Midwest Fashion Week

Midwest Fashion Week — the spring edition of which runs from March 10 (the Shop Midwest bazaar at the Artsgarden) to March 17 (the culminating Design for Change gala at the downtown Sheraton) — is defined by a multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates food, visual arts, sports and music.

March 10: Shop Midwest @ Indianapolis Artsgarden (12-9 p.m., free)

MFW kicks off with a bazaar marrying boutique and designer. Featured designers include JealousyJane Couture, Popy seeds, n’chole feroce, Carole A. Toole, The Secret Ingredient and AH Collection.

March 11: Children’s Fashion Show @ Bella Vita Ristorante at the Marina (11 a.m.-4 p.m.; $30 adult, $15 children under 12)

The most charming event on the schedule, according to Martin, is also a chance for children’s designers to strut their stuff, including Erica Hawkins, a recent transplant from Baltimore, and Sugar Baby Bowtique founder Rachel Kozikowski.

March 12: Monday Night Fashion @ Colts Pavilion (6 p.m., $35)

Monday Night Football meets the fashion world with a night of business networking, spirit tasting, golf simulating, silent auctioning and autograph signing, capped off by a fashion show featuring activewear and sportswear. Colts, Colts cheerleaders and Blue Crew will be on hand; and like so many other events during MFW, this one is, in part, a fundraiser for Down Syndrome Indiana.

March 13: The New School of Fashion @ Madame Walker Theatre Center (6-9:30 p.m., $15 general admission, $75 VIP)

High school, college and graduate students will bring their work before a jury at the MFW’s student show, which will feature students from Purdue, Ball State and IU-Bloomington, among other schools.

March 14: Fashion Inside Out @ Hilton North (6 p.m., $65 includes dinner)

Fashion professionals — including image consultants, beauty consultants and stylists — will explain what it takes to dress for success, before giving each attendee personal image coaching and a makeover experience.

March 15: The Art of Fashion @ Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (6:30-9:30 p.m., donations accepted); Tiara Thomas concert@ Bartini’s (10 p.m., $15 general admission, $75 VIP)

Martin calls The Art of Fashion MFW’s avant-garde night, when a series of designers will bring out “not wearable clothes, but wearable art; think Lady Gaga tenfold.” iMOCA is the host, with their current exhibition, Hard Targets, still on the walls. A concert by R&B singer, Wale protege and Ball State student Tiara Thomas will follow at Bartini’s.

March 16: Food Meets Fashion in downtown Indianapolis (5:30 p.m., $85 general admission, $150 VIP)

Only 100 will be accepted for Food Meets Fashion, which will offer attendees a moveable dinner featuring fashion-inspired dishes made by local restaurants.

March 17: DSI Design for Change Gala @ Downtown Sheraton (5 p.m. reception, 6.30 p.m. dinner and program, 8 p.m. fashion show; $100)

MFW’s culminating gala has become a big fundraiser for Down Syndrome Indianapolis; last year’s event raised over $70,000 for the non-profit. Featured designers include Catou, Antonio Fermin, Michael Alan Stein, Natalya Kitic and Marlene Haute Couture.

Story by Scott Shoger Courtesy of Nuvo