Guest blogger: Bessie King

ne expression sums up the last week of runway shows, parties, and events: Oh la la! Boston Fashion Week was wonderful. As I prepared to write up this week-in-review, though, I couldn’t figure out where to start. At the beginning, right? How cliché, but I was not sure. Then, by some miraculous sign from the gods of fashion, I got inspiration from Michael Jackson. The King of Pop was singing on the radio, telling me, “You wanna be startin’ somethin’. You got to be startin’ somethin’.” Then I got it: mamase, mamasa, mamakusa!

If you don’t know what this means, please pause here to find the song on iTunes, stat. The rest of us pop-culture groupies know it to be an upbeat, dancer-friendly appeal to get off your feet and go! And that's what Boston Fashion Week did. It mamase, mamasa, mamakusa’d its way through the Tent outside the Pru and various clubs and hotels, showcasing original talent and bringing out local socialites to play with students and professionals alike.

The opening reception served as a tribute to one of Boston’s best-dressed ladies, Ms. Marilyn Riseman, an event organizer and former Newbury Street store owner. As guests mingled, models showed off Riseman’s favorite winter styles. The winter theme continued at M.Miller’s show later in the week. The fur-maven designing duo behind this local brand wowed audiences with fur vests, fluffy fur-lined boots and boot warmers, and body-contouring ski suits and jackets. The colors of the furs were exquisite, and the items that were fur free boasted brilliant colors, too, much like those we’ll see in the spring: neon orange, hot pink, silver, and sea blue.

Emily Muller, the official opener of the week, inspired us with simple designs and flower-child-like pieces. Her skirts, dresses, shirts, and shorts were made with delicate fabrics in earth tones. These paired well with colorful accessories that included headbands and chains.

There was also plenty of diversity, as organizer Jay Calderin promised us there would be, starting with Victoria Dominguez Bagu, Uruguayan by birth and designer by righteous work. Bagu's show reminded me of the Mad Men craze, in a good way. It seems that every major retailer is doing high-waisted skirts and trousers in tweed and calling it a “style,” but Dominguez actually gets what style is. Her knee-high skirts had clean lines that swayed just right when the wearer walked. A yellow bottom paired well with a short-sleeved black jersey T, while a cape-inspired dress with buckle accents showed the designer’s originality.

With all these looks to copy (and let’s be honest, that is what a lot of us will do), the second Sip & Swap was booming with ensemble-hunters. Hosted by the Swapaholics founders Amy Chase and Melissa Massello, the swap featured complimentary drinks from Magners Irish Cider and clothes that get better and better each time.

The week ended with a golden seal, thanks to Daniela Corte, whose show just oozed sexy. Floral prints, asymmetric shapes, low cuts, sheer fabrics, body-hugging dresses, golden bikinis—the collection had every outfit you could need for spring and summer.

It was a jam-packed but energizing Fashion Week. There were also budding designers realizing that there is, in fact, fashion in our city. And for that and other reasons, Boston Fashion Week seems destined to keep getting bigger. And better.

Find great shopping bargains every day from MySecretBoston and Eversave