COLUMBUS, Ohio — For years, the fashion scene in Columbus has been evolving and setting the stage for some much bigger things to take place in the city.

What You Need To Know

  • The Columbus Fashion Council is adding more small businesses as they look to build their brands

  • A new fashion and retail district is set to open in downtown Columbus on Oct. 14

  • Fashion Week Columbus runs Oct. 9-15

  • For event info on Fashion Week Columbus 2022, click here

While the pandemic forced organizers to improvise on how it put on Fashion Week Columbus the last couple of years, it didn’t stop the progress and the work of designers. Excited that things are getting back to normal this year, Tommy McClure, founder and executive director of the Columbus Fashion Council, explained since restrictions are not in place, “We're able to include many more designers, many more models.” 

Since Fashion Week Columbus is more than a show, McClure said he’s looking forward to all of the small businesses coming together again. From designers, models, hair stylists and makeup artists and photographers, all of them will get a chance to build their brands from the runway.

“We are able to include more of these small businesses. We have 200 models that are going to be walking our runways in the fashion presentations. We have over almost 30 designers that are involved with the whole week. So these are all small businesses that we're helping to grow," said McClure.

As businesses are getting help, the city will get an additional boost as well. McClure explained that “a new fashion and retail district in downtown Columbus, that the Columbus fashion Council has been working on with the Columbus Downtown Development Corp. (CDDC) and IL Moda Brands,” will open Oct. 14. McClure added they implanted about nine small businesses in downtown Columbus to help bring it to life. 

Click here for more information on the runway shows and other events.