Fashion Week San Diego Founder Allison Andrews

Fashion Week San Diego (FWSD) returns September 30^th-October 6^th and will take place at the Port Pavilion on the Broadway Pier Downtown. “I’ve always appreciated fashion & creative arts, but love business, numbers and analytics. FWSD blends my passion and what I’m innately good at together,” said founder Allison Andrews. The dream of merging her two interests together came to fruition in 2008. After a four-year hiatus, the event returned in 2012 and quickly garnered the attention it deserved. The growing number of sponsors, attendees and the talent it attracted has allowed it to grow in just one year. “We have tripled our growth!! New, large venue- 3 days of runway shows- celebrity keynote industry speakers, so so much more! We have a musical act on Saturday night then our official after party in venue with VJ from Sleeping Giant Music! We partnered with Style to Rock the new competition fashion reality series produced by pop star Rihanna, and not to mention adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes on our runway Friday. Each night is so different and not to be missed.”

Photo credit: Andrew Casey

Any pressure to emulate other fashion shows such as New York Fashion Week?

No. We stand on our own and if anything I feel pressure to do it right and make sure for the right reasons. Quality over quantity.

The designers from 2008 FWSD; where are they now?

Many and most are still doing their designs. BUT that was a very hard year and many got displaced with the recession. Terrible time for retail in general.

What’s your biggest challenge?

Time and money, as with most large-scale productions.

If money were no object, who would be your dream guest designer?

That is a hard one. I immediately go with someone I would like to meet, but then the Director of FWSD jumps in and I would say it would need to be a designer that has paid their dues, been a leader in their industry and also set a higher example for clothing designers in the world market. They would also need to support other emerging designers, as that is a core factor to FWSD. I would want to do more business research on the list that comes to mind for the perfect fit.

Are there any designers that are being showcased this year that didn’t get a chance to show their pieces last year?

Yes and that is something that makes me very happy- that they come back and don’t feel defeated. I always encourage them to grow and take it as a learning lesson. It’s usually technical skills- craftsmanship.

What do you look for in a designer?

What we look for is that they want to be doing this full time and dedicated to making this their career.

Tell us about the process for designers who are interested in being involved with FWSD?

Written application, then interview in person or Skype and the final is interview with model in outfit with full hair and makeup.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t want it more for someone else. They have to want it.

And

Trust your gut.

And

You can’t make everyone happy.

And

Do the right thing, even if it means putting your neck out there.

What’s the worst advice you’ve ever received?

Any person that has been a yes person- I enjoy real feedback & conversation even if it’s not in line with my viewpoint.  So the worse advice is when people say what they think you want to hear. Don’t have a particular quote to reference at this moment.

Who are your biggest supporter(s)?

No question: My husband and my mother.

Don’t miss out! For more information and/or to purchase tickets: http://fashionweeksd.com