By day, the Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is a forest-themed play place. But one night early last May, it was transformed into a fashion showcase.
A gaggle of photographers, bloggers, and fashion enthusiasts crowded into the development near the RiverWalk. The lights were dimmed, music blared, and models filled in spaces between the center鈥檚 man-made waterfall, rocks, and trees.
This is The Fashion Massacre.
While fashion weeks take place in New York, London, Milan, and Paris throughout the month of February, The Fashion Massacre is held here in May. And each spring for the past seven years, it has put the spotlights on different venues in Detroit alongside emerging designers. It鈥檚 been in Electric Studio, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, N鈥橬amdi Center for Contemporary Art, and YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit.
Tyna 鈥淔ance鈥 Logan, creator and producer behind The Fashion Massacre, says the event has evolved from an underground fashion showcase to more of a mainstream presentation. This year鈥檚 event is in the Detroit Historical Museum鈥檚 basement-level Streets of Old Detroit exhibit.
鈥淲hat we鈥檙e going to do in that space [is] going to be phenomenal,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 want people to get chills from the experience.鈥
The Fashion Massacre will feature 12 designers, including a brand from Chicago and one from New York. Out of Stock, a metro Detroit-based men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 streetwear brand, will also be presenting at the event for the third time this year.
Although Logan was born and raised in Detroit, the stylist and self-taught production professional was inspired to introduce The Fashion Massacre here after attending shows for Hood by Air, Jeremy Scott, and more at New York Fashion Week.
The Fashion Massacre takes things a step further than most traditional shows, bringing an interactive edge to its production. It鈥檚 a mix of runway and presentation-style formats where attendees are encouraged to not only admire and photograph the looks, but to also feel the clothing, engage with models, and ask the designers questions.
鈥淚 want people to be able to say 鈥楬ey, I want to purchase this dress or this garment,鈥欌 Logan says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 for the designer to get exposure and for people to know about these designers so they can buy clothing and support our local community.鈥
Although she鈥檚 spent the better part of the last year conceptualizing this year鈥檚 event, Logan is looking ahead to what she believes will be The Fashion Massacre鈥檚 biggest accomplishment yet: its 10-year-anniversary.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a fashion district that鈥檚 trying to take place in the city, so I want to get that entire district involved with the 10th year,鈥 Logan says.
The Fashion Massacre is May 7.
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