Detroit 2022 Fashion Rewind
New York and Los Angeles have seen an abundance of opportunity in the fashion industry. Meaning states without large fashion industries lose talent frequently. Although Michigan has seen an influx of designers, models, and artists hosting events in Detroit. The fashion scene is slowly gaining the attention of aspiring designers and artists.
One designer, in particular, played a crucial role in the resurgence of the fashion scene in Detroit. Loren Hicks, creator of LOJO. She produces capes, dresses, suits, and glitter-studded boots. Her brand promotes body positivity, style, and confidence. Most brands cater to women sizes 11 and below, while LOJO caters to sizes 12 and above, ensuring women embrace and accept their bodies.
On top of running her clothing line, Hicks is also the creator of Michigan Fashion Week. She created the event in 2012 when she saw the need for it in the community. She saw that the fashion community needed a place in Michigan rather than losing talent to other states. Hicks is making it possible for newcomers in the city to get a foot in the door.
The 2022 MFW hosted by Karlie Redd, known for Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, the show marked the 10th anniversary of the event.
One of the most recent sustainable options offering vintage selections at an affordable price is Detroit Public Thrift. Detroit Public Thrift is a worker-owned co-op, opening its doors in Hamtramck after three years of development in October 2022. The store features a unique business model according to Detroit Metro Times, there are seven business owners, which shows their nature as a co-op where they make democratic decisions.
Detroit Thrift is a Gender-inclusive space. Instead of a men’s or women’s section, they feature an organized store without gender labels. They sell vintage clothing, shoes, bags, books, household items, and furniture.
Detroit’s growing fashion scene has seen designers with years of experience on New York City runways moving back to Detroit to rebuild their craft.
One of those designers, Tracy Reese, has been in the fashion industry since 1998, beginning with her namesake brand. She spent over 30 years in New York City, showcasing her designs on runways and later working in Japan under one of many sub-brands, Plenty and Frock! While also harboring close relations with Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Anthropologie.
In 2018 Reese released her last line from the original label, taking notice of the change in the contemporary fashion market. Due to the rise in fast fashion and its effects on consumers and financials. Eventually, Reese decided to move back to her hometown of Detroit to be closer to her family and seek new opportunities. Taking note of the Detroit fashion scene, in an interview with the New York Times, she notes that Michigan is “a less dog-eat-dog environment. New York is very cutthroat (Cherelus,2022).”
The current space Reese works out of is the YouthVille Center located on Woodward in Detroit. Her workspace is home to academic and cultural programs for children. Reese strives to create a sustainable and community-based brand, with a model of making 15 to 25 pieces for each top, skirt, pant, and dress. Modeling her brand after slow fashion practices for longer-lasting garments.
Reese brings new ideas to Detroit, she teaches children, holds internships for students, and participates on many art college boards.
Sustainable fashion is changing how we consume fashion, and Detroit is seeing an influx of these practices in newer brands.
