October 11, 2024 • 30 mins
Columbus is one of the top fashion cities in the country. From the local designers who call Columbus home to the national retailers based here, during this episode we’ll talk about what makes Columbus’ fashion scene unique and get a preview of this year’s Fashion Week Columbus. Join us as we chat with Keira Chatman, executive director of the Columbus Fashion Council, and Lindsey Drahos, owner of Hosful Collective.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yes Columbus, an Experienced Columbus podcast, keeps you in the
know of what's happening in the art city Columbus, the
number one soccer team, the number three beer city, a
top ten culinary destination with the largest concentration.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Of fashion professionals in the US.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Join iHeartMedia's Boxer, along with Experienced Columbus's Chief Marketing Officers
Sarah Towns and their guests for an inside look at
a destination that invites visitors and locals alike to explore.
By the end of each episode, you'll be asking yourself,
can all of this really exist in one city?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Yes Columbus.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Welcome to our second episode of our new season of
Yes Columbus Podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
This week, it's all about Columbus's fashion scene as we
talk with two special guests, Kiera Chapman, executive director of
the Columbus Fashion Council, and Lindsay Drejos, owner of Hospital Collective,
a boutique in Old Town East that houses local creatives, artists, designers,
and entrepreneurs.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Yeah, I'm excited about this. So in today's episode, we're
gonna give you a preview of Fashion Week Columbus, which
is coming up the thirteenth through the nineteenth of October.
Before we meet our guest, Sarah, let's hop into our
headliner segments.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Okay, boxer Columbus has been in the news again and
we want to talk about it. Our headliner segment covers
one of those surprising media mentions their stats. Recently, Columbus
received one of the longest running and most respected accolades
in the travel industry. Conde nas Traveler, one of the
top travel publications in the world, has named Columbus a
(01:37):
top ten best big City in its twenty twenty four
Reader's Choice Awards. Any guess what spot we came in at.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Hmmm, I'm gonna say.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Do I have to be real specific, Sarah, like a
number or can I just say.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Top blah blah blah.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Either way, Okay, I'm gonna be safe here a little bit.
I'm gonna say top three, top three, top three.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Well, we are actually No. Number nine on the list.
It's a top ten list.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
We got cheated.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
It's still amazing because on that list is Chicago, DC, Boston,
and we actually beat Miami, if you can believe it,
San Diego and Milwaukee. So we are so thrilled to
be part of this esteemed list.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Yeah, I would say, so that's pretty amazing that Columbus
is in that kind of standard, especially with the cities
that you know you had mentioned. Okay, so let's go
to our Behind the Buzz segment and chat with this
week's special guests.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
For those tuning in for the first time this week,
Behind the Buzz is where we talk with a special
guest and learn about the latest new restaurant to open,
the newest exhibition at one of Columbus's museums, attractions or galleries,
or about the latest retail experience, festival, or top thing
to do. Today, we're talking about Columbus's fashion scene and
getting a preview of Fashion Week Columbus. Joining us are
(02:55):
Kiara Chatman, executive director of the Columbus Fashion Council, and
Lindsay Drejos's, owner of Hospital Collective.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Welcome, ladies, it's good to see you and have you here.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Thank you for having me for having us.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
So before we jump into our topic, I know we'd
love to learn more about you. Those that are listening
would like to learn more about you and of course
your background. Kira, why don't we start with you first?
You know, just listening to you before we started taping.
I know you're an entrepreneur in the community advocate as
well from Columbus. But not only are you the executive
(03:26):
director of the Columbus Fashion Council, but you're also the
president of the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals and you're
a licensed realtor. How do you find all this time.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
To do all that typically is no sleep?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
You look great for no sleep.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Thank you, very fashionable, Thank you appreciated. But yeah, no,
I'm very good at multitasking. I have been all my life,
but it is it's a lot to do multiple jobs.
I also have an airbnb and event space called Legacy
House six one four that I also run and operate.
So I really have four full time jobs. But I'm
(04:02):
passionate about all of them. So I tend not to
do anything that I don't love, and so when I'm
doing things that I love, I make time for it.
And if it's long nights, it's long nights. But yeah,
I just I just love everything that I do.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Good for you, especially you you. I took something away
there that you said, I don't do anything I don't like,
and boy, could so many people take that little piece
of advice.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Why do something you don't.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
Like, Yeah, I don't. I don't have the I don't
have the drive for it, you know, And then that's
when it feels like it's a job. And so I
just make sure that whatever I get into, I really
have like something. Everything that I do really comes back to,
like Columbus a community. Yeah, and so I'm just really
passionate about the city because I'm from here, born and raised,
and yeah, I just I take it. I take it
(04:48):
as as something that I'm supposed to do and not
that I have to do.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
And Lindsey, how about you, I know you worked your
some of your stats, your background. You work for at
Sax Fifth Avenue for more than a day as a
personal style advisor. You went to OSU and now you
own hospital collective.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Yes, so I have been in the fashion industry for
fifteen plus years. I did start my career in high
end luxury goods at Sacks Fifth Avenue, and with that
I was able to make great relationships, travel internationally for
fashion weeks and you know, enjoy styling people from our
(05:28):
community but taking them outside and seeing like how how
many different opportunities are out there to truly like make
yourself feel good. For me, fashion is about making you
feel good. It's like an art. We don't put something
on that makes us feel bad and then walk out
of our house.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
So true, I do even think about that.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
And so when I created a hospital collective, it was
during COVID when we got for a load from SAX
and a lot of businesses were shutting down, and I
saw the opportunity to create a space where other small
entrepreneurs would be able to sustain and make it through
COVID by renting a rack or having a space within
(06:07):
the collective. So it gives them a space that they
can sell and showcase their goods, but then they don't
have to worry about the overhead of paying the rent,
paying the utilities. And then it also gives people in
our community a chance to come in and see.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
What is actually here on a local level.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
Because it's one thing to walk into a Sax or
Macy's and see these brands that we recognize because they're
promoted by all this big money market big money behind
the marketing, but to be able to walk in and
see that there's actually talented creative designers here in Columbus Ohio.
It's really kind of an awesome experience and to be
able to provide that, it's just a really feel good feeling.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
How frequently do the designers and artists that you showcase,
how frequently are you changing them up?
Speaker 5 (06:52):
So we have a couple that have been with us
from the beginning, which we love that that they've found
a place with hospital that they call home, and a
lot of them have come in and have not had
any sales before or any connections, and we've been able to,
you know, provide them a space where now they have
their generating income for themselves and their families. As far
(07:14):
as changing out, we allow them. We don't hold them
to any type of long contract. We give them the
freedom to stay as long as they want or as
short as they want, with just obviously a little two
week notice. But we are always accepting new designers and artists.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
So we may have a couple that have.
