Innovative vintage looks, ‘anti-game day’ fits show out: Why this runway still fits after a decade in KC

Fashion trends change with the season, but eleven years after The Kritiq Fashion Show first dropped onto the streets of Kansas City its core purpose remains consistent, said Mark Launiu: creating a runway for people with bold ideas — and a support system along the journey.

Mark Launiu, co-founder of MADE MOBB and The Kritiq, opens the fashion show outside his Crossroads storefront; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“You are not alone,” Launiu told a crowd gathered Sunday outside MADE MOBB’s Southwest Boulevard storefront, addressing a mix of curious onlookers and independent designers, entrepreneurs and creatives hoping to build audiences outside traditional fashion markets. “You are loved. You are appreciated.”

Work behind the scenes of a business or creative endeavor is inseparable from the personal realities of entrepreneurship, The Kritiq and MADE MOBB co-founder said, speaking openly before Sunday’s runway show about faith, isolation and mental health, topics Launiu has consistently elevated alongside fashion.

“This journey can get very lonely. If you’re an entrepreneur, business owner, you know exactly what I’m talking about,” he said. “So for me, I always try to highlight that space, talk more about mental health, the things that we’re dealing with, to make it normal.”

Over the past decade, The Kritiq — organized by the award winning team behind streetwear brand MADE MOBB — has established itself as a platform for more than fashion, encouraging conversations about the challenges creatives and entrepreneurs can face while building businesses and pursuing their ideas, said Launiu.

“You’re sitting next to somebody that’s dealing with something that you don’t even know,” he continued.

The annual fashion show brought Kansas City creatives together this weekend to showcase independent collections and connect designers with an audience in real-time. This year’s runway featured work from seven emerging fashion leaders — along with MADE MOBB and a special United Way highlight — with looks ranging from vintage-inspired loungewear and gothic Western fashion to expressive streetwear and alternate game day fits.

Elevated loungewear looks from Crush Model Studio

Sarah Beth Houser, founder of Crush Model Studio, brought her love of 1960s and 1970s fashion to the runway with a collection of fitted, elevated loungewear.

She incorporated sheer fabrics, lycra and disco influences into pieces designed to work in different settings. The collection’s blue and taupe palette was inspired by the landscape surrounding a ranch Houser purchased earlier this year.

“Everything I do is very ’60s and ’70s vintage,” said Houser. “I really wanted something that you could wear to the spa, you could wear hanging out in your living room, or if you dress it up and put on the right accessories, maybe you could even go clubbing in it.”

House of Rena puts wellness in motion

Eranne Whiters, founder of House of Rena, drew inspiration from the approaching fall season and her own fitness journey for a collection built around movement and wellness.

The collection featured nude and neutral tones, including shades of brown, while encouraging people to think about their own health and fitness goals. Whiters’ personal experience with strength training, weight training, walking and Pilates influenced the work, she said.

“I really hope that my collection will inspire people to get moving,” said Whiters. “Whether they already have some type of fitness journey that they’re on, if they’re already moving their body, if they’re already working out, I hope that it just inspires them to keep doing it.”

Studio Rae enters its Cowboy Carter era

Rachel Hughes, founder of Studio Rae, brought a Western-inspired crochet collection to the Kritiq runway, drawing from Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” era and the long history of Black cowboys and cowgirls.

Hughes said the collection was also an opportunity to challenge assumptions about crochet and showcase the craft as part of contemporary fashion.

“A lot of people think it’s like a granny hobby, or they don’t think high fashion when they hear crochet,” said Hughes. “I want them to see my pieces and recognize that crochet is a part of the fashion industry.”

Rock and roll meets the Wild West at Iron Togs

Years of experimentation led Kelso Martin, founder of Iron Togs, to this year’s collection, which blended gothic, rock-and-roll and Western influences. Martin said earlier attempts and designs helped shape the work that eventually made it onto the Kritiq runway.

“It’s all experimental. It’s all led up to this point, and I am just so proud of how it’s gonna look this time,” said Martin. “Everything is just very bold, rock and roll, gothic, and of course it all has that basic Western undertones.”

Fresh vintage style from Plllllenty

Peggy Eubanks, founder of pLLLLLenty, also looked to past decades for inspiration, drawing from the fashion of the 1960s and 1970s.

Eubanks credited the support of family and friends, along with her own personal journey, for helping push her toward fashion design and the runway. “I have always had a passion for the ’60s, ’70s, the older style,” said Eubanks. “I would like for everybody to say, ‘Wow! For a new designer, that’s pretty cool.’”

Game-day looks with Apache Selections

Elena Theresa, founder of Apache Selections, used her collection to challenge the usual idea of game-day fashion.

Her “anti-game day wear” mixed team colors with streetwear and more expressive styling, encouraging people to bring a little more personality to the stands and beyond.

“I hope they kind of see themselves,” said Theresa. “There’s not like a special time to wear that blouse. You should just always kind of be showing up and showing out.”

Duffle Bag Co., dressing for confidence

Kei’Shaun Redmond-Britton, founder of Duffle Bag Co., built his collection around individuality and the idea that personal style does not need to follow a formula.

The designs were intended to make people feel comfortable showing up as themselves, whether that means a statement outfit or something more casual.

“I want them to feel like, ‘That’s me. I got this. I’m confident. I look good, and I don’t have to be overly dressed to represent who I am,’” said Redmond-Britton. “I want it to be awesomely you.”