Community Highlights: Meet Avant Runway

Today we’d like to introduce you to Avant Runway.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Our story began in 2018 when a small group of abstract-minded fashion students in Kent, Ohio, got together with the intention of putting on an experimental DIY fashion show. Our idea was to abandon the idea of curation by accepting every look that was submitted, ultimately allowing a space for inclusivity and unrelenting expression. We pooled together our pocket change and were able to corral artists from all over Ohio to support the concept. In one whirlwind of a month, we were able to pull off a photoshoot and a live fashion show. The photoshoot was magnetic and the show was electric. It was refreshing to be surrounded by so much passion and unfiltered creative talent.

The momentum didn’t stop there. In 2019, the show was revived for a second year by multiple original team members with the addition of some fresh new visionaries. The show doubled in size and included people from across the globe! It felt like our journey was just beginning.

That brings us to 2020. We all know what happened there. Our ever-evolving team was planning the 3rd annual show when the reality of the pandemic started to settle in. In March, we realized that alive and in-person fashion show was off the table. Our team members went back to their respective hometowns and are currently scattered throughout the country, from Phoenix to Cleveland, New York City, and many places in between.

At this point, we were faced with a decision- cancel the annual show, or take on the challenge to make it work. We chose the latter. We began brainstorming ideas about a remotely produced fashion show and eventually came up with the idea for Virtually AVANT.

We wanted to create a fashion film composed of video footage sent in by the designers. We were aware that not everyone would have access to camera equipment during the pandemic, so this is what we did. We made seven packages to mail out to participating designers. Each package included a handheld camera, an instructional guide book, a thumb drive of tutorials, and hand sanitizer. Once they were done shooting, they sent the package onto the next designer. At this stage in the process, we are receiving footage back from the designers and editing it together. Everyone’s footage is so creatively unique, and we can’t wait to share it with the world!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Planning a fashion show throughout 2020 certainly has not been a smooth road. It’s been more like a road trip where nothing goes according to plan but you have the right company so you’re having fun anyway.

Our team has fluctuated immensely during the past year. Team members haven’t had the same capacity to work on creative projects during this time of uncertainty, which is completely understandable. However, considering that AVANT is volunteer-based, this slowed down the project so much it almost came to a halt.

But, with all that being said, this project has been challenging in ways that we have not experienced before. The pandemic forced us to think about AVANT with an entirely new perspective. We’ve always wanted to expand AVANT, and this was an opportunity to do so.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
AVANT is not only a platform for creative expression but a virtual community of emerging fashion designers, brands, and artists. Our mission is to give artists the resources and space they need to thrive. We focus on celebrating experimental works, innovative ideas, and diversity. Our spirit of inclusion is what makes us who we are. We are most proud of proving that you do not need to be exclusive to create cutting-edge art. Our organization is free for artists to participate, and we hope that we can continue to fund exciting opportunities for them in the future.

Stay tuned by following us on social media. We will be announcing a release date for Virtually AVANT soon!

Contact Info:

• Email: avantrunway@gmail.com
• Website: avant-avant-avant.com
• Instagram: @__avant
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AvantFashionShow
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGPMJQKlW9U

Image Credits
Image 1: Benjamin Bartling Image 2: Gabe Loughney Image 3: Adam V Martin Image 4: Dani Bennett Image 5: Adam V Martin Image 6: Dani Bennett Image 7: Benjamin Bartling Image 8: Paige Marguilles Images 9-10: Adam V Martin Images 11-13: Dani Bennett Image 14: Paige Marguilles