Winter Park fashion week hits 10 years

Runways and live music will combine with designer brands and holiday garb to give Park Avenue a high-fashion feel for the 10th annual Harriett’s Fashion on the Avenue, named after local fashionista and philanthropist Harriett Lake.

The iconic street in Winter Park will turn into a New York-style extravaganza from Nov. 1 to 5 as 21 participating stores will host more than 50 trunk shows, runway events and special sales to showcase the latest and greatest in Central Florida fashion.

“When you think Park Avenue, you think that you’re going to find something here that you’re not going to find somewhere else,” said Erika Spence, senior director for marketing and communication at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. “And we’re celebrating that uniqueness this week.”

Spence said that a decade of fashion celebrations called for a unique, hands-on week.

“We felt like in our 10th year that it was important to bring people back to the avenue into the stores that they love to have this interactive experience with models and styling and makeup and designers to really get back to the heart of what we are,” said Spence. “And that’s celebrating our local merchants and designers.”

Among the participating stores is Tuni. Co-owner Paige Blackwelder said this year is a special one for the high-end women’s clothing store — they’re also celebrating 10 years in Fashion Week.

Four days of runway and trunk shows, including one featuring about 100 pieces of a trendy jewelry line from the renowned New York jewelry designer Yochi, will all lead up to the grand finale of Fashion Night Out. Fashionista or not, guests will be able to enjoy watching continuous fashion shows that’ll give the crowd a sneak peek of new designer items.

Eden Park Avenue will bring fall to Florida during its runway show, as models will don Earth and jewel tones like hunter green and charcoal. Sarah Taussig, the assistant buyer and manager, said the upscale women’s clothing store encourages the fashion concept of using one piece of clothing in multiple outfits — from coffee to cocktails.

With a new name (previously Hutton), new owner and new buyer, Eden is ready to showcase what they have to offer fashion gurus in Winter Park.

“It’s really showing that it’s a great environment to shop and live and work and play in,” said Taussig.

Spence said the Fashion Night Out evening will showcase the heart and soul of the week, as many stores will be celebrating their anniversary of being established on Park Avenue.

“We all look up to [Harriett Lake] and admire her philanthropy, her character and her love for fashion, so this is our way of saying ‘Thank you, Harriett,’” said Spence.

For a full list of the events, visit winterpark.org/schedule-of-events