Anja Weldon on "Upset at Capital Fashion Awards"

2009-10-16T21:53:21Z

I find it interesting that many commentators find it of poor taste to tell a side of a story that doesn't necessarily have a favorable outlook on this event. Regardless of my personal opinion on the event, this was a buzzing topic among those who participated in the show. I feel I had every right to report it, and I did so without feeling it necessary to "baby" the fashion industry of Sacramento with censorship. If the fashion industry is truly growing in Sacramento (which I believe it is) then it can withstand a little poking and prodding. Even further, I believe this poking and prodding will only make it stronger. There are some negative sides to a lot of what goes on in the Sacramento fashion scene (some of which I have TRUTHFULLY reported), and they hurt the industry here. It is not my reporting of these negatives that should be frowned upon, but rather the negatives themselves. Many have misplaced blame on me, said I attacked Hallmarq's personality and that I don't know anything about the fashion industry. Please get it right... I never made a personal attack on Mr. Hallmarq, and you all might ask yourselves how I could have even gotten this scoop without being in the fashion industry myself. I am not some "hater" as many of you would like to believe. I probably love the industry here more than most anyone, and because of that love I will expect more from it in the future. Keep in mind that I did mention that, "the event clearly brought an evening of fun for the audience." In that regard I do believe it was a huge success. There is more to the story though, and I think it hints into the deeper workings of the Sacramento fashion scene. I tried to keep quiet throughout most of the commenting because I do think it's important that people talk openly about the industry here, but now I can't help but feel disappointed that many would rather turn a blind eye to any of it's shortcomings rather than address them honestly. That does more harm than anything I have or could say.

Upset at Capital Fashion Awards

2009-10-06T20:29:32Z

Leigh Grogan, a writer for the Sacramento Bee, is reporting that, "The first Capital Fashion Awards show Friday night at the Park Ultra Lounge in Sacramento gave local designers and hairstylists something to shoot for - a spot in next year's event." Yet interestingly enough, many of this years nominees are vowing to never return.

Voting procedures for the event are still unclear. One nominee for Best Fashion Photographer was confided in by two sources that the link on the online voting ballot that was supposed to go to his website and online portfolio actually went to a Bible study website. Exactly who was given the opportunity to vote is also unclear.

Richard Hallmarq (creator/planner of Capital Fashion Awards), coincidentally won in the "Best Designer" category, even though a close friend of his and fellow designer has accurately tweeted "DESIGNER OFTHE YEAR DIDNT EVEN HAVE 1 FASHION SHOW THIS YEAR!!" In fact, Hallmarq's "collection" at the awards show only boasted 4 original outfits. In addition to this, Hallmarq was the only designer given a full runthrough of his show with his models before the Capital Fashion Awards began.

The models that walked for all the designers were from Sacramento agency Cast Images, including four of the nominees in the Model of the Year category. These nominees were aware of each others' nominations, but were surprised to learn the night of the event that other models not living in the Sacramento area had been nominated as well. One model was heard as saying after a non-local was announced as the winner, "ummm, so why are we here?" These models were uncompensated for the night's event.

Local models also anticipated with excitement the chance to meet America's Next Top Model and Make Me a Supermodel winners Naima Mora, CariDee English, and Jonathan Waud. English was quoted in a Sacramento Bee article before the event as saying, "I'm looking forward to meeting the models in Sacramento to encourage them." Yet these reality TV winners were kept separate until the start of the event, and chatter confirms that "Make Me a Supermodel" winner Jonathan Waud was the only celebrity of the evening friendly enough to chatter with local participants backstage.

All in all, while the event clearly brought an evening of fun for the audience, those in the local fashion scene who participated in the show were left feeling schemed.

Whether Leigh Grogan (who has had a friendship with Hallmarq for years) or any other local newsource will pick up this underlying story is yet to be seen, but undoubtedly it will affect the show's future prospects for finding local talent in the fashion industry.

Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Anja Weldon

Anja Weldon on "Upset at Capital Fashion Awards"

Upset at Capital Fashion Awards