Electric City Couture
Celebrating the art of fashion
Electric City Couture got its start in Schenectady; now resides at Universal Preservation Hall
The Capital Region’s engagement with the Creative Economy is manifest in myriad ways. Electric City Couture, for example, brings together fashion designers, entrepreneurs, event producers, deejays, video artists, photographers and many others for an annual event that highlights new looks, new ideas and the spirit of collaboration.
Conceived by Mitch Messmore and Jolene Button and produced by Corey Aldrich of 2440 Design Studio in Troy, Electric City Couture began, appropriately enough, in Schenectady, in 2010, with the intent of celebrating the art of fashion and providing a platform to exhibit up-and-coming designers of the Northeast.
Early editions populated the GE Theatre at Proctors not only with colorful clothing, but with sold-out audiences of young, excited tastemakers ready to wear them.
ECC grew quickly, and in 2014 moved to the Great Room at Universal Preservation Hall, adding Dzbuy it off the runwaydz pop-up shops in the Community Room below; with targeted proceeds benefitting the ongoing restoration of UPH.
By 2016, ECC boasted two full, juried runway shows over the course of an April weekend. The theme, SHATTERED: Repose, highlighted the work of established and up-and-coming designers, with Saturday’s walk stressing a hard-edged look and Sunday’s quieter event focusing on a more organic drape.
The 2016 designer group included Ane Amour (New York); Eenvoud (Brooklyn); Frittelli & Lockwood (Saratoga); Gamakache Black (Brooklyn); Khymanyo Studio (Saratoga); Marjolaine’s Touch (Chestertown); and Vilma Mare’s Baltic Style (Copake).
“We’re excited to once again collaborate with Electric City Couture to promote NYS fashion,” said UPH Campaign Director Teddy Foster at the time of the event.
“It’s a win-win for local entrepreneurs, the regional economy and Universal Preservation Hall that’s in direct alignment with our ongoing programming goals and our vision for the hall as ‘Saratoga’s Living Room.’ The logistics of our region and the relatively low cost of living, combined with the deep well of creative talent here, makes the Capital Region an excellent platform for the development of serious creative economy businesses,” affirmed Aldrich. “Add to that the ongoing renaissance of the region and you have the perfect storm to drive awareness and dollars into the regional economy at large.”