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Fashion In Detroit 2012 Wrap Up: Bold Spring Color

By Raquel Parks
CBS Detroit Fashion Blogger 

Detroit's fashion industry blossomed during Saturday's Fashion In Detroit 2012 (FID) event. The sold-out-event drew a crowd of press, local vendors, and fashionistas to MotorCity Casino's Sound Board to celebrate Metro Detroit fashion.

Members of the press and social media gathered in the social media lounge to mingle, tweet, facebook, and share everything FID related online. Across from Sound Board was the Market Detroit room.

Market Detroit provided guests and press the opportunity to meet the designers, purchase apparel, talk, eat, and learn more about the designs during the intermissions. FID 2012 consisted of ten runway shows for the day, therefore time was of the utmost importance.

FID 2012 kicked off promptly at noon with the International Academy of Design & Technology and Dana Keaton's JCC Project Runway Detroit Student Show. The student-produced show exhibited fun, innovative, and creative designs that were made of recycled materials. Some of the materials included tea bags, car fabrics, cardboards, plastic bottles, and ties.

Fashion In Detroit 2012
(credit: Raquel Parks)
Fashion In Detroit 2012
(credit: Raquel Parks)
Fashion In Detroit 2012
(credit: Raquel Parks)
Fashion In Detroit 2012
(credit: Raquel Parks)
Fashion In Detroit 2012
(credit: Raquel Parks)
Fashion In Detroit 2012
(credit: Raquel Parks)
Fashion In Detroit 2012
(credit: Raquel Parks)
Fashion In Detroit 2012
(credit: Raquel Parks)

Each piece was unique, bold, and displayed impressive workmanship and talent by the young designers. Keaton summed up the show best by saying the designs were "nothing short of amazing."

After intermission, Natalia Villafana's collection hit the runway. Natalia Villafana's collection was very feminine. She used ruffles, gathered seams, and flowy fabrics to create a softness throughout the collection.

Villafana primarily used green, brown, yellow and slowly, progressed into brighter colors of red, fuschia, indigo, and purple in the end. The sheer tops and low-cut v-neck line also added sexiness to the pieces. Natalia Villafana's collection of cocktail, simple, and long dresses was very delicate and feminine.

Brightly Twisted, Homeslice Clothing, and Martini Retro brought different concepts to the runway with their looks.

Brightly Twisted is sold in over 500 boutiques and is known for signature scarves, tie-ye, and women's wear. All of their manufacturing and dyeing takes place in the United States.

Brightly Twisted ushered in color and spring with it's laid backed collection. The long dresses, long skirts, flowy tie-dye pants, and scarves created a very relaxed yet fashionable look. The bright pastel colors and tie-dye designs were fresh.

The loose, carefree clothing made each look ideal for relaxing on a spring vacation or a summer getaway. Overall, Brightly Twisted was very youthful, playful, different, and colorful.

Emily Thornhill, took a different approach with her eco-friendly collection, Homeslice Clothing. Homeslice Clothing is made of organic, American grown fabrics and is manufactured in Detroit. Homeslice Clothing displayed a classic and simple collection that offered a varied stylish, business casual look for the office.

Martini Retro brought back the 70's in a major way with three-piece men suits, high-waist pants, and colorful pattern prints. The bright colors, patterns, and polyester fabrics thoroughly provided a vintage 70's look from head to toe. Martini Retro was a fun, upbeat way to end the first half of FID runway shows.

The last five runway shows presented trendy spring 2012 looks.

Morada Blue started off the second half with its girly, flirty collection of swimwear. Morada Blue showcased a variety of colorful two and one-pieces on the runway that would look beautiful while on a white, sandy beach.

Bachrach followed Morada Blue, providing a men's collection that was very sophisticated and chic. Bachrach included pen-stripped collared shirts in different colors, blazers, jeans, and polished, two-piece suits.

The evening of shows would not have been complete without Peter Soronen and Neiman Marcus. Both collections wowed the crowd with their assortment of looks. Peter Soronen's collection of dresses was spectacular. From form-fitting to flared, there was a dress style for every occasion. Pleats, belted waist lines, corsets, and wide flared bottoms added dramatic, girly touches.

Neiman Marcus brightened up the runway by using splashes of colors and floral print patterns. Tangerine orange, melon yellow, and grapefruit pink are only some of the beautiful colors that leaped off the runway. The collection featured colorful tops, pants, and a variety of dresses for the season.

Denise Illitch Designs and Motor City Blues by Joe Faris runway show was the finale to the fashion day event. The Faris and Illitch's partnership on the collection resulted in a diverse, hip denim collection.

Although there were a lot of signature Detroit graphic tees and jeans, there was also a range of denim dresses that were mixed with light flow fabrics. Motown hits blared from the speakers as models strutted down the runway. It was the perfect ending to an eventful fashion blowout.

Ultimately, Fashion In Detroit 2012 was a successful event that placed a positive spotlight on Metro Detroit's fashion scene and benefited the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Raquel is a Michigan native with a Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Michigan. She loves fashion and writing about life's everyday stories. She has written for various local publications that include Dearborn Press & Guide and Detroit Fashion Pages. Raquel also writes for her own local events blog, Metro Diva Pages. You can visit Raquel's blog at metrodivapages-rdp.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter @MetroDivaPages.

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