Strike a Pose: First-Ever Queer Fashion Week

More than 25 designers will be unveiling their latest creations featuring up to 20 different looks on the runway during the first-ever Queer Fashion Week, April 16 - 19.

Guests can expect to see more than 100 models sashaying down the runway sporting the latest designs from Crookid Mindz, Haute Butch, Im.Butterfly Creations, Immigreat Designs, Inner Diva Styles, Kreeps in Disguise Co., Lady Lovers, Note 2 Self, Pascual Keyng, Play Out Apparel, LLC; Qwear Fashion, Saannti, Sambi Fashion, Sharp Suiting, Show & Tell Boutique, Shades Company, Clothing, Size Queen Clothing, Speechless Vulgarity, Split Personality Designs, Stuzo Clothing, SunSun, SX Couture, Thuy Custom Clothier, True Life Clothing, and Vagina Jenkins in Oakland, California.

The designers represent a variety of fashion styles from accessories, evening wear, lingerie and undergarments, outdoor wear, urban wear and more made for the fashionista - feminine to the masculine of center and everyone in between.

"We are very excited about it," said Leon Wu, CEO and founder of Sharpe Suiting in Los Angeles. "It's important, especially for younger crowds to be able to see designs like that on the runaway."

Wu recalled being in high school and not feeling comfortable in her fashion options or with being herself.

"I think that the more designers that are showcased the more of an impact that it's going to have. So, I'm really excited for this fashion week," said Wu, who feels the new generation of queer youth won't experience the same discomfort she felt growing up.

"Younger fans can feel excited about fashion and feel comfortable wanting to wear the clothes that they want to wear or actually being able to wear the clothes that they feel comfortable wearing," she added.

Marialexandra Garcia, founder and designer of Outplay, a swimwear brand based in Miami, agreed.

"Outplay exists because I want people to feel comfortable being who they are and to be able to enjoy life being who they are," said Garcia. "That includes going to the beach and going to the pool just hanging out and being yourself in a very comfortable way."

In recent years LGBTQ designers have emerged opening their own boutiques and online shops answering the call for unique fashions for a queer aesthetic.

"Queer designers are designing in a myriad of styles from evening wear to urban apparel, unisex to swimwear and beyond and we want to showcase this incredible talent," said Christine De La Rosa, Producer of Queer Fashion Week, who chose to host the fashion week in Oakland because it's a hub of creativity and cutting edge of fashion on the West Coast. "What is really exciting to me is seeing the level of excellence that we have in our community."

Fallon Davis, co-producer of Queer Fashion Week, echoed De La Rosa, "There is so much talent in our community," and that queer designers have the "expertise to be right along with the New York Fashion Weeks and the big fashion hubs all over the world."

The way they are "constructing and recreating fashion is really top notch," added De La Rosa. "It's breathtaking the level of couture and design in this fashion show."

"These designers are exceptional and we have set the bar really high for this show," agreed Adjoa "Joya" Courtney, co-producer of Queer Fashion Week.

Davis agreed adding that the designers who will be presenting their brands on the runway are more than simply queer designers but their designs tell stories.

"We really want the clothing on the runway to showcase stories," said Davis.

The designers presenting their lines are diverse in a way that transcends queer sensibility translating it through material and patters to fit a variety of bodies and styles for the rest of the world.

"Their designs is gorgeous and fashion forward," gushed De La Rosa, pointing out that the producers made a conscious decision to select designers who happened to be queer, but their clothing lines had a global reach. "What can I say? They have really great designs and fashion sensibility."

"Their fashions translate to anybody who wants to wear their styles. They are not only designers that are designing for queer people they are designers who just happen to be queer," said De La Rosa. "Straight people can wear it. Men can wear it. Women can wear it. Queer people can wear it."

For more information, visit www.queerfashionweek.com.

To get tickets, visit www.qfw.eventbrite.com.