Is Dallas Ready For Another Fashion Week?

September 15, 11:17 AMDallas Shopping ExaminerQuia Querisma

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Photo courtesy of Urban Fashion Week Dallas

As the tour de force known as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City (MBFWNY) winds to a close this week, the pistons will begin firing around these parts on an event new to this market, Urban Fashion Week Dallas.

The Urban Fashion Week Global Network has produced this show in markets including Paris, New York, and Miami for 10 years. Considering NorthPark Center's Fashion at the Park didn't return in 2009, this event seems to be poised to fill the void left by the sudden disappearance of our beloved event.

Dallas has had its fair share of Fashion Week-type events over the recent years. Fashion at the Park made its debut in the spring of 2007 bringing a Bryant Park-type feel to the (then) newly renovated shopping destination. Cadillac, Vogue and Moet were flagship sponsors. Tickets were available to the general public, and unlike the industry-driven MBFWNY, the ready to wear looks were available immediately. Attendees were actively encouraged to “shop the shows” and it created an explosive response in the market. Word got out, and people began flying in from out of town to attend.

It was such a groundbreaking event that IMG (the big guns who run MBFWNY ) took its runway show on the road and targeted Dallas for a show date. But not even Naomi Campbell's star power could steal the limelight away from NorthPark's brainchild. FashionWeekLive suddenly canceled its Dallas date and didn't return.

Fashion At the Park continued strongly until last fall. Of course, there's speculation as to why the event didn't return for spring 2009, but one can likely blame the economy for the loss of such an epic event.

Enter Urban Fashion Week.

The five-day event runs Sept. 16-20 and is touted as a showcase for the city's elite designers, models, artists, and performers to showcase their talent. Hosted at venues across the city (you know, to keep things exciting), the even promises to be a flurry of shows, parties, and VIP events benefiting local charities. I'll be delivering full coverage.

Here's the line-up:

• Sept. 16: Flashing Lights kickoff event at Millennium Jaguar
• Sept. 17: Vanity the Beauty Expo at the Power Station
• Sept. 18: The Art of Fashion at the Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.)
• Sept. 19: Strut hosted by Eva Marcille formerly of America's Next Top Model
• Sept. 20: Rooftop Appreciation Party at Fuse restaurant