Speaker 5 (07:31):
Been there from twenty twenty and you know, we're always
accepting new designers and artists. We want to be able
to be that space where if you want to try
to promote your brand, if it's something you never did,
you feel comfortable and confident because we have designers and
artists on all levels of their career, So.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
That's so awesome and always giving people a reason to
come back and check things out because it sounds like
it's always evolving, which is really cool. Yeah, So let's
talk about the fashion scene here in Columbus. When many
people think of fashion, they think New York, LA. So
many are surprised to learn that Columbus has the highest
concentration of design professionals in the US when you look
(08:10):
at those working in the fashion and apparel industry, and
that we're headquarters of so many national retailers like Abercrombie
and Fitch, Victoria's Secret, and more. Then on top of
all of that, we have amazing independent boutiques, designers, artists,
and shopping districts. So, Kira, tell us more about Columbus's
fashion scene and why it's so special.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Yeah. So, I love that you just kind of combined
everything within Columbus right now, because we do have those
big box retailers, we do have all those independent boutiques.
I was one of those people that when I graduated
from the University of Akron, i went to New York
because I felt like there was so much more opportunity there,
and I spent about nine years in the fashion industry
(08:53):
just as a buyer, as a visual merchandiser, all those things.
But then I had actually realized that Columbus was coming
back actually expanding in the fashion scene. And so that's
what one of the motivating factors as to why I
came back to Me came back to Columbus. And I
think a lot of people are recognizing that we are
(09:13):
a city that has a ton of culture that is
just waiting to really kind of just flourish. We have
We can go either way in Columbus. I think that
we're we have a culture here and it's really based
in like arts and things like that, and then also
in the fashion scene. But then we have so many,
so many opportunities for us to just like really go
(09:34):
a lot further. So the uniqueness about it is that, yes,
we have all these different kind of siloed things, but
what I really love is how Fashion Week Columbus kind
of brings all those things together. So Fashion Week Columbus
is really like that platform that kind of gives the
independent designers the notoriety to those big box retailers, so
(09:56):
like or that exposure to the big box retailer. So overall,
I think that the fashion scene is just still growing.
We know that there's opportunity and we know that we
can create anything that we want. At this point, it's
just on the precipice of like what it could be
so exciting.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Yeah, you know, hearing Sarah rattle all of those you
know headquarters off, it is mind blowing to see that
Columbus is the home to all of those, you know,
world renowned retailers.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Kira, for you, what do you think? What do you
think it is?
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Is it that Columbus is not only a talented area
but a melting pot of different talents?
Speaker 4 (10:37):
It is.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
So you have like those big box retailers that are
bringing in corporate people from all over so New York,
International places, LA, and then you have those people who
are local but they're also like attending CCAD and OSU
and Hockey College and Kent. And then you have all
those people coming into Columbus and looking for jobs or
just looking for opportunities and starting retail boutiques. So it
(10:59):
is just a melting pop but it's really just catching
up to kind of other cities, but in its own
unique way.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah, so impressive.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
This is the Yes Columbus Podcast, and of course this
week we're talking with Kiera and Lindsay in regards to
the Columbus fashion scene. Lindsay, getting to you hospital collective,
you get to see firsthand the talent that we have
in Columbus. I know we touched on it a little bit,
but so many of the talented entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, the designers
(11:26):
that we've been talking about that have been featured, but
tell us about shop small, this movement that's been going
on and why it's so important for people to know about.
Speaker 5 (11:38):
So I think that part of what makes Columbus and
fashion special is, like we had mentioned, we have the
infrastructure as like a big city, but we have that
down home community, comfortable vibe where you know you can
get in your car and actually drive to your local
boutique that you want to go to. You don't have
to walk five blocks, get on a subway, then hope
(12:00):
that you miss you catch that train.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
So I feel like.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Shopping small here is that it's kind of what Columbus
is about. I feel like Columbus is really good at
supporting small business and we have all of these great
areas in Columbus like Bridge Park, Short North Germany Village
East and North Market that you know hospital collective that
provide these little like nooks and crannies where it gives
these small entrepreneurs and small businesses the opportunity to go
(12:28):
ahead and go after their dream if they wanted to
open a business. If you go to New York City
or you know, la finding a place first of all
that is affordable for rent. I feel like at this point,
Columbus is still affordable for the entrepreneur to go out
and create your own business. So I just I feel
like there's all these great areas all throughout Columbus that
(12:48):
kind of cater to the small business owner.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
You can afford the rent here easier than to.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Tap into that one too, because it's a really big point.
You know, just even coming from the York and knowing
that I was in fashion and wanted to maybe even
think about retail, it was just impossible, impossible to start
a brand and also like a retauble teat. But in
Columbus we also have Common Thread Shops on Third which
(13:15):
is one of our you know, fashion Week Columbus actually
started the first fashion retail district here and so that
is another way or another avenue for designers here to
afford a retauble teak that's affordable, or to have a
retun teak that's affordable.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
That's a great project. I mean, you could never find
something like that in New York City.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
That's what I was going to ask you guys, if
you could find us a support system like that in
New York or LA interesting.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
So one of my favorite times of year, when our
fashion scene shines, is coming up this weekend Fashion Week Columbus.
I hear it's a big anniversary this year, So Kiera,
can you tell us more about it?
Speaker 4 (13:54):
Yeah, so it's our fifteenth year. We are very excited
about it. It was actually started in two thousand and
two by our founder, Thomas mccure, and it really just
started off as a few fashion shows and then it
quickly grew into a full on week From there, went
on to expanding it to Columbus Fashion Council and that
was in twenty eighteen, and now we are just we
(14:16):
are full throttle, full production, live entertainment all week long.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
It makes you feel like you're in New York.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
It does, it does, and it's more than you expect.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
And so There are basically events that are happening every
single day this.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Week, every single day starting this Sunday.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
For our listener, if they want to get involved, where
should they go to learn more?
Speaker 4 (14:36):
So fashion Week Coolumbus dot org. You can definitely find
a full list of events there. You can also follow
us on Instagram at Fashion Week Columbus. You'll see all
the seven days of starting this Sunday with Do you
want me to go into the details? Sure? Okay, yeah,
he yes, of course we'd love to.
Speaker 5 (14:52):
My favorite place to find out is event bright. I
set my alerts notification, so as soon as they're having
an event, I get the notification, click the button, and
I have my ticket.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
Because stuff sells out, it does actually, so our first
event has sold out. It's high fashion tea. We have
four designers there, about fifty models, but it's more of
a couture type of a field. It has the te
your scones, all that good stuff, and then it goes
into Macy's on top of the rooftop and that's like
(15:21):
their fall collection that they show every single year. That's
usually about six hundred people that attend that event. It's
a very quick show, so people have to show up
on time, and then on Tuesday, we're doing something different,
so we are actually going to be with Nordstrom and
we're focusing on beauty. So you know, beauty is definitely
a part of fashion, hair, makeup, all that good stuff.
