Langanja Estranja
Steven Lindsey | Contributing writer
StevenCraigLindsey@gmail.com
Paris. Milan. New York. London. Oak Lawn.
Yes, Oak Lawn.
The world’s top fashion weeks just got a new addition to their run — and it’s right here in the heart of the queer community.
Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 11, bars and venues along Cedar Springs Road will host Oak Lawn Fashion Week, a four-day series of fashion shows, red carpet entrances and runway models of every shape, size, gender and color of the rainbow.
“We came up with the idea because a lot of fashion weeks are put on by a lot of queer people, but they’re not necessarily represented,” explained Mindy May, general manager of Sue Ellen’s and chairman of the board of Oak Lawn Fashion Week. “So, it just felt like if we put all our energy into our own community to build one, what would we get?
“I think somebody said it out loud as a joke, like Oak Lawn Fashion Week, and I was like, that would be a great fundraiser for Pride in Dallas,” May added.
The community got a taste of high fashion in March when Queer the Runway hosted its first show at Sue Ellen’s.
“I’m an artist and I got to headline New York Fashion Week this year, and I realized that, to Mindy’s point, there were a lot of queer people there,” said Love Jones Monroe, co-founder of Queer the Runway and secretary of Oak Lawn Fashion Week. “However, there weren’t any queer-oriented shows that were all queer as far as casting, designers, models and even the production.”
Monroe said the first Queer the Runway show packed the house and led to appearances at the Pride Block Party at the Dallas Museum of Art and various club activations.
“We’re so excited now to coordinate and bring together Oak Lawn Fashion Week,” they said.
“We have more than 30 performing artists and musical acts. We have Laganja Estranja, Utica and Raja O’Hara as our celebrity drag queens, coming in to host from RuPaul. And we are so excited to welcome 15 designers that are going to be showcasing their looks at Sue Ellen’s, S4, Roundup Saloon and TMC.”
Events kick off Wednesday, Nov. 11, with a mixer and opening ceremony at Sue Ellen’s, all culminating that night in the grand finale of Designing DFW, a fashion design competition that’s eliminated competitors each week since Sept. 2. The winner will take home a grand prize of $2,500.
Thursday, Nov. 12 events take place at Station 4 and will feature a red carpet entrance and the first of three fashion shows. This one will be couture-focused.
“We even have a Gay Garden, which is our live auction on Nov. 12, where we’re auctioning off a piece from each designer,” Monroe says.
On Friday, Nov. 13, the fashion show moves to the Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall with a New West theme. Designers will showcase how they’ve transformed vintage denim and reclaimed textiles into wearable art.
Saturday, Nov. 14, kicks off with a Pup Brunch and “pup couture” at TMC, followed that night by the fashion show finale celebrating queer culture, urban wear and streetwear.
“We’re really excited for the community to come together and experience fashion on a high level with all queer models from every background,” Monroe said. “We’re also tapping into the different organizations and groups, from Dallas Bears to the Sisterhood of Perpetual Indulgence.”
Diversity truly is the thread that runs through each of these fashion events.
“I think our goal is to bring everyone together in the community through fashion and art,” noted Robbi Young, co-founder of Queer the Runway and president of Oak Lawn Fashion Week. “You know, one of the cool things is it’s really for all body types and all forms of LGBTQIA+. We don’t discriminate.”
Monroe agreed.
“As a queer Black woman and especially as an artist, I love that fashion breaks down barriers and brings us together again, kind of like Pride, but in a different way,” she said. “Because you wind up complementing someone’s beauty, and it breaks down an extra barrier. So we truly can come together and celebrate each other, celebrate love, and join in as a movement.”
Most of all, Oak Lawn Fashion Week will be a celebratory outing, even for people who may not consider themselves fashionistas.
“We totally think that everyone should come because you get to see yourself on the runway.
We have worked hard to find designs for everyone and represent every body type, and every identity, and every ethnicity on the runway, whether that’s from fashion to music to art, we have a full packed show of entertainment,” Monroe said.
“There’s not going to be one second that you won’t be entertained. My main mission is love, and I think that’s something across the board that everyone feels at the show.
We welcome you with open arms.”
Oak Lawn Fashion Week runs from Wednesday, Nov. 11 to Saturday, Nov. 14. Some events are free, others start at $11, with VIP upgrades available with a variety of perks, available at OakLawnFashionWeek.com.