HLFW produces back-to-back runway shows every event evening featuring the collections of our pre-selected designers. In addition to showcasing world-class designers at Fashion Week events, CCFN highlights the fashion industry in other ways. We provide customized fashion content for worldwide distribution via the Internet as well as video programming.

During the 2007 opening presentation, HLFW displayed over five million dollars in diamond-encrusted beauty products courtesy of H. Couture beauty®, a New York based company owned by twenty-six year old millionaire Taysha Smith-Valez. The items in this diamond exhibit have been featured in WWD Salon, In Style, Life & Style, Jezebel Magazine and more. In 2008, HLFW was graced with the presence and participation of Samantha Brown, who wore $300,000 worth of jewelry (courtesy of Mednikow) and a custom made dress by our featured designer, Maria Harper. Brown, who was briefly coached by celebrity stylist Taijuan Wilcox, also ripped the runway wearing pieces from Runway Atlanta Boutique. This has afforded us the opportunity to be taped and aired (debuted May 16th, 2009) on the Travel Channel's "Passport to Great Weekends," a popular show hosted by Mrs. Brown. Other highlights from last season include the infamous "Obama dress" created by Vivian Compton for her collection Naoma Nerette and Demetria McKinney, actress for House of Payne (Tyler Perry) modeled garments for Maria Harper and more!

This year, we are taking Fashion Week in Atlanta (which The Travel Channel refers to as "€œThe Manhattan of the South" to another level with bigger and better surprises in store. With strategic partnerships, HLFW is successfully integrating its avant-garde and couture collections in many of Atlanta's hautest venues, while utilizing exquisite set design, fabulous cocktails, and premium production. With the consistent efforts of the Couture Connoisseur Fashion Network, Atlanta is quickly establishing itself as a sophisticated fashion capital inspiring and rejuvenating design in the local retail industry.

For this accomplishment, the city of Atlanta has presented CCFN with a Phoenix Award in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 for its outstanding commitment to the Atlanta design community and commendable contribution to local charities. In the past, HLFW has partnered with Save the Children®, Dress For Success®, and now United Way® of Metropolitan Atlanta. We firmly believe that "Giving is the New Black"€� and encourage you to support R.I.S.E. our 2010 beneficiary.

HLFW has played host to Celebrity Swag and Trunk Show Suites in the past, which are an innovative approach to the product placement marketing strategy; featuring some of the hautest new brands and services available to date. Participating companies offer luxury goods to attending celebrities and industry leaders at no cost. Consumers can also shop the finest selection of apparel and accessories in a one-day marketplace connecting independent designers with demanding and big spending fashion lovers!

Last season, despite untimely thunderstorms, fashionistas, buyers, casting directors, socialites and press came out to experience avante-garde and couture fashion, as well as the hottest urban and swimwear collections. HLFW kicked off with a plush Media Suite featuring an overwhelming amount of press, designers, sponsors, and models and offered complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres to guests while they networked to electro-infused jazz tunes.  The runway scene was crisp white, art from The Emerging Art Scene painted the walls with fashion inspired canvases, and the red carpet lead the way to haute breathtaking fashion every evening. Opening night featured a performance by Sean Bankhead, choreographer to Beyonce, the late Aaliyah, Keri Hilson, Hannah Mantana, the late Aaliyah and more; while designers from New York, Florida, and Atlanta showcased $10,000 hand-made gowns and high end RTW. Celebrity stylist Derek J, who also appears on Real Housewives of Atlanta, had a front row seat to watch singer Rahbi’s eclectic performance. The unforgettable designers of the week were Kirk Kelley who showed an encore presentation of his male animalistic underwear line and Donnie Wells Collection of tailored menswear that featured the exclusive oversized “man bag�.

Saturday’s Urban Chic kicked off with an Eco-Chic Style Suite hosted by actress, Kaira Akita, A Clothes Encounter, and Lamik Beauty at Cowboys & Poodles Fashion Lounge. That evening, a full house enjoyed the collections of Sugar Mafia, Pamfa, Dude & B Star Clothing, Marco Kennedy, Marie Harper Designs and more. The crowd went wild with “oohs and aaahhs� at the sight of HLFW’s beautiful, yet statuesque models who's hair and makeup were all fabulously styled and designed by “The Style Council. Exhibitors included Aakofii, All Earz Jewelry, and the Mel Boteri Handbag Collection.

Had it not been for a good cause, this week would not have been successful. United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta (unitedwayatlanta.org) was HLFW’s charity partner and UW representatives were on hand to educate fashion viewers of their 2-1-1 service and their one-time €œtext to give€� campaign.

"Guests will agree that HLFW chased the rain away and turned the gray skies to red, orange, yellow and green with beads, fur and feathers!" ~ OLENA: Global Fashion E-zine