Austin Fashion Week continued its runway shows on Friday, May 19, at 8pm in the main ballroom of the J.W. Marriot in downtown Austin. In a partnership with Fashion X, the event featured a diverse collection of designers, with categories including Stars, 512, Discover, Capsule and Gallery. ORANGE could not miss out on the fashion, fierceness and fun, and we have compiled a list of our favorite 5 runway shows from each evening for our audience unable to attend.

Story by Ethan Elkins and Kristina Nguyen

Photos courtesy of Carlos Barron

Boudoir Queen

As the opener of the night, this gothic-vintage inspired glam combination was a strong start for the evening. The collection included lace plush, multi-colored floral embellishments, pleating and whimsical collars. The models walked more slowly than usual, likely an instruction from designer Dawn Younger-Smith.

Gunnar Deatherage

With dramatic all-black garments anchoring his collection, star Gunnar Deatherage graced the runway with his post-modernistic approach to garment design. His envisioned structures and inventive repositioning of the zipper turned heads and fueled a massive applause.

Daniel Gonzalez D.G. Clothes Project

Each model from this collection wore exactly the same thing… from the ankles up! That’s right, the DG Clothing Project was the only shoe-exclusive designer featured on the runway. Elaborately designed and larger than the norm, this footwear is sure to turn heads. Many of the heels could also be modified, which the models demonstrated by quickly removing a detachable covering as they worked the runway.

Sydney Morris The Label

Sydney Morris featured a collection of elevated wearable garments, combining playful colors and classic shapes. There seemed to be something for everyone – black and white dress for the edgy; a velvet skirt underneath sparkly sheer shirt for the experimental; and a fluorescent tube with a bright yellow mini for the young at heart. With such a versatile design style, it’s hard to believe Morris is a college student.

FERRAH

With a capsule collection of effortless but luxurious pieces, designer Lela Orr’s garments are for the ultimate cool girl. FERRAH’s runway show was soft and sexy, utilizing silk velvet fabrics and sultry dresses. The gorgeous garments are only made better by the fact that they are ethically sourced.

To learn more about these featured designers and visit their websites, click here.