I am not a fashion blogger, but last week I certainly felt like one.
Monday I had the honor of being a speaker at Bloggers Night Out, an event hosted by the organizers of Magic City Fashion Week. I enjoyed one of the final nights of summer at the Redmont Hotel’s Rooftop Bar discussing the world of writing with some of Birmingham’s most ambitious bloggers.
Thursday I attended a party hosted by belladonna magazine, Birmingham’s first fashion magazine. This party drew dozens of the city’s movers and shakers from media, fashion, business, and the arts.
I spent Saturday morning at the Lux Fashion Show at the Summit, hosted by Christina Renteria of PinkLux. And Saturday afternoon I headed to Magic City Market, an indoor market of local fashion and beauty vendors hosted by the organizers of Magic City Fashion Week and held at the Goldstein and Cohen building in Ensley.
Last week reminded me of two things: 1) Anyone who says there’s nothing to do in Birmingham simply isn’t paying attention and 2) Fashion is about so much more than cute clothes.
Monday’s discussion at Bloggers Night Out was about the power of story, the importance of community, and the beauty of following your dreams.
Maacah Davis started belladonna magazine when she was only 19 years old because she was tired of not seeing brown girls in her favorite glossy publications. At Thursday night’s party she stated that along with improving the representation of women of color in fashion, she hopes that belladonna will encourage collaboration among Birmingham’s creative community.
The Lux Fashion Show was all about celebrating women of all shapes, sizes, and shades. And Magic City Market was organized to encourage people to support local small businesses.
We all know the power of fashion and beauty. We know the right outfit can make us feel fierce and fearless, while a disparaging comment about our style can do a number on our self-esteem.
But the power of fashion can be used for good. Body positive style bloggers and the men and women behind last week’s events prove this again and again.
On the agenda for this weekend is the Magic City Fashion Week Kick-Off Fundraiser, which is set for Sunday, Oct. 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Canary Gallery. Magic City Fashion Week is not only trying to bring together Birmingham’s community creative, but is also raising money and awareness for Birmingham AIDS Outreach. At this kick-off event, the Magic City Fashion Week team will reveal its editorial campaign, the competitors in the Emerging Designer competition, and the official schedule for Magic City Fashion Week. You can purchase your ticket here.