So this year we wanted to make sure that we
(15:42):
were going to incorporate, you know, an event that allowed
that part of fashion to shine. And so at Northstroum
we're doing like a beauty tutorial and then we're doing
a fashion preview for north Strum from eight am to
ten am. There's gonna be a lot of giveaways. Easton's
(16:03):
giving away five hundred dollars gift car.
Speaker 5 (16:04):
I love free uh.
Speaker 4 (16:08):
Anything beauty who doesn't, so you know, swag bags and
all that good stuff too. From there, we go into
Recycled Runway, which is on Wednesday, and that is presented
by our one of our biggest sponsors, Nurture, Salon and Spa,
and that is all focused around sustainability. So the designers
(16:30):
they make sure that they are creating garments that are recycled,
have been used, and they put them all together. So
some of it is material, some of it's plastic, it's metal,
it's a little bit of everything.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Really cool sustainability story.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
M hm, I love it. It's it's a fan favorite too.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
I was gonna say that's I I have to say.
I have all kind of designers that I get to,
you know, connect with, but I love that's my that's
my favorite. If I have to pick sustainability.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Hear that.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Hear that a lot. Nice. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
And then from sustain It from Recycle Runway, we go
into Philanthe Beauts Fashion. So our headliner this year is
Bruce Glynn. They are a celebrity stylist. They are going
to be speaking to a lot of our students at CCAD.
So it's not just the students, but it's also for
anybody that's interested in the fashion industry.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
So and it sounds like there are people coming from
all over the country, if not the world for this too.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Actually, you know what for our next show that I
want to speak about, Yes, they are coming from all
over the world and so yeah, but Philanthe Beman's Fashion
is geared towards students, geared towards fashion and professionals who
want to learn more about the business of fashion and
how those headliners got to that place. And then we
go into Curve, which is a new show this year.
So we presented Curve last year in a smaller aspect,
(17:49):
but this year we're actually doing like a full on marketplace,
a panel discussion where we're talking about the business of Curve,
and then we're doing a full on runway show with
eight designs.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Can I have to say I love that you as
added Curves so for one, because there's a special part
a place in my heart for that. But also, like,
let's be realistic, like models are not all as size
zero to three, so you know, we have to be
inclusive and like this is just everyday people walking down
the street.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
Like that's true.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
I mean, it's just awesome.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
Yeah, it's not just models that are in zero to three.
Most people, especially in you know Columbus. We eat good here,
that's right, you know, you know we lived and not
that you know, not that let's take that part, that
part I'll probably.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
No, but the food scene absolute inclusive fashion.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
And that is and that is the part that we're
really trying to draw in is that we are not
just for you know, the people that are in the
fashion industry, the people that look like this or you
know it. Fashion is diverse, and then finally we round
up with the finale show, which is the biggest of
them all. We're expecting at least, you know, six to
(19:04):
seven hundred people there. We have our VIP experience with
the live band, so there's going to be music, entertainment,
and obviously our designers and our headliner are presenting there
as well. So we have about one hundred models for
the finale show, and we work with probably around one
hundred and fifty to two hundred models all week.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
It's amazing.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
It's a huge production.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Are a lot of the models local or are they
coming from all over as well?
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Most of the models are local, but then there are
some that travel from different states as well, because some
of the models they go on and they move to.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Different travel with the designer they started sharing with Columbus
from now we're in fifteen and they're traveling back.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
To and that's the same with our designers too, so
you know, it's good to see that. Over the last
fifteen years, we've had several people that have gone on
and gone on to do New York Fashion Week or
London or Paris, and then they also come back. So
we have some people like Akili Cooper, who started with us,
one of our original designers that's also showcasing this year
(20:04):
in our fifteenth year as well.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
You just made me think about something. Do designers have
their favorites as far as models, Like, when they're designing
something or they create something, do they have in their head, Oh,
I'd like to get so and so to wear it?
Speaker 4 (20:18):
They did?
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Oh, okay, I've always wondered.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
I also feel like I feel like most of the
designers that I've encountered here in Columbus like they're not
they have their their favorite their favorite models. But sure,
I feel like a lot of them are so talented
that like they can customize a piece for anybody, And
that's also a pretty pretty cool thing to know that,
like you can see something on another body, but they
recreated in a way that looks good on your body.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Well, last year, and Kierra, this is for you. You know,
you were one of the first fashion weeks in the
country to ban the use of fur products. And I'm
hearing that fur free fashion is still around. But there's
also some new elements this year too. Could you elaborate
a little more on that.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Yeah, So the newness of fashion Week this year is
definitely the portion that we're adding in with with Northstrom,
the Curve event that we're making expanding upon that, and
then we have a ton of new designers this year.
So I think that people who have seen us from
like the very beginning have gotten used to seeing some
(21:17):
of the same designers year every year, which is great
because they've been evolving as well. But the whole purpose is,
you know, for Fashion Week Columbus, is to make sure
that we are a part of that growth, right, But
then those people can like go on and continue their
business and we can continue to promote new growth in
the city. So out of the twenty five designers that
(21:37):
we have this year, twenty of them are all new.
So that that would say that's the best part of
this year is the amazing talent that you fresh and
so exciting.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
And there are still tickets for the finale show there are, Okay,
that's wonderful. So I'm sure our listeners would love to
hear what some of your favorite spots are for fashion
experiences in Columbus and Central outside of Hospital Collective of course,
So what should be in our radars? Lindsay, Let's start
with you.
Speaker 5 (22:05):
So I actually have recently I mean, I live downtown,
so I tend to not.
Speaker 4 (22:11):
Leave what I call the bubble.
Speaker 5 (22:13):
It's very comfortable and convenience down here. There's certain areas
that I just don't expand to because it's not necessary.
But Bridge Park has some really cute boutiques and you know,
it's a nice little experience over there, so I've been
kind of traveling over to. I think Bridge Park is
a nice little hidden gem. It's in the suburbs, but
also gives you kind of like a city vibe when
you like come into the air and still very close
(22:34):
it is.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
But I would say that's that's kind of out of
your bubble. I don't know, I'm impressed.
Speaker 5 (22:39):
That's like going out of town.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
I would actually say the same thing. I stay in
my bubble too, but when I get outside of it,
and I don't even know if German Village is outside
of my bubble, but.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
I think it's kind of in your bubble.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
Yeah, but that's where I go to German Village when
I'm trying to get away from other people, even though
it's kind of it's busy there, but I just love
the boutique feel of it as well, and it's just
kind of like a lot of dives and I love,
you know, small places where I can kind of tuck
away in the corner.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Yeah, I like that too.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
By the way, wait, with the fashion Week being October
thirteenth through the nineteenth, how can those listening at ten
get tickets? I know we touched on a little bit,
but also I didn't realize are there different packages and
prices too, Kiara?
