JOHNSTON, PA – As Camilla Taylor attended more and more fashion shows in other cities, she began to think that her hometown should organize an event to bring designers, models, photographers and vendors together for a celebration of clothing and crafts.
That dream came true on Saturday when the inaugural Johnstown Fashion Week runway show took place at the Johnstown Welcome Center on Main Street.
“One of the things that really inspires me is that every time you go to these events, you meet a lot of people you know, so it creates a community,” said Taylor, owner of Camille House of Style salon and boutique. “I wanted to create a fashion community in Johnstown.”
Johnstown Fashion Week
More than 130 individuals participated – many local, and others from all over Pennsylvania and out of state.
“These guys are really creative,” Taylor said.
What we want to do is create a space and an outlet for these designers to create and work in Johnstown.
Lawrence Smith, owner of Harrisburg-based Czar Photography, took photos of the runway models and helped spread the word of the convention throughout the fashion community.
“I think it’s great because this is something that starts from the ground up,” Smith said.
“This is the first of its kind. I think it’s important to get this off the ground. Things like this need to be here.”
Vendors sold a variety of handmade items, including clothing, jewelry, candles, and spices.
“There are a lot of women here doing great things,” said Krista Verhovesek, owner of Pissed Together, a shop in Johnstown that sells jewelry and other artwork.
Dave Sutor is a reporter for the Tribune Democrat. He can be reached at (814) 532-5056. Follow him on Twitter. @Dave_Sutter.
