New Orleans aiming for 'New York-style fashion atmosphere'

I love people who have a passion for fashion. And the folks in New Orleans have given me yet another reason to love the Big Easy.

The fashion culture is on the rise in the Crescent City, with big plans to host New Orleans International Fashion Week at Bourbon Park in 2011.

In preparation for that event, a New Orleans Fashion Week Preview will be held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi on Dec. 9.

The evening will start at 6:30 p.m. with a social and shopping opportunity, followed by a Fashion Production at 9 p.m., according to Lanzer M. Robinson, executive director of New Orleans International Fashion Week. 

General admission tickets are $10 and VIP tickets are $30, which includes a gift bag from the event sponsors. 

"Our goal is to create a New York-style fashion atmosphere in New Orleans," Robinson said. 

"The Hard Rock show will feature New York Fashion Week designer Luis Carlos Machicao’s collection. He’s known internationally." 

Along with Machicao, nine other designers and independent retailers will be presented in the fashion production, Robinson said. 

"But, we would like for everyone to come and shop with boutiques from Mississippi, Alabama and New Orleans before the runway show starts. It’s like a pre-holiday shopping party." 

The Hard Rock production is just one of a few Fashion Week Preview events the Fashion Week Foundation of New Orleans has hosted this year to raise funds for the 2011 Fashion Week. On Dec. 17, the group will host "Rockin at the Belle, a Fashion Week Holiday Social" at the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and Hotel. 

All the proceeds from these preview events will benefit the scholarship the foundation will award to a Gulf Coast student at the end of their Fashion Week next year. 

"While we want to nurture the fashion industry in our area, our ultimate goal is to award a scholarship to a student who wants to study fashion, art or design in college," Robinson said. 

In 2011, the foundation plans to execute eight days of art, fashion, and design. "Citylights at Bourbon Park" is the theme, according to Robinson, who said the group is planning eight days of spectacular events. 

"From an Arts Gala, to many runway shows, trunk shows and an arts block party, it’s going to fabulous — New Orleans style," Robinson says. 

The group plans to release full details about Fashion Week 2011 on Jan.14.