Jewelry to clothes – even dolls – will appear on the runway for The Agora Borealis Mardi Gras Fashion Show.

The show will bring a bit of glamour to downtown Shreveport 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the store located at 421 Lake St. 

The event will feature local fashion and accessories by 75 different artists. Tickets are $10 with one complimentary drink or $25 for VIP seating next to the runway, a gift bag sponsored by Once Upon a Diamond and two complimentary drinks.

“We have 20 models that will show 40 different looks,” said Katy Larsen, owner of  The Agora Borealis. “Ann Chandler is creating her line called ‘Ann,’ VonRay will be there, and Amy Treme will be showing her line and her vintage line as well.” Olive Street Thrift and Skeleton Key Vintage will also offer vintage pieces for the show. 

Jewelry designers include Contina Pierson, Lauri Wallace, Brandi Cade and Tracy McComic, to name a few. Pure Color Salon will style hair for the event.

“We wanted to celebrate Mardi Gras. People in krewes never wear the same thing twice, and we want to show them what’s out there,” Larsen said. “We know people want to wear original works. They want to go out and be fabulous and have these great pieces that nobody has because it’s all about being original. It’s every year, and no one is buying local, handmade clothing. They’re buying items from different places around the United States or around the world, and we are trying to show people that we can really facilitate anything.

“We can make and have custom pieces on everything – even clothing. It’s just to give people another perspective of what we can carry and what we can do. All the designers involved, this is really exciting for them. They don’t have this opportunity normally in Shreveport. They don’t have high fashion, and we are trying to bring this to people’s attention and try to get them to buy things locally and not something that’s imported.”

The “shop local” movement has taken a strong hold in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.“The [Downtown Development Authority] and Liz Swaine are always behind us. We all try to support one another and are talking to other businesses downtown and try to pair with them and make sure we are helping one another as a business owner, too. The outreach is fantastic,” Larsen said. The Agora Borealis opened July 17 and is continually trying to make a difference in the way locals spend their shopping dollars.

“We are excited to be here. It’s about changing the way people think and buy and making people aware of what they’re doing. When you spend locally, it stays here, especially when you’re supporting something like this because each person in here is a person you could meet and run into at the grocery store; they’re part of our community. They are also artists, and I think we need to support them instead of buying things that are imported.” 

Tickets can be purchased by calling The Agora Borealis at 268-3011. Those who purchased a gift card last month received a free ticket. “You can come and spend that money and get yourself something for your Mardi Gras ball,” Larsen said. “That way, the customer is not only getting a gift card but the chance to see some one-of-a-kind pieces, too.”