Fashion Show to be held on Buffalo's West Side

By Amber Bivins

The West Side of Buffalo is a cultural melting pot. Restaurants, coffee shops and clothing boutiques alike flourish on Grant Street.

Among the most popular locales in the neighborhood is The Gypsy Parlor, 376 Grant Street, which serves as a neighborhood restaurant, bar and venue.  Owner, Gabrielle Mattina, recently donated the space for a fashion show to be held this spring.

Queen City Culture Clash will be held on June 21st.^. Briana Alford, producer and model coordinator, looks to make her idea a success.

“I was first interested in fashion when I was a child playing dress up like any little girl, but as I grew older my passion for the business of fashion took a huge role in my life,” Alford said.

A 2012 graduate of SUNY Buffalo State,  Alford has a degree in Fashion Merchandising as well as hands on experience in show production. With help from her mentor, Rick Dudkowski, Alford learned the ways of fashion show production and it immediately became her dream job.

“I have been an assistant producer for over 10 different fashion shows all over Western New York, including Mercedez-Benz of Buffalo Fashion Week, and now producing my own show!” she said.

Drawing inspiration from the eclectic West Side, Alford is collaborating with many local designers to put together this event. Alford’s collection, Gypsy Punk, will also debut at the show and will be an official brand of The Gypsy Parlor.

“We are taking traditional and ethnic clothing while mixing our own favorite American styles. We thought collectively that this theme would show how we live our daily lives.  It's a culture clash,” she said.

Noey Sunday, WasteKase, and TutuGlamourous are just a few brands that will be featured in the show.

Locals expressed excitement for the upcoming show and feel the event will be an asset to the area.

“This neighborhood sometimes gets looked down upon or just overlooked all together. “ said Morgan Lord, a regular customer at The Gypsy Parlor.

“Events like Queen City Culture Clash really bring a lot of excitement to those of us that live nearby. I love fashion and it’s awesome that there will be a production like this in the neighborhood, especially one that celebrates its wonderful diversity,” said Lord.

As the date approaches, Alford begins model casting, acceptance of new designers and volunteers. More information about Queen City Culture Clash can be found at www.facebook.com/QueenCityCultureClash or for any inquiries at cultureclashfashion@gmail.com.

Alford is working hard to make the production a success and hopes it will shine light to the beauty of the neighborhood.

“There is a lot of progress, and promise on Grant,” she said.  “Why not starts the revolution ourselves?”

Check out the Kickstarter Page for the upcoming event!

New boutique to open in the Elmwood Village

        

by Amber Bivins

As summer approaches, the streets of Buffalo are flooded with students, restaurant’ seekers, and shoppers alike. Among the most popular shopping areas in the city is Elmwood Avenue.

Michelle Voit, a Buffalo native, has recently undertaken a life-changing project.

“I have never been more terrified in my life, I have never had so little sleep, but I have never been happier,” she said.

Village Designs Elmwood it set to open in May and is currently undergoing renovations. With merchandise planned to be in by next week, Voit can be found fashioning her boutique into a reality.

“I was on my knees doing the flooring, we painted the walls, and so I’ve done it all. From design to implantation, it’s been a project,“ Voit said.

With high ceilings, decorative chandeliers, and new vinyl flooring, the boutique’s aesthetic begins to form as the opening approaches.

“My landlord put up the walls for the dressing room and store room. I had to hire an electrician. My brother helped with the floors. Other than that it’s been my dad and I,” she said.

Village Designs Elmwood will offer designer brands, most of which are not currently offered in the Buffalo area. Celebrity favorites including Black Orchid Denim and Rails Clothing are just a few that will stock the floor.

“I want to find that niche that wants something different and not what everybody carries,” Voit said.

Located at 448 Elmwood Ave, near Bryant Street, Village Designs Elmwood is in an up and coming area for retailers. With the closing of the Women and Children’s Hospital expected in the next year or two, many changes will be made to this area of The Elmwood Village.

“My thought is that it will most likely turn into high-end lofts and some retail space, from what I’ve heard,” said local business owner Jon Howe.

“This side of the street is going to be more developed and I think that it’s getting there. There are a lot of buildings that contractors have purchased and are now renovating,” Howe said.

Although no final decisions have been made about the plan for site once the hospital relocates, Voit hopes retail expansion is in the future.

 “It’s a big investment for myself, especially doing this on my own, but I wouldn’t give it back for anything, I’m so excited and I think it’s an asset to the area!”

Village Designs Elmwood will join the many other retail stores on the Elmwood strip this summer, and plans to share the same success. The grand opening will be held May 5. The store can be found on Facebook and villagedesignselmwood.com.

Inspired by these words from designer Kate Spade, Voit ventures on this new journey with hopes of sharing her styles and love of fashion with the Buffalo community.

“Dress-up begins at age 5 and never truly ends.”