Speaker 4 (23:24):
There are. Yeah. So if you go to Fashion Week
Columbus dot org, you will see a lot. You see
all seven events, most of them are actually complimentary. Thanks
oh a lot of our sponsors that we have, so
like City of Columbus, Efrenklin County, they're big supporters of
the fashion industry here, so thank you to them. That's
how we're able to provide those free tickets. But then
also we have some ticket events that you would need
(23:46):
to RSVP for in advance, like the High Fashion Tea,
also Curve and then Finale. So Finale is going to
run you anywhere from seventy five to upward to seventy five,
and that's going to be for a VIPR experience in
the front row. And then Curve starts at sixty dollars
for the VIP and then forty dollars for general admission.
(24:08):
You can also be a part of some of those
days where they're you know, have higher ticket prices by
going to the after parties. So say, for example, we
have the Curvey after Dark and that's fifteen dollars and
that's going to be a parable cafe. And then we
have the closing party for fashion Week, which is five
dollars at Parlay Nightclub, our Parlay Kitchen and Sports Grill.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
Well, that's awesome. So so many options, there's there's free opportunities,
there's just pay a little bit all the way up
to I'm a VIP and I want to sit in
the front row. So no matter how you want to
consume fashion Week, there's something for you.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Which is really absolutely I love that.
Speaker 3 (24:45):
So before we go, we'd love to learn about the
work of the Columbus Fashion Council all year long, because
obviously we focused on Fashion Week Columbus, but there's so
much more that your team is doing. And so what
are some other pro grahams and events throughout the year
for us to know about.
Speaker 4 (25:02):
Yeah, so the reason that Columbus Fashion Council exists is
because we wanted to make sure that we were actually
providing opportunities all year round, so not just at Fashion Week,
even though we work on Fashion Week all all year,
but Columbus Fashion Council also does the Fashion Industry Conference,
which is typically around the spring. So this year we
just had it. Lindsay was one of our panelists. Yeah, representativents,
(25:24):
the retailers there, and so that was it was awesome
because we had about thirty to forty panelists and you
had a lot of industry professionals that came and spoke
to some students, some people who were just getting an industry,
some people who have been there for a long time.
That's probably one of our biggest things that we do
and work on, is just making sure that we bring
(25:45):
in that experience for some of our members and people
who are affiliated with us. Oh No. And then the
other large event that we do is now the Fashion
Awards Ball, So that kind of started last year and
that's actually my favorite event because that's where we highlight
our designers, our models, our retailers, influencers, videographers. Yeah, and
(26:07):
so it is just like making sure that once we
do all this work throughout the year, we give those
people the opportunity to really shine on their own and
we give the community an opportunity to let us know
who their favorites are and then we award them at
the end of the year. That's awesome. Here.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
When Fashion Week Columbus wraps up, are you immediately working
on next year?
Speaker 2 (26:29):
I mean, is it a year round project?
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Mm hm.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
I would say that because we go right into the
Fashion Awards ball after Fashion Week Columbus, and then there's
maybe like two weeks where I'm not working on anything
and hopefully you're traveling, yes, or.
Speaker 3 (26:45):
You're doing one of your other four jobs that you have.
Speaker 4 (26:48):
Yes. But starting January first, we are we are back
on it. We're planning strategically how we're gonna you know,
what's the vision for this year? How are we going
to make this different? Yeah, and so the first quarter
is really strategic planning for everything else has.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
To come such a breadth of fresh air to hear
the support system that the fashion scene in Columbus has.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
It really is.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
You know this podcast if you're listening for the first time,
you know it's all about uncovering what's new, but we
also love the tried and true places and experiences So
for this next segment here we call it, I don't
know if you've heard yet because it's new, but Columbus Classics,
and we want to hear from each of you, Lindsay
and Kira, about a classic Columbus experience that you love.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Lindsay, we could start with you.
Speaker 4 (27:38):
So there's so many of them.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
We have great museums and you know Kosai and the
Columbus Art Museum, But one of my favorite things to
do is the Franklin Park Conservatory.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Love Conservatory, especially this time of.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
Year, I know, and then you go into the palm
Room I believe it is, and you feel like you're
on some tropical island and there's actually like living creatures
in there too. So I love the Conservatory.
Speaker 4 (28:05):
Kiera, I love the Short North. It's my stomping grounds.
I've been going here or being around this area since
I was sixteen, is when I really first started kind
of coming out in the Short North and like gallery
hopping and stuff like that. What else do I love?
I love some of the classics, like Tommy's Diner in Yeah,
my mom used to take me all the.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
Time, Burman's Cafe, Oh, Thurmanburger.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
There you go, so many good ones. I would say
those are my go tos. That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
I like it.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Okay, So before we go, ladies, we want to know
what you're saying yes to Columbus this season.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Kiara, We'll start with you. What are you saying yes too?
Speaker 4 (28:45):
I'm getting back to exploring the neighborhoods again, because just
like Lindsay said, you know, Bridge Park is awesome and
I haven't got there. I haven't gotten to go there
as much as I want to, but every time I go,
I'm surprised about what is you know, being offered, and
then just kind of walking walking around again. You know,
once fashion Week is over, I do have a little
bit more time on my hands, and so I just
(29:07):
want to go back to the neighborhoods and see what's new.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
I love the accessibility of our neighborhoods here, how you
can go from one to the other in just a
few minutes. You can walk or just a really quick drive.
And each one has its own unique personality, they do, lindsay,
how about you?
Speaker 5 (29:22):
So I don't have much family here in Columbus, so
I want to get back to having like friends and
family dinners and what I want to do is experience
some of the newer restaurants in Columbus and possibly set
like a Sunday family friend dinner.
Speaker 4 (29:35):
Oh, and try to pick a new restaurant.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
Each week or whenever we can get to it. I
would love to do it every week, but maybe once
a month and we pick a new restaurant that no
one's been to or that we'd like to try out.
Speaker 3 (29:46):
Well, there's so many great options, and be sure to
check out the Experience Columbus website for all of the
new amazing dining experiences for sure. All well, thank you
both so much for taking the time to join us today,
and for everyone who's listening, be sure to get your
tickets to Fashion Week Columbus. There is still time and
if you can't make the finale runway show, follow Experience
(30:07):
Columbus on Instagram, where we will also be live hosting
from the event. So thank you both again. This is
thank you, thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
That's a wrap on this week's episode of Yes Columbus
and Experience Columbus podcast. Tune in next week as we
take you on a tour of what's new, what's hot,
and what makes Columbus a city on the rise,
Yes Columbus, an Experienced Columbus podcast, keeps you in the
know of what's happening in the art city Columbus, the
number one soccer team, the number three beer city, a
top ten culinary destination with the largest concentration.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Of fashion professionals in the US.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
Join iHeartMedia's Boxer, along with Experienced Columbus's Chief Marketing Officers
Sarah Towns and their guests for an inside look at
a destination that invites visitors and locals alike to explore.
By the end of each episode, you'll be asking yourself,
can all of this really exist in one city?
