Celebrate Detroit Style: Rufus Bartell and Fashion Party Weekend
Posted: 11/16/2007

Just as the cold winter weather sets in, local retailer and entrepreneur Rufus Bartell’s Fashion Party Weekend heats up Detroit. December 14-16, four lavish events celebrate Detroit’s influence on fashion and showcase the hottest looks our city has to offer.   

Growing up in Detroit, Bartell credits his family for instilling in him an appreciation for fashion at a young age. Bartell honed his business and marketing skills at Western Michigan University before launching a highly successful career in the garment industry. A determined entrepreneur, Bartell didn’t allow early setbacks to dispel his dream of creating a fashion empire in Detroit. When his first store in Pontiac did not meet his expectations, he moved back to his hometown and opened Simply Casual. Now in its third location, Simply Casual plays an integral role in attracting shoppers to Detroit’s historic Fashion District.  

Bartell describes Simply Casual as a “lifestyle brand,” providing a complete wardrobe that can take the chic, urban professional from the office, to cocktails, to a star-studded event. The store exudes both class and comfort, providing plush velvet couches, chilled drinks, and the latest fashion publications. Its welcoming atmosphere makes Simply Casual both a social, as well as a shopping destination. Bartell plans to open a second store, Shoehouse Boulevard, nearby on Livernois before the holidays.

Believing that “fashion is a celebration,” Bartell held the first Fashion Party in 1999 as a showcase for not only his emerging clothing store, but also other local designers and merchandisers. The show has since grown into Detroit’s premiere three-day fashion event, Fashion Party Weekend. Fashion Party Weekend unites local and national designers, providing extensive networking and advertising opportunities. The events have successfully led to national exposure for many local specialty stores and designers.

In addition to boutiques and designers, aspiring local models also benefit from Fashion Party Weekend. Runway show organizers cast all Detroit models, who often catch the attention of national agents. Bartell says that he “didn’t anticipate training models to go national” in the industry, as well as launch successful film, television, and music careers. Models can attend open casting calls every Sunday through the second week of December. Show coordinators are seeking four men (heights 5’10’’ and above) and three women (height 5’6’’ and above), all 21 years and older please. Interested models can contact Robin Frye at (313) 903-6757 to schedule an interview.  

Fashion Party Weekend consists of four exciting events. The Red Hot Retailers Style Party kicks off the weekend on Friday. This event welcomes customers to preview the newest designs available at local boutiques. Look your hottest in red for this event! On Saturday, the party continues with the Dramatic Effect Designer’s Party. A mecca for fashion networking, this event introduces designers from across the country. Dramatic dress code? Black and sleek. The highlight of the weekend comes on Sunday: the Climax Runway Show. Held at Arturo’s Jazz Theater, this exclusive runway show features the hottest new fashions from national designers. Wrap up the weekend at the Encore Party: Detroit Love. Music, art, food, fashion – come celebrate all things Detroit! 

Bartell explains that the main focus of Fashion Party Weekend is to “link like-minded people” in order to expand the fashion and garment industry from a business standpoint. He hopes that events such as Fashion Party Weekend can “culturally ingrain fashion shows as a form of entertainment” in the Detroit area, as they are in New York and California. Bartell calls Fashion Party Weekend “a labor of love” because he does not profit from the events and relies heavily on the time and efforts of volunteers.  

Both Bartell and Simply Casual operate according to the motto “Live. Love. Serve.” He explains, “Live life in abundance. Love and be loved. Serve as the highest form of paying honor.” As his dedication to Fashion Party Weekend shows, Rufus Bartell truly lives life to the fullest, loves his hometown of Detroit, and serves those who share his appreciation for the art of fashion.  

Simply Casual is located at 19400 Livernois, near 7 Mile Road. Store hours are Monday – Tuesday 11-7 pm, Wednesday – Thursday 11-8 pm, Friday – Saturday 11-10 pm, and Sunday 1-6 pm. For more details on Fashion Party Weekend, visit www.fashionpartyweekend.org. Also, check out the new Simply Casual website at www.simplycasual.net.  

- Lauren Sackey

Lauren@detroitfashionpages.com

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