Three local artists hosted a fashion show with a Cape Coral auto-detailing shop on Saturday.
The fashion show, Detailed Threads: A Runway Fashion Experience, was hosted by three designers: Anthony Leto, who also goes by AHZUWOP, Julissa Jean-Bart and Micharie Green. A&M Detailing in Cape Coral provided the venue.
Jean-Bart said she wanted her line wearable in the warm Florida weather.
Credit: Tim Belizaire
“I was going for a swimsuit, summer, floral design—very bright colors, very eccentric,” she said. “Something the girlies could wear any summer, but also the guys can walk in the summertime too. Something breathable, because it’s hot in Florida.”
She said it was challenging to work in the heat, but the event ran smoothly thanks to the help of others.
“It was really difficult, but you don’t feel anything when you’re in autopilot,” Jean-Bart said. “We got special fans with our logos, so we handed them out to people so they can keep cool. We had fans in the back. We try to keep as cool as possible, but through it all, we got it done.”
Jean-Bart’s family and friends attended the event, and she said it brought her joy to display her art to them.
“My family is my everything. My mother is my inspiration,” Jean-Bart said. “My sister is my backbone. My boyfriend is the pivot of it all. He’s the head of this household. I’m grateful for my family. I’m grateful to my loved ones who came out today and supported me and my friends. My friends are my institution, so I’m really happy.”
Credit: Tim Belizaire
“My family is my everything. My mother is my inspiration.”
Attendees to the fashion show fought through the heat and managed to dance during intermissions.
Credit: Tim Belizaire
Despite being a detailing shop, Keny Charles, co-owner of A&M Detailing, plans to host various community events.
“This event was the start of many more. We are a detailing company, but we do more than that,” Charles said. “We have a barber shop, we host events, and we give back to the community. We do a lot in the community, and we’re super excited to be in the Cape Coral community to bring something different.”
Leto said he sometimes works 48 hours a week doing pool construction, making it challenging to prepare for the show. He said the help of his collaborators made the fashion show possible.
“The preparation was very hard for me,” Leto said. “I made my collection in three days, so I was only able to make 10 fits. There’s also the time gathering everything we need when it comes to lighting, sound and DJs. It was a group effort. We all came together, hit our people up, and made it happen. It was a little difficult, but nothing’s too hard to conquer.”
Credit: Tim Belizaire
Leto said that if someone has not been to one of his events before, they’ll have a good time.
“You just gotta trust the vision. You see AHZUWOP or Independent Studios on any event and you’re not there, you’re missing out,” Leto said. “We go big every time and we’re a collective of very talented artists, very passionate artists and every single time it’s gonna be a movie.”
A&M Detailing plans to host a back-to-school drive on Saturday.