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Yes Columbus.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Welcome to our second episode of our new season of
Yes Columbus Podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
This week, it's all about Columbus's fashion scene as we
talk with two special guests, Kiera Chapman, executive director of
the Columbus Fashion Council, and Lindsay Drejos, owner of Hospital Collective,
a boutique in Old Town East that houses local creatives, artists, designers,
and entrepreneurs.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
Yeah, I'm excited about this. So in today's episode, we're
gonna give you a preview of Fashion Week Columbus, which
is coming up the thirteenth through the nineteenth of October.
Before we meet our guest, Sarah, let's hop into our
headliner segments.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
Okay, boxer Columbus has been in the news again and
we want to talk about it. Our headliner segment covers
one of those surprising media mentions their stats. Recently, Columbus
received one of the longest running and most respected accolades
in the travel industry. Conde nas Traveler, one of the
top travel publications in the world, has named Columbus a
(01:37):
top ten best big City in its twenty twenty four
Reader's Choice Awards. Any guess what spot we came in at.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Hmmm, I'm gonna say.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
Do I have to be real specific, Sarah, like a
number or can I just say.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Top blah blah blah.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Either way, Okay, I'm gonna be safe here a little bit.
I'm gonna say top three, top three, top three.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Well, we are actually No. Number nine on the list.
It's a top ten list.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
We got cheated.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
It's still amazing because on that list is Chicago, DC, Boston,
and we actually beat Miami, if you can believe it,
San Diego and Milwaukee. So we are so thrilled to
be part of this esteemed list.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
Yeah, I would say, so that's pretty amazing that Columbus
is in that kind of standard, especially with the cities
that you know you had mentioned. Okay, so let's go
to our Behind the Buzz segment and chat with this
week's special guests.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
For those tuning in for the first time this week,
Behind the Buzz is where we talk with a special
guest and learn about the latest new restaurant to open,
the newest exhibition at one of Columbus's museums, attractions or galleries,
or about the latest retail experience, festival, or top thing
to do. Today, we're talking about Columbus's fashion scene and
getting a preview of Fashion Week Columbus. Joining us are
(02:55):
Kiara Chatman, executive director of the Columbus Fashion Council, and
Lindsay Drejos's, owner of Hospital Collective.
Speaker 1 (03:01):
Welcome, ladies, it's good to see you and have you here.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Thank you for having me for having us.
Speaker 1 (03:05):
So before we jump into our topic, I know we'd
love to learn more about you. Those that are listening
would like to learn more about you and of course
your background. Kira, why don't we start with you first?
You know, just listening to you before we started taping.
I know you're an entrepreneur in the community advocate as
well from Columbus. But not only are you the executive
(03:26):
director of the Columbus Fashion Council, but you're also the
president of the Columbus Urban League Young Professionals and you're
a licensed realtor. How do you find all this time.
Speaker 4 (03:36):
To do all that typically is no sleep?
Speaker 2 (03:40):
You look great for no sleep.
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Thank you, very fashionable, Thank you appreciated. But yeah, no,
I'm very good at multitasking. I have been all my life,
but it is it's a lot to do multiple jobs.
I also have an airbnb and event space called Legacy
House six one four that I also run and operate.
So I really have four full time jobs. But I'm
(04:02):
passionate about all of them. So I tend not to
do anything that I don't love, and so when I'm
doing things that I love, I make time for it.
And if it's long nights, it's long nights. But yeah,
I just I just love everything that I do.
Speaker 1 (04:16):
Good for you, especially you you. I took something away
there that you said, I don't do anything I don't like,
and boy, could so many people take that little piece
of advice.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Why do something you don't.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
Like, Yeah, I don't. I don't have the I don't
have the drive for it, you know, And then that's
when it feels like it's a job. And so I
just make sure that whatever I get into, I really
have like something. Everything that I do really comes back to,
like Columbus a community. Yeah, and so I'm just really
passionate about the city because I'm from here, born and raised,
and yeah, I just I take it. I take it
(04:48):
as as something that I'm supposed to do and not
that I have to do.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:51):
And Lindsey, how about you, I know you worked your
some of your stats, your background. You work for at
Sax Fifth Avenue for more than a day as a
personal style advisor. You went to OSU and now you
own hospital collective.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
Yes, so I have been in the fashion industry for
fifteen plus years. I did start my career in high
end luxury goods at Sacks Fifth Avenue, and with that
I was able to make great relationships, travel internationally for
fashion weeks and you know, enjoy styling people from our
(05:28):
community but taking them outside and seeing like how how
many different opportunities are out there to truly like make
yourself feel good. For me, fashion is about making you
feel good. It's like an art. We don't put something
on that makes us feel bad and then walk out
of our house.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
So true, I do even think about that.
Speaker 5 (05:46):
And so when I created a hospital collective, it was
during COVID when we got for a load from SAX
and a lot of businesses were shutting down, and I
saw the opportunity to create a space where other small
entrepreneurs would be able to sustain and make it through
COVID by renting a rack or having a space within
(06:07):
the collective. So it gives them a space that they
can sell and showcase their goods, but then they don't
have to worry about the overhead of paying the rent,
paying the utilities. And then it also gives people in
our community a chance to come in and see.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
What is actually here on a local level.
Speaker 5 (06:22):
Because it's one thing to walk into a Sax or
Macy's and see these brands that we recognize because they're
promoted by all this big money market big money behind
the marketing, but to be able to walk in and
see that there's actually talented creative designers here in Columbus Ohio.
It's really kind of an awesome experience and to be
able to provide that, it's just a really feel good feeling.
Speaker 3 (06:46):
How frequently do the designers and artists that you showcase,
how frequently are you changing them up?
Speaker 5 (06:52):
So we have a couple that have been with us
from the beginning, which we love that that they've found
a place with hospital that they call home, and a
lot of them have come in and have not had
any sales before or any connections, and we've been able to,
you know, provide them a space where now they have
their generating income for themselves and their families. As far
(07:14):
as changing out, we allow them. We don't hold them
to any type of long contract. We give them the
freedom to stay as long as they want or as
short as they want, with just obviously a little two
week notice. But we are always accepting new designers and artists.
Speaker 4 (07:29):
So we may have a couple that have.
Speaker 5 (07:31):
Been there from twenty twenty and you know, we're always
accepting new designers and artists. We want to be able
to be that space where if you want to try
to promote your brand, if it's something you never did,
you feel comfortable and confident because we have designers and
artists on all levels of their career, So.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
That's so awesome and always giving people a reason to
come back and check things out because it sounds like
it's always evolving, which is really cool. Yeah, So let's
talk about the fashion scene here in Columbus. When many
people think of fashion, they think New York, LA. So
many are surprised to learn that Columbus has the highest
concentration of design professionals in the US when you look
(08:10):
at those working in the fashion and apparel industry, and
that we're headquarters of so many national retailers like Abercrombie
and Fitch, Victoria's Secret, and more. Then on top of
all of that, we have amazing independent boutiques, designers, artists,
and shopping districts. So, Kira, tell us more about Columbus's
fashion scene and why it's so special.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
Yeah. So, I love that you just kind of combined
everything within Columbus right now, because we do have those
big box retailers, we do have all those independent boutiques.
