PEI Fashion Weekend hits the runway in Charlottetown May 1

Crystal Garrett chat with the founder of PEI Fashion Weekend and gets all the details ahead of the very stylish event.

The fifth annual PEI Fashion Weekend is returning to the runway. The event celebrates local designers and their original creations at various Charlottetown locations on May 1 and 2.

Julia Campbell, the founder of PEI Fashion Weekend, says the project began around the time COVID was ending. “It was really a way for the fashion and style community to get together when there was still some restrictions.”

Campbell, who was born on Prince Edward Island, told CTV’s Crystal Garrett she noticed a big influx of new styles and fashion representing different cultures when she moved back to the province 12 years ago.

“A lot of different genres of fashion that I hadn’t seen before,” she says. “I just love the idea of exposing that.”

Campbell told CTV News the weekend is rooted in confident fashion choices but inclusivity has become a central and important theme.

One of the show’s goals was to feature a more diverse range of models that people can relate to, she says. “Lots of different beautiful shapes, sizes, colours, ethnicities and I think that’s why the show has stuck.”

She says the event has “immaculate vibes” and it’s received a big boost from word-of-mouth throughout the Maritimes.

“It’s such a supportive crowd,” Campbell says. In contrast to more traditional fashion shows, she says there is a lot of noise and clapping at the P.E.I. show and they feature entertainment segments between fashion showcases.

“It is two-plus hours of extreme fun and really high energy,” she says.

The show takes place at the Delta Hotel May 1 at 7:30 p.m. with supporting events happening throughout Friday and Saturday.

“Fashion should be accessible,” says Campbell. “You should be able to wear what you want, dress how you want and have that empower you. I really feel that’s probably the biggest reason why the show has continued to grow.”

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.