It takes two

Local marketing gurus bring Fashion Week to Columbus

By Dwayne Steward

Metromix

When up-and-coming PR guru Dont'e Young met Heyman Talent owner Thomas McClure a little over a year ago he never thought they'd someday be side by side running Columbus' first ever full fledged Fashion Week.

"It was interesting because I was trying to sell him my PR firm's services and he was trying to sell me his models for my PR firm," said Young, a Dublin-bred 27-year-old who's the founder and owner of GothamPR in Powell.

Talk during that fated lunch meeting turned to personal interests and they discovered a mutual passion for taking Columbus to the next level where fashion is concerned.

Whether Fashion Week Columbus is a stellar idea or the Dont'e-McClure team has a rolodex the size of Jupiter (they say both), the project was off and running as soon as the business partners shared the details of their plan during a private launch event back in March.

"The initial response was amazing," said McClure, 33, a Dallas implant who worked his way from Heyman Talent's model to Heyman Talent's owner in just six years. "People were immediately like ‘When is this going to happen?' and ‘How can we help?'"

The Short North Arts District and a large portion of the city's businesses also jumped right in. A slue of boutique-centered events are being hosted by companies such as Voodoo Denim, Muse Gala and even the Columbus chapter of Fashion Group International.

After nearly a year of hard work from a small, but mighty board of eight (including McClure and Young), FWC kicks off Oct. 9 with a High Fashion High Tea (a take on London's signature fashion event at Berkley Hotel) hosted by Mayor Michael Coleman himself and ends Oct. 17 with an 11-desinger runway show (featuring 39 local models) at the The Athletic Club of Columbus, 136 E. Broad Street. The finale is headlined by New York fashion designer Tad Boetcher, a Kent State University grad whose tad b. woman's knitwear collection made of rayon crepe is set to hit area department stores this fall.

"All of our designers are locally based or homegrown," Young said. "We wanted to make this an event that celebrated the Columbus community." (An undertaking that includes keeping the price of general admission to the finale down to $25.)

Along with Boetcher, the finale will feature Arthlene LeGair (LeGair Brand, Ltd), Danielle Benson (Nontle Jewelry), Jermaine Jenkins (JWorks), Crys Lappie (Label Yourself), Linda Miller (LP Designs), Aaron J. Hunter, Pamela Truemper, Brandee Bailous, Laurie Allen and 17-year-old prodigy Akili Versace.

Nearly a dozen events fill out the week, including a "Short North Boutique Crawl" featuring various designer showcases at shops along the arts district, the "Hats Off to Champagne" tasting starring headwear by Veechay Designs and "Tata's and Tutu's," a designer bra auction featuring a speical performance by the Oh La La’s. (Check out the Fashion Week Columbus full schedule of events.)

"It's all about Capital Chic (FWC's moto)," Young said. 

"I was watching 'Fashion's Night Out' on CBS, and I just kept thinking, we can do this in Columbus," McClure said. "We've got The Limited, Abercrombie Fitch, Express, Victoria Secret, all with major headquarters here, why can't we be Capital Chic."

FWC will also act as fundraiser for various local charities, including Central Ohio Men Against Prostate Cancer and The Stefanie Spielman Fund at the Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital. The Social, Black Olive, Sushi Rock and Level Dining Lounge have each added new cocktails in honor of FWC to their drink menu, with $3 from every signature cocktail sold going to the sponsored charities. "Pink Dress Ambassadors" will also be on hand garnering support for breast cancer research. 

"During the week of Fashion Week I would encourage that everybody dress up," McClure said. "Wear your best outfits. Be seen. That’s the point of a fashion week."

Fashion Week Columbus is Oct. 11-18. For a complete schedule, to purchase tickets and more information visit FashionWeekColumbus.com.