A model showcases a gown designed by Henri’s Cloud Nine during the High Tea Runway Show Sunday. Credit: Paige Puhalsky | LTV Campus Producer
Fashion Week Columbus officially began Sunday, Nov. 8, with its 17th annual High Fashion Tea Runway Show.
The event was held from noon to 3 p.m. at Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph — a luxury hotel located at 620 N. High St. A variety of looks filled the first floor of The Joseph, from polka dots and lace to embroidered animal designs and sequins, offering a sophisticated atmosphere to kick off the event.
During the first hour, guests entered the hotel in luxurious patterns and vibrant colors while enjoying a variety of cocktails served by Soul at The Joseph. Meanwhile, the fashion show was putting final touches on the runway upstairs.
Yiema John, executive director of the Columbus Fashion Council, the organization behind Fashion Week Columbus, said Fashion Week Columbus reflects the broader mission of the Columbus Fashion Council.
“We create meaningful platforms and opportunities for local and emerging fashion designers,” John said. “That commitment extends beyond established designers to include young and aspiring creatives who are looking to find their place in the fashion industry.”
John said the fashion show went better than she could have imagined.
While the goal for the fashion show was to create a Gilded Wonderland and a whimsical experience, John said this year’s event was particularly special, as it was the closest that Fashion Week has been held to the holiday season.
John also said that this year, the fashion show brought together small businesses, like Henri’s Cloud Nine, with international and Ohio-based designers.
The fashion show was accompanied by three courses of tea, including Orange Blossom Oolong Tea, Lady Marmalade Black Tea and Caramel Cake Rooibos Tea, sponsored by Sweet Simpliciteas.
Hors d’oeuvres were also served during the runway show, including a variety of tea sandwiches, fresh-baked scones with butter and jam, couture cake pops, chocolate-covered pretzel twists and chocolate-covered Oreos, sponsored by SadieBaby Sweets.
Henri’s Cloud Nine and Silver Confetti Confections also sponsored the event’s decor and backdrops, where guests could take pictures to capture their memories from the event.
Four collections were showcased during the runway show. The first designer was Christopher Widdoes with Henri’s Cloud Nine, for which the models wore a combination of timeless fashion and modern elegance, featuring glamorous silhouettes.
The next collection was presented by Maison Louiza for Louiza Couture. Louiza said the clothing the models wore was intended to show the love for her heritage and culture, as she uses fashion to connect with her ancestors.
Louiza models wore bold statement pieces with detailed embroidery and rich colors.
The next designer was Fiona Rose with the brand Fiona. She described her brand as modernized vintage couture. The models showcased a mix of vibrant colors and neutrals, with loose beading and enhanced silhouettes.
One of the models for Fiona, Alondra Burgos, said walking the runway was an honor, as she was able to represent Fiona’s designs, which are unique from typical styles.
Burgos said her favorite part of the show was the audience’s reactions.
“I felt a little bit nervous when I got on the runway, but when I saw everybody’s energy, it just gave me energy and I felt like myself,” Burgos said.
The final brand was the Columbus Fashion Academy, where fashion students created their own designs to bring to the runway. The students ranged in age from 4 to 16 years old, and incorporated a variety of materials, including denim, silk, cotton and sequins.
A model showcases a sophisticated gown designed by Henri’s Cloud Nine during the High Tea Runway Show Sunday. Credit: Paige Puhalsky | LTV Campus Producer
John said this was Columbus Fashion Week’s first collaboration with the Columbus Fashion Academy. She said she connected with its executive director, Priscilla Dixiera, who said the academy had been wanting to participate for several years.
Gwen Hatcher, a mentor for the students at Columbus Fashion Academy, said the children start with an idea of what they want to make. From there, they select materials that have been donated or recycled to create their designs.
Hatcher said the mentors assist the children with learning how to sew, developing the skills needed to bring their ideas to life and facilitating the creative process.
Sareena Vrar, another mentor for the children in the show, said they let the children lead in creating their designs from the start.
“We’re just there for support if they don’t know what to do, if they want to learn a certain technique and just kind of have their backs through the whole process, but it is totally 100 percent their creativity, and I love seeing what they made,” Vrar said.
Vrar said this event was inspiring because she wished there had been an opportunity like this when she was younger. Having mentors to assist with creating a specific vision would have allowed her to excel even more in her own fashion journey, she said.
Hatcher said being able to participate in such a large-scale event and have people tell them how special they are also helps the children to build confidence early on in their careers.
For John, the collaboration with the Columbus Fashion Academy reflects the importance of creating opportunities for the next generation of designers.
“The one thing that I’m most excited about was truly the fashion academy,” John said. “I do believe that it is our responsibility to set up and really set that stage for the next generation of designers, and really encouraging and creating an environment for them to sustain themselves in this region, providing those kinds of opportunities.”
John said creating opportunities for young designers is just as important as supporting those already established in the fashion industry.
“The same way that we create opportunities for young adults and seasoned veterans in the industry, we need to be creating those opportunities for the future of Columbus as well,” John said.
John said the event is about encouraging and empowering others, especially young girls, to feel valued outside of external appearances.
Fashion Week Columbus 2026 will continue through Saturday. Registration is required for all events, and tickets start at no cost. For more information on upcoming events, visit the website.
