Nathan Hurst, founder of
Cincinnati Fashion Week, is hard at work gearing up for the second year, which kicks off with a "Warhol Factory" inspired Launch Party May 9 at the former Contemporary Arts Center on 5th Street. Fashion Week is only two weeks away, so Soapbox's Ann Lawson caught up with Hurst to ask him what we can expect new this year, how the Midwest fares in the design world, and, of course, what we should wear to the weeklong schedule of fundraisers and fashionable events.
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Q: What can we expect during Cincinnati Fashion Week 2011 that is unique from other fashion weeks?
Hurst: Cincinnati Fashion Week extends beyond fashion. It's aimed at leaving a lasting sense of community, ingenuity and vigor within communities across the Central Midwest.
Q: How do you expect to do those things?
Hurst: through higher learning opportunities, the launch of the Cincinnati Design and Fashion Fund (CDFF) and even just the whole process of bringing industry level fashion to a previously unacknowledged part of the country, I hope makes a difference.
Q: So what is different this year from 2010?
Hurst: We've really upped the ante with a larger production this year. For instance, we are a higher level of design aesthetic through professional designers. We've included several higher learning opportunities such as "Tea with Mary," featuring Mary Basket, and even the Men's Fashion Refinery, with Jonathan Mezibov, Artfully Disheveled & Demetrius Romanos from Kaleidoscope.
Q: At a fashion event like this, what should those in attendance wear?
Hurst: I always say to wear what you are comfortable in. If there is that one dress in your closet or a pair of shoes that you've been dying to wear, but haven't, put them on and rock it out. I wouldn't say it's about dressing to impress as much as it's about dressing for you. Dress for yourself, don't dress for other people. Wear what makes you feel good.
Q: This year one of your stated purposes for FW is focusing on creating opportunities and retaining talented designers. What outcomes are you striving for this year?
Hurst: The long term mission of Cincinnati Fashion Week is sustaining economic opportunities for artists in the fashion industry here in the Central Midwest, to retain our talented designers who graduate from local schools and to diversify and grow our pool of talent. It's about building a community, so that designers don't feel like they have to move away or maybe they might even consider setting up a showroom in Cincinnati. I want people to take away from Cincinnati Fashion Week that you can create your own opportunities no matter where you live.
Q: What do you think are the hot new trends this Spring/Summer?
Hurst: This spring is all about color. You'll see a lot of bright, almost tropic colors; like burnt oranges, coral lipsticks and heavy turquoise eye shadows. I'm excited to wear a white suit this spring with a great plaid underneath.
Q: Where do you look for inspiration?
Hurst: I never really "look" for inspiration. I don't tend to get it from a book, or fashion magazines. I think for myself, being a photographer –I tend to see things differently. When I look through the lens there is always something new that inspires me. I wouldn't say I'm a trend watcher, I feel like I always just happen onto trends. I think working in fashion has made me unaware of being aware of these trends. I couldn't necessarily rattle them off, but you can see interpretations of them in my work sometimes.
Q: Do you have a favorite designer right now?
Hurst: Christopher Kane. I'm most recently familiar with [his] Spring 2011 collection, as I've been a little behind from production. I loved his mix of old world laces & prints with radioactive color palettes & simple silhouettes.
Q: Where do you shop in Cincinnati?
Hurst: For my own clothes I shop at H&M and Nordstrom, but I'm also one of those people who likes to repurpose vintage & thrift clothing for my own wearability. When I'm pulling product for a photo shoot, I love vintage. A local favorite would be Chicken Lays an Egg.
Q: How do you think Cincinnati's fashion culture compares to other Midwestern cities?
Hurst: I think the Midwest is in its own little bubble. I would say we are all pretty similar; Indianapolis, Columbus, Louisville, Cincinnati. There are a lot of very talented, very fashionable people, but I don't think it's something we are being credited for… yet.
Photography by Scott Beseler.
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