Austin Fashion Week finished off with runway shows on Saturday, May 20, 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 Kristina Nguyen

Photos courtesy of Carlos Barron

Lizna

As an emerging designer, Lizna Kabani impressed us with her use of striking lines and minimalistic designs in her sophisticated collection of trendy and contemporary pieces. Her garments maintained a subtle, but compelling presence with its slightly dystopian details and wearable fabrics. After showing off her collection, models walked the runway at the closing of her show with powerful signs that read “MADE IN AMERICA…MANUFACTURED LOCALLY…DESIGNED BY AN IMMIGRANT…A FEMINIST, A WOMAN, A MOTHER” and more, inspiring others to follow their dreams and celebrate their differences.

CA$HMERE MAFIIA

Designer Isabela Rosales is fairly new to the Austin fashion scene, but she got off to a great start with the showing of her capsule collection. CA$HMERE MAFIIA’s three pieces combined the flirty ruffle trend with monochrome ensembles. With silky fabrics and paper bag culottes, Rosales’ pieces were both wearable and whimsical.

J. Ewing Designs

With cinema-style costume accents, the luxurious pieces walked the runway with regality and extravagance. Ewing’s main garment was fit for an ice queen, equipped with feathered accents against a baroque-style jacket and an ivory skirt that commanded attention. Ewing showed versatility in mastering both contemporary and classic styles in the other garments (a tough two-piece and a baroque party dress), but wowed the audience with her brilliant abilities in creating a cohesive collection.

Mansion Rose

Like beautifully wrapped pink flowers, the models glided down the runway in designer Deanna Santigo’s fresh and feminine silk garments. The collection lived up to its name with its fluttery white and pink fabrics. The pieces were simple and sophisticated and embodied a sense of easiness in its draping. From a costume craftsman to a fashion designer, Santiago has established her contemporary feminine aesthetic.

Big Bertha’s Paradise

Big Bertha’s Paradise stole the show with their larger-than-life collection. The curators utilized a range of textures and materials, from coconut tree straw to wiry bird-cage headgears, creating fantastical costume-esque ensembles that seemed to jump right off the runway. One look after another, their models transformed from country club Elvira Hancocks to colorblocked lampshades, like a beautiful montage in a Great Gatsby sci-fi film. Their creative use of vintage styles and silhouettes made for a wildly fun runway show, leaving the audience members googling directions to Paradise.

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