The Second Night of Phoenix Fashion Week Showcases 4 Rising Designers

By Luna Bonneau and Madeline Bates 

As the show started, the lights dimmed and each designer presented a video of what their brand and collection is about. The first part of the show was all about new emerging designers, who went through Designer Bootcamp. 

GARB 

Garb was the first brand to walk the runway and quickly shocked the audience by having the first performer accessorize with a live snake and accompanied by dancers. Katie Anderson is a former stylist and a Gilbert local who is originally from Nevada. She loves chains, snakes, leather and all things self-love. Her brand adopted the mantra “Love You” to emphasize self-love and acceptance through all things, especially clothing. 

“I think that if you love yourself it affects your whole life,” she said. “Loving yourself is the most important love because the relationship with yourself is the most important. I think if everyone really loved themselves the world would be a better place.” 

She tries to tie in these elements in her designs as well, as each piece features either chains, leather or denim with one trench coat being made entirely of denim. One piece was a leather jacket that unzipped on the bottom half to create a cropped look. 

“I like chains because they’re edgy and they pair really well with denim and leather,” Anderson said regarding her collection pieces. “When you finally see someone wearing it (the design) it’s kind of this full circle moment,” she said. 

Anderson would like to thank the producers of Phoenix Fashion Week and hopes to one day collaborate with either Gwen Stefani or Rhianna.  

MELODE

The second designer brand to take the stage was Melode. Before the collection debuted, dancers of all different ages performed in matching white tops and skirts, with the principal dancer in a red skirt. They performed beautifully and included a few impressive lifts within their routine. 

The following collection included many vibrant earth tones and classic designs with a playful twist. A few designs also featured playful squiggly white embroidery. One of the most notable looks included a sheer white bodysuit, a detachable green gingham overskirt with a bubble hem, accessorized with a sun hat. One of the most prominent men’s designs included a tan blazer with a dramatic gingham peplum, and black pants with white squiggle embroidery. 

Rebecca Saint Flower, Owner and Founder of 'Melode'

Photo: Madeline Bates, The Chic Daily

ARACELI

As the models walked the runway, Araceli brought out a singer. As the first model walked out, a performer sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus as a flow of gold fabric followed her on the train of her dress. Araceli’s “Dream Collection” featured many glittering royal gowns in blue and gold as well. 

HOUSE OF AVEN

Closing the Designer Bootcamp section was House of Aven. Before her models strutted the runway, the designer brought out her sister to sing “Neverland” by Zendaya that was accompanied by a sign language interpreter. The collection included many whimsical fantasy looks and stunning light-up garments. 

Aven Salaei, the creator of House of Aven, said that last year she was a model in Phoenix Fashion Week, not a designer. 

Looking into her collection, Aven Salaei says “This collection was inspired by one of my favorite movies, the ‘Peter Pan’ movie 2003 with Jeremy Sumpter and Jason Isaacs.” 

She also said that it took “hundreds and hundreds of hours over the span of several months” to create this collection. 

Throughout her collection, there are many looks based on characters such as Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, mermaids and more. She was even inspired by the Neverland setting itself, one look was inspired by Skull Rock. The magic continued as the Fairy Dance song from Peter Pan played and a glowing, elegant cloud-like gown appeared on the runway and was followed by a show-stopping mini dress with a tulle train and skirt and a light-up “second star to the right.”

Her advice to aspiring designers is to “find your ideal fashion customer, find the keynotes of your brand, and just start there because everything is going to start falling into place after you figure that out.”

Next in line was the 2024 Designer of the Year Award Winner, House of Donaldson. The collection consisted of chic women’s and men’s wear clothing. While the collection was mostly black, white, and gray, there were pops of blue, pink, purple and red that stood out against the neutrals. 

Closing the show was For the Stars Fashion House. The models strutted the runway in intricate sparkling designs with crystals, sequins and glitter. The garments were beautifully made and featured bodysuits, dresses and men’s leather jackets all in black, white, and pink. 

Phoenix Fashion Week had designers who were amazingly creative and innovative. Their passion for fashion was truly seen throughout each collection and individual garment.