Fifth annual spring fashion week approaching

Washington fashion week will kick off on Thursday, March 28, at 6 p.m. with an evening style show at JP's 207 and conclude Saturday, March 30, with a morning brunch style show at 9 a.m. at Cafe Dodici. According to Main Street Washington Executive Director Sarah Grunewaldt, fashion week is an experience she looks forward to every year.

'People have been cooped up in the house, it's been cold and you're ready for some fresh wardrobe, some fresh stuff for your house, getting out of the house and walking around and it's a great excuse to be out in the public and see what's new,” she said.

This year marks the fifth annual spring fashion week and the first year there will be two fashion shows. Grunewaldt said in the past there has only been a brunch show but this year they have added an evening show at JP's to appeal to a different crowd and give a taste of what downtown businesses have to offer.

'We have a lot of retailers downtown who work really hard during the winter,” she said. 'They travel, they go to market, they are buying product for their stores and they roll it out with a spring open house but there was nothing kind of around that to showcase all of the new stuff they brought in and all of their handwork.”

Both shows will have mostly the same products, showcasing shoes, clothing, accessories and even homegoods available for purchase. Sneak preview photos of the products can be found on the Main Street Washington Facebook page.

The evening show will feature pop-up booths where businesses will be set up with product so customers can see it on the runway and immediately purchase if they choose. She said this way of promoting downtown business and encouraging people to spend their dollars downtown is what Main Street is all about.

'One of my missions on Main Street is to really focus on shopping local,” she said. 'By doing the fashion week, by doing the sneak peek photos on our Facebook page and by promoting the style show, we're really just showcasing all of the great and varied products that people have in their stores and also encouraging people to spend their dollars in town.”

Because seating is limited, tickets must be purchased in advance and can be done so at the Washington Chamber of Commerce, The Village, Jazz it Up or Dodici's shop. She says the spring fashion show is a fun experience for everyone and is looking forward to another successful year to promote the products available in downtown Washington.

'With the winter we've had I think it's going to bring out a great crowd of people that you probably haven't seen,” she said. 'It's a great place to catch up with your friends, see some new stuff, socialize, and also spend your dollars locally and see those retailers you haven't seen all winter.”