A Fashion Safari @ The Secret Garden
Only the most eclectic of extravaganzas include lambent lighting, a live DJ, and performance art eccentrically woven into a live runway fashion show. On the evening of Sunday, April 17, 2023, Chicago’s own FROW Media Group included all of the above items as the production company hosted the first annual Secret Garden Fashion Show at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Lush greenery, colorful flowers, towering trees, and all manner of tropical plants filled the historic venue, creating an alluring backdrop for the show.
The rainforest runway featured six designers. Each clothing collection uniquely exemplified the complexion of creation. Looks from the Secret Garden Fashion Show illustrated the importance of honoring Earth’s beauty and preserving the natural world.
In one collection, models wore various garments made of an open mesh net fabric. These diamond-shaped, knitted polypropylene, wool, and nylon fibers were expertly crafted into swimwear cover-ups, maxi dresses, tunic sweaters, and two-piece sets. This simple choice of lightweight texture was a tribute to the origins of fishing, life at sea, and the essence of water.
Another reference to Mother Nature can be found in the warm color pallet of the clothes shown at The Secret Garden Fashion Show. Designers showcased a multitude of heated hues in their collections, providing a balmy sensation of warmth and sunshine to the runway. Examples of these summery shades included a neoprene swimsuit in canary yellow, a matching tweed blazer and skirt set in shades of gamboge and marigold, a leather jacket in deep saffron, a bucket hat in vermillion, a sequined suit in amber paired with a leather tote in rust, and a cropped, tailored tuxedo in marmalade. These vibrant colors provided eminence, energizing each guest in the greenhouse that evening, much reminiscent of the nourishing effect sunshine brings to the greenery of the Garfield Park ConservatoryIn one collection, models wore various garments made of an open mesh net fabric. These diamond-shaped, knitted polypropylene, wool, and nylon fibers were expertly crafted into swimwear cover-ups, maxi dresses, tunic sweaters, and two-piece sets. This simple choice of lightweight texture was a tribute to the origins of fishing, life at sea, and the essence of water.
The third highlight of the Secret Garden Fashion Show to honor life on planet Earth was a womenswear line of floor-length gowns. These sultry silhouettes consisted of tulle, flowers, and circular petticoats. The dresses coincided beautifully with couture’s rich history of using flora and fauna as inspiration. In many fashion design studies and archives, these natural elements have traditionally served as a timeless illustration of femininity.
Lastly, the final trend of earthy reverence was an array of loosely fitted embellished jeans. With additions of tarnished distress, paint splatters, and layered patchwork, Designer Zoh, or Zahnaya Walker, proved that sometimes veering outside the box from fashion design traditions can have a positive impact. In this instance, experimenting with denim— a classic staple material— birthed a new method of personalization and ornamentation for their menswear line. The act of incorporating new design techniques and the result of successfully blending unconventional ideas can create a sense of sentimental meaning for buyers and designers alike. Not only did Zahnaya Walker demonstrate this lesson with their denim display, but also by choosing to walk the runway alongside their son during the final walk, an unconventional twist from traditional runway shows. Both concluded the Secret Garden Show finalé in stride, together, holding hands, sporting altered denim bottoms, and supporting the eccentric extravaganza as an expression of natural unity and as an example of universal love for Chicago fashion industry professionals.
Why Not Petites Modeling Agency Founder and CURIO Team Member Brittany Wittes walks the runway as a model.
The Curio's Ian Gerard & Ariana West with Chicago Fashion Coalition's Andy Knight
