Phoenix Fashion Week 2012: What a hit! From established to emerging designers and wearable to high fashion collections, Phoenix Fashion Week is Arizona’s biggest and most prestigious fashion event. It may not be New York, but Phoenix Fashion Week has a unique appeal — and that’s variety. The average person will “ooh” and “aah” over high fashion but also likes to see designs they can picture themselves wearing. Phoenix Fashion Week allows spectators to do both.

Here are the Phoenix Fashion Week 2012 designers who stood out and why:

Silvia Bours

Silvia Bours — love her! Her designs are right up my alley. On her website, Bours describes her style as, “theatrical and sweet but always feminine.” Think of an even higher-end Betsey Johnson; amazing right? I really feel it appeals to the tutu-wearing little girl inside all of us.

I would say she is more high fashion but not over-the-top high fashion. Some of her designs are wearable, but not a lot of it. It just depends on how bold you are with your fashion sense. I want to wear it all. But then again if I could wear a gown and diamonds everyday and not look like a crazy person, I would do that, too. Realistically, I’d say about 65 percent of her designs are wearable to a fancier event. They’re statement dresses.

Silvia Bours, Photo: Style Image Studios, Phoenix Fashion Week Silvia Bours, Photo: Style Image Studios, Phoenix Fashion Week

Envy by Khanh

Envy by Khanh, Photo: Style Image Studios, Phoenix Fashion WeekLet me guess — do you love feeling sexy, but feel like clothes along those lines are getting trashier and trashier? Well, I would agree with you, but am pleased to tell you there’s a glimmer of hope and that’s Envy by Khanh. His collection is very wearable. Think high-end clubbing dress. Sounds like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? But it’s true. Khanh Nguyen uses bold colors, sexy silhouettes and asymmetrical accents that will do nothing but flatter a women’s body. You’re sure to stand out and attract attention, as in lust or envy — depending on what sex is checking you out.

Élevée

Élevée: custom-designed suits and casual wear for the rich and the famous. According to its website, “Élevée is a luxury brand that has been creating custom, hand-tailored wardrobes for high-profile executives, professional athletes, and celebrity elite, for over a decade.” Yeah, they’re that company. And turnaround can be easily achieved in 24 hours. This is the best wearable clothing money can buy. The overall quality of this company is awe-inspiring. The fabrics and tailoring speak for themselves. Wearing something Élevée created specifically for you let’s everybody know you are a high roller.

Élevée, Photo: ÉlevéeFashion.com Élevée, Photo: ÉlevéeFashion.com

JHaus

JHaus, Photo: JHausBrand.comIf you only glance at JHaus you’ll probably say, “Alright, another designer jean brand has hit the market; yawn.” But JHaus is so much more than that. JLynn Hausmann is a small-town girl who stays true to her Midwest roots and her definition of America. That’s strength and durability. Her jeans and flowy, but subtly sexy tops are very wearable, and I believe most women would also feel comfortable in her collections. Her jeans are formfitting but not rigid.

What I like about her is she sticks to who she is. She had a couple statement pieces go down the runway that I loved. One was very similar to a high-fashion gown with an oversized train but made out of burlap sacks. Yup, I just said that, and that’s what I meant — burlap sacks, like what you use in a sack race. And the others were gowns made of denim. Now, I’m a very firm believer in the philosophy that denim is for jeans only but she is the only designer that I’ve seen make denim look good in other forms. Check out the gown to your right. The netting accent in the back is actual chicken wire. Very original.

Furne One

Furne One, the grand finale — and what a finale that was. This is high fashion to the max. Giant-horned headdresses, trains that take up almost the entire runway and over-embellished gowns, bodices, bodysuits — all of it. Cue the “oohs” and “ahhs,” folks. Celebrities around the world, including Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and many more, have worn Furne One. Obviously most of his designs are not at all wearable. This is high fashion. This is art.

Furne One, Photo: Style Image Studios, Phoenix Fashion Week Furne One, Photo: Style Image Studios, Phoenix Fashion Week

For more information about Phoenix Fashion Week 2012, visit phoenixfashionweek.com.