Catwalk coming to Iowa City for Fashion Weekend

Homegrown doesn't always refer to the food on your plate.

On Friday and May 2, a locally produced feast for your eyes will fill downtown Iowa City.

More than two dozens shops on the Ped Mall and the Northside Marketplace will host fashion shows, live window models, styling classes and designer discussions during Iowa City Downtown District's second annual Fashion Weekend.

The event celebrates Iowa City's fashion scene by highlighting downtown retailers and local fashion designers, many of which have products featured in Iowa City retailers.

At Friday's Fashion After Hours, stay past closing time to meet with designers, enjoy refreshments, purchase exclusive trunk show items and get your hands on limited edition items and coupons.

During Friday's Fashion After House, Iowa City-based designers BLU Collar Fashion and Ellison will team up with downtown retailer Mayfair for the Almost Famous fashion show at 7 p.m. There will be live music by Mars Meusic, film crews from Backrow Studio and red carpet runway down the middle of Linn Street.

Models will wear fashions from BLU Collar Fashion's spring line, Mayfair's spring inventory, Ellison Eyewear — founded by a former University of Iowa student — plus an exclusive collection designed by BLU Collar Fashion's Andre Wright and Misty Blank, owner of Mayfair.

The party doesn't stop on Friday.

All day May 2 there will be cocktail parties, styling classes, trunk shows and mini spa treatments. There also will be a live model sculpture garden fashion exhibit from 1 to 2 p.m.

FilmScene will hold a free showing of the documentary 'Dior and I' at 4 p.m. May 2.