Runway model Mel Hawkins  @ Lethbridge Fashion Weekend.

Heavy beats and fashion, coupled with fine wine and dining was the scene at the Galt Museum last Friday night. There were no empty seats in sight while models strutted down the runway, spurred on by a live DJ and local business vendors.

For over a decade, the Lethbridge Fashion Weekend (LFW) has brought both exclusive design and fashion trends to Lethbridge, having won its most significant turnout to date.

Once a year, the event showcases local designers and attracts many others across the province. This year the Galt Museum hosted the event with a packed crowd of over 350 people.

“Lethbridge has more than enough involved, cultured, art-active and design-savvy people and it simply takes an event like this to bring them all out for this reason,” said Andy Davies, a local sculptor and teacher, happy to come out and support the Lethbridge fashion scene.

“People here have a hunger for it, that’s for sure,” he continued.

The event is completely volunteer-based and was instigated by local designer and visionary Shelly Court Kanyo. The seed for the event was planted in early 2007 while she taught the Fashion and Design program at Lethbridge College.

“I’ve been obsessed with both design and fashion ever since I was a child. I enjoy creating and surrounding myself with other creative types,” said Kanyo.

Her vision has joined her with local vendors and models to create a network of individuals in Southern Alberta, where she currently creates her own design styles through a design company of her own.

“She can do such different work. This year her patterns and colors were completely out there but she made it worked — I feel like she can make anything work,” recounts Jessica Cahoon, local runway model and fashion enthusiast.

This marks Cahoon’s second year with LFW, and she explained how she has been privileged to work with such talented designers such as Auston Young, a clothing line created by Lethbridge College alumni Sarah Auston.

“Her designs are very modern, yet have a very chic look and feel to them,” remarked Cahoon.

LFW currently provides a platform for established and emerging artists. Kanyo explains how there have always been designers in southern Alberta and how they are now getting better exposure due to increased platforms to share their work.

“Lethbridge may not seem like the most ‘fashion forward’ city, it is certainly full of style and creativity,” she concluded.

Jessica Cahoon models @ Lethbridge Fashion Weekend Fri. Nov.6