TFW HISTORY
Tucson Fashion Week founder, Elizabeth Albert's vision for fashion started when she began painting on vintage clothing in 2001. Soon after she decided to take this vision to the next level by moving into design and production. With the help of a few fellow designers and friends, she started producing her own shows and selling her work in local boutiques. After participating in over 50 shows state wide at venues such as the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Scottsdale Fashion Week she started traveling to trade shows along the west coast to gain exposure for her work.
After winning Scottsdale Fashion Week's People's Choice Designer in 2009, she realized that Tucson needed its own fashion week and thus Tucson Fashion Week was born. Her mission was to bring an urban, progressive, and vibrant local designer/retail showcase to Tucson while supporting non-profits through its proceeds.
Albert continues to design in her studio and boutique, CandyStrike, that specializes in unique plus size designs. CandyStrike is located in the warehouse arts district in downtown Tucson.
Shop: www.candy-strike.com
Blog: www.yourlifeindesign.com
2013 INSPIRED ICON
Betsey Johnson
Tucson Fashion Week was honored to host acclaimed fashion designer Betsey Johnson as the 2013 Inspired Icon. Johnson also joined us in judging the 2013 Premiere Runway Presentation. The event benefitted the University of Arizona’s Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing and the Center for American Culture & Ideas (CACI) for both, programs and student scholarships.
Betsey Johnson has a love for fashion and art, and holds an undisputed reputation as one of the leading designers who helped catapult the youthquake movement in America. Johnson’s work is known for taking a whimsical and sometimes outlandish approach to design. Among her many recent accomplishments, on September 12, 2012 Johnson celebrated 40 years of designing her iconic brand with a retrospective live show featuring, Cyndi Lauper.
A unique capsule collection of Betsey Johnson designs were showcased on the TFW runway. Johnson also judged the TFW Ensemble Presentations.
Learn more about Betsey Johnson here.