Designer Hits It Big at Phoenix Fashion Week 2017

I had the opportunity to attend Phoenix Fashion Week in October to root for my friend, Tucson designer Quinlan Wilhite. The event was held at the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale and presented by PHXFW Executive Director Brian Hill.  

Hill put on a great show and mentioned that a picture of me interviewing Wilhite for a Bear article earlier this year was posted on the PHXFW instagram wall. Thanks for the shout-out and the great seats! 

Before the show, vendors were there to showcase their products. The girls of the beauty school Toni and Guy were so awesome and styled my hair with a fishtail braid and a slick gold face art sticker. I was glammin’! 

After Wilhite spoke and took photos with the press, I got the chance to speak with him. He loves Bear Essential News!

I asked Wilhite how he felt being part of PHXFW. He says he was super excited—time flew by from when he started working with PHXFW boot camp in the summer to the finale. His friend, Lance, AKA Lando Chill, is a Tucson musician doing a music intro for him.         

Wilhite was one of the finalists for Emerging Designer of the Year. The winner goes on to see their designs go into production in January, then sell in stores. PHXFW will continue to work with the designer for its show next year.

Wilhite’s fashion line was incredible, the music was pulsing, and the audience loved every minute of it! At the end, Hill came out to thank everyone and to announce the winner of Emerging Designer. “QUMULATIVE!” he shouted! What an exciting moment to watch Wilhite walk the runway and take a bow. I caught up with him and asked what was going through his head.

“It will probably hit me tomorrow. Speechless,” he said.

I asked Wilhite what advice he has for kids who want to be fashion designers. He says, “Shoot for the stars but before that, find out what you really want to do. For me, it’s a lifestyle brand that stemmed from everything that I liked from the automotive scene, skateboarding, music, and art. I have an appreciation for it and I keep learning about it.”

Giving back to the community is important to him, too. He worked with World Care to raise money for the flood victims of hurricane Harvey by selling his famous pocket tee with a state of Texas pocket. This raised over $500.

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