We Aim To Slay

Another week, another runway! Earlier this month I was lucky to cover Middlesex Fashion Week, and I’m excited to share my thoughts, my photos, and all of the incredibly creative people in Connecticut!

I first learned about this event during Hartford Fashion Week when my former editor and mentor, Mike Chaiken – the editor of CT Fashion Mag – suggested that I apply for the press pit once again. I was lucky enough to be accepted to cover all three nights of the event, but was ultimately able to cover Friday and Saturday evenings. 

For Saturday’s presentation of “Making the Cut,” I decided to bring my Nikon CoolPix L340 camera with me! Ordinarily, I like to shoot with my iPhone as I use an app that takes continuous photos and videos, simultaneously (it’s called Lens Buddy, and it’s amazing!), but I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and capture some photos on my point-and-shoot as well! Those photos can be found here, on the We Aim To Slay Facebook Page!

Fabric of Fantasy Presentation

For my first evening, I wore my hair straightened and a blue halo eye look to compliment this super cool Italian peplum brocade blouse by Piazza Sempione that I quite literally bought the night before the show from Renee’s! I paired it with a pair of Fashion Nova boyfriend jeans and the Franco Sarto boots I got back in February!

The event was held at the Elk’s Lodge in Middletown and featured eleven designers! The theme of the evening was avant garde, regardless of the aesthetic which ranged from streetwear to formal wear. I was excited to see some designers from Hartford Fashion Week returning, and intrigued by the chance to be introduced to new creatives!

Gorgy by Candy

Gorgy by Candy offered a wide array of lace and sparkle – two of my favorite accessories!

Fent

When I say I could find next to no information about this brand, I wasn’t kidding! Fent offered more pieces during their presentation at Hartford Fashion Week, so if you like this smattering, make sure to check out that post!

Vision Aquarius

This collection grew on me with every piece that came out! It offered the perfect blend of the casual nature of streetwear, combined with my preferred aesthetic of high glam!

Stylz by Phalandra

Similar to me, the designer behind Stylz by Phalandra said she loves dressing with a theme which led to this collection being entirely red, black and white! She explained that she started her brand in 2016, describing that moment as happening by chance; “I started making pieces of clothing for myself and people started asking me to make different items for them…It just took off from there.”

Stylz by Phalandra has a big project debuting later this year, but in the meantime, check out their brick-and-mortar location in Whiteville, NC, and follow online through Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok!

Avado Clothing

This was a collection that started off pretty neutrally for me, as we’ll recall from HFW that I am not typically a fan of streetwear and its hybrid offshoots. But then I started noticing colorful accents on some of the clothing and sunglasses – and to my horror realized that they were condoms…

Grace by Grace

While I’m not sure what the connective theme was behind this collection, I did enjoy the use of metallics and tulle!

Karlene Lindsay Designs

I enjoyed the simplicity of seeing some sparkly party dresses!

Avado Clothing (Second Collection)

…This second Avado Clothing collection, featuring several different country flags, was much more my speed!

Stonington Clothing Co.

Designer Rondell Mendes explained that he started Stonington Clothing Co., four years ago, but has been manipulating clothing since he was a kid in the early 80s. He was heavily influenced by the Golden Era of Hip-Hop, and could often be found airbrushing or drying on clothes with a magic marker. He honed his skills by learning to sew, both from his grandmother and through the public school system where he grew up, in Hartford, Connecticut.

“I’m trying to create this lane for myself and trying to identify a community, in a sense, that likes what I do, supports what I do, and ultimately everything that I do, or everything that I create,” said Mendes. “I make clothes practically daily, they’re just experiments and my personal pursuit of just trying to create something.”

He explained that the name “Stonington Clothing Co.,” is an homage to his roots, named for Stonington Street, the road that separated his childhood home in the Hartford Housing Projects of Dutch Point, and his home-away-from-home, Colt Park.

In the future he will be working on an encore collaboration between Stonington and the dance company 860 Movement – also known as Studio 860 – located in Bloomfield, CT. If you’re interested in purchasing from Stonington, they are currently operating on a pop-up-location basis only, but Mendes explains he doesn’t intend to stay that way forever. For now, you can keep your eyes on his one-of-a-kind designs by following the brand on Instagram, @stoningtonclothingco!

MTS Fashion Corner

The designer behind MTS Fashion Corner explained that the brand started back in 2017, based on her love for “creating different looks you can’t find in a local store,” and the “endless creations you can do with just a simple fabric!”

