A week's worth of style showcases, shopping opportunities, and dress-to-impress parties is coming in the way of Fort Worth Fashion Week, taking place for the first time February 21-27.

It's the first of what organizers hope will be a twice-yearly event, in the spring and fall — just like New York Fashion Week — says Phillip Maximilian, creative director of Fort Worth Fashion Week (FWFW).

Unlike the famed New York event, FWFW will not feature a lot of brand-specific fashion collections coming down the runway followed by designers taking their bows and waving to Anna Wintour, Maximilian says.

"We wanted to showcase Fort Worth as far as fashion," he says. "So what we did was we incorporated local boutiques, brands, retail stores, galleries, and we have one big runway show to kind of illustrate for our guests to see what's coming next year and also let everybody else be involved at the same time."

The events are spread out across Fort Worth, he notes, from a shopping "crawl" down Camp Bowie Boulevard to a reception and style show at the glittering Neiman Marcus Clearfork store and after-hours shopping at Market by Macy's. Plus — parties!

"We're highlighting each part of town — Clearfork, Westbend, Camp Bowie district, downtown — so we brought all that together and have pretty much every part of town involved, (along with) TCU Fashion Merchandising and getting involved with students," he says. "We were able to bring all this together to show, hey this can be done and there's fashion, and we can all come together to create something like this."

The "we" he speaks of, he says, is a grassroots team of more than 10 people who have been working on the idea for a few years.

Their one big runway production of the week will take place downtown at the new Bale Creek Allen Art Gallery — besides showcasing designers and boutiques, another aim of the week, organizers say, is to highlight Sundance Square and its new art galleries.

"They've been really supportive," Maximilian says. "They're really getting into the arts scene out there, bringing in new galleries and stuff, and fashion really lines up with stuff like that, so it seems really cohesive."

The 18-model runway show will feature the work of local designer Twinkle Patel (formerly a JC Penney menswear designer) and her collection for global fashion brand Shein, which, Maximilian offers for the uninitiated, "has been hitting it off with the younger generation this past couple years. That's a very big deal because they have over 3 million followers on TikTok, so it's a pretty well-known brand." The collection will be available for purchase after the show, he says.

Running concurrently next door, at the new Dang Good Candy Art Gallery, will be a showcase of costumes from the TCU Historic Costume Collection. That evening will conclude with a glamorous after-party called Soiree at Sundance Square.

Another event Maximilian is looking forward to is the "Sunday Funday Brunch," which will showcase a debut by Fort Worth-based golf apparel brand Chaparral Golf Co.

Chaparral is one of the only Fort Worth-specific brands mentioned as part of Fort Worth Fashion Week, but attendees can cross fingers that other local favorites like Sheridan French, Laude the Label, Brooke Wright Designs, Megan Thorne Fine Jewels, and Mustard Seed Jewelry might make appearances, too. Maximilian himself is a bespoke menswear designer and owner of Mener Grand Train, headquartered in downtown Fort Worth.

He says Fort Worth Fashion Week has been in the works since 2018, was tabled during the height of the pandemic, and is debuting at the right time.

"We're growing, and fashion in Fort Worth is growing for sure," he says. "I think it takes something just like this Fashion Week to create a platform and to illustrate that we have it and we can bring it, and even for fashion designers, you don't have to graduate and move off to New York or Dallas. It's right here in your backyard."

Following are the Fort Worth Fashion Week events, with ticket information and exact descriptions provided by organizers:

Opening Night Reception — 6-9 pm February 21 at Eyeworks
"An unforgettable evening with live music, dancing, flash photography, and complimentary beverages! Get a sneak peek of our designer's collection as Eyeworks showcases their designer eyewear! Featuring Kendra Scott!" Hosted by 92.1 Hank FM Radio Personality Erin Wilde. Sponsored by Eyeworks & Chu Eye Lasik. Free; RSVP here.

Neiman Marcus x FWFW — 4-6 pm February 22 at Neiman Marcus, Shops at Clearfork
"Enjoy live music and a champagne reception as models showcase Neiman Marcus Spring ’22 looks." Includes sounds by DJ Yokyo. Free; RSVP here.

Market By Macy's x FWFW — 7-9 pm February 23 at Market By Macy's, Westbend
UDATE: Due to inclement weather, the event has been postponed to 7-9 pm February 27.
"The VIP Shopping Experience! After hour private shopping w/ exclusive promotions and Spring looks! Enjoy live music performance by Simone Nicole and food and beverages by Ascension as you shop! After Party @ HG Sply Co.!" Free; RSVP here.

