Fashion’s biggest night is getting a Columbia rebrand.
The third annual Cola Fashion Week Met Gala is slated for Dec. 16 at The Columbia Museum of Art. Hosted by the nonprofit arm of ColaFW, the ColaFW Alliance, the event celebrates all things fashion while raising money to invest in local designers and entrepreneurs.
And no good party is complete without a theme. This year’s dress code? Gothic romance.
Pulling from the literary and cultural traditions of the late-1800s, ColaFW wants guests to “embrace elegance and drama in their attire, creating ensembles of lace, velvet, ornate detailing, deep colors, and Victorian era aesthetics.”
The Columbia Met Gala, hosted by COLA Fashion Week, is a philanthropic event where guests are asked to don their most extravagant frocks for a good cause. (Photo provided)
In addition to guests sure to be stunting in creative looks, the Met Gala will include a fashion show highlighting local talent, recognize notable fashion industry folks and raise money for the company’s philanthropic venture, the ColaFW Alliance.
“The ColaFW Met Gala is more than a fashion event, but a testament to the collective power of our community,” owner and CEO, Juliette Muller, said in a press release. “Your support ensures the continued success of emerging designers and visionary entrepreneurs, making this a night to remember and a catalyst for the future of fashion in our community.”
At least three brands are set to showcase their homegrown designs at the event, Anton & Maxine, Twin Stich and L’Boyce.
The alliance uses money raised to support locals who want to break into fashion and design, offering “‘off the runway’ opportunities and resources to creatives that focus on the business side of fashion,” according to ColaFW’s website.
“Their primary goal is to offer unwavering support to members, helping them propel their careers and brands in the ever-evolving fashion landscape,” the press release said of the alliance.
In the past, the Met Gala has raised funds and donations for people in need of winter clothing like hats, scarves and coats, but Muller wanted to invest in the work they already highlight in their annual week of shows, yearlong events and the team’s new fashion magazine, The ColaFW Experience.
All of these tweaks to the brand come along with Muller’s vision for the business; she wants ColaFW to be a resource and an institution for fashion in Columbia.
The ColaFW Met Gala: gothic romance will be on Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Columbia Museum of Art on Main Street. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets run from $150 to $250.