What's On Deck For The 11th Annual Walk Fashion Show

By Raquel Parks

WALK Fashion Show is proving that fashion is not only thriving in Detroit but it's become a major staple, here to stay. Since 2009, the WALK Fashion Show has held annual events featuring the best and latest in fashion, attracting thousands of attendees from all over.

Continuing the tradition while bringing in some new things for guests to enjoy -- the event will take place Saturday, May 30th, 3-11 p.m. at the Garden Theater.

WALK will consist of two 2 shows. The Emerging Designer Showcase will first take place at 3 p.m. and the Independent Designer Showcase will be at 7 p.m. The work that goes into putting together a refined and organized fashion event is no easy task.

It is even more difficult to be consistent. Daishawn Franklin, one of WALK's founders, took the time to share what it takes the make the WALK Fashion SHow possible and what can be expected this year.

Q: What makes the WALK Fashion show different from the other local fashion shows?

Franklin: WALK Fashion Show is focused on bringing light to the Independent Fashion scene. Independent artist of all walks come together to make the event successful models, designers, Make Up Artist, Hair stylist, wardrobe stylist, bloggers, photographers, and fashionable socialites. Walk becomes one of the largest networking platforms for this audience."

Q: What inspired the creation of the WALK fashion show?

Franklin: "Walk Fashion Show was the inspiration of 2 individuals Crystal Bailey former model and a jewelry designer and partner DaiShawn Franklin marketing and production background. the 2 share a child in common Bailee Dai Franklin. Bailey wanted to get in to the business side of fashion and Franklin marketing and production background made it a perfect combination to launch what we now know as WALK."

Q: What are some new things that you have planned for WALK this year?

Franklin: "This year we really focused on exposing the world to Detroit. This was accomplished by working with designers from all over the world and putting them on the same stage as our many talented home grown talent. Designers like International celebrity Stevie Boi, who just styled Madonna for the cover of Cosmopolitan and is contracted by H & M will be featured…Vino Supraja From Shanghai Fashion Week to Walk Fashion Show [will also be featured]. Matthew Richmond paper dress designer Metro Detroit based featured at the North American auto show. Just to name a few. By bringing this collective group together it will allow the world to see the greatness that is brewing in our hometown Detroit."

Q: What has made WALK successful to endure all these years?

Franklin: "We attribute our success to the endless pursuit to improve each show. We want to raise our own bar after each production. We travel the country producing shows in other markets, however, we also use this time to study productions in all of those markets. We have made this our 7 day a week business."

Q: What has been your proudest moment as the founder of WALK thus far?

Franklin: "The proudest moment has been the fact our brand has produced successful shows in now four major markets Detroit, New York, Miami, and Atlanta. It is an unreal feeling. What is even more surreal is that this is just the beginning as we are getting ready to launch in 3 new markets, before the year ends."

Tickets for the WALK Fashion Show range from $25 to $100. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit walkfashionshow.com.

Raquel is a Michigan native with a Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Michigan. She loves fashion and writing about life's everyday stories. She has written for various local publications that include Dearborn Press & Guide and Detroit Fashion Pages. Raquel also writes for her own local events blog, Metro Diva Pages. You can visit Raquel's blog at metrodivapages-rdp.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter @MetroDivaPages.