The Heartland International Fashion Week season three, kicked off in downtown Kansas City. This season’s themed gala: Kansas City Meets the Met. Kansas City Fashion Week is an annual event that showcases fashion designers, models, and industry professionals from all over the world expressing their creativity through fashion.
Season three of the Heartland International Fashion Show (HIFW) took place May 23-27, 2023. HIFW is a faith-based fashion organization that hosts a 5-day event that was full of fashion shows, live entertainment, networking, and an opening night Gala.
Make it Fashion, But with a Purpose
HIFW was founded by Lady Bosede and her team. Lady Bosede’s organization provides a platform to bring together all types of cultures for an incredible experience. A portion of the proceeds from the entire week will go to benefit the non-profit organization I AM 4:Thirteens. Their mission is to provide empowerment and enrichment programs for teenage girls ages 13-19. The goal is to equip them with the tools and resources needed to prepare for college and career readiness.
The opening night highlighted a local Kansas City Couture Bridal and Gown fashion designer Potapenko & Yanchenko, who own two bridal shops, one in KC, and one located in St. Louis, MO. Also featured on the opening night was fashion designer Regal Status. Her clothing line is an urban-based fashion brand that unlocks the beauty and confidence of a woman’s wardrobe. Their models took over the runway with their fierce, bright colors styled in modern-day business casual.
As if, watching creative styles walk the runway wasn’t enough, attendees were also encouraged to shop the runway!
Vendors, such as Linda Murphy who owns a brand called Lindas Afrikan Kreations, have been participating in the Heartland fashion show since the first season. Murphy explains how each season has been fun and exciting! Murphy started because she loves international work and has worked from overseas. Her husband is also from Kenya and does creations with jewelry because it’s bright and different. Some of her new creations include cow horns and sea beads. “For a skilled person, averagely spends one day to one and a half on most projects depending on the detail of the piece,” Murphy stated.
Other creatives were there such as Yona and Lexis with the Chicken Slavic Club of Kansas City, who assisted the fashion show with hors d’oeuvres. Lynnette Crawford with Style Therapii was also there sporting her sleek and chic hats.
Night four showcased men’s classic fashion wear. Fashion designers such as Breaux Stylez ripped the runway with their fresh, tailored, and timeless suits. The male models walked with clean neutral colors for casual occasions and some models sported bright party color suits expressing fun and versatility.
Kansas City Fashion Week ended the 5-day runway show with Lady Bosede giving a thankful, humble speech to everyone and to the attendees for choosing the Heartland International Fashion Show to support. A donation was also given to the I AM 4:Thirteens organization, as promised by Lady Bosede.
