ATLANTA — Almost 75 apparel, accessories and interior designers are set to take part in the first annual Style Atlanta, a weeklong event in May that is intended to spotlight their talents.
“We want to promote and keep Atlanta design here, with events that help build the city’s stylish image and showcase Atlanta’s untapped creative talents,” said show founder Kevin Knauss.
About 24 apparel designers, including hosiery maven Sara Blakely for Spanx and bridal designer Anne Barge, will participate, along with a dozen accessories designers, such as handbag and T-shirt designer Michele Marcombe and jewelry designer Mark Edge. Some 40 interior designers will also attend.
Billed as “the largest collective of local fashion, accessories and interior designers at one place and time,” the May 1-6 event is being sponsored by companies such as General Motors, Simon Properties, Macy’s and Goody, the hair accessories division of Rubbermaid. It will be open to the public and ticket prices will range from $30 to $300, with most events benefiting local AIDS charities.
The week kicks off May 1 with 2 Much Drama, a fashion show featuring Atlanta businesses and fashion houses, looking to boost shopping in the city. The event will be at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s new Atlanta location.
Among the other activities will be an exhibition of designers and fashion photographers at the Mason Murer Fine Art gallery, and a presentation of fall-winter 2005 runway trends from Europe and New York, sponsored by the Fashion Group International, followed by a panel discussion on how collections influence interior design, music and automobiles. Industry panelists will include Jeffrey Kalinsky, owner of Jeffrey Atlanta and New York.
The week will conclude with a black-tie awards gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Buckhead on May 6, where André Leon Talley, editor at large for Vogue, will receive the General Motors International Style Award; rapper Andre 3000 Benjamin of the group OutKast will receive a G.M. award for International Impact on Music and Style, and John C. Portman Jr. will receive an award for Impact on Style of Architecture.