Phoenix Fashion Week: An Insider's Guide

If you are an Arizonian (like me) – or a tourist – with a love for fashion, you’ve come to the right place. Phoenix Fashion Week (PHXFW) is expecting more than 6,000 guests this year at the The Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale and it has prepared an array of events that you cannot miss!

There is so much to do. From fashion seminars to watching the latest trends on the runway. Attending the leading fashion industry event in the Southwest and discovering everything Arizona has to offer, will be something to remember.

The event starts Thursday, October 13th and ends Saturday, October 15th, 2016. You can expect Fashion Education Seminars, the Style Villa Shopping Market, Emerging Designer Fashion Shows and Established Designer Runway Shows every day.

If you want to get insider tips from the fashion industry’s leading experts, you should definitely check out this year’s seminars. Some include topics such as: behind the design, launch your brand with vision, how to sell big to buyers, how to take your local blog global, social media and email for fashion success, the foundation of style and many more!

If you are looking for the latest trends, you have to shop at the Style Villa. Everything from beauty to clothes, accessories and more. The Style Villa Marketplace is open to the general public from October 13-15. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Visit State Forty Eight Clothing, Cha-Cha Chic, Shazia’s Boutique, Amazing Lash Studio, Zona Med Spa, Stigmare Couture Marketing and many more.

When it comes to designers, PHXFW has gathered a solid, talented and creative group of designers from all over the world. Meet local designers during Community Night, discover the hottest Emerging Designers and enjoy the exquisite work of Established Designers.

Catch The Art Institute of Phoenix student showcase featuring the male models of PHXFW during Community Night.

Be inspired by the work of Emerging Designers ACONAV, Barbara Bultman, Amanda Casarez, Cosmogyral, Mowa by Emily Smith, Forgiven Love, Laura Tanzer, Ricci JVR, Isy B, MXN Fashions, Monica Mauro Designs, Rhinestones and Relics and Shanks Shoewear.

Do not miss Carry Underwood’s Global Avant-Garde designer Rocky Gathercole, Paris Hilton’s designer Yas Couture by Elie Madi, Lebanese Bridal and Evening designer Rachad Itani Couture and many others.

To purchase tickets, please visit this link.

Fashion Week is an experience. We’ve asked some of the top executives and teammates behind PHXFW to give us their best advice when it comes to enjoying the Grand Canyon State.

Where should I stay in Scottsdale?

Operations Director of Phoenix Fashion Week, Brenna Moses

Instagram: @BrennaMoses

Twitter: @BrennaMoses

“Talking Stick Resort of course! What better way to enjoy a weekend full of fashion than to stay at the host venue! Wake up… relax at the spa… get a tan at the pool… stop by the salon to get glam before you come downstairs and walk the red carpet!”

Where can I find the best steak and burger in Arizona?

Executive Director of Phoenix Fashion Week, Brian Hill

Instagram: @PHXFashionWeek

Twitter: @PHXFashionWeek

“Cheeseburgers & Beers in Old Town Scottsdale.”

Where can I have a drink or two in beautiful Scottsdale?

PHXFW Accessory Designer of the Year, Monica Mauro

Instagram: @monicamaurodesigns

Twitter: @monicagmauro

– Picture credit: Sobe Stanford –

“Zumo Maya – This place is one of my favorites! The ambience is very upbeat, it has a contemporary flare, fun music and delicious drinks! And Fairmont Princess – The Plaza bar is an indoor/outdoor spot in a gorgeous setting with great music and drinks!”

What’s the place to get my beauty on (hair, makeup, nails)?

Style Director of Phoenix Fashion Week, Dynelle Rodriguez

Instagram: @dynellerodriguez

“Hair – TONI&GUY is my choice! Academy or Salons…their students and professionals are on point with the most classic styles and current trends! Plus, their TIGI products smell so good, and give me a blowout that will last for days!

Makeup – Sephora is my choice! There are locations across the valley, so there’s never one far from an event I’m attending. Plus, the $50 application fee can be used towards any product in the shop. I love stocking up on my beauty favorites and essentially getting a free makeup application!

Nails – I usually do a weekly mani at home using CND Vinylux, and it stays looking fresh almost a full week! My spot for a real treatment is Madison Avenue Salon & Spa. With 4 valley locations, it’s easy to get in and the spa is modern and relaxing.”

What’s the best spa in the Valley?

