Boston Fashion Week: The Launch

Boston Fashion Week turns 20 this year, and kicked off last night with the sixth annual Launch, a show featuring five up-and-coming designers from local fashion programs. Models in looks by Ty Sinnett, Maryanne Meservey, Chynna Pope, Dominique Quinque, and Jeffrey Dickerson snaked through the chair-lined rooms and hallways of the W Boston’s second floor, making every perch a front-row seat (read: no jostling among the well-heeled masses). Short video interviews with each designer by Bearwalk Films were also shown in advance of the presentations.

Before the catwalk kicked off, however, founder Jay Calderin said a few words and read a message from Mayor Marty Walsh declaring October 5 as Marilyn Riseman Day (the entire Boston Fashion Week is dedicated to the late style doyenne).

Here, a chic peek at the creations:

The Launch: Ty Sinnett

Ty Sinnett says she designs garments to allow women to move freely — seen here in a flowy top. Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Ty Sinnett

The same bright fabric showed up in several of Sinnett's looks. Photo by Elizabeth Grice.

Photo by Elizabeth Grice.

The Launch: Ty Sinnett

Growing up on Martha's Vineyard means that the ocean plays a big part in Sinnett's life, inspiring "the shapes I use and my color palettes," she says. Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Ty Sinnett

Sinnet's gown with revealing sides is for the daring bride.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Maryanne Meservey

Maryanne Meservy describes her aesthetic as "ecopunk." This skirt is made from upcycled dress shirts.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Maryanne Meservy

High-waist pants (here, in colorblock red-and-black) and crop tops are here to stay. Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Maryanne Meservy

The back of this sophisticated jacket featured mesh, cut-outs, and pieced together fabrics.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Chynna Pope

Skateboarding, trucker hat-wearing Beacon Hill designer Chynna Pope specializes in edgy, versatile separates.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Chynna Pope

Softer menswear and a black-and-white palette also defined Pope's collection.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Chynna Pope

Leather details make a white dress less demure.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Chynna Pope

A just-revealing-enough back from Pope. Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Chynna Pope

Pope says her looks "have tailored aspects that contour to the form, but also have flow and movement." Case in point: This pleated black dress.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Dominique Quinque

German-born Dominique Quinque says she infuses her pieces with "unexpected details and an element of surprise." See: the criss-cross front panel on this top.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Dominique Quinque

The removable overskirt of this ensemble swished with each step.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Dominique Quinque

This sheer athletic suit had cinched ankles (think: genie pants).Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Dominique Quinque

Woven panels gave a somewhat simple dress visual interest.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Jeffrey Dickerson

Jeffrey Designer is a Lady Gaga fan, and this devotion can be seen in the dramatic details of his clothing.Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Jeffrey Dickerson

Metallic jogger-genie pants: Not for shrinking violets. Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Jeffrey Dickerson

There's nothing subtle about this evening frock with rosettes hidden in jutting heart-shaped hip panels. Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Jeffrey Dickerson

A beautifully cut gown with a sweeping back. Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice

The Launch: Jeffrey Dickerson

Dickerson says he wants wearing his designs to feel like "a performance, even if it's just to the grocery store." This voluminous skirt would certainly turn heads at Whole Foods. Photo by Elizabeth Grice

Photo by Elizabeth Grice