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Q+A With Michigan Fashion Week Founder, Loren Jordan

By Raquel Parks
@MetroDivaPages

New York Fashion Week may be winding down but local fashionistas are only a week away from Michigan Fashion Week 2013 (MFW). Michigan Fashion Week debuted last year with an impressive crowd and it's returning for its second year, from September 18 to September 21 with more fashion to enjoy.

The four days of events include: the Media Reception on September 18 for press correspondence, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Marvela Boutique in Royal Oak; the Kick off Reception & Fashion Show at the Wooden Hanger in Royal Oak on September 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on September 20 is the Fashion Networking Event & Pre Fashion Show at the Birmingham Community House, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m; and the Michigan Fashion Week Showcase 2013 on September 21 will be the finale to the week. The showcase begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m.

MFW promises to attract plenty of local attention from the fashion industry again this year with its packed list of events. Therefore, it's the perfect time to learn more about the details behind this new fashion experience to Michigan.

MFW founder, Loren Jordan, awarded Crain's "20 in their 20's", took the time to discuss the details behind MFW and the aspirations she has for its future.

Q: What inspired the creation of MFW?

Loren: "What inspired the creation for MFW [were] not only my love for fashion and my desire to create a professional platform for Michigan's talent, but it was also my desire to put Michigan, especially Detroit back on the map for fashion. Detroit was at one time a fashion capital and we have not kept that title up and I want to be able to bring that title back here where it belongs. Creating fashion events, pushing designers to open stores, and just fully executing all the entities that will make Detroit, Michigan a fashion capital."

Q: Who has helped you in putting together MFW? Who are your biggest supporters?

Loren: "My awesome team has done a phenomenal job in helping me put Michigan Fashion Week together. I found a creative hardworking bunch of talented people and everybody's skills has in someway affected Michigan Fashion Week. My biggest supporters are my mom, dad, and fiancé."

Q: What was one of your proudest moments from MFW 2012?

Loren: "The proudest moment from MFW 2012 is by far the amount of people who came and all the positive feedback that came after the show."

Q: How has your life changed since MFW?

Loren: "Michigan Fashion Week has encouraged me to dream bigger, think bigger and work harder at whatever you put your mind to. It has really taught me you must go after the dreams that are in your heart. It will take hard work but in the end it will all be worth it."

Q: What changes will attendees experience this year?

Loren: "They [guests] must come and find out."

Q: What expectations do you have for MFW this year?

Loren: "I would like to see more people affected by Michigan Fashion Week. [For] the vendors, designers, and models, I would love to see their companies and talents really flourish from their association with Michigan Fashion Week. I would love for the guests to experience a great exciting evening and meet new people."

Q: Going into your second year, how do feel about the future for MFW?

Loren: "The future of MFW is very promising. When you surround yourself with professional creative people, with a dream [and] a vision, you are bound to be successful."

Tickets for Michigan Fashion Week 2013 are available for sale. To purchase tickets and for more information on MFW, visit michiganfashionweek.com.

Raquel is a Michigan native with a Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Michigan. She loves fashion and writing about life's everyday stories. She has written for various local publications that include Dearborn Press & Guide and Detroit Fashion Pages. Raquel also writes for her own local events blog, Metro Diva Pages. You can visit Raquel's blog at metrodivapages-rdp.blogspot.com and follow her on Twitter @MetroDivaPages.

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