Thursday- March 15, 2007. Newly minted Well Lounge in Prospect Heights hosted the launch party to kick off Brooklyn Fashion Week{end}. This swanky new venue is pulling out all of the stops to attract the haute monde, as it is the first venue in Brooklyn to offer bottle service. Brooklyn’s glitterati were rubbing elbows at this media party where, in keeping with the fashion theme, the foxy wait staff was decked out in Jordache threads.
The venue oozed of style which played out well with the fashion forward crowd that downed inventive cocktails and plum wine. DJ Belinda Becker dropped sophisticated beats amidst a sea of plush-lush throw pillows and casual elegance. Tapas, mussels, and seafood rounded out a luscious menu that had many a party-goer begging for more.
The vibe of the event set the tone for the main draw of the weekend, and the designers of Brooklyn Fashion Week{end} did not disappoint. The event opened with guest performer Nefatari strutting down a large marble staircase, and her larger-than-life presence captured the crowd. As she worked the audience, her fitted black pants and bold belly shirt made as much of a statement as her smooth lyrical stylings.
Joan Vacciana opened the show with a collection that had hints of sparkle and animal prints. The foundation garments were primarily dark with splashes of yellow, orange, and purple. The fluid collection was fraught with 
draping and layering. The designer definitely enjoyed her moment in the spotlight when she traipsed down the runway and accepted flowers from the crowd. This enthusiasm transitioned well in to the next collection, Catou.
Catou stood out from the pack by using brighter colors. Designer Berny Martin explained that, “other designers use dark colors to represent winter. I wanted to do the opposite, because it symbolizes confidence and boldness. The use of colors is usually a sign of self appreciation and awareness, [and] by wearing my clothes a customer will get just that... self insurance!” Such bravado looks just as fabulous in a hot club as it does on the runway. Martin further said that the inspiration for his collection came from spending time in South Africa:
“I was there last year for almost a month, and I came across the mine workers in South Africa - specifically the gold mines in Johannesburg. It was lovely. My imagination was what they would wear if they go out for a social event after a day of back breaking work in the mines. What would they wear! I think they would wear something that would represent class and self appreciation because working in the mines is very challenging.”
As the day wore on, Molly Spinach raised hemlines and outfitted her clothes with fierce hardware, while Muse by DLW amused onlookers with sophisticated and refined details. Wide pant legs, sheer fabrics, ruffles, exquisite cuffs, and buttons almost exclusively in black screamed glamour. Deneisha White for Muse by DLW designed her magnificent threads for the beautiful people who love the nightlife.
Beverly Bond stayed true to the heart and soul of Brooklyn by showing the Black Girls Rock collection. Her tee-shirts were worn by models, celebrities, tastemakers, filmmakers, and “great eclectic spirits.” It was easy to imagine sporting her clothing at a trendy lounge, because this designer sees life as her canvas.
Sena used big dramatic hats throughout her collection which garnered attention from the crowd. And incase she needed additional punch, Sena began her show with a model doing a tribal dance on the catwalk. Her collection integrated a variety of textures and fabrics, and her clothing had great energy with a touch of 
whimsy. Some outfits had a delicate lace overlay, but the majority of her pieces stayed within a black and orange color palate.
The fashion portion of the evening came to a conclusion with Simon Duncan. His clothing cleverly utilized snaps, buttons, pockets, and zippers. The shiny fabrics had a regal feeling, and his reinterpretation of the classic cape made a bold statement. More traditional scoop dresses and the use of quilted fabrics looked phenomenal on the runway.
The level of creativity displayed in the collections pushed the fashion envelope. Brooklyn Fashion Week{end} was a fresh approach to style that featured talented designers and a posh commencement bash, courtesy of Well.
