Blogs/News/PSAs

What Is BFW?

Baltimore Fashion Week (BFW) is an annual fashion event held in Maryland.  BFWs mission is to provide a platform for artists and designers who create “rack ready” garments. 

Beginning April 2013, BFW will add to its production schedules another inaugural and annual event entitled, “UNDER.”  UNDER is the petite fashion event for designers that created “rack ready” garments for the petite consumer.  This event not only recognizes those designers that create petite garments, but also the models that represent petite fashions.  Petite females make up 43% of the US population (45 Million petite consumers).

What is UNDER?

When Are The Events?

UNDER’s inaugural event will run April 28, 2013 and will be hosted at the FPSC, located at 4801 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21207.

BFW2013 will celebrate its 6^th production year and run August 7, 2013 through August 11, 2013.  BFW2013 and BFW2014 will be hosted at the Hilton Baltimore North/Pikesville, 1726 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, Maryland 21208.  Effective December 3, 2012, the Hilton Baltimore North/Pikesville will change its name to the Double Tree/Hilton.

What are the highlights?

BFW has slowly morphed itself from a fashion event to a philanthropic initiative.  This transformation took place with the addition of 2 new educational infused blueprints, the Baltimore Fashion Week Scholarship Award and the Emerging Designer Competition.

The Baltimore Fashion Week Scholarship Award (Award) is entering into its 3^rd year of providing a financial stipend to sophomore and current college students, who are on track to obtaining an Associate of Arts or Bachelor Degree in the field of Business Administration/Marketing/ Management; Arts & Sciences; Journalism; or Fine Arts.  .  Nixon Development, Inc. is the administrative arm for this educational initiative.  IRS EIN No.: 27-0236138 – website: www.nixdevinc.org.

BFWs returning initiative is the Emerging Designer Competition (EDC).  Returning in 2013 for a 2^nd designer placement, this groundbreaking program encourages and facilitates creativity on a nationwide level for middle, high school, and college students.  BFW is pleased to announce that Linger Magazine is the Title Sponsor for the 2013 competition.  Linger Magazine’s website is: www.lingermagazine.com.

BFW also offers students the opportunity to obtain service learning or community service hours to satisfy graduation requirements through this event.  Students can volunteer their time while participating in the capacity of model, fashion week assistant, or production team member.

BFW also partners with the Urban Alliance of Baltimore to continue the mission of education by mentoring students in conjunction with providing hands-on real-life work experiences. 

BFW is ongoing in its commitment to provide skill sets and life learning components to students to aid them in preparation for the real world.

What are the highlights?

August 7, 2013, will kick off the 5 day event schedule for BFW.  On August 5, 2013, BFW will host its “Botanical Fashions” Celebration Party at the Hilton Baltimore North/Pikesville in the Triple Crown Ballroom. 

August 8, 2013 through August 11, 2013 are the dates for the 4 runway fashion events scheduled during BFW2013.  All runway fashion events will be held in the Preakness Ballroom at the Hilton Baltimore North/Pikesville.

Production phases for BFW2013, include installing state-of-the-art staging to create an intense fashion week experience for its guests and participants.

Who Attends BFW?

Over the past 5 years BFW has captured the attention of 8,385 fashion inspired guests.  With the expanded schedule for BFW2013, the overall event attendance count will be 2,393, which is a 71% increase in guest attendance over the past 5 years.  This number also includes guests, designers, models (including child models); exhibitors; press/media; house photographers/videographers; and the entire production team. 

Who Will Attend UNDER

With the anticipation and excitement over UNDER the petite consumer fashion event, BFW is expecting a guest count of 400.  This number does not include designers, models, volunteers, or members from the production team. 

How can I find out more about BFW?

To find out more information about this even or inquire about sponsorship opportunities please visit the event website - www.baltimore-fashionweek.com.