StyleWeek Providence, the first fashion week of its kind in Rhode Island, will take place from June 6-12 featuring runway shows and parties showcasing the works of 16 local and regional fashion designers. Two of the featured designers are Jonathan Joseph Peters and Maya Luz, both former contestants from season seven of "Project Runway" who are now based in Providence and New York City respectively. The week-long event aims to promote the local fashion industry through invitational runway shows for press and buyers each night, followed by free public mixers for attendees to interact with designers.

1. ON THE CATWALK
Inaugural StyleWeek Providence
features local designers,
two from ‘Project Runway’
BY JENNIFER NICOLE SULLIVAN their work. touches such as lace and leg- finished upon graduation from
Move over, Bryant Park. New “The fashion industry is a gings. Massachusetts College of Art
York City isn’t the only fashion business. So you want to get the Also showing menswear are and Design in Boston in May
right people there—the buyers, Haiti native Jeff Lahens, show- 2009. Luz, known for her dark
show mecca. Providence now
the press— and you want to get ing his ECC Genuine Bespoke and edgy aesthetic, will show a
has a fashion week too.
the people who are going to Luxury Menswear collection variety of dresses, jackets, light-
It’s called StyleWeek Provi-
spread the word,” said the for- inspired by the film “The weight pants and sheer leggings.
dence, a weeklong celebration
mer freelance fashion writer Thomas Crown Affair,” and “One of the things I wanted to
that kicks off Sunday, June 6,
who grew up in Costa Mesa, Boston/Montreal designer do is prove that I can be a wear-
with runway shows and parties able designer because certainly,
Calif. “You are going to see the Samuel Vartan showing mens
featuring 16 local and regional especially when you’re a fashion
designs. You are not going to get and womenswear. Other Rhode
fashion designers, including two student, we all like to make
a free cocktail and a block of Island designers include Provi-
contestants from season seven cheese, you know what I mean?” dence-native Jessica Abernethy, these things that are ridiculous.
of “Project Runway,” Provi- Every night during Style- Karen Beebe, Rhode Island And they’re great, but who can
dence native Jonathan Joseph Week, designers will show School of Design grad Kelly do it? So my goal was to try to
Peters and New York City resi- brand new collections com- Eident (whose rock’n’roll/punk bring that into wearable cloth-
dent Maya Luz. prised of a minimum of 25 inspired pieces have been worn ing,” she said.
The huge fashion event is the looks geared toward fall 2010 by Katy Perry and Audrey Runway shows are invitation-
first of its kind in Rhode Island. and spring 2011. Peters, known Kitching) and Rhode Island only for press, buyers and VIP
StyleWeek founder Rosanna for his romantic-with-a-touch-of School of Design senior David guests but the public can attend
Ortiz Sinel, who moved to Provi- grit aesthetic seen on last sea- Yoo. free after-event soirees at 8:30
dence last year, was surprised to son’s “Project Runway,” will Maya Luz, who withdrew p.m. each night immediately
mercury
find her new hometown had no show his 30-piece collection from “Project Runway” season after the shows to mingle with
fashion week. A senior vice titled “Ingenue” at Hotel Provi- seven’s episode 10, will show the designers and view the day’s
president for Miamore Commu- dence on closing night Satur- more than 25 looks in her first runway shows on televisions.
nications with years of fashion day, June 12. For the first time, big collection “Creature” on Fri-
Pretty meets gritty. This braided body armor tunic public relations experience, she the 30-year-old designer will day, June 11, at the Hotel Provi- For more information
page 9
was created by Jonathan Joseph Peters for House of made it her goal to create a busi- debut menswear in his collec- dence. The 22-year-old’s only or to see StyleWeek’s
Cach. Peters reached the top six on the last season ness-oriented fashion week tion, with six to nine looks other full collection was her runway shows, visit
of ‘Project Runway.’ PHOTO BY DANIEL GAGNON focused on local designers and incorporating subtle feminine five-look senior thesis project www.styleweekprovidence.com.
JUNE 2-JUNE 8, 2010
STYLEWEEK PROVIDENCE EVENT SCHEDULE
All runway shows at Hotel WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9:
Providence begin at 6 p.m. unless Hotel Providence
otherwise indicated. Fashion shows
are invitation-only but after-event Kelly Eident; “Mediterraneo” by
soirees (held at 8:30 p.m.) are free Samuel Vartan
and open to the public. After-Event Soirée TBD
SUNDAY, JUNE 6: THURSDAY, JUNE 10:
Marriott Providence Hotel Providence
Karen Sabag; Selah D’or by David Nirva Derbekyan; David Yoo for
Chum Andrea Valentini
After-Event Soirée at State Lounge After-Event Soirée at Gracies JONATHAN MAYA LUZ, 22
MONDAY, JUNE 7: FRIDAY, JUNE 11:
Renaissance Providence Hotel Hotel Providence
JOSEPH PETERS, 30 Name of collection: “Creature” for spring/summer
2011
“Lucille” Collection by Karen Beebe; “ECC Genuine Bespoke Luxury Name of collection: “Ingenue” for spring/summer Aesthetic: Wearable clothes that range from light,
Sam Mendoza Menswear” by Jeff Lahens; 2011 pure colors to very dark. Accessories include signa-
After-Event Soirée at Temple “Creature” Runway Show by Maya Aesthetic: Romantic pieces in light, muted colors. ture ball and chain bag.
Downtown Luz Inspiration: B-movie monsters, silver screen vixens,
Inspiration: “Equestrian, fantasy, carousel and uni-
After-Event Soirée at Aspire corn…Great Gatsby lying on the lawn reading poetry.” villains and sea creatures, like man-of-war.
TUESDAY, JUNE 8:
SATURDAY, JUNE 12: What’s new: Six to nine menswear looks featuring What’s new: Synthetic PVC rattlesnake, sharkskin,
Renaissance Providence Hotel ostrich and other designs by Luz’s sponsor Valtekz.
Hotel Providence feminine touches with lace and leggings.
Jewelry Installation Show by “It’s comparable to leather, except it’s much easier to
Catalina De La Torre; “Cologne” and Couture Installation by Michael De What’s next: A collaboration with four other “Project sew.”
“Queen of Spades” by Sarah Prost; Paulo; Jessica Abernethy; Runway” season seven designers (Amy Sarabi, Ben
Chmura, Janeane Marie Ceccanti and possibly Maya On why she suddenly withdrew from “Project
“Coquetta” by MadeMOIselle “Ingenue” by Jonathan Joseph Runway”: “I felt like I just needed to learn some
Boston Peters Luz) to put on a collective runway show in New
York’s Fashion Week in September. things about the business before I just went out and
After-Event Soirée at Smoke Lounge After-Event Soirée at Trunk Show was like, ‘Here I am, this is my line. Now buy it.’”
Chic Loft To place an order: Visit www.jonathanjoseph
peters.com To place an order: Visit www.mayaluz.com