City is going to New York in 2015. Also, the Fashion in the City brand is transitioning to become an agency and that’s all I’ll say for now. Keep your eyes and ears open as you’ll continue to hear the name more. The goal is to make Fashion In The City a global brand.
Fashion In The City takes place this Sunday (Sept. 28) at 7 p.m. in Gary, Indiana at the Marquette Park Pavillion. The event will be hosted by Jennia Fredrique of Centric TV’s “According To Him and Her.”
