Buffalo’s fashion scene continues to heat up, as Buffalo Fashion Runway prepares to get underway on Saturday, September 16 at 500 Seneca’s atrium. I spoke to team member Eman Wajed moments ago, who told me that he’s excited about the collaborative nature of the event, as well as the fashion-forward aspect that will have ripple effects in his hometown.
Wajed, along with Chad Williams (dooProcess), Cain McDermott (New Suns), and Rodney Chatmon (creative visionary), have set out to create an event that is considered “A Confluence of the Arts.” Not only is this is fashion show, it’s a cultural showcase, featuring live music, spoken word and poetry, and even technology, since the event is sponsored by BootSector.
The visual artists and designers being spotlighted at this inaugural event are Dare To Be Different, dooProcess x New Suns, Good Neighbors Club, I Got Here Being Me, Faith Over Fear NY, By A Guy, and Dare To Be Different.
Wajed, who considers himself a connector, a creative, and a designer in his own realm, took the opportunity to step up in the role of co-orchestrating the Buffalo Fashion Runway event, because he believes that this city has a lot to gain by promoting local brands and artists.
“If you’re wearing a local brand, and you walk into a room and you see someone else wearing something from the same designer or visual artist, you have a connection,” said Wajed. “The way that you carry yourself is your style. You can buy fashion, but you can’t buy style. Fashion is more than the threads, it’s a lifestyle… a personality. Fashion is also community. We aim to highlight Buffalo’s vast creative talent and foster an environment where diverse communities can gather, connect, and inspire each other.”
An important takeaway for me, while speaking to Eman, was (local) fashion’s role in expanding people’s minds, by showing them places that they might not otherwise experience… like the Burchfield Penney Art Center, the AKG, or 500 Seneca Street atrium (the event venue). Fashion can teach us lessons, unite us a community, and make Buffalo a more beautiful, productive, and interesting place to live.
I’m happy to say that the Buffalo Fashion Runway event is officially sold out, at a 260 attendee capacity.
You can find Buffalo Fashion Runway on Instagram.