My Fashion Week Tampa Bay Show Experience

As you know, last week I attended the Fashion Week Tampa Bay show here in, well, Tampa. HAHA! My mama, my girlfriend Annelis and I got all dolled up and headed downtown for a fun, fashion filled evening. Since, I had my press  hat on I didn’t get to sit with my ladies, but I did make friends with a very interesting fella decked out in head to toe African garb. I could kick myself for not getting a photo of him. He looked awesome! Not only did I get to sit next to my African friend, but my seat was in the VIP section. A girl can’t complain about that!

Seeing as my last fashion week experience was New York Fashion Week, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I mean it was Bryant Park after all. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. From the lineup of seven designers, there were several that I would definitely want to score pieces from…and I walked away from the night with much inspiration!

For instance, one of my favorites from the show, Kimberly Hendrix of K Hendrix, had me completely salivating over her sequin pieces. I was sequin shrug obsessed a couple of seasons ago and that obsession has resurfaced! You KNOW how I feel about sparkle! One of those bad boys thrown over a Hanes mens tank and skinnies would be such a killer fall/winter look!

Speaking of killer looks, Nina Verklas of Bambina by NV rocked the house with chain embellished pieces galore. So, I’m a stay at home mama of a toddler…That doesn’t mean I don’t wanna look bad arse from time to time. And I could definitely achieve a bad arse vibe with Ms. Verlas’ designs. One particular multi chain belt drew a gasp from moi and the rest of the crowd.

Although I was drawn to the designers I mentioned above the most, that’s not to say that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy other designs. The uber bright cut out swimsuits from J Cagua were fabulously fun

and the feminine, yet edgy designs from Essence flowers have me dreaming of adding more nude and grey hues to my wardrobe.

Let’s not forget the plaid explosion that came from Pat McGhee of APM Images. Her military inspired styling definitely made for an interesting show!

Overall, the Fashion Week Tampa Bay show was a pleasure to attend and I’m looking forward to going again next year. And, I promise, next year I’ll bring a photographer, so you get pics a wee bit better than what my point and shoot produced. HA! Hopefully, this lovely experience will tide me over until my Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week trip in February!