Founded in 2011, Atlantic City Fashion Week, held thrice a year, attracts thousands of visitors to descend on America’s playground. This multi-day showcase includes fashion shows, seminars, celebrity appearances, retail events, and industry parties. Through the years, Atlantic City Fashion Week (ACFW) has emerged as a pivotal cultural event that not only celebrates the dynamic world of fashion but has cemented itself into the cultural fabric of South Jersey.
Producers Lamont and Jeana Bowling have orchestrated this vibrant and diverse showcase with an incredible eye for detail. Jeana brings 25-plus years of experience as an Executive and General Manager in the retail clothing industry and has worked for top names in retail, including Macy's, GAP, and Ralph Lauren. In a recent interview, Lamont was asked to expand his description of visual stimulation as it relates to both the designer and the audience. “Often designers will ask us "what's your theme?" We want a show that will leave you with a sense of wonderment. We strive to create a show that will keep the attention of the fashion novice. Someone who does not frequent fashion week events will walk away with plenty to talk about on the ride home. That is the goal.”
Designer Ray Vincente, Designer Sandro Giuliani, Designer Sandro Giuliani, Designer Studio B, Designer Veron New York. Photos by Anthony Steele
South Jersey, particularly Atlantic City, is not known as a fashion center. However, this is starting to change through the efforts of ACFW, which is bridging the glamorous fashion scene with the laid-back coastal culture. Why Atlantic City? “It is a question that is asked every season. Then they attend or participate in Atlantic City Fashion Week, seeing that it is the equivalent of a full production Broadway play with professional lighting, sound, hair, and makeup teams,” says Jeana.
Zoe Saldana once said, “Fashion is art; it is absolute art. It is telling a story.” As an expressive art form, weaving a captive narrative through the garments transcends mere aesthetics. The designers craft their voices into collections, utilizing textures, colors, and patterns to convey emotions and cultural perspectives. “Fashion or your fashion sense is like describing one's personality. It is not just clothes. It is attitude. It is aura. It is personality. It is interaction with other people,” says Lamont.
Photo by Bob Sax; Lamont and Jeana Bowling, Photo by Cecilia Rod; next 2 photos by Sean Stroup, Photo of Red Dress by William Kryzak
The passion runs so deep for ACFW, providing a dedicated platform for local and local designers to display their creativity and talent, putting South Jersey in the fashion world. Over the years, the events have highlighted the diversity of South Jersey, with designers drawing inspiration from the region's rich history, traditions, and multicultural influences. Critical to their success have been leveraging community engagement and empowerment by actively promoting inclusivity, highlighting a diverse range of models, and embracing various body types, ethnicities, and backgrounds. ACFW, unlike other organizations that have come into town and cashed out, has collaborated with local businesses, creating opportunities for community members to engage with the fashion industry and fostering a sense of pride and empowerment.