HG Sply Co. x FWFW — 8-10 pm February 23 at HG Sply Co. restaurant, Westbend
UDATE: Due to inclement weather, the event has been postponed to 8-10 pm February 27.
"Eat, drink, and party! Join us @ HG Sply Co. for the private Market by Macy’s x Fort Worth Fashion Week after party!" Sponsored by HG Sply Co. Free; RSVP here.

FWFW Presents SHEIN x Twinkle Patel — 5-8 pm February 24 at Bale Creek Allen Art Gallery, Sundance Square
UDATE: Due to inclement weather, the event has been postponed to 5-8 pm February 26.
"SHOWTIME! Twinkle Patel will be showcasing her “STARRY DAY” S/S ’22 Collection in collaboration with SHEIN down the runway! Along with a sneak peek of her exclusive collection. Featuring NBC 5 News Anchor Evan Anderson! View the art exhibition while enjoying complimentary beverages and DJ set by Yokyo! High fashion event w/ flash photography! DRESS TO IMPRESS!" Hosted by Sundance Square, sponsored by Frost Bank, Eyeworks, Chu Eye Lasik, with beverages provided by Fort Brewery & Acre Distilling. Ages 18+. Tickets, $30 general to $150 for front-row VIP, available here.

TCU Historic Costume Collection Exhibition x FWFW — 5-8 pm February 24 at Dang Good Candy Art Gallery, Sundance Square
UDATE: Due to inclement weather, the event has been postponed to 5-8 pm February 26.
"Join us for a glimpse into the history of fashion! Exhibition showcasing TCU Historic Costume Collection from TCU Department of Fashion Merchandising of TCU College of Fine Arts!" Presented by TCU Department of Fashion Merchandising, hosted by Sundance Square. Free; RSVP here.

Soirée at Sundance Square — 8-10 pm February 24 at The Spotlight, Sundance Square
UDATE: Due to inclement weather, the event has been postponed to 8-10 pm February 26.
"Dance the night away! After attending the SHEIN x Twinkle Patel fashion runway show and viewing the TCU Historic Costume Collection exhibition, join us for the after party at The Spotlight in Sundance Square! (Ticket includes entry to SHEIN X Twinkle Patel Fashion Runway Show and TCU Historic Costume Collection exhibition.) Hosted by Sundance Square. Ages 21+. Tickets, $30, available here.

Camp Bowie District: Fashion Row — 3-7 pm February 25 along Camp Bowie Boulevard
"A self-guided tour where you will be able to visit clothing boutiques & stores in the Camp Bowie District. On this day, boutiques & stores are coming together for FWFW: Fashion Row to give you an exciting shopping experience! You will be able to shop, support local businesses, and be a part of Fashion Week. Shop exclusive special promotions, product features, and new Spring looks while enjoying live music, lite bites and beverages!" Participating retailers are Prippie, LOLA + LINA, Chieffalo Americana, HEMLINE, Beehive, Hale House, MOVE Athleisure, Studio 74 Vintage, and Shop Birdie. Sponsored by Frost Bank. Free; no RSVP required. More info here.

Fashion Row: Evening Celebration — 7-10 pm February 25 at Winslow's Wine Cellar
"Camp Bowie District: Fashion Row closing celebration at Winslow’s Wine Cellar where everyone will rendezvous and share about their FWFW Fashion Row experience while enjoying lite bites and wine tasting. It will be a fashionable evening where everyone will be dressed up from Fashion Row!" Sponsored by Winslow's Wine Cafe. Free; RSVP here.

FWFW: The Official After Party — 7-11 pm February 26 at Ampersand
"Come celebrate an unforgettable night! FWFW: The Official After Party is a high fashion event with flash photography, DJs, live dance performances, and more! Be seen in your best fit while grooving and dancing all night with state of the art audio visual sound and captivating light shows! Enjoy specialty drinks & craft coffee by Ampersand! DRESS TO IMPRESS! Sounds by Alexander Bangs." Ages 21+. Sponsored by Frost Bank. Tickets, $20, available here.

Sunday Funday Brunch & Chaparral Golf Co. Debut — 11 am-2 pm February 27 at Lot 12 Rooftop Bar
"Sunday Funday Rooftop Party! Come join us for a fashionable brunch on the rooftop while overlooking the beautiful Fort Worth skyline! Eat brunch, drink mimosas, and dance to the music while the DJ spins! Featuring Fort Worth golf apparel brand, Chaparral Golf Co. debuts their S/S ’22 Collection! Also, experience virtual golfing provided by Top Golf Swing Suite! Wear your Sunday Best! Sounds by Alexander Bangs." Free, no RSVP required. More info here.

An all-access pass is available for $100-$150 on the event website.