Homegrown’s debut fashion show & market spotlights OBX artists’ designs
By Outer Banks Voice on June 12, 2021
By Shauneen Miranda | Outer Banks Voice
Homegrown, a runway show and artisan market, brought the Manteo and surrounding Outer Banks community together on Friday, June 11. From vibrantly colored paintings, to handmade jewelry and intricate crochet pieces, local designers showcased their work in tents sprawled across the lawn of the Dare County Head Start Center.
Despite a torrential downpour, the fashion show went on. Spectators gathered under a large white tent as puddles formed alongside the runway. Featuring live music from local band Zack Mexico and artists Holden McOwen and Tshombe Selby, locals modeled the work of designers from all across the Outer Banks.
People of all ages strode across the stage, sporting clothing designs from Mom’s Sweet Shop, KIIIND, Wescott, Local As It Gets, Ruckus, CCM Workshop, Made by Jinx, Amiligoisili and Indecent Supply Company. “Now how’s that for Homegrown fashion?” Evan Tillett, the event’s MC, asked the crowd after the fashion show ended.
With skateboard tricks from Ruckus and a fire show from Panda Daniels, spectators watched in awe as they performed over the slippery runway.
Treveon Govan, creator behind the inaugural event, drew inspiration from his time living in Charlotte. After watching young Charlotte artists organize fashion shows to highlight their clothing designs in a community-wide effort, Govan ran with the idea to Manteo –– the place he calls home.
“For me, this is a brainchild of COVID,” Govan said. “It gave people time to explore their creativity. It just gave people time to sit down and do stuff, explore stuff, try [to] experiment stuff, paint, draw, sketch, whatever, design.”
And for vendors like Denise Turner, Homegrown was a chance to give back to Manteo. “I love vending events like this because it supports our community,” said Turner, founder of Denise Turner Jewelry. “It’s really important to me to give back where I live. I’ve raised two children here.”
Dare County Arts Council and the clothing brand, Long Way Home, co-hosted the event. Although the fashion show and market were free, proceeds from V.I.P. tickets and donations supported Breaking Through Task Force, a coalition within Dare County seeking to eliminate obstacles for people struggling with mental health issues.
Homegrown also gave local businesses an opportunity to display their wares after over a year of COVID restrictions. “It’s better to support people who you know [are] getting the money,” said Cloey Davis, a 17-year-old Manteo native and crochet vendor. “It’s just small, hometown businesses that support your town and people in it.”
Govan spoke of plans for more collaborative fashion events in the future, including an Outer Banks fashion week and continuing Homegrown next year.
“I just want people to know that it’s okay to just try different stuff and do things that you’re not used to,” Govan said. “Just don’t be afraid to try because, really, this is me trying, and it just happened to work.”
