More than 500 members of the Valley’s fashionable set flocked to the Musical Instrument Museum for Phoenix Fashion Week’s “Spring into Style” series, the Fashion Rocks MIM event.

On Thursday, March 31, the doors opened at 6:30 p.m., with the first 100 to arrive to the fete gifted with fashionable swag bags. Early arrivers also had time for a preview and tour of the new “American Sabor” exhibit in the MIM’s Target Gallery, as well as peruse the goodies from Vitamin Water, Souvenir Apparel, and Chateau on Central.

Some lucky attendees even got to enjoy a meet and greet with the evening’s featured designers and stylists before taking their seats outdoors in the main courtyard, adjcent to the striking architecture of the Musical Instrument Museum, which, lit from inside, cast a glow over the scene.

A video presentation, “What is Fashion Rocks MIM?” kicked things off just before a special performance by Fender recording artist Nik West. A vocalist and electric bassist, she brought her popular brand of contemporary R&B to the stage to cue up the mood for the high-energy production that was to follow.

As guests sipped their complimentary bottles of Vitamin water and readied to snap pictures with their cameras and cell phones, the models took to the runway to the global beats of renowned DJ Q and showed off some fresh new looks for spring.

Four international designers each showcased 16 runway looks created by noted Phoenix stylists:

• Fender the Collection (USA); product manager Shay Graffius; styled by Jai Anderson
• Black Russian Label (Russia and Africa); designed by Joanna de’Shay; styled by Jill Laine
• Galina Couture (Bulgaria); designed by Galina Mihalva; styled by Brian Swan
• Mariska (Hungary); designed by Maria Janossy; styled by Shannon Campbell

And after the last model had walked, the soiree continued with an after-party at nearby Blue Martini.

Sponsors of Fashion Rocks MIM included Canon, Vitamin Water Zero, Blue Martini and Chateau on Central.

Phoenix Fashion Week | Musical Instrument Museum

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