We were thrilled to sponsor a Spoonflower Challenge at this year’s Kansas City Fashion Week in September. Designers tried their hand at fabric design to incorporate 2 yards of Spoonflower fabric into a runway look for an exclusive Spoonflower show. The results were incredible, and we are thrilled to share some of the amazing looks today! 

Nataliya's winning dress designNataliya Meyer’s winning look, printed by Spoonflower. Photo courtesy of Kansas City Fashion Week

Kansas City Fashion Week brings designers from all over the United States for a week of events highlighting the vibrant fashion scene still thriving in a city that was once only second to New York in the production of fabrics and garments. In its 6th season, the lineup of talented designers has continued to grow (next season, think even more celebrity designers and larger sponsorships!), and this year, Creative Director Layne Whitehouse reached out to Spoonflower wanting to showcase the amazing possibilities afforded designers by advances in digital textile printing. We were thrilled to work with organizers to put on a Spoonflower Challenge that encouraged designers to try their hand at creating garments featuring their own digitally printed designs. The Spoonflower Challenge runway show represented a beautiful story of the connecting threads of fabric and design: digital textiles produced here in Durham, NC, a state renowned for textile mills, were transformed by designers from across the United States to wow audiences in an arena where garment production for the fashion industry once reigned.

A look from Nataliya Meyer's winning collection
Nataliya Meyer’s collection, printed with Spoonflower. Photo credit: Gene Starr

The Spoonflower Challenge was one such new addition to the exciting lineup of KCFW shows. Designers who accepted the challenge created an original look that featured 50% Spoonflower fabric. From cocktail dresses to ball gowns, the diversity in the looks on the catwalk is certainly a testament to the creative power of digital printing. Designer Nataliya Meyer of Oblivion Clothing Design wowed judges to win the Challenge.

  Heidi Herrman's Spoonflower lookHeidi Herrman’s Spoonflower look. Photo courtesy of Kansas City Fashion Week

Seeing each designer’s unique vision translated into a polished look on the catwalk was so much fun, and we love Whitehouse’s approach to incorporating new features into her established lineup of shows. Her advice,”Breathe. Things will go wrong, and that’s okay. Remember that you’re probably the only one who will notice. Put your head down and keep pushing forward.”

In creating the lineup for Kansas City Fashion Week, Whitehouse seeks to put together a set of cohesive collections from designers. The Spoonflower showcase that kicked off the weekend of shows, united diverse looks with digitally printed fabrics. Designer Heidi Herrman created a structured pleated dress with architectural lines printed on our Linen-Cotton Canvas fabric, while Lauren Bander focused on softer lines to complement the Monet water lilies printed on Silk Crepe de Chine.

Lauren Bander's Spoonflower lookLauren Bander’s Spoonflower look. Photo courtesy of Kansas City Fashion Week

The scope of talent for this year’s show was incredible, and each year, the organizers of the event are seeing a larger reach and a group of veterans who return. “Originally, we were pretty excited when we had midwest designers apply. Now they’re coming from all over the Unites States! We do have many returning designers each season. We love watching them grow and see where their next collection gets its inspiration,” says Whitehouse.
We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the event in seasons to come, and we so appreciate being invited to be a part of Kansas City Fashion Week this year. Thanks so much to the organizers and designers who made the night a success!
Here’s to inspiration and great clothes,