She described this collection as a mixture of “Lust, Sultry, Sexy, and Dominance in Women!” She is working on the newest MTS collection for this summer, and will be presenting in upcoming fashion shows as well! Keep up with the designer and brand by following their Instagram account, and make sure to check out her book! (It’s available through their email: mtsfashioncorner@gmail.com).

Cardicci Couture

Overall, Cardicci Couture may have been my favorite designer of the weekend. Not only did the entire collection offer great pieces in fun colors and prints, there were very few pieces I couldn’t picture myself wearing! The two collections together complimented my own wardrobe; their Saturday collection offered an elevated take on everyday wearability, while their Friday collection appealed to my inner pageant girl!

JMar

This collection was channeling a tropical getaway and featured pieces perfect for your next vacation! While I’m not one who regularly reaches for leopard print, I do enjoy the classic brown-and-black iteration for everyday wear. But, JMar’s use of multicolored leopard print is what really made this collection stand out!

Making The Cut Presentation

The second evening was held at Free Center Middletown, and featured a runway that spanned two rooms! This presentation featured several designers from the evening before, but also introduced two designers that did not show on Friday: Mode Trend and Godspeed.

Due to the unyielding rain of springtime in New England, my curls were back and paired perfectly with the night’s outfit; a pair of flared jeans from Francesca’s, another new piece from my Renee’s haul; a vintage Saks blazer over a black lace bralette from Shein, a Gold snake collar necklace, a pair of green-framed-and-gold-snake-accented sunglasses from Tillys, and a pair of Sorel booties that I recently found at T.J. Maxx!

Gorgy by Candy

Mode Trend

I found this collection to be super cute in its simplicity. All of the pieces are wearable, and many could be layered, giving you an endless array of styling options!

JMar

Fent

Grace by Grace

Viezoe Lifestyle

Without a doubt, this was my second favorite collection of the weekend, and in terms of wearability in everyday life, it may be my favorite! You may or may not know that I have always been obsessed with coordinated luggage sets – and to see luggage that matches your outfit! I was instantly smitten! Not only did this collection offer work wear, but there were several pieces that would look amazing on a tropical getaway!

Godspeed

Designer and owner of Godspeed Soles, Deion Revê, said he started in 2017, and was inspired by his proclivity for statement pieces and styling looks. He describes himself as shy and reserved, but said “ clothes were a gateway to start a conversation.”

“I’ve always styled people close to me my whole life,” said Revê. “I like to build on people’s personal style rather than assign a style to them – when people like what they’re wearing, they’re more confident & the pictures, promos, media show that.”

This collection featured what he describes as a “camo and militant theme,” explaining that he wanted to showcase the versatility of camo print and how it can be worn in different ways.

“The change from the American Military camo to the black and leather pieces was a nod to the Black Panthers style, and how they moved militantly but in a way to change things for the better,” said Revê. “It’s also why I chose ‘America Has a Problem’ by Beyoncé [as the runway song]…it’s very clear, all the issues we are facing as a country, and I hope one day to have an impact on changing things for the better.”

You can keep up with the brand via their website, www.godspeedsoles.com, and their Instagram, @godspeed_soles. Currently, he explained that he’s working on the promos for the “Pretty Girls Love Godspeed” collection (available now!), and will be presenting at more shows this summer!

Cardicci Couture

My Favorite Looks From the Weekend!

I have always been drawn to things that can only be described as “striking” – whether we’re talking fashion or people or opportunities, I enjoy being shocked! There were many pieces that made me catch my breath…

…but as far as entire collections, Cardicci Couture and Viezoe Lifestyle took my breath away, and had me ready to open my wallet right there in the press pit! Not only did these clothes offer everyday wearability, they are also incredibly unique and fun!

Keep Up With the Brands & Models!

All of the available designers have been hyperlinked in their descriptions, allowing you the ease to find the exact collection you’re looking for! Models & brands have been tagged in all posted photos on the We Aim To Slay Instagram account!

What Do You Think?

Which looks and collections stood out to you? I’ll definitely be shopping from these local designers to keep me looking my best, from the boardroom to the stage!

I’ll be back soon to give a little gratitude to one of my biggest supporters, and the unofficial W.A.T.S. assistant, my mom Stacey! I’ll be sharing our most recent adventures, including our trip to Renee’s Resale Clothing Outlet and the most amazing pieces that we scored!

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!