Dont Walk 2020: Reviewed

Staring at the clock, I whip the troops into motion.  I scream, “It’s 6:10pm, let’s move!” The girls quickly strap on their heels and run-down the street to catch the busses to Dont Walk. None of us knew what to expect. I had never been to the Bowhouse in Anstruther before and was impressed and excited to see what Don’t Walk 2020 had in store.

After a quick 20 minute bus ride we pull up to the venue. Impressively illuminated on the outside of the venue was ‘Don’t Walk’ in shining white lights. Immediately, I was struck by the attention to detail. The first room consisted of light up squares placed all around the room giving it an edgy yet sophisticated vibe. There were plenty of food trucks to satisfy cravings: crêpes, mac and cheese, vegan burgers and wood-fired pizza. This room served as the sort of chill and more intimate room, where people could take a break to eat, smoke, or grab a drink at the bar that was far less crowded than the one near the runway.

The main room itself exceeded all of my expectations. As a fourth year, I can honestly say this was the best fashion show layout I have seen to date. The stage was built in a circle, with a little bridge connecting part of it, creating an elevation the whole audience could see. I reference this because one of biggest complaints at other shows is that only VIP or corporate really have a view of the show, leaving others to try and peer through shoulders and funky hairdos. Don’t Walk thought this through and overall made the show more enjoyable for everyone.  From any corner of the room one could see the runway. Whether you were corporate, VIP or Standard, the runway and models were visible making the show interactive and collaborative.

With a loud drop of the bass, the show began. Beginning around 8:30pm, the models were fashionably late which made them seem even cooler and built up the anticipation even more. The show featured some performance art, with two modern dancers clad in all white whirling around the stage to a background of voice overs regarding climate change. The dancers were physically fighting climate change, doing combative dance moves in front of a video playing of wildfires and pollution. It perfectly fit the theme and served as something striking and unusual from other shows. The clothes following the performance did not disappoint, featuring many sustainable lines made from old football jerseys and repurposed clothing. It was clear Dont Walk was not attempting to be flashy or woke with their theme, they truly believed in it, choosing to dedicate the meat of their show to showcasing sustainable fashion.

Dont Walk was exciting, exotic, and exuberant. Passion and exhilaration mingled in the air and any passer-by could sense the cheerfulness of Dont Walk. One critique is that the show was a bit lengthy. The ladies looked around a little defeated in their heels from standing for two hours. People were ready for Mall Grab and wanted to start dancing. Though the clothing and choreography was fantastic, maybe cutting the show 20 minutes shorter for next year would even further improve Dont Walk.  Additionally, while I had no problem getting on a bus and heading to the venue, I know that many guests stood outside in the freezing cold for over 20 minutes before just choosing to bite-the-bullet and pay for a cab. While I know that the bus system is incredibly tricky to coordinate, the edgy fashion required to attend Dont Walk is not always the warmest, so that 20 minutes outside was a bit rough. Nevertheless, this is a tiny criticism that is merely something to keep in mind for next year.

As the show came to a close, the room began to buzz, excitedly waiting for the well-anticipated Mall Grab afterparty. The music was elating and people were jumping up and down, having a wonderful night.

Overall, Dont Walk was successful, fruitful, and worthwhile. For those who missed it, make sure to get your tickets for next year! The clothing was lovely, venue beautiful, and the night was memorable. Dont Walk 2020 was a perfect way to close, serving as my last fashion review before graduation. Thanks for a great night and cheers to next year!

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