16 Alaskan Designers Participate in Fundraising Fashion Show

The Trends Alaska Fashion Show kicked off 2019 with modest ambitions. Provide a showcase for Alaskan designers and bring fashion fans together for a little fun. Now in its third year, the show will not only feature the work of 16 designers, but will also raise more than $150,000 of his work for nonprofits in Alaska.

“We didn’t get to do a fashion show in 2018 and 2019, so I thought it would be really fun to do a fashion show.” There was nothing in

This year’s show will take place Saturday from 6-10pm at Everts Air Cargo at 6100 Boeing Avenue. All proceeds from the show will go to Let Every Woman Know – Alaska, a non-profit organization that provides resources for women to help prevent gynecologic cancer.

Fundraising is a major part of the show’s plans, with last year’s edition raising $125,000 for VOA Alaska. But it’s also an opportunity to see some of the state’s top designers.

Designs span everything from hand-knotted creations to loungewear, wearable art, and traditional Alaska Native clothing.

“It’s New York City quality,” says Fraser. “Great designs. Lots of talented people in the state.”

Fraser and some friends who work in the tourism industry came up with the idea and worked to launch the first event in 2019. This benefited the non-profit Alaska Travel Industry Association. Raised $30,000.

COVID-19 derailed the show in 2020 and 2021, but the Trends Alaska Commission returned last year with a focus on nonprofits that benefit young people and their families. Fraser says working with LEWK this year is a natural fit as the board is all female, and she hopes to raise between $160,000 and $180,000 this year.

“I called them up and fell in love with[the organization]right away. They are amazing people,” she said. “This is more than just a fashion show. We can help people and change their lives.”

LEWK board member Tiffany Briggs said the partnership is a boon to fashion fans and women’s health advocates.

“This is a legit fashion show here in Alaska,” she said. As an organization, it means a lot to us to get our name out there in a community that may not have heard of us in general.

Briggs was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015, began volunteering in 2016, and joined the board in 2020. After her first surgery, she underwent extensive treatment, eventually undergoing another surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy.

However, since my last chemo on April 20, 2016, I have had no signs of cancer. Gynecologic cancers can be difficult to identify, so it’s important to stay vigilant, he said.

“We really have to be advocates for ourselves. We need to listen to our bodies,” she said. and we must stick to our guns. If we know something isn’t right, it’s not normal for us, so keep pushing.”

Whereas last year’s theme was post-apocalyptic trends, this year’s theme was ‘Lift Alaska’ with host Everts Air Cargo in mind. Fraser said participants are asked to wear white in honor of the aviation theme and one of his five colors representing gynecologic cancer as an accent.

Fairbanks designer Sarah Dexter is one of 16 whose work will be exhibited on Saturday. She creates small collections that are tailored to her clients. She mainly works on womenswear and specializes in knitwear.

The collection she showcases at her show features lace knits with sheer bases, as well as lots of glitter and sparkle. .

“I have several hoodies and hoodie jumpsuits with exaggerated sleeves and ‘snow peas’, which are a fusion of pea coats and snow suits,” she said.

Not only are the designers’ techniques diverse, but they are also geographically diverse. We have representatives from Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau, Kenai, Soldotna, Palmer, Fairbanks, Cotzeview, and Anchorage.

“When we first started, it was mainly in the Southeast where there is a lot of design talent,” says Fraser. “We started looking geographically so that the entire state was represented.”

Linda Leary runs FisheWear in Anchorage. Her legging designs were an instant hit with Alaskans and continue to diversify into other apparel such as her dry bags, waders, fishing her packs and active her gear.

“We try to create products that are functional and technically capable and fun for women to wear.

She attended Trend Alaska’s first show and discovered several new designers, including one she shared a space with in the Midtown complex.

“Alaska is very entrepreneurial,” she said. “They’re all trying to make the most of it.”

Fraser said the show will conclude with an interpretive dance featuring real-life cancer survivors representing five types of cancer. She said that hearing the survivors’ stories gave the show a new significance.

“We are all emotionally involved in making this a success for women who have already died and women who are struggling,” she said. .”

• • •