By Nicole L. Gill, CouncilMag.com

The crowd was electric. The venue was spacious and beautiful. The third District of Fashion Runway Show presented by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District has quickly become the city’s top fashion event.

The stylish and the fashion curious came out to witness the Spring/Summer 2020 collections from 11 designers in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard. The Sept. 5 event also featured three accessory collections that were paired with the ensembles. The designers, primarily from the Washington metropolitan area, presented dresses, skirts, gowns, suits, pants and swimsuits. There was something for everyone.

Host Paul Wharton described DowntownDC BID and its President and CEO Neil Albert as visionaries.

The fashion show, which served as a precursor to New York Fashion Week, was put on in collaboration with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s Commission on Fashion Arts and Events, 202Creates and the Office of Cable Television, Film and Entertainment, as well as the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Designers included: Shari Henry, SincerelyKAJ, Andrew Nowell, Dur Doux, Mylk & Honey Clothier, TrufacebyGrace, Christopher Schafer Clothier, SJL Collection, Cheero Citizen, Grindstone Universal and DiDomenico. Accessory collections featured jewelry by Abrams Wearable, shoes by bemade and eyewear by Insight Opticians.

The extra-long runway allowed the designs an extended chance to shine.

Keeping with the spring and summer theme, designers put forth colors reminiscent of the seasons. White dominated collections from Andrew Nowell. It also was evident in collections from Shari Henry and Dur Doux. Those collections also featured bold colors and pastels perfect for a summer’s day. The swimsuits from Mylk & Honey Clothier had a similar color palette as well.

We may be transitioning out of summer, but these designers showed we have something to look forward to next year.

Here’s a look at some of the designs from the District of Fashion Runway Show.