“Project Runway” designers Michael Drummond, Laura Kathleen, Anthony Ryan and Casanova took Kansas City Fashion Week by storm! (Photo property of Kansas City Fashion Week LLC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Some of Project Runway’s greatest designers took over Saturday night of the 2014 Kansas City Fashion Week!
The sold out crowd was in a good mood before the models and their designers took the stage because of the music that Kansas City Fashion Week’s official DJ Goodzilla provided! Some of the updated remixed tracks included David Guetta and Sia’s “Titanium,” the Eurythimics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” and the Beatles’ cover of “Twist and Shout.”
Before the Project Runway alums took the stage, Kansas City Fashion Week paid tribute to this year’s designers as part of their “Best of Show” exhibit. Several of the audience’s favorite designs received their encore. However, the loudest applause from the audience came when the show’s youngest models made their presence known.
Project Runway: Season Nine and Project Runway All-Stars: Season Two alum Season 10-13 casting director Laura Kathleen was the first designer to showcase her spring and summer collection for 2015. Her models wore their hair in a circular braid and strutted down the catwalk. While Ms. Kathleen showcased her passion for both white and bronze clothing, two of her best designs were an amazing leather black suit and a black simplistic dress that would make confident women feel more powerful.
Casanova made a huge splash on the catwalk! The Project Runway: Season Eight and Project Runway All-Stars: Season Two alum debuted his “attitude at the beach” summer collection and turned Kansas City upside down. His swimsuits and speedos showcased a celebration of summer and was the night’s outstanding presentation.
Kathleen’s fellow Project Runway: Season Nine alum and Project Runway: All Stars Season Two Final Four member Joshua McKinley paid tribute to his hometown, the Big Apple, in his collection. Mr. McKinley showcased a neon showcase that celebrated the best of life and would make party rocker Redfoo very proud. It was also in McKinley’s showcase that the best moment of the night happened, he partnered with the Make A Wish Foundation and gave a girl named Elizabeth…a runway moment to remember! She walked the catwalk with confidence in a special green gown that McKinley specially made for her.
Kansas City Fashion Week chief sponsor Independence Center’s second presentation of the week showcased the best attire for men. Macy’s and Dillard’s returned for another engagement, while both the Foundry Big & Tall Supply Co. and the Buckle made their KCFW catwalk debut.
Project Runway: Season Six alum Althea Harper had the most models of both nights. For her set, she paid tribute to the color wheel. There were several knockout outfits that perfectly balanced beach pleasure and workplace attire. Some of her best were from a variety of greens and blue families.
St. Louis native and proud member of Project Runway family, Michael Drummond, transported attendees to a dark, futuristic world that even Andy Warhol would have wanted to visit. In fact, several of the models paid homage to infamous fictional villainesses (Cruella de Vil, Carmen Sandiego and Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West) with their dead-on, gorgeous outfits. However, towards the end of the set, Michael’s designs got brighter as pink leather and Disco ball inspired dress took center stage.
Project Runway: Season Nine alum and winner of the second season of Project Runway: All-Stars, Anthony Ryan, closed the evening with a trip to the jungle. The models channeled a combination of woodland creatures and medieval warriors. It was one of the most creative sets of the evening and the summer of 2015 might be one unforgettable season.
