Recently, UGM, was granted permission to speak with one of Arizona's elite people of Phoenix Fashion Week, Brian Hill, Executive Director. We sat down for a phone conversation to get to know a little more about fashion in Phoenix.
UGM: How long have you been in the fashion industry and how did you get started?
Brian Hill: I've been in for 10 years. I was making T-shirts at the campus of Arizona State University in the beginning not knowing that it was going to take me to the Director of Fashion Week.
UGM: Traditionally, fashion is predominantly known or heard of in New York or California here in the United States. Why did you think Arizona would be a great place for fashion week?
BH: Well, two reasons! The sheer growth of the city going from the sixth to the fifth largest and a lot of money here. A lot people that buy and sell retail. In construction, or already standing, we have more malls per ca pita than anywhere in the nation. So, that just tells me that they, you know the city planning knows how big we're going to be eventually. So, my self and a few of the designers want to put our flags in the ground and not get kicked out by another big conglomerate coming in ad saying, "Hey, here's what fashion should be in Phoenix." We want to be the ones who lead by our own standard.
UGM: Do you really think that Arizona is going to be the next "Hot Spot" for fashion?
BH: You know, it's just different. We're not necessarily the "Hot Spot". It's kind of confusing. We're not saying that people dress better than anyone else. We're bringing designers in from different parts of the world to showcase their styles. That's how you actually push it forward. New York is infamous for that. Everyone comes from around the world and the do their own style, and you think that when you go to New York to shop that you're getting New York Style but you're not. It's a "melting pot" of fashion and we want to do the same thing here.
UGM: So, I noticed on your website that you're donating a lot of your proceeds to the Susan G. Coleman Cure for Cancer, do you always have your fashion shows coincide with Breast Cancer Month?
BH: This is the second time we've done it.
UGM: What percentage of your proceeds will go towards your charity?
BH: There's actually not a percentage. So, all of the items are being auctioned off that the celebrities are wearing on the runway. Every single dollar is going towards Susan G. Coleman from that. And then we're getting donations from different sponsors. There's no set amount. And the third thing is, 25% of the T-shirt we co-designed with one of our brands called Privacy Premium, out of L.A., who has the direct title Breast Cancer Awareness, is going towards Susan G. Coleman as well!
UGM: This year, how many designers do you have?
BH: We have 28.
UGM: How many of the designers have been discovered from Arizona?
BH: We have 10 emerging designers coming from Arizona competing for $10,000 prize package all focused on helping them launch their brand correctly. And then we have some other brands that have had some success from Fashion Week that are going forward.
UGM: How many of your designers are children? Or do you have any children that are designers?
BH: The youngest girl we have is 20. She is actually on the MTV reality fashion show "House of Jazmin". We're bringing her in.
This sounds like the hottest ticket in the Valley! Phoenix Fashion Week! Be there! Tickets are currently on sale: $30 general admission and $60 reserved tickets Get your tickets now! You can purchase your tickets on-line at www.phoenixfashionweek.com .
