Fashion show designs space for KC streetwear to walk alongside Western fringe, crochet couture
September 20, 2023 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
The Kritiq fashion show is a runway of representation, said Mark Launiu, describing the origins and evolution of one of Kansas City’s premiere creative showcases.
Mark Launiu, MADE MOBB, opens The Kritiq fashion show at Union Station; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
“I just wanted to see people that looked like me, designers who don’t have the opportunity to showcase their skills and their talents,” The Kritiq founder and co-founder of MADE MOBB told a crowd gathered at Union Station’s Haverty Family Yards for the event.
“I was like, ‘Man, I want to do my own thing, instead of complaining about it and talking about it.’ I said, ‘Let me go build my team,’” he continued. “The first year, we didn’t know nothing about fashion shows, y’all; never did one before. And now it’s been eight years.”
In between collections from 10 local designers that blended high fashion with streetwear, Launiu said he also uses the fashion show to shine a spotlight on the importance of openly communicating about mental health, especially among men.
“I like to talk about things we don’t talk about much,” continued Launiu, who started a basketball league where opening up about emotions after games is encouraged. “Because I feel like somebody right here, right now is going through something that they’re not talking about. Y’all be living in the same house, sleeping in the same room, but we don’t know how to communicate.”
“So for me, I like talking about these things,” he added, “because there’s somebody in this room right now that wants to scream; you know what I mean? And so for me, I pray a lot. I walk with my daughter a lot, just to help me deal with things that I deal with.”
Launiu especially encouraged fellow entrepreneurs in attendance to seek out community, as the loneliness of the journey can take a toll on mental health.
“A lot of times, you’ve got to find your village,” he explained. “It’s hard to find the people that think like you, so it always feels lonely. We can’t talk to our family a lot of times or our significant other because they don’t understand what it’s like to build your own brand, your own business from the bottom up. Find your village and connect with other business owners. That’s how we grow; we connect, we collaborate.”
The Kritiq — hosted by Jacob Louisius with DJ Jahreezy and sponsored by Fresh Karma and Savvy Salon KC, which provided hair style services — showcased collections from Space Camp Studios by Rebecca Hollar; Little Jo Designs by Jo Hartley; Narues Distinctive Girls Fashion by Shanice Garner; Iron Togs by Kelso Martin; Crush Model Studio by Sarah Beth Houser; 79Roze Dress Shop by LaToya Rozof; Artelvia Clarise by Steana Monae; Studio Rae by Rachel Hughes; Linen Souls by Chris Johnson; and MADE MOBB by Vu Nguyen aka Vu Radley.
RELATED: Savvy duo builds their brand on embracing natural hair
Designs ranged from evening wear to streetwear and western-meets-heavy metal to crochet couture.
Johnson noted that he sees Linen Souls as a staple of sustainability as he focuses on resurrected garments.
“Every piece that’s vintage is unique and to be able to put that together into something new is something really special,” he said. “I like doing that.”
Jacob Louisius chats with Chris Johnson, designer of Linen Souls, on The Kritiq runway; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News
Crew from MADE MOBB watch The Kritiq outside Union Station; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News
As always, the MADE MOBB collection designed by co-founder Nguyen closed out the show with a runway dance party. The Crossroads-based streetwear brand and one of Startland News 2023 Startups to Watch is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and according to Nguyen, it wouldn’t have happened without the backing of the local community.
“MADE MOBB is all about having fun and that’s what we’ve done for 10 years,” he explained. “And we still get to do it with the support of all y’all and we appreciate that. It goes to show that it can happen in Kansas City. It’s different than any other city, and because of you guys, we get to do this every day.”
Check out a photo gallery from the runway show below.
Featured Business
2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Entrepreneur of the Year honorees stepped through a wormhole of fate: Here’s what they found in KC
The ultra successful all share one common influence, said Peter Mallouk: luck. And for the president and CEO of Creative Planning, good fortune has revolved around Kansas City. It all started when his parents left Egypt and ended up in Brookside, he told a crowd Wednesday evening during the 39th University of Missouri-Kansas City Entrepreneur…
How UMKC’s top student entrepreneur found shelter (and a path forward) as a founder
Shapree Marshall’s path began with shared struggle, re-routed to survival — and ultimately made a stop Wednesday evening at H&R Block’s World Headquarters where the startup founder was honored as UMKC’s 2025 Student Entrepreneur of the Year. “My journey into entrepreneurship did not begin with a business plan or a class project,” said Marshall, founder…
First look: Made in KC’s new Union Station shop boasts all the trimmings (and World Cup timing)
An influx of holiday shoppers is just the start for Made in KC’s newly-opened store inside Union Station — positioned to take advantage of coming FIFA World Cup traveler traffic — years after the local-first retailer’s owners first envisioned making the quintessential Kansas City destination a home for one of their shops. “We’ve been wanting…
KC Tech Council reboots its visual identity, teases plans to open new downtown HQ
It’ll be new year, new look for KC Tech Council as the regional tech advocate relocates to a collaborative headquarters space in downtown Kansas City, as well as embracing a bold brand update — all coded to better reflect a modern, tech-driven ecosystem. “As KCTC powers initiatives that further establish Kansas City as a premier,…