Oneofakind Baton Rouge Fashion Week graced Capitol Park Museum on Feb. 27 for its third annual BIG Night fashion show. This year, the tone was about more than glamourous garments — it was about the current state of Louisiana.
Show host Danielle Grossman opened the event with thanks to those who made the show a reality, but also to those who purchased tickets to the event.
During her opening statements, Grossman brought up the current Louisiana budget situation. She said all of the cuts to education effect art curriculums, and without those programs, events like the show would not be possible. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Louisiana Museum Foundation. 
“…The funding and the money that you paid tonight is going to go our kids, our organization, to the state of Louisiana because they’re struggling right now,” Grossman said.
The BIG Night designers come from all around the Red Stick. Grossman noted while Baton Rouge is not a fashion capital, it still has designers creating jaw-dropping designs.
“We have amazing designers here … they can live up to New York City anyday,” she said.
The show opened with Shreveport-based Ballonatic Fashions. Artist Johnathan Darden created various two-piece and one-piece dresses out of balloons. The garments ranged in colors and some included 3-D elements like flowers.
Ponchatoula’s Antionette Couture walked down the runway next.
Designer Markesha Holliday created designs in light pastels like blue, purple and peach. The garments included a pair of white trousers with blue lace overlay paired with a cropped suit jacket of the same material. Holliday’s line showcased various party dresses and gowns including a teal bodycon dress made of scuba material with large, ruffled sleeves.
Port Allen’s HD Bling, designed by Dana Ayo, and BRFW founder Brandon Campbell’s iMe line, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, wrapped up the designers from outside Baton Rouge.
Both lines offered various t-shirt styles. Ayo’s included bedazzled designs making reference to Louisiana and Campbell’s designs showed off cheeky, screen-printed statements.
The Baton Rouge-based designers included Samjah Saulsberry and April Alexander, the minds behind Chokolat Creme. The line brought out models in muscle tees, t-shirt dresses and sweatpants. Each design included various empowerment statements like a black t-shirt dress with “not for sale” printed across the chest.
To close out the show, the University’s Textile, Apparel Design and Merchandising department showcased designs by various students in the department. Each look had its own flair depending on the designer and looks varied from jumpsuits to circle suits to gowns.
The BIG Night also included this year’s Fashion Icon award, given to the Haspels. The company, created by Joseph Haspel Sr., is credited for the successful seersucker suit. The brand has seen longevity since its establishment in 1909 and its continued success.
Laurie Haspel, Joseph’s great granddaughter accepted the award on the family’s behalf.

Gallery • 26 Photos

Javier Fernández

Styles by designers Samjah Saulsberry & April Alexander from Chokolat Creme debut on the runway during the Oneofakind Baton Rouge Fashion Week main event on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at the Capitol Park Museum.