The Park Ultra Lounge is kicking off summer in high style. This year's "Designer Fashion Series" began on April 16 and will continue every Thursday night until June 11. Every week, local designers, boutiques, and salons will take the stage in a parade of couture, great hair and makeup and sass.

Held on The Park's outdoor patio area and makeshift runway area, the first three weeks of the Series have had a great turnout with barely any breathing room surrounding the runway as the models strutted their stuff.

Now in its third year, the past two years—when it was previously called "Spring Fashion Series"—have been directed mainly toward local boutiques before the addition of designers this year.

The series opened its first week with Royal Highness Havoc boutique and Taki Salon on the runway, and Kaskade in the DJ booth. The second week of the Series played host to Sacramento's Artifacts boutique.

Last night, designer Monte Cristo showed off his designs to club-goers. While rain cut the event shorter than normal, Cristo received a standing ovation and his extravagant dresses were well-received by the audience.

In her first big undertaking since graduating with a Public Relations degree from Sac State in December, Erin Cook has almost single-handedly organized the eight-week event under the management of Brian Bassett, the Park's Head of Marketing and Promotions.

"It's been really fun for me and I've had a blast doing it," said Cook.

While last night's star, Cristo, isn't yet a household name, he is definitely no stranger to the fashion scene. Cristo was in last year's local fashion event "Couturians: An Evening of Illustrious Fashion," along with several other local designers scheduled for the Series.

Cristo also appeared in a 2007 episode of MTV's "Sweet 16," when the birthday girl hired him to coordinate a fashion show for her party. He was a participant in 2005's Sacramento Fashion Week and is a member of Sacramento Apparel Coalition (SAC), who organized the event. SAC is a group of local designers who have come together to help make Sacramento a fashion hub and has involvement from several other designers featured in the "Fashion Series." To add to Cristo's fashion resume, he has also been the Visual Manager for Guess Inc. Retail for over eight years.

Mercedes Ben also took the stage and is the designer for Benzo Couture. Ben is perhaps best known for her bright and eye-catching designs from her "Socialite Collection," which have been carried in local boutiques such as Krazy Mary's and Sugar Shack.

Other seasoned designers from around town like Richard Hallmarq, who conceived the idea of SAC and has made appearances in San Francisco's Fashion Week, as well as Dee Aguilar will be showing off their collections and newest designs throughout the next two months.

While most of the designers will be showcasing their spring and summer collections, they have been given permission to go in any direction they wish. Sacramento salons such as Strands and Luxe will be showing off the most up-to-date hair and makeup styles and some of the designers have recruited their assistance to makeup the faces and style the hair of their models.

Cook said of the Fashion Series, it’s a "really good opportunity [for participants] and I think it's neat that local salons and businesses have decided to support local designers.”

After the Fashion Series commences, Cook will begin working on the Park's annual "Hair Wars" salon competition, which will commence June 25 and continue through late summer.

The remaining shows for the Designer Fashion Series are scheduled as follows:

May 7: Benzo Couture by Mercedes Ben/Luxe Salon and Spa
May 14: Shauna Miller Design
May 21: Serendipity Boutique/Honey Salon
May 28: Dee Aguilar/Suede Salon/Richard Hallmarq/Strands Salon/Guest DJ Knuckles
June 4: Agape, Jeremiah Hill
June 11: Lauren Oto, Paul Mitchell Academy, Lilu Styles by Liliya Nixon

Cover charge for The Park is $15 per show. The Park Ultra Lounge is located at 1116 15th Street on the corner of 15th and L Streets.

More information about upcoming events can be found at The Park's website at theparkdowntown.com.

Photos by Anthony Bento