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