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Why Not Petites celebrates inclusive fashion with prohibition-themed party and runway

When Britney Wittes graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2019, she had already identified an issue within the modeling industry — petite models in the industry were often looked over for taller models. What started as an Instagram page for connecting petite models with resources, quickly grew into a modeling community. On Wednesday Oct. 16, Why Not Petites celebrated glitz and glamor at the first official Chicago Fashion Week in a “Roaring Runway, A Gilded Age Affair.”

Six designers were selected and given the theme of the 1920’s to work with. From wearable biodegradable balloon garments to decadent jewels, each designer intercepted the theme through collections of varying amounts. 

Why Not Petites Founder Britney Wittes receives last minute makeup touches on Oct. 16 at Sarabande Chicago. Photo by Abraham Jimenez 

“We’ve actually never worked fully with designers before,” said Wittes, President and CEO of WNP. “We’ve worked usually with stylists, because our thing is to give people that don’t usually have an opportunity, that opportunity to be seen in the spotlight.”

One of the ways they are supporting their designers is through a partnership with the Apparel Industry Board, Inc. 

“They thought it’d be a really great idea to offer our designers a space, just because we are using some that are students or just graduated students right out of college, and so they don’t necessarily have a great workspace yet,” said Wittes. Since the beginning, WNP has been dedicated to creating opportunities and opening doors for others who may not otherwise receive them. 

 “We love, kind of pouring into them and making sure that they know that you have a place in the city. Don’t leave when you graduate,” said Janae Holloway, PR coordinator for WNP. Designers were also given the freedom to select which tracks were going to be played for their sets. “Just to let them be artistically free to pick what best represents their designs to the public,” said Laticia Hernandez, sales manager of WNP. 

To fully curate the 1920’s prohibition mood, Hernandez reached out to Indie Media Studios for a group of dancers, the Divas, to perform a flapper number at the beginning of the show, and a burlesque piece to usher in the after party. 

The Divas perform their opening flapper number on Oct. 16 at Sarabande Chicago. Photo by Abraham Jimenez 

“I’m Latina myself, so I love dancing, and I thought that would be a unique thing to add to the show, just something that’s like, wow!” said Hernandez.

In addition to dancers, guests enjoyed live music performed by Faith Hitch, who played piano and sang during the VIP reception, and appetizers like spanakopita and cream cheese wontons. Guests were all dressed in their best attire, all competing for the Bee’s Knees Pin which would be given to the best dressed. 

As guests began to trickle in, the stage was unveiled from behind floor to ceiling curtains. Guests slowly peeled away from the bar where 1920’s appropriate drinks were being served, like old-fashioneds. The front row received a gift bag including a custom WNP scarf. 

Drinks were provided through a partnership with Cosentino’s, including the debut of a sangria not yet in the market. Providing the foundations for this partnership as well as backstage management was Done By Design. 

“We focus on fashion shows. My business partner is Ray Martinez. He’s the fashion director. He handles the backstage, and I’ll handle the front stage,” said Carlos Medina, co-owner and director of media and marketing, who has worked with WNP before. 

“We actually both launched our companies right around the same time, and we just have kind of been collaborating and helping each other out. It’s kind of grown and blossomed into a beautiful friendship,” said Martinez. Tonight they are behind the livestream of the runway and the media crew. Another technological feature was the ability to shop looks off the runway through QR codes on every table. 

The show began with a video of two lovers reuniting at Union Station, before Wittes introduced the journey her and her brand have been on. She took the stage and thanked the designers and her family. Then an electric beat welcomed the Divas, who performed an electric flapper number.

Each designer had a video that detailed their creative process when approaching the theme that played before their collection of at least 10 looks debuted, and at the end of each collection, the designer walked out to a roaring audience with their models. Halfway through the show Faith Hatch took stage and performed a 1920’s rendition of “I Put a Spell on You.”

“We didn’t want to show things that everyone’s seen before at Chicago Fashion Week. We already have a lot of people doubting it, I would say, in the general sense, because it’s been dormant for so long. We just wanted to come out swinging and give everyone the best opportunity to see what they can bring to the table,” said Wittes. 

Guests enjoy prohibition themed drinks supplied by Cosentino’s on Oct. 16 at Sarabande Chicago. Photo by Abraham Jimenez
Britney Wittes poses on the Why Not Petites red carpet on Oct. 16 at Sarabande Chicago. Photo by Abraham Jimenez

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