Talking Shop with BobbyK

Sad to see another Fashion Week gone? Still crave more fashion? INsite visited local designer Bobby K to give you one last behind-the-scenes glance at how it all went down—plus why you should feel powerful in his clothes. More pics from fashion week here.

GFW '09: BobbyK + Dahlia Runway Review

Gainesville Fashion Week ended on Friday with a bang, to say the least. The BobbyK and Dahlia fashion shows brought out the biggest crowd out of the whole week-long event series. Skyy Night Club was packed with enthusiastic fans. We were very impressed to see the Gainesville community come together in such a massive way to celebrate our local fashion scene.
Dahlia

After a one-hour fashionably late start, Dahlia opened the show with a silk and lace tank and jeans combo that set the tone for the whole collection she presented. The first look captured the aesthetic of the whole store—uber-stylish, easy-to-wear, designer casuals.
Look-after-look, we were impressed by the airiness of Dahlia's styling that made even the most high-end designer pieces seem approachable and wearable.

We love the range colors Dahlia gave us—cobalt blue swimwear, turquoise tops—it made even me, a black, white and navy uniform kind of gal, want to spruce up my wardrobe with some of the store's more electric pieces. We will definitely be checking back with Dahlia this week to snag some cute party frocks and trendy girl-about-town pieces.

BobbyK
After the Dahlia show, BobbyK took the stage with what he called "yet another of his many diva moments," as he thanked the massive audience and turned our attention to the "exotic yoga" cage dancer who opened his show. From the moment the lights turned on the dancer's pink hair, we know what we were in for with BobbyK's collection—sex appeal.

The prediction came true, as model after model walked the runway in super short, super tight minis that left little to the imagination and a bit to be desired.

BobbyK's "I'm In Love with a Robot" collection retained some of the style elements we saw in his last collection—the bubblegum pop colors from Alice in Wonderland, the structured, angular dresses from Jack the Ripper, and the soft cotton summery pieces from Amazonian. And although we can see this local designer has a definite designing point of view, Friday's collection was fresh.
Our favorite look was a pink anorak-style shirt-dress that flattered the model and was noticeably a departure from the more revealing looks surrounding it. Bobby hyped up the audience with his use of artfully placed zippers, exaggerated ruffled sleeves, funky tie-dyed fabrics and some space-age inspired dresses fit straight for a spaceship stewardess on her way to find the fifth element. We appreciated the addition of menswear to this collection and hope there will be more to come.
Before the show started Bobby told us he has been working for years to bring us what he did that night, and his hard work paid off as the hundreds of attendants shouts and hollers increased as the collection went on, all the way to and through the show's finale.

—Stephanie Granada
Photos by Sarah Hsu

Designer Q&A: BobbyK

Yesterday afternoon, we found 26-year-old designer BobbyK (or Bobby Kelley) fast at work amid a sea of fabric in his home, sewing up last minute pieces for tonight’s runway show at Skyy—the final show of Gainesville Fashion Week.

The collection, themed “I’m in Love with a Robot,” includes 42 pieces spread across four distinct mini-collections, each representing a different stage in a less-than-perfect relationship.

“Every woman has been in this situation, where’s she been in a relationship … and [the other person’s] blatant lack of emotion crushed them,” Bobby says, “I design my clothes with the knowledge that it will fit a girl—some girl out there will connect with it.”

From sketching designs to hand-dying fabrics to selecting runway music, Bobby has put his personal stamp on every step of the creative process for the show.

“I wanted this collection to be edgier—a little more rockstar, a little more sexy… It’s going to show people that Gainesville has another side,” he says.

Bobby promises mind-blowing surprises and unexpected twists on the runway tonight, and after catching glimpses of everything from tie-dyed sweater dresses to asymmetrical rosette-embellished evening gowns, we can’t wait to see what he delivers.

The evening begins with an art show and auction at Sharab Lounge at 8:30pm, followed by a Dahlia fashion show at 10:30pm at Skyy Nite Club before Bobby’s show at 11:30. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through Eventbrite. Go to gainesvillefashionweek.com for more.

–Ashley Spencer
Fashion Photos: Sydney Frost, Profile Photos: Sarah Hsu

GFW Fall '09: Etc. Boutique + Natalie Kim Runway Review

Last night's Gainesville Fashion Week show was all about celebrating the college lifestyle. From the high-end, stylish basics presented by Etc. Boutique to the array of inventive orange and blue dresses presented by Natalie Kim at Allure Boutique, the evening was a call to arms for the revival of street-wear on the runway. The two collections showed us that practical doesn't have to mean boring.

