Runway Icon and Project Ethos have done it again.  Venturing into the neighboring city of San Diego , the Project Ethos team put together one of the most remarkable fashion runway events the city has seen this year.  The venue was at On Broadway, a very classy club located at the Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego .  The evening started with a Red Carpet event featuring VIP guests, featured designers & artists, curators, buyers and other professionals in the business.  Some of the notable guests are Los Angeles-based fashion designer Lauren Elaine and 2010 Miss California Teen USA Emma Baker.

Immediately following the Red Carpet event, the guests were drawn to the center stage by the highly-charged music of Buddy Akai, a four piece electronic rock band named after the Akai brand keyboard they use.  From their MySpace page, “Their sound can be described as a mix of indie/electro/rock.  They mix in samples, sequences, arpegiated synths and processed vocals, but still they manage to keep it rocking.”

There were 8 featured designers, and the fashion event kicked off with Garden Party Clothing.  Designer Eleonore Santos said her line was inspired by “trinkets, old clocks, music boxes and grandma’s jewelry… by the little things in life that make each day one to remember.”  Next in line was Organic Planet, whose collection of casual clothing and accessories focuses on the use of eco-friendly organic materials.

Stacie May is a San Diego-based independent designer whose vintage-inspired looks possess a timeless elegance.  Her choice of textures, fabrics & color enhances the classic & graceful appeal of her design.  Showcasing a contrasting design is Arka’s fashion line, whose goal is “to provide quality street wear while paying attention to every detail.”  Their graphic tees involve a story and a purpose, and would make a great addition to one’s own collection.

Switching gears once again, we were introduced to the fun, attractive & colorful prints of Eco-Panda swimwear line.  Designer Ian West believes that “environmentally conscious fashion doesn’t have to lack style or quality.”  Their collection is revolutionary, combining fashion with environmental responsibility, and their design is both fashion-forward and affordable, giving consumers the best of both worlds.  Up next is Fortune 421, a high-end fashion line that combines beach and urban influences in its design.  It has been dubbed as the “nightlife uniform” since it has been spotted on world-renowned DJs, VIP hosts and promoters alike.

Moving on to a more formal collection, Goga by Gordana’s line boasts colorful yet classy gowns and formal wear that many in the industry admire.  Designer Gordana Gehlhausen was a contestant at the sixth season of the Emmy-nominated show Project Runway, and currently operates several boutiques nationwide.  Her newest shop is in San Diego , CA .  Finally, everyone rose to their feet as the final fashion line was introduced to the runway.  Jesus Estrada’s creations have earned him many accolades in Project Runway’s seventh season and his Haus of Estrada collection has definitely earned everyone’s admiration at this event.  According to his site, “his focus was creating high fashion evening gowns with a touch of grandiosity.”  He certainly succeeded in doing that by introducing a ready-to-wear collection that is both edgy and artistic with a twist of punk.

After the fashion event, the club was filled with music from Robb Rockwell and Space Cowboy, and everyone was having a good time, dancing, posing at the red carpet, or mingling with all the featured designers and artists.  An all-night art exhibition was located downstairs as well as the model lounge and the VIP club.  It was an incredible night for Project Ethos, and Runway Icon’s coverage proved once again to be a valued addition to this successful production.

We would like to thank our elite Los Angeles Photographers Joel Dellosa and Roy Salcedo.

Article by Joel Dellosa.