Local fashion takes center stage at the fifth annual 810 Spring Fashion Show

On May 31, La BelleWerk Modeling and Booking Agency hosted its fifth annual 810 Spring Fashion Show at Brush Alley Skateshop in downtown Flint. Bringing local designers, models, artists and businesses together in Flint as the event provides exposure for local creatives in modeling, fashion, design, hair, makeup, photography and media production.

Adriana Lanice, founder of La BelleWerk Modeling and Booking Agency, said that she was inspired by her personal experiences in the fashion industry to create 810 Fashion — an extension of La BelleWerk Modeling and Booking Agency — to feature designers, fashion industry professionals and models within the Flint community. 

“I was inspired to create 810 Fashion after getting experience in every part of the field,” Lanice said. “I’ve gained experience, love, and knowledge in high-fashion environments such as New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, Atlanta and more, which led me to bring the things I learned back home.”

The event featured 17 models and seven local clothing brands with 587 attendees.  

“It has grown tremendously,” Lanice said. “We are seeing models come in to work with us from many different cities and outside of the state.”

Designers are selected through applications and outreach, while models participate in castings organized by La BelleWerk Modeling and Booking Agency. Featured designers include Bossy Chix, Tomboy Clothing Brand and “Pray 4 Me,” a collection debuting from 810 Fashion model Kay Bay.

Over the past five years, La BelleWerk Modeling and Booking Agency has worked with designers while developing the “810 Models”; a group of 17 models who participate in training, portfolio building, networking opportunities and fashion events for 810 Fashion. 

Members have traveled to participate in larger, more widely recognized events, including Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. The organization was also nominated for the Small Business Award and Event of the Year Award at the 2024 Flint & Genesee Group Arts and Achievement Awards.

“Showcasing designers and talent from Flint is important because the exposure they receive is life-changing,” Lanice said.

This year’s spring show featured an art gallery theme, including portraits and displays highlighting previous fashion shows alongside runway presentations. 

Model Shawn Holbrook said the fashion show helped introduce him to modeling when he first participated in 2023. He said rehearsals this season have focused on helping models develop individuality on the runway.

“Amazing, any time people can be a part of an 810 show, the models help each other and treat one another like a temporary family,” Holbrook said.

First-time participating model, Ray’quon Gardner, said the event provided an opportunity to challenge himself and build confidence.

“The most rewarding part so far has been seeing my progress and realizing I’m capable of doing something outside my comfort zone,” Gardner said.

Kamari Turner, an attendee, said this was her first fashion show experience, the pieces were nice, the models were diverse, and unconventional in the greatest way possible.

“It was so nice to see the community show up and show out for each other; more people showed up than expected,” Turner said.

Lanice said the production continues to receive support from local businesses and community partners, including the What’s Up Downtown Flint Project. She said the long-term goal is to continue creating opportunities for local talent while expanding the event’s reach nationwide.

“My goal for 810 Fashion is to keep creating opportunities for local talent and growing the annual fashion show into a well-known community event across the nation,” Lanice said.