Runway Renegades Recap
August 27, 2010 
7 Comments
By Taylor Weech
Spokane has a style all it’s own: a mix of high and low brow, city and country, grungy and funky. Beyond the surface of chain stores at the mall we have a growing array of local shopping options, many of which are run by young entrepreneurs. Boutiques like Swank and Lolo, vintage treasure troves Finders Keepers and the newly-opened Carousel, and funky second hand stores galore can fill any wardrobe on any budget. But where can you find handmade pieces by your talented and possibly unknown neighbors?
Designs by Ronnie Ryno
Last week’s Inlander story asks if “Spokane is ready to pay up” for locally designed and produced items and explores the difficulty many local designers have had selling their work in local shops. Though most of the designers at last Friday’s Runway Renegades show sell work on Etsy and fashion events in other cities, it’s high time their neighbors in Spokane take notice and start strutting their stuff in these gorgeous, up-cycled, local pieces.
The crowd at Runway Renegades was a mixed bag, contrary to the pack of giggling girls my guest was expecting, who share one interest: beautiful handmade clothing and the artists who make them. As collection after collection sashayed down the runway, the excitement built.
Designs by Kadra Evans
Ronnie opened the show by sharing facts and figures about the wasted textiles that go into the trash every year and explained that all of the designers had done something about this. Can you find the reclaimed t-shirt? The shower curtain? The man’s tie?
Designs by Shawna Gaines
Lexi Carr is 18 years old and has been making clothes for the last 5 years. Runway Renegades was 14 year old Danielle Hansen’s first show. These two talented ladies are a great example of young people carving out a niche in both the arts scene and the local market.
Designs by Danielle Hansen
As for this Spokanite, I’m ready to “pay up” for this unique wearable art and just purchased the beautiful black and blue dress below (it was surprisingly affordable) directly from Lexi Carr, who explained the steps she took in making each of the roses on the skirt.
Designs by Lexi Carr
What’s next for Spokane fashion? The Runway Renegades are full steam ahead on their annual show, Sustainable Uprising will feature an all local show for the second year, along with a vendor fair and t-shirt alteration table, and the array of locally owned retail appears to be growing. Wouldn’t it be great if these parties worked to create a local fashion incubator that could sustain and nurture the scene while fostering collaboration? Mall, schmall. Stay stylin’ Spokane!
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Wish I’d known! This stuff is gorgeous.
The Etsy link just goes to the Etsy home page. Anyone feel like curating a great virtual Spokane Style Etsy shop that brings all these and more together? I’ll shop there if you do and have friends who will too.
@BarbChamberlain
Great Idea, Barb, for a virtual Spokane fashion shop.
I know a lot of my Spokane area customers (and a few employees) who sell on Etsy would participate.
BEAUTIFUL work ladies!!
Yes, nice to see this “local color.” I’m writing from St. Petersburg, Florida when I’ve been working for the last three days with an intergenerational group of 30 folks — about a third of whom are students at University of Southern Florida – St. Petersburg.
St. Pete’s is a bit like Spokane. Kind of off by itself, quarter of a million people, having lived for years in the shadow of its Seattle — called Tampa here. And what a sweet city. What great energy the people here have. And, what an incredible population of young people it has as well.
So, we’ve spent time in this intergenerational space where the leaders of various social sector organizations have been being inspired by the younger folks and where the younger folks have been inspired by the people doing good work in the community. Bring it on! Let’s find more ways to create respect, curiosity and friendship across the generations.
Sorry, this has nothing to do with fashion. And those who know me known that I am, well, usually not exactly fashionable. I mean my Crocs are really comfortable, but not very cute. Kind of like me — comfortable, but not very cute. Anyway. Just inspired after my time here. Yea for new fashion in Spokane. Yea for new ways of seeing possibilities. Yea for new ways to step forward and yea for new partnerships across the generations!
Who knew?? Obviously Mariah did. This is awesome and I’m in on the Etsy shop, too.
Who knew?? Well, obviously Mariah did. I’m in on the Etsy site. Great post.
I think going local is so important, even if it does cost a bit more, this is a great post! I will definitely keep an eye on Sustainable Uprising. I actually just did a post on my blog about local Etsy shops in relation to wedding accessories, jewelry, etc.
http://applebrides.com/2010/08/31/spokane-area-etsy-finds/
Thanks for the good read!