Did you realize Spokane has its own homegrown DIY biannual fashion event? Neither did we until a co-worker tipped us off to this emerging alternative vendor extravaganza. Runway Renegades doubled attendance for its second showing this year and has big plans to grow organically as the audience, designers and volunteers build on each others’ synergistic momentum.
Executive Director Ronnie Ryno is both a local designer and elementary school teacher in the special education department of Riverside School District. She started sewing about a year ago when a friend convinced her to turn her basement into a craft room.
While the majority of vendors fell squarely within the pop-punk genre, a few leaned towards the Rasta-hippie end of the spectrum. While certainly no Portland Fashion Week, RR is a great start in building local fashion community that will contribute to Spokane’s unique urban identity. Just imagine, in another 5-10 years boutiques such as CUES, Lolo, Tangerine, Jigsaw and Coco could be carrying high-end local designers like Seaplane in Portland. We might develop a non-profit organization like the PDX Fashion Incubator to sponsor educational programs such as the Fashion Design Camp for kids that want to learn how to sew. Let’s remember that viable local alternatives are the first step in weaning ourselves off of foreign goods.
Tags: Creative Culture · Local Fashion · Pretty Things · Sustainable Development2 Comments
2 responses so far ↓
Thanks for the shout out, Mariah!! I have big plans for Runway Renegades in Spokane and was so thrilled that you attended the show. Thanks for all the input, it is much appreciated.
Thanks again,
Ronnie
Runway Renegades was an exciting event that seemed refreshing after so much of the same thing. The clothes were fun and different loud music, prizes and beautiful girls, everyone should certainly check it out next time they have a show.