About Us
About the Show
The West 18th Street Fashion Show is an annual fashion show in Kansas City, held at dusk on a Saturday night in June. Each year, the event organizers and a credentialed selection panel choose 18 designers from a large pool of applicants to be featured designers. It is a free event held outdoors in the middle of 18th Street in the Crossroads neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, on the block between Baltimore Avenue and Wyandotte Street. It is no coincidence that the event is held on 18th Street, which has become a hub of art and fashion in Kansas City. Take a stroll down 18th Street, and on any given day you will no doubt see artists, musicians, funky fashion, and eclectic local boutiques such as Birdies, Spool, Peggy Noland, and YJ’s Snack Bar.
Since its inception in 2001, the goal of the West 18th Street Fashion Show has been to showcase emerging talent in the Kansas City fashion scene by providing a new and creative platform. Through the years, the production value has grown exponentially thanks mainly to the vision of former executive producer Ashlee Broome, but the outdoor street setting, eccentricity and beauty of the event endures. Ask anyone, the annual West Eighteenth Street Fashion Show has become part of the fabric of our city, contributing greatly to the cultural value of our burgeoning downtown and Crossroads arts community.
The West 18th Street Fashion Show is hosted by the merchants of West 18th Street, led by Birdies Panties and Swim Boutique, and is completely funded through the generosity of local businesses and donors. For photos and information of previous years’ shows, check out our past events page.
In the News
- West 18th Street Fashion Show's 'A Summer in Spain' in pictures, The Pitch, 2011
- West 18th Street Show Recap, Concrete Catwalk, June 2011
- High fashion invades the Crossroads District, KSHB TV, June 2011
- Spanish Steps, The Pitch, June 2011
- 2011 Pitch Reader voted Best of - Best Fashion Event:, The Pitch, 2011
- Cosmic Couture, Ink Magazine, June 2009
- Summer in Space - 2009 West 18th Street Fashion Show, Present Magazine.com, June 2009
- Review - Summer in Space - West 18th Street Fashion Show, Present Magazine.com, June 2009
- Photography: 2009 West 18th Street Fashion Show, Present Magazine.com, June 2009
- Fashion in Space, KC Studio, May - June 2009
- Behind the Scenes of Kansas City's Premiere Fashion Show, Kansas City Fashion Examiner, May 2009
- The Spectacle: Seafaring Fashions and the Concentrated Loveliness, Present Magazine, June 2008
- A Sea of Pictures, Present Magazine, June 2008
- Presenting: Summer at Sea, Present Magazine, June 2008
- Satisfy fashion Curiosity at West 18th Street Fashion Show, Kansas City Star 2007
- West 18th Street Fashion Show Lights Up the Night, Scene 2007
- Dreaming of a Summer Wonderland, Present Magazine, February 2007
- A Summer Wonderland, Present Magazine, June 2007
- Spectacle: More 18th Street Fashion Show Photos, Present Magazine, June 2007
- Fashion for the Family, Kansas City Star 2006
- Retail Reaches 'Crossroads' in Kansas City, WWD 2006
- Summer night makes for hot 'Chocolate', Kansas City Star 2006
2012 Show Producers
Sarah Snodgrass
In fashion and in event planning, it is all about the details. Sarah approaches fashion and business in the same way - analyze, pay attention to every last detail, and don't be afraid to edit. Sarah, and former West 18th Street Fashion Show producer, Ashlee Broome, began re:form Events, a fashion event production company in Lawrence, KS in 2002 and has been involved with local fashion shows ever since. By day, Sarah is a Realtor with Prudential Kansas City Realty, works in marketing with her husband at Snodgrass Creative, and writes a popular local real estate blog, At Home in Brookside. Sarah is honored to be your new 2012 executive producer.
Mark Southerland
Mark is a musician, artist, horn sculpter, musical director, and an exciting performer who titillates audiences with his inventive and creative endeavors. From traditional jazz to the over-the-top avant garde, Mark challenges audiences and always brings something new to the stage. We are lucky to have Mark as a part of our team, and we look forward to his musical production on the West 18th Street runway.
Peregrine Honig
Peregrine can normally be found at her adorable shop on 18th Street, Birdies Panties and Swim Boutique, but in addition to being a successful entrepreneur, she is also a renowned artist. Shown in galleries and museums nationally and internationally, Peregrine has put herself and Kansas City on the map. In addition, just last year she was a finalist in the Bravo program, Work of Art. Peregrine will be styling a collection for Birdies to be featured in the West 18th Street Fashion Show.
Danielle Meister
Originally from Southern California, Danielle left a corporate job in visual merchandising management to be part of Birdies Panties. Her position at Birdies and her involvement in the Crossroads community led her to be a natural addition to the West 18th Street Fashion Show production staff. Danielle enjoys fashion and is excited to help co-producer, Peregrine Honig, bring the Birdies collection to the runway this year!
Ryan Gove
Ryan is active in local theatre, both on stage and off, and was on the Board of the outrageous and highly acclaimed Late Night Theatre. Other passions include working with students at his job at University of Kansas Medical Center Campus, and volunteering and fundraising for charities such as the Millenial League and Aids Walk Kansas City. Ryan has a sincere passion for fundraising and event planning, and always brings enthusiasm and positivity to the job.