The Pin Show brings fashion to Deep Ellum

by Amy Seslowsky

DEEP ELLUM — Instead of local screamo bands and sulking teenagers, Deep Ellum venue The Door was full of fashionistas, DJs and local designers at The Pin Show on Thursday night.

Founded in 2007 by designers Rachel Nichelson and Julie McCullough Kim, The Pin Show provides emerging fashion designers, stylists, photographers, and retail buyers with an opportunity to network and see independent lines without having to fly to New York or Los Angeles.

“Dallas is an important center for fashion,” said David Ninh, Pin Show host and Style writer for F!D Luxe by the Dallas Morning News. If the turnout for the show was any indicator, Ninh’s statement was right on point. The venue was packed to the brim with the glamorous, the stylish and the not-so-stylish. For every Gucci-clad socialite, there were at least three people in jeans and flip-flops.

The show was co-hosted by D Magazine’s Fashion and Beauty Editor Stephanie Quadri and featured clothing, hats, bags and shoes by 26 designers - including local student designers and the popular House of Dang. Throughout the show, the hosts stressed the importance and benefits of local manufacturing. “No sweat shops!” exclaimed Quadri. The show also donated ten percent of the proceeds from The Pin Show Shoppe sales to The UTD Center for Brain Health. Philanthropy is so hot right now.

In 2009, the show will be held twice a year in order to allow designers to showcase their Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer lines.

The Pin Show seemed to be a success. Was it New York’s Fashion Week? Not quite. Was it fabulous nonetheless? Absolutely.