Angela Watts is the founder and govt director of Atlanta Trend Week, also referred to as ATLFW, which strives to have fun range, innovation, and creativity in trend and to redefine the boundaries of creativity and magnificence.
Between Oct. 5-8, this yr’s ATLFW will characteristic visible artwork, dwell DJ performances, over 15 trend displays, product launches, interactive experiences, culinary choices from a various meals truck park, and fascinating panel discussions.
Watts opened up about what we will anticipate to see from the designers she selected.
What impressed you to create Atlanta Trend Week?
Atlanta Trend Week was created as a trend platform for rising designers and types. Our purpose is to supply these designers and types with sources, help, venue house, and manufacturing to showcase their collections. Atlanta is the intersection between trend, artwork, music, and tradition. Our purpose is to empower the following era of numerous designers by a multiple-day expertise that features trend exhibits or trend displays, retail drops, cultural conversations, music experiences, and extra. This expertise helps domesticate and champion the following wave of rising manufacturers.
What do you search for with regards to designers and fashions?
Designers ought to have a robust artistic aptitude and will be capable of produce revolutionary and distinctive design ideas. They need to have technical expertise and a robust portfolio showcasing [their] previous work and initiatives. It demonstrates the designers’ expertise and kinds. Consideration to element can also be vital, [and] designers ought to take note of each element, from typography to paint decisions. Fashions ought to be capable of pose and transfer gracefully, be comfy in entrance of a digicam or viewers, and have the flexibility to adapt to totally different kinds and appears. Fashions additionally should be dependable, punctual, {and professional} of their interactions with purchasers, photographers, and businesses.
What’s your inspiration with regards to runway design?
Runway design within the context of trend exhibits is a artistic and dynamic course of that attracts inspiration from quite a lot of sources. For me and my crew, I discover my inspiration from trend collections. Essentially the most direct supply of inspiration for runway design is usually the style assortment being showcased. As producers, we could draw on the themes, colours, and supplies used of their clothes designs to create a complementary runway setting. Creative actions, cultural references, and historic intervals present wealthy inspiration for runway design. We could take cues from particular artwork kinds, well-known artworks, or cultural traditions to create a visually charming runway.
What can be totally different this yr from earlier years?
This yr is our yr of collaborations. This yr will embrace 17+ trend displays with dwell model fashions, dwell DJ experiences, pop-up outlets, trade talks, and extra. Our partnerships embrace BMW, Fulton County Arts and Tradition, Remy, Bloomingdale’s, Entice Music Museum, One Music Fest, Want, Sole Play, Unique Fani, Arts Atlanta, Underground, Atlanta Influences Every thing, and extra. Atlanta is prepared for trend. This yr goes to be one of many greatest years to this point. It’ll be superb.