INAUGURAL fig FASHION EVENT TO SHOWCASE MULTICULTURAL LOCAL DESIGNERS
Creating a United Fashion Front for Buffalo on September 30 at Seneca One Tower
fig an evening of fearless fashion premiers this fall, empowering local designers, raising their visibility, featuring emerging and established creators, and providing an annual platform for the community to engage with Buffalo’s burgeoning fashion industry. The event is scheduled to begin with celebratory cocktails and live music at 6:00 pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023 in the Great Hall of the newly renovated Seneca One Tower, followed by the fig (fashion’s initial garment) Runway Event at 8:00 pm and an after-party at 9:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now at figbuffalo.com.
The event is more than a fashion show; it’s a celebration of self-expression—an all-encompassing experience that encourages guests to dress to impress. Attendees can look forward to captivating light mapping elements, 360 photo and mirror booths, and an electrifying post-runway dance party, fueled by the exhilarating beats of internationally acclaimed DJs 3PO and Marcos.
Buffalo has a firm fashion foundation. Internationally renowned designers and former Buffalonians, Mara Hoffman and Adam Lippes, rank among the who’s who in high-fashion circles. Fashion icons such as Kim Alexis, one of the world’s top models of the late 1970s and early to mid 1980s, and Beverly Johnson, the first black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in August 1974, hail from Buffalo. The new wave of Buffalo fashion will be presented by nine talented local designers at the upcoming fig event including Ana Dusza, Ali Eagen, Alexandra Esmonde, Austin Guyett, Richie Hunter, Novi Paluch, Julia Scott Papiernik, Dame Powell, and Ashton Warner.
Newell Nussbaumer, Executive Director of fig comments: “This event will be a real eye-opener for many of us who see Buffalo as a dynamic cultural mecca. As we applaud the continued restoration of our historic architectural treasures, the re-launching of the world-class Buffalo AKG Museum, and many other aspects of life here, it’s time to finally, and fully, tell the story of this region’s unsung fashion artistry and excellence.” Tom Calderone, CEO & President of Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the official Media Sponsor of fig adds: “Telling the stories of these diverse aspiring new designers and established professionals will resonate with our audiences across Western New York and Southern Ontario. The new and exciting content that we are creating for our broadcast and online platforms will engage audiences at the grassroots level, enabling them to connect and experience this region’s rich tapestry of fashion as never before. We are also excited to be part of another forward-thinking mission in the community.”
Richie Hunter, a milliner, captures the significance of the event: “Moving back to Buffalo from Brooklyn, I didn’t think this city had the fashion artistry and resources to provide me with the stability I need to advance in the industry. After learning about fig and meeting like-minded creative people involved with the local fashion scene, instead of looking for my next destination city, I decided to stick around Buffalo to help create a fashion movement. I never realized there was a fashion undercurrent underway. It’s exciting to be at the forefront of this fashion wave that will be unique to this city.”
Evans Bank is fig Presenting Sponsor, the Richard W. Rupp Foundation is Runway Sponsor, Buffalo Toronto Public Media is Media Sponsor, FourthIdea Advertising & Design Agency is Brand Agency Sponsor, and Douglas Development Corporation is Venue Sponsor. Businesses and foundations also lending support to the event include the Baird Foundation, Buffalo Rising, Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation, Hodgson Russ LLP, Under the Hood Talk, Valval Wine Imports, and others soon to be announced. A portion of the figô proceeds will be donated to Stitch Buffalo.