Fashion Shows have been evolving in Sacramento for quite some time now. Fashion designers have been creating their pieces of art in Sacramento for a reason, and models seem to have a desire and reason for "starting out" in Sacramento. Who, what, when, where and why did this ultimate need of fashion in Sacramento start? I decided to do some research to see where it all started.

One of the first fashion shows was created in a parking garage off of 28th and S Streets by fashion designers Olivia Coelho, owner of Bows & Arrows Boutique, and Amy Hemmenes, designer of Naicfur, in 2003. Noelle Tavares, fashion show creator and fashion designer, established Faedrah Clothing Company in 2004. Nicole Kniss, designer of Van Der Neer, first started doing fashion shows in 2004 as well. Magnum Opus Fashion Week started in 2006 and has been doing fashion shows every year. Sacramento Fashion Week officially started under Magnum Opus in 2008. Recently, Tavares presented "I Hella Love Fashion: Volume 1" and Michael Hargis, event coordinator and co-owner of VHCLE Magazine presented "Launch: A Design and Music Festival." Sacramento really does have something under its belt when it comes to fashion.

Models definitely had something to say about modeling in Sacramento. Jasmine Suzette, who recently modeled for Royal Highness in I Hella Love Fashion, said she believes that Sacramento is just a rest stop for her. She originally came out to Sacramento for school, but her friend encouraged her to model. Suzette eventually wants to move out to L.A. to further her modeling career.

Jasmine Suzette walks the runway at I Hella Love Fashion: Volume 1

Duane Mykha Ram, event coordinator of Sacramento Fashion Week and Manager of Model Casting, moved to Sacramento for a full-time job opportunity. He then got into Magnum Opus as a model and has been organizing and walking the runway in fashion shows since 2006.

"Modeling in Sacramento is a good start for learning, experience and training," Ram said.

Juliette Ciccarelle, who recently modeled in her second fashion show at Launch, has found modeling in Sacramento beneficial to her career. "I think it's great because you don't have to compete with a lot of people," Ciccarelle said.

Juliette Ciccarelle poses while getting her hair and make up done for LAUNCH's Fashion Show

From the various models I interviewed, I gathered that models seem to think of Sacramento as a "rest stop" for furthering their careers. It's a good place to start modeling as a hobby, but might not be profitable in getting paid as a full-time model unless you work with agents. Since most models do it for fun, not many of them get paid to walk in the local runway shows.

Fashion designers seem to have started out in Sacramento to feel out the industry and to establish their own designs in their hometown. Tavares didn't start sewing until she was 21 and went to Sacramento City College for a semester. Her instructors were impressed with her skills, so she decided to start Faedrah, following her instincts in fashion design.

"My first fashion show was at Infusion Cafe in 2004, and I've been creating fashion shows ever since," Tavares said. "Especially after creating I Hella Love Fashion Volume 1, my whole fashion show aspect has been growing. I'm actually planning Volume 2 right now, and it's in the works of being in November."

Noelle Tavares with her models wearing her most recent designs

Amy Pine, who was a vendor at Launch recently, said that she lived in Sacramento and wanted to start her designs here. She said she thinks that Sacramento is progressively taking small steps to becoming its own fashion industry. Pine said she believes that fashion shows are a great way of getting people out there, especially in Sacramento.

Amy Pine, vending at LAUNCH

Nina Brown, who is originally from Montreal, is a designer of Brown Skin Designs. She moved to Sacramento in February, and said she wasn't worried at all about being a fashion designer in Sacramento. She likes the urban twist and the smalltown fashion that the city presents.

Nicole Kniss, designer of Van Der Neer, who was one of the headliners at Launch, decided to do fashion in Sacramento because of the crowd. With her start in 2004, she has seen fashion shows progress since then and has said that designers are skyrocketing through these shows.

Being the first designer to start a fashion show in Sacramento, Amy Hemmenes originally did it as a practical joke. She didn't think it was going to get serious, but once it did, she became part of the history of fashion in Sacramento.

Hemmenes and her fellow fashion designer friends are proud of themselves, but also laugh at it now. Fashion designers seem to all have an explanation of how and why they started out in Sacramento, and these fashion shows are just one of the main fundamental strengths as to why they are typically doing so well out here.

Michael Hargis was the one to come up with the idea of creating Launch. He wanted to present all the fashions that VHCLE Magazine wrote about during a live event. Reject, Van Der Neer, Velvet Leaf and Altered Betty's were all presented at Launch's fashion show.

Jen Wade, fashion editor of VHCLE Magazine, modeling for Velvet Leaf at LAUNCH

Launch is just one of the recent fashion shows that have been building up a big history for Sacramento. Coming up next is a free event called A Free Creative & Collaborative Open Air Fashion Show. It will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 8, at 2419 J St. (Outside, in front of French Cuff Consignment.) So, keep your eye out for fashion shows like these that help Sacramento build a great reputation for fashion.

For the most part, the students, stylists and boutique owners have the same anecdotes as the models. They want to start out here but eventually branch out. Having these talented individuals start in Sacramento not only helps the student's fashion experience as a whole, but also our city.

Keturah Stone, originally from the Bay Area, moved to Sacramento for school. One might think that someone who was close to San Francisco would want to stay there and start, but she admits that there are some hidden gems in Sacramento.

Stone moved out here to attend Sacramento State University as a family and consumer science major, which happens to be one of the only bachelor's degrees you can get that's related to fashion at Sacramento State. She said she believes that the style between the Bay Area and Sacramento is typically different, but it's evolved a lot more here in Sacramento.

Michelle Singleton, a student at Sacramento City College who is currently studying fashion, said she feels that Sacramento isn't a huge city, but its fashion can become better, and that it has a lot of potential.

"I feel that the motivation and persistence is what gets me starting in Sacramento," Singleton said. The crowd, the big group of fashion designers, and the fashion shows that keep happening are what keep her going. She eventually wants to transfer to San Francisco State to get her bachelor's degree in apparel design and merchandising.

Michelle Singleton with friends at LAUNCH

Cuffs Boutique Store Manager Mel Elagon, stated that a lot has changed in terms of getting involved in fashion in Sacramento.

"I believe that fashion shows bring things that aren't as available in a mall or online," Elagon said. She went on to say that fashion shows are a way to show people that what they can't find in a mall can be found in Sacramento and they need not travel to big cities such as Los Angeles or San Francisco. Elagon thinks that fashion is more of a research and success project here in Sacramento, and she encourages others to start here because it's worthwhile.

After research and interviews with designers, models and students, I've found that Sacramento is a great place to start your fashion career. The history of fashion in Sacramento is slowly growing, and fashion-related events such as fashion shows are happening almost every weekend. Maybe one day Sacramento will have its own Union Square or Rodeo Drive equivalent.

All photos photographed by Fino Balanza.