By Kristina Valdez | Arts & Life Editor
Models, up-and-coming designers and a bright red runway brought the fashion scene to life in Waco. The Front Row of Fashion show blended haute couture and streetwear on the catwalk of The Phoenix Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in downtown Waco.
Baylor alumnus Logan Allison used his love for design and experience in the fashion industry to create a platform where designers and artistic visionaries interacted in a space unique to Waco.
“I think God gives everyone talents and blessings,” Allison said. “This is me using my talents and interests to give something to this community and other people.”
Allison graduated from Baylor in December 2013. Originally from Frisco, Allison has had 38 family members graduate from Baylor, so he has always had ties to Waco and the university. Allison played football for Baylor his freshman year in 2009, but after getting seriously injured his first game in the first down, Allison stopped playing football. Since his injury, Allison has had 10 knee surgeries and eight back surgeries.
“At first, I never wanted to do anything else but football, but with my injury God took away much of my pride, and He showed me all of the other things I am capable of doing,” Allison said.
After graduating from Baylor, Allison moved back to the Dallas/ Fort Worth area and began modeling with The Clutts Agency, a modeling agency in Dallas. Thirty-five models from The Clutts Agency walked in The Front Row of Fashion.
He has since been a part of large campaign ads such as his most recent work with Cinemark USA, Inc. But in 2016, Allison left Dallas to come back to Waco and open his lifestyle shop and health food bar, Noggin Fuel.
“Nutrition and fashion are my biggest passions,” Allison said. “Noggin Fuel is a lifestyle shop, and it has anything that feeds your mind, from fashion and art to ‘smoothie’z’ and ‘bowl’z.’”
Six designers from Dallas including Allison showed their designs and styles for the spring and summer of 2018. No designers from Waco were highlighted in the fashion show. Allison said he approached many local designers and hoped they would be a part of the show, but they declined.
“I don’t think they took me seriously,” Allison said.
Allison said his style revolves around high-end streetwear, but he is unafraid to slip on a classic suit from time to time.
“I like to dress the way I like to dress,” Allison said. “I want to show the world that I am serious about what I am doing in the fashion industry. You don’t have to be wearing a suit and a tie to be successful, you don’t have to wear a suit and a tie to make things happen.”
Allison hopes that this event encourages people to be true to themselves and their passions.
“I hope it gives people the OK to say they are good enough to do whatever they want to do,” Allison said. “The most important things in life are not things at all. It’s about being you and being happy. Stop chasing money and chase who you really are and want to be.”
Willie Johnson, an influential character in the Dallas fashion scene and mentor to Allison, said he was excited to watch the entire show come together. From the makeup to the mingling, Johnson was the executive producer of the fashion show.
“[Allison] is bringing something different to Waco that no one else is doing,” Johnson said. “That is why it is so exciting.”
Johnson has worked in the fashion industry for 30 years after first being introduced to the industry as a model in the ’80s and ’90s.
Allison said that he hopes that after The Front Row of Fashion rolls up its red carpet that Waco can grow in their camaraderie for the arts and fashion.
“I want to get Waco to come along and support one another,” Allison said. “I hope this fashion show adds another dimension to Waco.”