I was one of those people that when I graduated
from the University of Akron, i went to New York
because I felt like there was so much more opportunity there,
and I spent about nine years in the fashion industry
(08:53):
just as a buyer, as a visual merchandiser, all those things.
But then I had actually realized that Columbus was coming
back actually expanding in the fashion scene. And so that's
what one of the motivating factors as to why I
came back to Me came back to Columbus. And I
think a lot of people are recognizing that we are
(09:13):
a city that has a ton of culture that is
just waiting to really kind of just flourish. We have
We can go either way in Columbus. I think that
we're we have a culture here and it's really based
in like arts and things like that, and then also
in the fashion scene. But then we have so many,
so many opportunities for us to just like really go
(09:34):
a lot further. So the uniqueness about it is that, yes,
we have all these different kind of siloed things, but
what I really love is how Fashion Week Columbus kind
of brings all those things together. So Fashion Week Columbus
is really like that platform that kind of gives the
independent designers the notoriety to those big box retailers, so
(09:56):
like or that exposure to the big box retailer. So overall,
I think that the fashion scene is just still growing.
We know that there's opportunity and we know that we
can create anything that we want. At this point, it's
just on the precipice of like what it could be
so exciting.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Yeah, you know, hearing Sarah rattle all of those you
know headquarters off, it is mind blowing to see that
Columbus is the home to all of those, you know,
world renowned retailers.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Kira, for you, what do you think? What do you
think it is?
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Is it that Columbus is not only a talented area
but a melting pot of different talents?
Speaker 4 (10:37):
It is.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
So you have like those big box retailers that are
bringing in corporate people from all over so New York,
International places, LA, and then you have those people who
are local but they're also like attending CCAD and OSU
and Hockey College and Kent. And then you have all
those people coming into Columbus and looking for jobs or
just looking for opportunities and starting retail boutiques. So it
(10:59):
is just a melting pop but it's really just catching
up to kind of other cities, but in its own
unique way.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
Yeah, so impressive.
Speaker 1 (11:06):
This is the Yes Columbus Podcast, and of course this
week we're talking with Kiera and Lindsay in regards to
the Columbus fashion scene. Lindsay, getting to you hospital collective,
you get to see firsthand the talent that we have
in Columbus. I know we touched on it a little bit,
but so many of the talented entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, the designers
(11:26):
that we've been talking about that have been featured, but
tell us about shop small, this movement that's been going
on and why it's so important for people to know about.
Speaker 5 (11:38):
So I think that part of what makes Columbus and
fashion special is, like we had mentioned, we have the
infrastructure as like a big city, but we have that
down home community, comfortable vibe where you know you can
get in your car and actually drive to your local
boutique that you want to go to. You don't have
to walk five blocks, get on a subway, then hope
(12:00):
that you miss you catch that train.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
So I feel like.
Speaker 5 (12:04):
Shopping small here is that it's kind of what Columbus
is about. I feel like Columbus is really good at
supporting small business and we have all of these great
areas in Columbus like Bridge Park, Short North Germany Village
East and North Market that you know hospital collective that
provide these little like nooks and crannies where it gives
these small entrepreneurs and small businesses the opportunity to go
(12:28):
ahead and go after their dream if they wanted to
open a business. If you go to New York City
or you know, la finding a place first of all
that is affordable for rent. I feel like at this point,
Columbus is still affordable for the entrepreneur to go out
and create your own business. So I just I feel
like there's all these great areas all throughout Columbus that
(12:48):
kind of cater to the small business owner.
Speaker 1 (12:51):
You can afford the rent here easier than to.
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Tap into that one too, because it's a really big point.
You know, just even coming from the York and knowing
that I was in fashion and wanted to maybe even
think about retail, it was just impossible, impossible to start
a brand and also like a retauble teat. But in
Columbus we also have Common Thread Shops on Third which
(13:15):
is one of our you know, fashion Week Columbus actually
started the first fashion retail district here and so that
is another way or another avenue for designers here to
afford a retauble teak that's affordable, or to have a
retun teak that's affordable.
Speaker 5 (13:31):
That's a great project. I mean, you could never find
something like that in New York City.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
That's what I was going to ask you guys, if
you could find us a support system like that in
New York or LA interesting.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
So one of my favorite times of year, when our
fashion scene shines, is coming up this weekend Fashion Week Columbus.
I hear it's a big anniversary this year, So Kiera,
can you tell us more about it?
Speaker 4 (13:54):
Yeah, so it's our fifteenth year. We are very excited
about it. It was actually started in two thousand and
two by our founder, Thomas mccure, and it really just
started off as a few fashion shows and then it
quickly grew into a full on week From there, went
on to expanding it to Columbus Fashion Council and that
was in twenty eighteen, and now we are just we
(14:16):
are full throttle, full production, live entertainment all week long.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
It makes you feel like you're in New York.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
It does, it does, and it's more than you expect.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
And so There are basically events that are happening every
single day this.
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Week, every single day starting this Sunday.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
For our listener, if they want to get involved, where
should they go to learn more?
Speaker 4 (14:36):
So fashion Week Coolumbus dot org. You can definitely find
a full list of events there. You can also follow
us on Instagram at Fashion Week Columbus. You'll see all
the seven days of starting this Sunday with Do you
want me to go into the details? Sure? Okay, yeah,
he yes, of course we'd love to.
Speaker 5 (14:52):
My favorite place to find out is event bright. I
set my alerts notification, so as soon as they're having
an event, I get the notification, click the button, and
I have my ticket.
Speaker 4 (15:00):
Because stuff sells out, it does actually, so our first
event has sold out. It's high fashion tea. We have
four designers there, about fifty models, but it's more of
a couture type of a field. It has the te
your scones, all that good stuff, and then it goes
into Macy's on top of the rooftop and that's like
(15:21):
their fall collection that they show every single year. That's
usually about six hundred people that attend that event. It's
a very quick show, so people have to show up
on time, and then on Tuesday, we're doing something different,
so we are actually going to be with Nordstrom and
we're focusing on beauty. So you know, beauty is definitely
a part of fashion, hair, makeup, all that good stuff.
So this year we wanted to make sure that we
(15:42):
were going to incorporate, you know, an event that allowed
that part of fashion to shine. And so at Northstroum
we're doing like a beauty tutorial and then we're doing
a fashion preview for north Strum from eight am to
ten am. There's gonna be a lot of giveaways. Easton's
(16:03):
giving away five hundred dollars gift car.
Speaker 5 (16:04):
I love free uh.
Speaker 4 (16:08):
Anything beauty who doesn't, so you know, swag bags and
all that good stuff too. From there, we go into
Recycled Runway, which is on Wednesday, and that is presented
by our one of our biggest sponsors, Nurture, Salon and Spa,
and that is all focused around sustainability. So the designers
(16:30):
they make sure that they are creating garments that are recycled,
have been used, and they put them all together. So
some of it is material, some of it's plastic, it's metal,
it's a little bit of everything.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Really cool sustainability story.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
M hm, I love it. It's it's a fan favorite too.
