SOUTH WALTON 

FASHION WEEK 

2016

22     |    DestinMagazine.com

story by

 

Courtney Murray

photos provided by

 

Tim Kramer

N

ew York, Milan, Los Angeles, 

Paris…and The Emerald 

Coast. Fashion is broadening 

its horizons and hitting the 

beach. South Walton Fashion Week 

(SWFW) has grown by leaps and 

bounds since its inception in 2013. The 

Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County 

(CAA) began the event as a means of 

showcasing South Walton’s expanding 

fashion scene and increasing cultural 

tourism. In addition, SWFW has 

raised funds for the CAA’s Art For All 

Program providing education dollars 

to teachers, students, artists and art 

organizations. SWFW is so much more 

than just an average fashion show: it’s 

an experience. Fashion should awaken 

all of your senses and provoke feelings 

from deep within. The sight of textures, 

movement and colors widen your eyes 

as you watch the designer’s visions 

brought to life. The sound of the music 

thumping in time to the clicking of 

heels down the runway is mesmerizing. 

The smell of passion, hope and dreams 

fill the air. Designers pour their hearts 

and souls into their collections over 

months of tedious planning and work 

in the hopes of winning the “Emerging 

Designer” title. These one of a kind 

creations deserve to be displayed on 

the best of the best. The models that 

march the runway during SWFW have 

a love for fashion and are competing 

for the coveted Sheila Goode Model 

of the Year Award. The competition 

was fierce this year and the talent 

presented overwhelmed the judges. In 

the end, Richelle Valenzuela’s stunning 

designs stood out above the rest and 

Bella Deleon and Jordan Canamar 

proved their raw modeling talent 

throughout the shows. 

Aspiring designers had a lot of 

inspiration this year; celebrity designer 

Christian Siriano graced the stage 

as both a headliner and judge. Many 

noteworthy women, including Scarlett 

Johansson, Jennifer Lopez, and First 

Lady Michelle Obama have worn 

his stunning designs. Siriano was 

joined by international artist, Ashley 

Longshore and television star, Becca 

Tilley on the star-studded special 

guest panel. SWFW goes above and 

beyond your normal fashion show; 

it’s a series of events spread out 

throughout the week in the stunning 

beachside resort communities along 

Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. This 

eclectic display of fashion features 

both local and national designers, 

providing looks that suit every age 

and style. To complement the runway 

shows, there were trunk shows and 

parties throughout the week at many 

of the fine boutiques and restaurants 

throughout the area. If fashion isn’t 

your second language, no worries, 

Silver Sands Premium Outlets hosted 

an exciting style seminar to brush you 

up in the school of style. There is so 

much that goes on behind the scenes 

of SWFW that contribute to making 

it such a success. Presented by Visit 

South Walton and produced by the 

Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County 

in partnership with Monark Events, the 

possibilities for this show stopping 

fashion filled week are endless. 

XX-XX DestinStyle.indd   1

11/29/16   9:20 AM