In the past 25 years since Austin’s South by Southwest (SXSW) inception, the most important indie music conference in the US has expanded its scope from music to film to Technology and Social Media, and now offers a runway for designers to showcase its talent in this always evolving multitask event.
South by Southwest (SXSW) will introduce the inaugural Style X (pronounced Style By), during its 25th event coming in March 2011. Aimed at showcasing emerging talent in the fashion industry, Style X will present dozens of up-and-coming brands that design and manufacture everything from women’s dresses and swimwear, to eyeglasses, watches, shoes, and apparel. The new event will take place on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 at the Austin Convention Center.
“South by Southwest plays host to a one-of-a-kind convergence of creative industries, where fashion is playing an increasingly important role,” said Roland Swenson, Managing Director of SXSW, Inc. “Style X will allow SXSW registrants to tap into an entirely new field of creative professionals who are pushing the limits and developing trends that affect and influence people around the world.”
What’s next
Every year, tens of thousands of creative industry professionals and appreciators descend on Austin for South by Southwest. They carry with them cameras or drum kits or laptops…some even bring all three. Regardless, they all come here for the same reason: to discover what’s next. That’s why SXSW is known best for being the place where buzz is born.
The SXSW® Music and Media Conference celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2011. Reaching a quarter of a century of being the biggest and most anticipated convergence of all things music, SXSW wants to keep the reputation alive by programming the best event yet.
This is precisely why, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the internationally-renowned conference and festival championing all things creative, SXSW is bringing this new event. Joah Spearman, Style X’s co-founder and owner of pop-up sneaker boutique, Sneak Attack, is enthusiastic about the idea of pairing fashion with emerging artists, film and technological advances, “Style By is what’s next; both in fashion and in the world of SXSW.” She adds that “Style X will give SXSW attendees a chance to be introduced to some of what’s next in fashion, and to see how it intersects with so much of what is happening in their own creative industries.”
The free and open to the public event will feature runway shows, select gifting opportunities, on-site screen-printing, and experiential activations. Exhibiting designers will be selling their lines onsite, adding a little more spice to a city that has embraced SXSW as a major event for the city’s image and prosperity.
Designers currently confirmed for Style X range from indie and start up projects to classics as Keds, the original sneaker since 1916, which will be a special exhibitor in Style X, creating an interactive experience of art, fashion, style and charity, in addition to showcasing their “Design Your Own” capabilities.
Other showcasing brands include Atlanta-based streetwear line We Are The Process and Austin watchmaker Tikkr, Charleston, S.C. women’s wear designer Cavortress, newly-launched eyewear company Tortoise & Blond, and Sweden-based sock maker Happy Socks.
Links:
www.sxsw.com