Speaker 5 (16:46):
I was gonna say that's I I have to say.
I have all kind of designers that I get to,
you know, connect with, but I love that's my that's
my favorite. If I have to pick sustainability.
Speaker 4 (16:57):
Hear that.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
Hear that a lot. Nice. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (17:00):
And then from sustain It from Recycle Runway, we go
into Philanthe Beauts Fashion. So our headliner this year is
Bruce Glynn. They are a celebrity stylist. They are going
to be speaking to a lot of our students at CCAD.
So it's not just the students, but it's also for
anybody that's interested in the fashion industry.
Speaker 1 (17:18):
So and it sounds like there are people coming from
all over the country, if not the world for this too.
Speaker 2 (17:24):
Wow.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
Actually, you know what for our next show that I
want to speak about, Yes, they are coming from all
over the world and so yeah, but Philanthe Beman's Fashion
is geared towards students, geared towards fashion and professionals who
want to learn more about the business of fashion and
how those headliners got to that place. And then we
go into Curve, which is a new show this year.
So we presented Curve last year in a smaller aspect,
(17:49):
but this year we're actually doing like a full on marketplace,
a panel discussion where we're talking about the business of Curve,
and then we're doing a full on runway show with
eight designs.
Speaker 5 (17:58):
Can I have to say I love that you as
added Curves so for one, because there's a special part
a place in my heart for that. But also, like,
let's be realistic, like models are not all as size
zero to three, so you know, we have to be
inclusive and like this is just everyday people walking down
the street.
Speaker 4 (18:18):
Like that's true.
Speaker 5 (18:19):
I mean, it's just awesome.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
Yeah, it's not just models that are in zero to three.
Most people, especially in you know Columbus. We eat good here,
that's right, you know, you know we lived and not
that you know, not that let's take that part, that
part I'll probably.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
No, but the food scene absolute inclusive fashion.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
And that is and that is the part that we're
really trying to draw in is that we are not
just for you know, the people that are in the
fashion industry, the people that look like this or you
know it. Fashion is diverse, and then finally we round
up with the finale show, which is the biggest of
them all. We're expecting at least, you know, six to
(19:04):
seven hundred people there. We have our VIP experience with
the live band, so there's going to be music, entertainment,
and obviously our designers and our headliner are presenting there
as well. So we have about one hundred models for
the finale show, and we work with probably around one
hundred and fifty to two hundred models all week.
Speaker 3 (19:25):
It's amazing.
Speaker 4 (19:26):
It's a huge production.
Speaker 3 (19:27):
Are a lot of the models local or are they
coming from all over as well?
Speaker 4 (19:30):
Most of the models are local, but then there are
some that travel from different states as well, because some
of the models they go on and they move to.
Speaker 3 (19:37):
Different travel with the designer they started sharing with Columbus
from now we're in fifteen and they're traveling back.
Speaker 4 (19:44):
To and that's the same with our designers too, so
you know, it's good to see that. Over the last
fifteen years, we've had several people that have gone on
and gone on to do New York Fashion Week or
London or Paris, and then they also come back. So
we have some people like Akili Cooper, who started with us,
one of our original designers that's also showcasing this year
(20:04):
in our fifteenth year as well.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
You just made me think about something. Do designers have
their favorites as far as models, Like, when they're designing
something or they create something, do they have in their head, Oh,
I'd like to get so and so to wear it?
Speaker 4 (20:18):
They did?
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Oh, okay, I've always wondered.
Speaker 5 (20:19):
I also feel like I feel like most of the
designers that I've encountered here in Columbus like they're not
they have their their favorite their favorite models. But sure,
I feel like a lot of them are so talented
that like they can customize a piece for anybody, And
that's also a pretty pretty cool thing to know that,
like you can see something on another body, but they
recreated in a way that looks good on your body.
Speaker 1 (20:39):
Well, last year, and Kierra, this is for you. You know,
you were one of the first fashion weeks in the
country to ban the use of fur products. And I'm
hearing that fur free fashion is still around. But there's
also some new elements this year too. Could you elaborate
a little more on that.
Speaker 4 (20:55):
Yeah, So the newness of fashion Week this year is
definitely the portion that we're adding in with with Northstrom,
the Curve event that we're making expanding upon that, and
then we have a ton of new designers this year.
So I think that people who have seen us from
like the very beginning have gotten used to seeing some
(21:17):
of the same designers year every year, which is great
because they've been evolving as well. But the whole purpose is,
you know, for Fashion Week Columbus, is to make sure
that we are a part of that growth, right, But
then those people can like go on and continue their
business and we can continue to promote new growth in
the city. So out of the twenty five designers that
(21:37):
we have this year, twenty of them are all new.
So that that would say that's the best part of
this year is the amazing talent that you fresh and
so exciting.
Speaker 3 (21:48):
And there are still tickets for the finale show there are, Okay,
that's wonderful. So I'm sure our listeners would love to
hear what some of your favorite spots are for fashion
experiences in Columbus and Central outside of Hospital Collective of course,
So what should be in our radars? Lindsay, Let's start
with you.
Speaker 5 (22:05):
So I actually have recently I mean, I live downtown,
so I tend to not.
Speaker 4 (22:11):
Leave what I call the bubble.
Speaker 5 (22:13):
It's very comfortable and convenience down here. There's certain areas
that I just don't expand to because it's not necessary.
But Bridge Park has some really cute boutiques and you know,
it's a nice little experience over there, so I've been
kind of traveling over to. I think Bridge Park is
a nice little hidden gem. It's in the suburbs, but
also gives you kind of like a city vibe when
you like come into the air and still very close
(22:34):
it is.
Speaker 1 (22:35):
But I would say that's that's kind of out of
your bubble. I don't know, I'm impressed.
Speaker 5 (22:39):
That's like going out of town.
Speaker 4 (22:42):
I would actually say the same thing. I stay in
my bubble too, but when I get outside of it,
and I don't even know if German Village is outside
of my bubble, but.
Speaker 3 (22:50):
I think it's kind of in your bubble.
Speaker 4 (22:52):
Yeah, but that's where I go to German Village when
I'm trying to get away from other people, even though
it's kind of it's busy there, but I just love
the boutique feel of it as well, and it's just
kind of like a lot of dives and I love,
you know, small places where I can kind of tuck
away in the corner.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
Yeah, I like that too.
Speaker 1 (23:11):
By the way, wait, with the fashion Week being October
thirteenth through the nineteenth, how can those listening at ten
get tickets? I know we touched on a little bit,
but also I didn't realize are there different packages and
prices too, Kiara?
