You may not think of your dentist as the most fashionable person you know. But that’s because your dentist isn’t Donald Shingler. Shingler, a dentist as well as a fashion maven, cooked up the idea for Fashion Week Cleveland, which celebrates its 10th year when it kicks off May 4. Shingler and his FWC colleagues announced this year’s event with a press conference by the fountain at Tower City yesterday, featuring a dozen models in gowns — half looking like they were dressed for a fun summer party, the other half clutching bouquets and resembling a bridal fair lineup.
Among the events announced were the May 5 Glam Jam, featuring bands and performance artists, wearable art and food trucks at the Halle Building at PlayhouseSquare, a screening of the documentary Dressed at the Cleveland Art Museum May 11, and a closing black-tie gala may 12, also at the Halle Building. They also unveiled the “official car” of Fashion Week Cleveland, a little Fiat box on wheels with Gucci green and red stripes.
Shingler and FWC’s executive artistic director Ernest Brown enthusiastically asserted that Cleveland can become a fashion hub and a magnet for quality design. Judging from the attire of some of the curious folks wandering by who stopped to listen to the speakers and gape at the models, Fashion Week Cleveland’s promoters have their work cut out for them. — Anastasia Pantsios
