The Fashion Circuit wants to connect the Midwest
Through fashion shows, pop-up events, and a fellowship program, the Fashion Circuit is making its public debut with big goals in mind.
The day Sandrah Nasimiyu and Izzy Kelai got together to discuss a new startup called The Fashion Circuit, a bird pooped on Nasimiyu’s shoulder — and on her brand new purse.
“I had a bit of a mental breakdown,” she said, before a receptionist inside the Des Moines Art Center informed her it was a sign of good luck.
For Nasimiyu and Kelai, it was enough for them to see their idea through.
On April 18, The Fashion Circuit will make its public debut with a free fashion show in Valley Junction, West Des Moines. Nasimiyu and Kelai hope it’s the first of many.
With an ambitious goal to connect communities near and far and nurture a “dynamic fashion culture in the Midwest,” the two creative directors have been working with their inaugural class of fellows since September. They teach across the core aspects of fashion, offering opportunities to work in design and styling, media, marketing, and event production. Similar to The Wright House of Fashion in Iowa City, their goals are to foster the creative ambitions of local talent. In the meantime, they plan to host pop-up events to engage and connect with the community, starting in their hometown of Des Moines and eventually spreading outward.
Connection is key, according to Kelai, and can open the doors to opportunity.
“There aren’t really many programs going on for kids and people who are interested in fashion outside of school,” he said. “For me, personally, outside of Central campus, I didn't really know much going on, but if you're connected to a certain type of community, certain people in the city, or certain creatives, you can get plugged in.”
“We want to find a way to fill the space,” agreed Nasimiyu. “The reason why New York and LA and all those other cities [are fashion hubs] — they’re major houses, they’re major cities, but also they fill the space, and that's why they have fashion related stuff going on, versus here in the Midwest — there are fashion related things, but they're also so spread out, and there's not a lot of ways to connect the networks.”
They also hope to spread their love for fashion with “those who are ready to embrace it.” Both Nasimiyu and Kelai have backgrounds in modeling and share a passion for style.
For Nasimiyu, dressing up has always been a part of her life.
“I was the girl in high school who wore heels,” she said. “In Kenyan culture, it's very normal that you should be dressed up, even to go do a mundane thing, like go to the store.”
She says dressing well has always given her confidence, and she wants to share it.
“People don't ever believe when I say I have anxiety because I am a yapper, and I'm a social extrovert,” she laughed. “But when I’m dressed well, I feel like I can get through anything, because at the end of the day, I’m at least gonna look good if I’m terrified.”
The Fashion Circuit’s spring showcase, themed “The Human Gallery,” will take place at the Olson-Larsen Galleries on April 18 at 7 p.m.