DRESS YOUR BEST. The Eau Claire Fashion Night was born of one local's desire to highlight creatives in the fashion space, widespread collaboration bringing it to fruition. (Photo via Lizzy Averbeck's Instagram @la.styles._)

A first-time event will soon strut through downtown Eau Claire thanks to a wide collaborative effort between several local businesses and an array of photographers, designers, models, and more: the Eau Claire Fashion Night.

Described as an intimate fashion experience, the event will bring a full night of glamour, style, shopping, and inspiration, largely highlighting sustainable fashion. Slated for Saturday, April 22 from 7:30-11pm at Forage (403 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire), the event sold out nearly a month before its debut.

The stylish community event has been months in the making, an idea brought to light by E.C. local Alexia (Lexi) Kane. While folks may recognize them for their work in founding and fostering the Eau Claire Makers’ Market alongside a handful of others, they have also begun breaking into the modeling space.

Event flyer.

“Over the past couple of months, I’ve been traveling to the Twin Cities a lot, and I really wanted to bring some of that here,” Lexi said. “I know Eau Claire has the talent for it, and people are just waiting for opportunities.”

With a positive working relationship with Forage, a shapeshifting venue space in downtown Eau Claire, already solidified, the conversation around bringing some sort of fashion-focused event to the area began between the two. Once the idea of “wearable art” entered the picture, a true vision began to take form for an event showcasing local designers and clothing.

Area shops like Shine On Consignment Boutique (2209 Fairfax St., Eau Claire), BarbaLynn’s Vintage (603 S. Broadway St., Menomonie), and local stylist Lizzy Averbeck (@la.styles._) were then brought on board, and the event planning truly ramped up.

With the event’s first announcement breaking online on March 18, a model and photographer call was made, inviting area creatives to toss their name into the ring with any interest in participating. The excitement for and interest in the event was nearly immediate, and slots filled fast.

“I think we have a lot of talent in Eau Claire,” Lexi continued. “Maybe this is me getting a little spicy, but I think we have such an awesome creative community, and there aren’t enough creative opportunities where they also get paid – especially around mom age group. Nobody’s putting on events that are sponsored; it’s very much DIY-style that we’re having to put (events) on ourselves.”

And that do-it-yourself attitude is what has brought the Eau Claire Fashion Night this far. The evening will begin when doors open at 7:30pm, attendees invited to mingle prior to the runway portion of the night beginning at 8:30pm. The runway show will last roughly an hour, and attendees will be able to shop the clothes shown during the night – and more – afterwards. Each person will also get one free drink thanks to Forage, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available at the the 18+ event.

“IT’S ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE YOU EITHER WAIT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO IT, OR YOU HAVE TO DO IT YOURSELF.”

ALEXIA KANE

eau claire fashion night co-organizer

“I also want to have photo opportunities during the night,” Lexi added. “I know I’m always looking for opportunities to wear something really cool and go out to something like this, so I hope everyone shows up in their best dressed.”

While the big-picture vision for the event planners includes making the event a recurring staple in Eau Claire, Lexi said much of that will depend on community interest and the ability to secure funding. They mentioned the potential of applying for area tourism grants, partnering with area businesses to offer lodging, and more, since the event announcement garnered interest from Minnesota and Iowa individuals as well.

“It’s one of those things where you either wait for somebody else to do it, or you have to do it yourself.”

Keep up with the Eau Claire Fashion Event’s planners (Alexia Kane, Barbalynn's, Forage, Shine On, and Lizzy Averbeck) online for content of the night to be shared following April 22, and to hear of news if future events are planned.