Fashionistas flock to Iowa City

Move over New York City. The catwalk is moving to Iowa City for the Downtown District's inaugural Fashion Weekend.

Visitors can sashay through a two-day shopping and fashion experience Friday and Saturday.

'Fashion Weekend celebrates the local creative community of Downtown Iowa City.' said Betsy Potter, director of operations at the Iowa City Downtown District. 'We want to celebrate that you don't have to go to New York or London to see unique fashion happening, fashion starts here too!'

More than two dozen retail shops on the Ped Mall and the Northside Marketplace will host a series of fashion shows, live window models, styling classes and designer discussions.

Participating businesses include: Active Endeavors, Beadology, Buzz Salon, Catherines, Chait Galleries, Discerning Eye, Dulcinea, Four Seasons, Glassando, HABA Salon, Hands Jewelers, Herteen & Stocker, Home Ec Workshop, Iowa Artisans Gallery, LaJames International College, Mayfair, MC Ginsberg, Nori, Om, Raygun, Revival, RSVP, Running Wild, Textiles, White Rabbit, Velvet Coat, Zenders Salon and Day Spa.

Friday's 'After Party' from 4 to 8 p.m. features free access to sample sales, cocktail parties, DJ sets, burlesque shows and more in the stores.

Saturday offers a full day of in-store events, wrapping with a free screening of the fashion documentary 'Bill Cunningham New York' at 6 p.m. at FilmScene, followed by a discussion led by local fashionista Jeffery Thompson.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

•WHAT

: Iowa City Fashion Weekend

•WHEN

: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday (5/9) and all day Saturday, (5/10)

•WHERE

: Pedestrian Mall and Northside Marketplace retailers, Iowa City

•COST

: Free; no tickets needed

This article first appeared on Hooplanow.com.