Straight Up With a Twist

Round two of Gainesville Fashion Week was opened by Etc. Boutique, which showed us how to do basics with style. The store featured an assortment of designer jeans—Hudson, Joe's and True Religion to name a few—paired with flowing tanks, summer scarves and a few embellished tops.


The show also highlighted our favorite frugalista trick of transforming "going out" pieces into daywear when it showed us a shiny legging paired with a Bohemian top.


We loved the opening look—a seemingly simple black dress with geometric designs that remind us that the best aspects of fashion are in the details. For the most part Etc. kept it's show casual and reflected a realistic aesthetic for the on-the-go college girl who wants to look good without the fuss.

It's Great to Be a Cute Florida Gator

Natalie Kim was unapologetic in flaunting cutesy game-day dresses, as girls were accessorized with embellished wine glasses, footballs, pearls and Tebow-cutouts.


The collection exceeded expectations as models strutted styles ranging from a Carolina Herrera-esque wrap-dress to a chic, evening gown version of Gator mascot Alberta, which Natalie presented as her final look.

In between, the designer delighted us with punky tulle accents and flattering pleating.

If there was ever a way to converge fashion and sports, Natalie found it. She provides girls an opportunity to revel in their feminine charms, while cheering on their favorite team. Needless to say she made a believer out of an unenthusiastic sports fan.

—Stephanie Granada
Photos by Sarah Hsu and Sean Kelly

GFW Fall '09: Calzatura + Wolfgang Runway Review

If you haven’t been shopping lately, Gainesville Fashion Week should inspire you. The week debuted at Sharab Lounge with two shows that featured looks from local boutiques Wolfgang and Calzatura. The audience was an eclectic mix of college students and young professionals. Lifestyle Editor Stephanie Granada reviews.

Mini Madness

Calzatura bid farewell to summer by paying tribute to our favorite warm weather indulgence—the ultra mini. From casual frocks that looked like skirt-and-tank duos to steal-the-night jeweled, skintight getups, Calzatura gave us a show with lots of leg and fun.

Owner Robert Betancourt's Miami roots came through in his choice of shiny accents and patterned pieces, like our new must-have, the peacock-printed jumpsuit.

This fall we'll be pairing Calzatura's minis with thigh-high, over-the-knee boots and shrunken jackets.

It All Depends on Your Situation

The Wolfgang show took us through an adventure through time and social cliques that were combined into one collection in this 40-look runway show. Store owner Matthew Turner gave us everything from the sweet swing of the 20s and 30s with the lacy Charlotte Ronson looks to the collegiate androgynous nerd with a combination of button downs, suspenders, bow ties and thick-rimmed glasses.

We are loving the edgy accents that adorned the model's wrists, necks and waistbands and the ease at which we feel we could easily wear even the edgiest of looks shown—yes look 40, we mean you. We were very excited to see the guys weren't left out and we got loud and clear that the look for guys this fall is plaid.

Though each look was completely different from the rest, the show still held the cohesive spirit that lets us know it was created by someone with a knack for style. Last night, the runway delivered the message that Wolfgang has something for the free-spirited fashion glutton in all of us.

—Stephanie Granada
Photos by Sarah Hsu

The Summer's End Fashion Show

This past Saturday (Aug. 15), we were invited to attend The Summer’s End Fashion Show to benefit the Alachua County Humane Society. The event began at 8pm poolside at Gateway at Gainesville. The event brought together 26 local businesses and 100 attendees, who munched on finger food from Pizza Vito and Gelato Company.

Event planner and long-time humane society volunteer Natasha Bull combined her love of fashion, animals and the community to put on the event. Her friends (style by Beauty Loft, Maude’s Hair Salon and Scissors) modeled clothing from local boutiques to the cool South Beach techno styles of D.J. Jarad Bowens. Prizes from places like Gainesville Health & Fitness Center, Leonardo’s 706, Melting Pot, dog grooming services and hair care salons hit the raffle circuit.

Calzatura showed a collection of spaghetti strap dresses with flowing hemlines, strapless pocket dresses and fitted dresses with asymmetrical necklines. Blush Boutique showed sweet cocktail dresses, and the Exchange made the casual campus look easy with quirky T-shirts, dark skinny jeans, trendy hats and kung fu slides for men and women.

University Avenue boutique Wolfgang featured a collection of designers such as Charlotte Ronson, Roberta Oaks, French Connection, Hype and Jacksonville’s Love Brigade.

“We carry a lot of brands from overseas, from LA, from NY,” said Wolfgang owner Matthew Turner. “I want to keep fashion [at Wolfgang] that you can’t find at the mall. It’s about keeping fashion fresh.”

Finally, Denise’s Pieces Lingerie finished off the night with girls in 4-inch heels modeling bodices, corsets, and more (or is it less?). —Attiyya Anthony

Photos by Sarah Hsu