SF Community Fashion Week’s ‘One of a Kind Fashion Show’ marks 10 years of bold design | Fashion

Since 2014, SF Community Fashion Week has been devoted to spotlighting emerging designers with their annual fashion show. For the 20th season, they hosted their “One of a Kind Fashion Show” on the evening of March 22. 

The event took place in the Marker Hotel ballroom, which bustled with attendees dressed in a mix of chic neutrals and whimsical, playful patterns — clearly the night was an opportunity for more than just the designers to show off their expressive attire. 

The show began around half an hour after the quoted start time, leaving plenty of time for all attendees to socialize and snap photos on the red carpet. Following a lively cocktail and social hour, guests were escorted to their seats where they awaited the showcase of collections by eight international and local designers.

After welcoming the seated audience to the 10th anniversary show, the mic was turned over to Shirin Hashem, fashion consultant and the founding force behind the annual event. Through Fashion Community Week, Hashem has forged an intimate and passionate community within the fashion sphere. Her dedication to the event was evident as she buzzed through the night, always in motion, greeting guests and weaving in and out from behind the scenes. 

With Hashem’s cue, the show took off and the runway filled out with looks from the first designer Anshula Dixit’s debut collection. Meshing Indian traditional and contemporary wear, Dixit’s ornately crafted silver pieces glimmered beautifully. This promising opening was followed by designer Smaranika Sarangi, whose pieces invoked tribal patterns, animal print and striking shapes in a vibrant and texturally compelling collection. 

The designer Viktoria Marchev’s eccentric sci-fi inspired collection featured jelly-like bibs, lots of chrome details and spiky embellishments, with several of the models walking in platform combat boots — a captivating set of edgy, yet playful pieces. 

Next, the hosts introduced Iranian designer Shiva Soltani, and her collection which blends unconventional materials in each of the handmade pieces. Many of the presented pieces were a spin on traditional bridal wear, with pearl detailing and exposed hoop skirts, contrasted by chainmail headpieces and blood red accents. Bernard Burn’s dress collection, on the other hand, leaned into the classics, with lots of florals and soft, romantic cuts.

Serbian designer Mirjana Berbatovic, who pulls from classic Hollywood glamor and the Romanticism era, was followed immediately by Yiwei Wang’s streetwear capsule collection,  embodying the unique structure of the show —  the lack of cohesive theme throughout the show spoke to the organization’s mission to platform emerging and underrepresented designers of all backgrounds, and made for a night full of diverse designs on the runway. 

Each of the respective collections resonated differently among the audience, a fact easily gathered by the different members of the crowd lifting their phones to capture their favorite runway looks throughout the evening.  

With two designers left, guests were invited to break for the last of several cocktail intermissions, at which a few audience members made lighthearted remarks at the frequency of which they were being invited to refill their drinks. 

The show ended on quite the high note with designer Joanna Jia’s breathtaking “Water of Life” collection. Each of the stunning collection pieces were intricate and delicate, devoted to capturing both the physical dynamics and need to protect Earth’s water. With shimmering fabrics and breathtaking headpieces, Jia’s collection held an emphasis on fluidity and luminosity. Standout pieces featured flowing tulle and bold sea creature inspired looks, like the glimmering clamshell dress which opened and closed around the torso.

Wrapping up the events of the 20th season, the show came to a close with a somewhat scrambled flag ceremony and a heartfelt thank you to the loyal attendees and supporters of SF Community Fashion Week — their presence a testament to the community that continues to thrive within San Francisco’s fashion scene.