Electric City Couture and Universal Preservation
Hall in Saratoga Springs will present the
fifth annual Electric City Couture Fashion Show
— Saratoga Edition, on April 26 at Universal
Preservation Hall, 25 Washington St. in Saratoga
Springs.
Proceeds from the show will go to the ongoing
restoration work of Historic Universal Preservation
Hall, a year-round arts and community
events venue.
The event will feature both established and
up-and-coming regional fashion designers in a
juried runway experience.
Organizers said the evening will showcase
signature collections of six regional designers and
will include roughly 55 male and female models
on the runway.
“Universal Preservation Hall is a beautiful venue to showcase Upstate New York’s burgeoning fashion scene,” said Dorothy “Teddy” Foster, director of Universal Preservation Hall.
This year’s show will be a partnership between Proctors Theater of Schenectady, Universal Preservation Hall and Electric City Couture. It is designed to highlight the strengths of the regional creative economy.
The honorary chairwoman for the event is Julie Bonacio.
The Electric City Couture mission is to provide a platform to increase awareness for regional fashion designers and fashion support industries to stimulate a regional fashion based economy. “It is crucial that our communities show support for small business in all industries, including the arts and fashion,” said F. Michael Tucker, president and CEO of the Center for Economic Growth (CEG). “We support Electric City Couture’s goal of connecting local retailers with local designers to contribute to the creative economy of our region; which also supports these small business owners.”
Designers participating in the show include: Kim Vanyo of Khymanyo Studios, Saratoga Springs, ‘eko logic in Troy, Jane Wilson Marquis in Putnam Valley, Behida Millinery of Hudson, Kristina Collins Clothing in Saratoga, and Gamakache Black by Margaret Persaud of Brooklyn.
A new addition to this year’s show will be the ability to “buy it off the runway” in a retail sales area that will be available both after the show on Saturday for show attendees and on Sunday, April 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the general public. Live DJ music will be provided by Albany-based Nate da Great. A special entertainment segment is yet to be announced.
Tickets can be purchased in advance through the Proctors Theatre Box Office starting at 432 State St., Schenectady, by calling 346-6204 or online at electriccitycouture.com
Special seating is available to media and fashion industry professionals including independent boutique owners with RSVP. Contact info@electriccitycouture.com.
Partnership support will be provided by Proctors Theater, a founding partner of the show. The is sponsored in part by Sonny and Julie Bonacio, Keeler Mercedes, Skinny Girl Vodka and Lifestyles of Saratoga.
Founded in Schenectady in 2010, Electric City Couture is designed to celebrate the art of fashion, providing a platform to exhibit up-and-coming designers of the Northeast. Since its inception, the fashion organization has hosted events through New York’s greater Capital Region.
It is also a regional showcase for aspiring models, jewelry and accessory designers and hair and makeup professionals.
Built in 1871, the Universal Preservation Hall is an example of High Victorian Gothic architecture. It was designed by famous architect Elbridge Boyden. Its 129-foot steeple, with a giant Meneely bell forged in Troy, is one of Saratoga Springs’ highest spires. The building is located in one of Saratoga Springs’ National Historic Districts.
In 1999, in recognition of its significance, the building was designated as an “Official Project of Save America’s Treasures” by The White House Millennium Council. In 2006, it received nearly $200,000 from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.