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Runway rocks at Tampa Bay Fashion Week

Staff photo by CHRIS URSO

Models take to the runway as designers show off their looks at Tampa Bay Fashion Week.

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By CLOE CABRERA | The Tampa Tribune
and SARA MINTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2009

Tampa Bay's fashion community was out in full force Thursday for the first day of Tampa Bay Fashion Week.

A room at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk was transformed with a high-fashion runway where Bay area designers showed off their signature lines and spring 2010 collections.

Most of the designs were runway worthy -- bright and fun, edgy and eclectic.

But others looked poorly finished or just plain weird, and elicited a few "Oh no's!" or "I don't think so." If this were "Project Runway," someone would definitely be out.

But hey, isn't that what Fashion Week is all about?

Here's a sampling of what designers gave us Thursday.

IVANKA SKA

It's all about dresses for Ska, who only showed two pair of pants – one of them worn by a Chinese sword fighter. Her styles ranged from a flirty pleated cocktail dress to a cute casual cotton mini accented with a jacket and pageboy cap. Ska showed shorts, lots of black silk and loosely tacked fabric draped over a model. "My inspiration comes from all the artists around me," Ska said.

SANA HASSAN

Watching Hassan's collection was like stepping into a Bollywood film or "Slumdog Millionaire." Her line included lots of dresses with hand beading and glitz, done in iridescent fabrics clearly influenced by her culture – including a champagne-colored sari. "I wanted a fusion of East and West couture, bringing both cultures together in fashion," she said.

TROY ANTHONY

Stretch charmeuse, black satins, linens and colorful cotton were among the fabrics draped over the models of Fashion Week newbie, designer Troy Anthony. He showed off a collection of urban street-wear for woman that included his "Siberian Tiger" line, with lots of pink and teal leopard print gowns billowing down the runway. "My collection is monumental to me and a mix of my versatile style and wearable couture," he said.

BEN CHMURA

Chmura's line was David Bowie-esque, with a bit of a "Beam me up, Scottie" vibe. There was a lot of black and grey, with the occasional teal blouse or tights. Male and female models sauntered down the runway in studded and belted tops worn over tights and shorts. And there were pointy shoulder pads. Watch out Grace Jones, Chmura's model/muse gave the audience fierce attitude. "I wanted to do a cool rocker chic Tampa hasn't seen before," he said. "I think I did."

BEBE ZIEGLER

Ziegler sent her models down the runway in iced-out tissue T-shirts, hoodies and tanks over the skinniest of skinny jeans. The local designer, who does work for the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association, recreated logos in blinged out jewels. (The Gators, Bolts and Rays all got props.) "I try to bring fashion into the sportswear industry," said the Brandon designer. "It really hasn't been done before."

NINA VERKLAS

Verklas showed baggy, high-waisted pants and loose-fitting blouses as well as tribal jumpsuits from her "Safari Chic"-inspired collection. There were also a few one-shoulder-strap dresses, a black baby doll dress, and strapless frocks with pearl beading on the front and shoulder. "(My fashion) is for women in different stages of their lives," she said. "From maternity to a senior citizen; I want all women to wear my clothes."

TRINEICE CAGUA

You can't have fashion week without swimwear. Cagua's simple black and white one-piece and two-piece styles included halter and off-the shoulder looks accessorized with sexy hardware. There's nothing in her collection that a woman can't wear, she said, because she designs basic swimwear. "It's really simple," she said. "It's black and white. You don't have to be technical to make a collection. It's all about simplicity."

Tonight's show at the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk starts at 7 p.m. with eight more designers showcasing their lines.

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656.

Sara Minton can be reached at (813) 259-7606.

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