What’s up, Detroit! 

I’m excited to share with you my post about my experience at Light Up Livernois 2018! It seems like I’ve experienced a lot of firsts over the past few weeks:

Now I can add my first Light Up Livernois to my list of first Detroit events I’ve attended.

Light Up Livernois is an annual event hosted by Explore Livernois on Detroit’s historic Avenue of Fashion on Livernois Avenue south of 6 Mile.

The event is part of Design Core Detroit’s Detroit Month of Design– a citywide celebration of art, creativity, designers, and community.

I was excited to attend Light Up Livernois because I wanted to learn more about Detroit’s fashion scene. Just like NYC, I know Detroit has its own unique city style.

Nichole Ramsey, owner of My Sista Girl, featured some of her designs at Light Up Livernois. (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
My Sista Girl — designs by Nichole  Ramsey (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
I hung out at Teasers Boutique to check out the fashion shows. I loved seeing the different designs in the boutique and also in the fashion show! 

Twenty-two businesses participated in the event including community performers such as the Cass Tech High School Band.

A Night Market was also held where vendors featured their art, fashion, food, handmade products, and other specialty designs.

Businesses like Teasers Boutique, Dcreated Boutique, Art in Motion, Good Cakes and Bakes, Detroit Fiber Works, and Green Bliss Lifestyle are just a few of the Detroit-based shops that were part of Light Up Livernois. 

@detroitkiko (Instagram) performed a Tina Turner classic “Proud Mary” during the Light Up Livernois festivities. (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
@detroitkiko shined in her performance! (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra) 

Live music and food trucks were also at the event. It was a lovely evening walking through the Avenue of Fashion and visiting the shops and vendors.

This was my introduction to the historic fashion district so I am happy that I attended Light Up Livernois so I could experience the festivities.

For me, Light Up Livernois was not just about celebrating art, creativity, and design. It was also a beautiful celebration of culture as many African American artists, designers, entrepreneurs came together to showcase their work! 

Jo’s Gallery Cafe, located on the Historic Avenue of Fashion in Detroit (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
Teasers Boutique 
Beautiful designs can be found at Detroit’s Teasers Boutique. (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
Teasers Boutique 
Vendors were also at Light Up Livernois. (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)

DETROIT LITTLE LIBRARIES

Detroit Little Libraries featured 19 library houses on the Avenue of Fashion throughout the Detroit Month of Design in September.

Local artists painted the little libraries as part of a competition. You can read more about it here on the Metro Times official site. 

CARIBBEAN MARDI GRAS PRODUCTIONS

Caribbean Mardi Gras Productions was also at Light Up Livernois. Owned by Ralph Taylor, men, women, and children danced in a parade fashion down Livernois Avenue.

The dancers wore Trinidadian Carnival-style costumes. One, in particular, reminded me of a peacock’s feathered tail. It was a sight to see!

FASHION SHOWS

Fashion, of course, was a big highlight at Light Up Livernois. I was able to see two fashion shows featuring designs from Blo Baesics Boutique and Dana Keaton Collection.

Jewelry designer Jennifer Vermeersch also had her beautiful designs featured in both fashion shows. Models wore Jennifer’s designs for each show. 

Model Isatou Jammeh is wearing a design by Dana Keaton. (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
Design by Dana Keaton (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)

GABRIELLE HATCHER– CLICKYOHEELS

Gabrielle Hatcher, aka Clickyoheels, is a Detroit-based fashion designer and stylist. I ran into Gabrielle behind the scenes of the fashion show at Light Up Livernois. I love her bubbly personality and passion for the arts and fashion.

According to Rock Starr Naturally, Gabrielle creates natural hair wigs called “Clickyoheels Hair.” I love the style of the Clickyoheels Hair natural hair wigs, and I love big curly hair so you know I was diggin’ Gabrielle’s style! 

You can follow Gabrielle on Instagram @clickyoheels.

Fashion designer and stylist Gabrielle Hatcher was an emcee and one of the key organizers for the fashion shows. (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)

THE DANA KEATON COLLECTION

Dana Keaton is not only a master fashion design artist, but she is also a fashion educator. The designer teaches Fashion Design and Modeling for youth ages 8 to 17.

According to Dana’s official website, her students have been featured in various events throughout the greater Detroit area. The students have even been published in domestic and international magazines.

Dana’s fashion shop is located in Ferndale, Michigan. She sells designs such as jewelry, clothing, art, and accessories. Her work has also been featured in Vogue Magazine, Detroit News, CNN, and BLAC Magazine. 

Dana’s next event will be at the TRES’ CHIC fashion show in Ferndale. You can get tickets for $25 here.

Jewelry designer Jennifer Vermeersch and fashion designer Dana Keaton at Light Up Livernois after a fashion show. (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
Designs by Dana Keaton 
Designs by Dana Keaton

JENNIFER VERMEERSCH JEWELRY

Jennifer Vermeersch is a Detroit-based artist, jewelry designer, and metalsmith. Her designs are absolutely beautiful. I loved each piece that was featured in the fashion show.

Jennifer designs and makes her jewelry. According to her official Facebook page, her jewelry is good for “every day or extravagant as red carpet jewels.” You can find Jennifer on her Instagram and Facebook.

Models LilyAnna Bacon, Sara Connelly, Kayla Fiore, and Shaun McGuire are wearing designs by Blo Baesics Boutique with jewelry by Jennifer Vermeersch. (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)

Here are a few more photographs I took of some unique art and designs I came across at Light Up Livernois. 

Detroit Fiber Works 
Detroit Fiber Works
Art by Eno Laget (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
Art by Eno Laget (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
Art by fel3000ft (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)
Art by Tony Rave (Photo credit: Jennifer Hamra)

As I mentioned before, I am new to the Detroit fashion scene, but it is something I have been wanting to learn more about.

Attending Light Up Livernois gave me a glimpse into just how stylish Detroit really is and I loved every minute of it! I can’t wait to explore more of Detroit fashion.

I’m not a fashion blogger, but I do LOVE FASHION. I especially love creatives who work hard to stand out from the crowd and create their own unique designs.

So as I continue to explore Detroit fashion, stay tuned for future blog posts about the fashion scene in the 313!

And if you’re a fashion designer and/or stylist and you’d like to connect to discuss a possible fashion feature on Good Life Detroit, send me an email at jennifer@goodlifedetroit so we can connect! 

What were your favorite designs you saw at Light Up Livernois?


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    Written by

    Jennifer Hamra

    Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

    Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

    When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

    Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

    Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].