Glitz and Glamor: Why Not Petites Revive the Roaring Twenties

Jazz, drinks and sparkle were all present for Why Not Petites’ “Roaring Runway,” Chicago Fashion Week Show Oct. 16. The show was held at the Sarabande Chicago in Avondale and featured six designers, a dance group and jazz artist.

Founded by Britney Wittes, Why Not Petites is a modeling agency centered around inclusivity. The lineup at the agency’s Fashion Week show highlighted minority designers and pieces from diverse backgrounds, according to Wittes. 

The showcase took inspiration from the shimmery, golden, indulgent Roaring Twenties. After an opening set to Lana Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful,” a dance troupe performed a flashy flapper routine. House jazz boomed as dancers strutted with sensuality, displaying black, fringed two-piece costumes. 

First to be featured was Balloons Marshelly, with outfits composed entirely of balloons to highlight sustainability, according to the designer’s introductory video. Marshelly’s gowns displayed a range of silhouettes and colors that used balloons to draw attention. Accents of gold and silver were added to enhance the pieces’ allure. 

Marshelly’s first and second looks were gowns adorned with red and green feathers, emphasizing the models’ figures with fitted mini-dresses. A gold, floor length cape made of small, circular chain links draped from the model’s shoulders was displayed fifth. 

Following Marshelly, a men’s collection by Chicago local Fabric da Vinci impressed with artful material. da Vinci’s men’s collection was simple in nature, with appealing craftsmanship. Most looks were vests and trousers of muted earth-tones, using leather to create popping accents. 

The third look was a camel brown vest and short set, featuring salmon additions around the zipper and back panels. The collection was finished with dual-toned pants and a matching vest. da Vinci used flattering, geometrical panels of dark brown to diverge from the muted tones underneath. 

“Now I know I can do it — there is definitely more to come,” da Vinci said, referring to this being his first menswear collection.

Dreamy looks by Rey Barrientes took the stage next. Barrientes presented eight outfits with flowy silhouettes and cool tones. 

Barrientes’ collection opened with a fitted, sage greed made of green silk. The dress was adorned with mesh, cream panels along the side seams, to give movement and shape. 

Looks of black velvet followed, featuring shawls, gowns, petticoats and even a cape. One black velvet minidress sampled a scalloped sweetheart neckline and a fitted drop-waist skirt.

Milwaukee-based singer Faith Hatch made a surprise appearance after Barrientes’ collection. Clad in a fitted sea green dress, Hatch performed a solo jazz rendition of “I Put a Spell on You,” originally recorded by Jalacy J. “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins. 

After Hatch’s performance, da Vinci returned with his womenswear collection. One outfit consisted of a two-piece look, including a silk, hunter-green halter top and a heavily ruffled, asymmetrical skirt cut with a diagonal waistline. The look was lynch pinned by a large golden and emerald brooch on the hip. 

Alisia Medina, a 23-year-old designer then took the stage to provide five simple yet dazzling womenswear sets. Receiving hoots from the crowd, a beige crocheted mini-skirt, ribboned with gold sparkle and a bell-sleeve crop top strutted the stage. 

Colombian designer Andrea Ramirez provided a classic yet daring collection. Modern components offset traditional, 20th-century elements — a crocheted mini dress and revealing necklines complemented fuzzy robes and button-up shirts. 

Ramirez opened with a menswear look, featuring a black lace halter top and high-waisted, wide-leg black pants to provide a flattering silhouette. A structured trench coat, with a chunky black and gold belt, took the stage, with an accessorized black fedora. 

The final collection came from Riahstones Couture, designed by Mariah Molina. Molina created a provocative collection with a bright, royal blue minidress, slitted skirt, flare sleeves and fringe. A shimmery black dress followed featuring a deep slit, which was embellished with a sequin adornment and a long trail finished with black feathers.

Couture’s model carried a green feathered hand fan and wore a godel bandeau headband, topped with viridescent feathers. Fitted golden gowns, and layers of pearls and fringe came together to finish off the Why Not Petites show, eliciting a standing ovation.

In alignment with Why Not Petites’ focus on body inclusivity, the models representing the five collections were racially and bodily diverse. Plus-sized models and petite models alike wore flattering garments to represent a range of body types during the show. 

Why Not Petites put on a dazzling show, contributing to the first-ever Chicago Fashion Week.