Speaker 4 (23:24):
There are. Yeah. So if you go to Fashion Week
Columbus dot org, you will see a lot. You see
all seven events, most of them are actually complimentary. Thanks
oh a lot of our sponsors that we have, so
like City of Columbus, Efrenklin County, they're big supporters of
the fashion industry here, so thank you to them. That's
how we're able to provide those free tickets. But then
also we have some ticket events that you would need
(23:46):
to RSVP for in advance, like the High Fashion Tea,
also Curve and then Finale. So Finale is going to
run you anywhere from seventy five to upward to seventy five,
and that's going to be for a VIPR experience in
the front row. And then Curve starts at sixty dollars
for the VIP and then forty dollars for general admission.
(24:08):
You can also be a part of some of those
days where they're you know, have higher ticket prices by
going to the after parties. So say, for example, we
have the Curvey after Dark and that's fifteen dollars and
that's going to be a parable cafe. And then we
have the closing party for fashion Week, which is five
dollars at Parlay Nightclub, our Parlay Kitchen and Sports Grill.
Speaker 3 (24:29):
Well, that's awesome. So so many options, there's there's free opportunities,
there's just pay a little bit all the way up
to I'm a VIP and I want to sit in
the front row. So no matter how you want to
consume fashion Week, there's something for you.
Speaker 4 (24:42):
Which is really absolutely I love that.
Speaker 3 (24:45):
So before we go, we'd love to learn about the
work of the Columbus Fashion Council all year long, because
obviously we focused on Fashion Week Columbus, but there's so
much more that your team is doing. And so what
are some other pro grahams and events throughout the year
for us to know about.
Speaker 4 (25:02):
Yeah, so the reason that Columbus Fashion Council exists is
because we wanted to make sure that we were actually
providing opportunities all year round, so not just at Fashion Week,
even though we work on Fashion Week all all year,
but Columbus Fashion Council also does the Fashion Industry Conference,
which is typically around the spring. So this year we
just had it. Lindsay was one of our panelists. Yeah, representativents,
(25:24):
the retailers there, and so that was it was awesome
because we had about thirty to forty panelists and you
had a lot of industry professionals that came and spoke
to some students, some people who were just getting an industry,
some people who have been there for a long time.
That's probably one of our biggest things that we do
and work on, is just making sure that we bring
(25:45):
in that experience for some of our members and people
who are affiliated with us. Oh No. And then the
other large event that we do is now the Fashion
Awards Ball, So that kind of started last year and
that's actually my favorite event because that's where we highlight
our designers, our models, our retailers, influencers, videographers. Yeah, and
(26:07):
so it is just like making sure that once we
do all this work throughout the year, we give those
people the opportunity to really shine on their own and
we give the community an opportunity to let us know
who their favorites are and then we award them at
the end of the year. That's awesome. Here.
Speaker 1 (26:24):
When Fashion Week Columbus wraps up, are you immediately working
on next year?
Speaker 2 (26:29):
I mean, is it a year round project?
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Mm hm.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
I would say that because we go right into the
Fashion Awards ball after Fashion Week Columbus, and then there's
maybe like two weeks where I'm not working on anything
and hopefully you're traveling, yes, or.
Speaker 3 (26:45):
You're doing one of your other four jobs that you have.
Speaker 4 (26:48):
Yes. But starting January first, we are we are back
on it. We're planning strategically how we're gonna you know,
what's the vision for this year? How are we going
to make this different? Yeah, and so the first quarter
is really strategic planning for everything else has.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
To come such a breadth of fresh air to hear
the support system that the fashion scene in Columbus has.
Speaker 2 (27:11):
It really is.
Speaker 1 (27:12):
You know this podcast if you're listening for the first time,
you know it's all about uncovering what's new, but we
also love the tried and true places and experiences So
for this next segment here we call it, I don't
know if you've heard yet because it's new, but Columbus Classics,
and we want to hear from each of you, Lindsay
and Kira, about a classic Columbus experience that you love.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
Lindsay, we could start with you.
Speaker 4 (27:38):
So there's so many of them.
Speaker 5 (27:39):
We have great museums and you know Kosai and the
Columbus Art Museum, But one of my favorite things to
do is the Franklin Park Conservatory.
Speaker 3 (27:51):
Love Conservatory, especially this time of.
Speaker 5 (27:53):
Year, I know, and then you go into the palm
Room I believe it is, and you feel like you're
on some tropical island and there's actually like living creatures
in there too. So I love the Conservatory.
Speaker 4 (28:05):
Kiera, I love the Short North. It's my stomping grounds.
I've been going here or being around this area since
I was sixteen, is when I really first started kind
of coming out in the Short North and like gallery
hopping and stuff like that. What else do I love?
I love some of the classics, like Tommy's Diner in Yeah,
my mom used to take me all the.
Speaker 5 (28:26):
Time, Burman's Cafe, Oh, Thurmanburger.
Speaker 4 (28:31):
There you go, so many good ones. I would say
those are my go tos. That's awesome.
Speaker 2 (28:35):
I like it.
Speaker 1 (28:36):
Okay, So before we go, ladies, we want to know
what you're saying yes to Columbus this season.
Speaker 2 (28:43):
Kiara, We'll start with you. What are you saying yes too?
Speaker 4 (28:45):
I'm getting back to exploring the neighborhoods again, because just
like Lindsay said, you know, Bridge Park is awesome and
I haven't got there. I haven't gotten to go there
as much as I want to, but every time I go,
I'm surprised about what is you know, being offered, and
then just kind of walking walking around again. You know,
once fashion Week is over, I do have a little
bit more time on my hands, and so I just
(29:07):
want to go back to the neighborhoods and see what's new.
Speaker 3 (29:09):
I love the accessibility of our neighborhoods here, how you
can go from one to the other in just a
few minutes. You can walk or just a really quick drive.
And each one has its own unique personality, they do, lindsay,
how about you?
Speaker 5 (29:22):
So I don't have much family here in Columbus, so
I want to get back to having like friends and
family dinners and what I want to do is experience
some of the newer restaurants in Columbus and possibly set
like a Sunday family friend dinner.
Speaker 4 (29:35):
Oh, and try to pick a new restaurant.
Speaker 5 (29:37):
Each week or whenever we can get to it. I
would love to do it every week, but maybe once
a month and we pick a new restaurant that no
one's been to or that we'd like to try out.
Speaker 3 (29:46):
Well, there's so many great options, and be sure to
check out the Experience Columbus website for all of the
new amazing dining experiences for sure. All well, thank you
both so much for taking the time to join us today,
and for everyone who's listening, be sure to get your
tickets to Fashion Week Columbus. There is still time and
if you can't make the finale runway show, follow Experience
(30:07):
Columbus on Instagram, where we will also be live hosting
from the event. So thank you both again. This is
thank you, thank you, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (30:16):
That's a wrap on this week's episode of Yes Columbus
and Experience Columbus podcast. Tune in next week as we
take you on a tour of what's new, what's hot,
and what makes Columbus a city on the rise,
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