Arts

Thayer Street becomes a catwalk

by Michele D.  Maniscalco
Thursday Sep 29, 2016

Coinciding with South End Open Studios and Boston Fashion Week, a fashion show spotlighting over a dozen local designers and retailers graced Thayer Street on Sunday afternoon.

The fashion show, which began at 1:00 PM and reprised at 2:30, was sponsored by SoWa Open Market, operated by GTI Properties, and produced by Kathy Benharris of KB Productions. The open air venue was surrounded by the shops and studios presented, including Amisha Imports, Ash & Rose, Bead & Fiber, Bobby from Boston, Barbara Goldberg of Maran Designs, Crane & Lion, Daniel Faucher Couture, Debby Krim Jewelry, GALVIN-ized Headwear, Sailormade, Ser Verde Shoes, SoWa Vintage Market and Zainab Sumu Primitive Modern.

Benharris styled all outfits, Pure Hair Design provided hair styling and model Lindsey Grenier was responsible for all makeup. DJ Leah V provided beats for the catwalk and model/singer Meredith Joy served as commentator.
Designer Daniel Faucher showed a range of styles from city sophisticate, represented by a strapless, body hugging, striped black dress to a demure, ivory-lace bridal gown with scalloped cap sleeves and a V neck. Model Sophie wore a softly flowing veil and tiara, also by Faucher. Millinery designer Marie Galvin, whose shop and studio, GALVIN-ized is on the lower level at 450 Harrison Avenue, was prominently featured, as many of the looks featured her work, mostly in the form of fascinators: some bold and sculptural, some delicate and dainty, hearkening to the pre- and post-World War II era when women wore hats regularly and screen sirens often peered alluringly through veiled headwear.

Yaa, a Northeastern University student who began modeling three months ago, looked regal in a sheer, black ensemble with a sleeveless, lace top and delicately pleated, flowing, long skirt accessorized with a vintage rhinestone belt and earrings. Atop her short hair was a veiled black fascinator from GALVIN-ized. Yaa, who is majoring in behavioral neuroscience, hopes to do research leading to a cure for Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Bradley St. Amand, director of operations for SoWa at GTI Properties, drew on his friendship with Benharris for inspiration for the fashion show. "It was pretty much my idea to put this event on. I had been in touch with Kathy and we put our heads together to make this happen," he said. According to St. Amand, the Open Studios and fashion show brought a new mix of shoppers to the SoWa Open Market.

"It was definitely a unique weekend. We had a lot going on with the markets fashion show and South End Open Studios. We pulled in a diverse crowd with a variety of customers." The sentiment was echoed by David Gilson of Groton's Herb Lyceum, whose produce stand glowed with big, bright pumpkins and gourds. Gilson reported, "There was a bigger crowd (at the Open Market) and not your usual customers. There were a lot of new people here, and that always helps." St. Amand continued, "Everybody had an amazing weekend, probably one of the best ones of the year. The main reason for doing the fashion show was to highlight the amazing designers that we have here. All the designers we featured are SoWa tenants. We wanted to show that there is an amazing group of talented folks here."

This weekend brings an eclectic pair of events at the SoWa Open Market. On Saturday, October 1 at 5:00 PM, the HUB Week closing party at the SoWa Power Station, 540 Harrison Avenue, features Brew the Charles, with six different local brewers competing in a challenge to brew beer with water from Charles River, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Charles River Conservancy. On Sunday, October 2 from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM, the SoWa Beer Garden goes to the dogs with the Animal Rescue League fundraiser, Barktoberfest, presented by the ARL's Young Professionals group. Barktoberfest guests will enjoy a beer garden and music from local troubadour, the Keytar Bear and compete in a dog costume contest and cornhole (bean bag toss) tournament, both offering appealing prizes.


Model Yaa in vintage gown