Despite being in the area for almost a decade, Crystal Couture shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, this year it seems that the show has only gotten bigger and better. “It’s really designed to show Crystal City as a place for retail, new boutiques and budding entrepreneurial men and women that are into the fashion industry,” says Angela Fox, president of the Crystal City BID. “It’s also a way to show our creativity. We combine a nonstop runway, sipping your favorite wines and trunk shows.” The space is also covered in ceiling-to-floor murals by local graffiti artists.
The format of the show has switched up a little this year, with a VIP show offered all day Saturday, Feb. 6. The purchase of a $20 ticket will grant you access to an open bar, and the amount can be used towards any item for sale. This is good news for fashion lovers, as the selection of designers this year is the cream of the crop. Having hand-picked only 35 designers from hundreds of submissions, showrunner Maggy Francois is especially excited about the number of couture pieces that will be featured this year. “Many of the collections are not just your local, everyday designers,” she states. “We have gained attraction from designers in Brazil, Britain, Russia and more.”
The show will take place Feb. 4-Feb. 6 with emcees Sarah Fraser, Paul Wharton and Tommy McFly.