Top 40 Phoenix Fashion Week Model, Chloe Bauer

Instagram: @chloebauerrr

“Despite my young age & my limited experience with spas, one place I love to be pampered at is Sugar Sugar. The locally owned business has awesome customer service and a great list of services. Sugar Sugar specializes in everything from brow sugaring, to organic spray tans! All of the products sold & used on the customers are 100% natural and organic, so you could actually eat them! If you ever need your makeup done for a special event or an amazing facial, I highly recommend Sugar Sugar AZ! So go get your eyebrows on FLEEK!!”

What’s the best place to go shopping?

Lead stylist Phoenix Fashion Week, Vanessa Couturier

Instagram: @vanessarenee61

“I love unique pieces that I can keep in my collection for a long time. Quality over quantity is what is most important to me these days. I generally will see an amazing pair of designer shoes and save for that instead of buy 5 shoes that may fall apart easily or go out of season quickly. Some of my favorites designers include Chanel, Prada, Chloe and fendi which can be found in Scottsdale fashion square. I also love to shop Zara because they have runway style clothing for reasonable prices. Top shop is also a great brand that I love to shop because it fits amazing! Arizona has two top shops inside chandler Nordstrom and the Scottsdale Nordstrom. Lastly I love vintage anything! vintage by misty is always a shop I like to keep my eye on to find special unique pieces. A new love I have recently found from a friend of mine is thrifting from a place called white dove shop. I have found some amazing vintage designer jewelry there for less than $5.”

Where can I have the best cup of coffee in the Valley?

PHXFW Emerging Designer, Amanda Casarez

Instagram: @amanda.casarez

Twitter: @amandacasarez1

“Lets talk coffee, I like mine black, no cream, no sugar, and the darker the roast the better! I appreciate a good cup of coffee, freshly ground and prepared the slow drip method. So when traveling I always look for small coffee shops. While visiting Tempe, AZ for my last two PHXFW events, I was confined to the Moxy Hotel due to my events and the PHXFW Bootcamp, luckily the Moxy provided us with unlimited coffee for breakfast! On my next visit in October there is one place that I’ve had my eye on, the Solo Cafe, which I will make sure I make my way to before I leave.”

If I want to dance, where should I go?

Top 40 Phoenix Fashion Week Model, Nicholas DuPree Murray

Instagram: @Nicholas_DuPree_Murray

“I just want to start off by saying that I absolutely love to dance! I love getting down to some good jams! If someone is looking for a solid dance spot I would definitely recommend the Maya Day and Nightclub in Scottsdale. The ambiance is so cool and when you go into the club you feel like you’ve entered an alternate universe. A live DJ was there playing hot music the last time that I went and the crowd loved it, which was evident by the continuous dancing by everyone all night long. Maya is definitely a cool spot to check out! Can’t wait to get down again…”

I’m kind of outdoorsy. What can I do in beautiful Arizona?

Guest Relations Director of Phoenix Fashion Week, Christina Ziegler

Instagram – @halfradhalfbad

Twitter – @ilikeithaute

“Arizona is beautiful in October! You can catch some of the best views of the city from the top of Camelback Mt. Opt for the Cholla Trail if you’re more of a beginner and even if you don’t make it all the way to the top, the views don’t disappoint. You can clearly see Talking Stick Resort if you look to the East! After, find one of the hundreds of perfect patio dining spots, like Olive and Ivy at the Waterfront or Orange Sky on the 15th floor of TSR.”

How can I get involved with Phoenix Fashion Week?

Phoenix Fashion Week Fashion Ambassador, Alessio Valentino

Instagram: @alessiovalentino3

“If someone is interested in getting involved with Phoenix Fashion Week, you can reach out to us on our website contact page at www.phoenixfashionweek.com and explain your situation and how you would like more information about how to get involved. We, including myself, can also be reached via Facebook and Instagram if you have any further questions.”

Want to be a sponsor of Phoenix Fashion Week? Let me know here.

Phoenix Fashion Week is more than designers, models and fashion shows. There is a big machinery behind it and I can testify to it because I’ve been part of it this year. There are so many people involved doing so many different things. Executive Director, Brian Hill is a hands on leader who gives everyone involved the tools to make your experience in PHXFW educational, exciting and rewarding. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. There is always a place for you in Phoenix Fashion Week if you are willing to work hard and make things happen.