Boston Fashion Celebrates as a Community

2021 was a year we all found thanks and gratitude for the simplicities in life as they returned to our social schedules. Coming back in true professional form was the 10th annual Boston Fashion Awards presented by Performer.com. The event took place at the Liberty Hotel Boston this past December to honor the cities talent and celebrate face to face with family that supports and helps one another grow in our community.

In the grand ball room of the historic hotel was a magnificent setup from the red carpet, perfectly placed runway, and lighting to highlight the high-end production put on by Performer.com. The evening got under way with Host Alberto Vasallo from NBC10 Boston/ El Mundo Boston and Co-Host Gabriela Taveras 2018 Miss Massachusetts / Entrepreneur warming up the room with the duos class and humor while welcoming in the VIP guests to their seats.

The fashion began to emerge with iconic wedding dress diva Candice Wu Couture. A full collection of a white beaded fairytale flowed down the runway. Following was the first award of the event, “2021 Best Beauty Salon” went to Salon Monet and Owner Shelly Mendes. They are the official salon for NECN and have been giving Boston stylish locks for 14 years solid on Newbury Street.

Up next was the announcement for the “2021 Best Male Model/Actor” going to Lord Fenestor whom at the moment was hiding somewhere in the hotel. To accept his award was debonair designer Gnazo Zadi who took to the stage as Lord is often seen donning his custom-made suits. Continuing with the presentation was “2021 Best Makeup Artist” going to Owner of Haus of Beauty Heather Schofield for her continued contributions to the beauty behind the brush.

Returning to the Boston Fashion Awards stage from 2019 was singer and recording artist/actress Nicole Michelle opening with “Love on the Brain” and roping in the crowd with her heartwarming voice and passion behind the microphone. Also, entertaining guests all night was DJ Jamin Wizard keeping the beat to pace of the evening.

Picking back up the awards, “2021 Best Female Print Model” went to Sarah Amina Rochdi with Hannah Noelle Modeling also recently walked at Rhode Island Fashion Week. On deck was the “2021 Best Retailer” SooDee Boutique carrying that classic look on Newbury Street.

Ramping back up the fashion was CasaNova Men’s boutique a new comer to the scene and made an immediate impact with a collection of confident, classic, sporty, business looks all with an urban edge and comfort feel.

Carrying on with more of the cities fashionable and finest was the award for; “2021 Best Casual/Sportwear” went to Bless Mazarura a brand for women and men with a strong spirit and voice. Next was “2021 Best Publication” going to Scene&Style, in business for 10 years and brining you the on-site fashion reviews from Boston’s runways. Following was the “2021 Best Designer Accessories” winner Chris Donovan Footwear is a man whose story may be the only thing that can out do his designs. A Massachusetts native, former electrician turned one of a kind shoe designer with stunning detail and a stamp of approval from Project Runways Tim Gun himself.

After Intermission, an exotic line of tribal poolside patterns that could transform into night wear stunned the runway from the Shaco Couture Resort Wear collection. Designer Sharon Cox Cole was the winner of the “2021 Best Swimwear/Intimate” category.

Next was a special gift, the “2021 Boston Fashion Awards Lifetime Achievement” given to the one and only Jay Calderin our leader and founder of Boston Fashion Week. A man that is innovative, a creator, a teacher at the School of Fashion Design, book author and icon to us all.

After was a category full of contributors who make our city fashionable, “2021 Best Fashion Stylist” given to a man that gives his heart to us all, industry leader and Saks 5th Avenue Guru, MC, Award Winning Journalist Gustavo Leon. Leon rushed past accepting his award to grab fellow nominee Bryan X Miguel to join him on stage. Giving a heartfelt speech how this fashion community builds each other to greatness. A personality never to be replicated Gustavo of course basked in his moment by sashaying down the runway for the press pit and giving host Gabby a little salsa dace.

Continuing was “2021 Designer Evening/Club Wear” went to Samuel Vartan who has been making his mark in the Boston industry for ten plus years with his European vibe. Vartan recently held a lavish show debuting his fall/winter collection that had a dark night feel of stunning sequence, silver seduction, and chic business attire.

Up next was, “2021 Best Designer Couture/Formal” a category packed full of pure talent. The winner went to Ali Bianchi, with Alexandra Renee Fashion. A diva dress designer who spends her free time sewing for worldly brands when away from her own collection. This Massachusetts native, School of Fashion Designer graduate has only begun. This talented lady has more up her sleeve to be seemed and contributions to the industry that have yet to be seen! The “2021 Best Photographer” award went to Mo Mendes shooting still fashion and art in Boston for 11 years with Granimo Studios.

Wrapping up the awards portion of the evening was the category for “2021 Best Runway Model” was a gem to our city. A woman with brains being a Suffolk Science contributor, beauty as a former Miss Bulgaria USA, Dynasty Model Elena Kollarova. A true professional in our industry as she was unable to accept her award, she was backstage being dolled up to walk for the final collection.

Closing out the production was a designer who needs no introduction with her worldly reputation and celebrity red carpet gowns, Isabel Lopez. The “Goddess of Glamour” showed a line of dresses with hand sewn beaded detail dripping from each piece. The culture, the vibrant colors, mesmerized from a gifted designer who owned the evening and the runway.

The 2021 Boston Fashion Awards was a victor all on its own. The night was full of top shelf entertainment, local celebrities, and class production from Performer.com. The evening is one that takes months of preparation from the crew and contributions from the city. The focus of the event is to put spotlight on the diverse talent located within the Boston fashion community. It was a blessing to gather as a family and celebrate one another. Visit www.bostonfashionawards.com to see what is in store for 2022.