Global Fashion and Music at Fashion Rocks MIM

On Thursday, March 31, I had the chance to attend and participate as part of the media team at Phoenix Fashion Week's Fashion Rocks MIM. As a fan of both music and fashion throughout the world, this was my ideal event and it completely blew me away.

The event took place at Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix. I highly recommend visiting MIM to anyone interested in music and fashion. The museum opened almost a year ago and features music throughout the world. It is divided up in the different continents of the globe and shows instruments, artifacts and attire from each region. The museum also has exhibits with pieces from famous artists such as the piano John Lennon composed "Imagine" on, an autographed Jonas Brother guitar, a guitar Carlos Santana played on, a giant drum from the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and much more.

For Fashion Rocks MIM, Phoenix Fashion Week teamed up with MIM to connect the themes of global fashion and music. Doors opened at 6:00 p.m. as guests mingled in the courtyard of MIM. Later, guests were seated for the main feature of the night, a fashion show. The fashion show consisted of  four designers/lines that represented their country of birth in their collection: Fender The Collection representing the United States, Joanna de'Shay of Black Russian Label represented Africa and Russia, Galina Mihalva of Galina Couture represented Bulgaria, and Maria Janossy of Mariska represented Hungary. Although the designers showed their lines, the main highlight of the night were four local stylists: Jill Laine, Jai Anderson, Brian Swan and Shannon Campbell. When planning the event, it was decided that it would be the perfect opportunity to give stylists a chance to show their work.

                                                         MIM courtyard where the fashion show and event took place.

The four stylists speak during a Q & A session. From left: Jai Anderson, Jill Laine, Shannon Campbell, Brian Swan.

Anderson's styling for Fender gave the line a very rock 'n' roll feel that paired well with famous music from throughout Fender's history.

Working with Black Russian Label, Laine created runway looks that were very bold with exotic prints and bright colors.

                                                           A look from Black Russian Label.

Swan styled Galina Couture and constructed a very feminine and romantic collection.

While styling for Mariska, Campbell produced a line consisting of bohemian and peasant-girl looks.

                                                       
                                                                                  A look from the line Mariska.

Fashion Rocks MIM was definitely a night I will never forget and proved that there is a relationship between global fashion and music.


Erin Kennedy