Devinto Design, a Montreal-based fashion line, debuted in Boston on Thursday Nov. 13 at the Liberty Hotel. Designer Aiste Zitnikaite showed her slow, sustainable, and timeless pieces as models walked the runway accompanied by music from DJ Skoolyahd.
Every Thursday night from 9-10 p.m., the Liberty Hotel hosts an up-and-coming designer. The designer will choose 3 rounds, showing 12 looks. The hotel lobby transforms into a runway and showroom. Models walk through the lobby, ride escalators, and walk on tables.
The unique event is a rare opportunity to highlight the fashion of the Boston area. Additionally, the Liberty Hotel’s rich history as a former jail adds an eclectic energy to the event. According to the Hotel, “The Liberty Hotel is an imaginative transformation of the storied Charles Street Jail, a national historic landmark and architectural gem built in 1851.”
During the event, DJ Skoolyahd’s music was booming through the unique lobby, adding an electricity to the air as hotel-goers danced and chatted. Photographers lined the lobby, waiting for the opportunity to get their shots of Zitnikaite’s looks. As the lights dim, the models begin to walk.
“The themes were film noir and femme fatale,” Aiste explained. “I made up a story backstage to the girls: You’re going to see the private detective because your husband is dead, but you killed him!”
Zitnikaite’s designers have a dark vintage vibe. Her goal is timeless, elegant looks that are also wearable everyday. The first round was a sophisticated, yet wearable collection. The second was a series of evening looks, and the final round was more formal looks, finishing with an all white dress with gold jewelry accents. The setting allowed Zitnikaite to curate outfits for the hotel’s atmosphere.
“It’s not as rigid as a fashion week; it’s perfect for my vibe” Aiste said. “It’s more interactive, I feel like people get to see the clothes a bit better because there’s more areas where the models get to stop.”
The former jail has lots of different corners where models strut. The models walked up and down escalators, on top of desks, posed in windows and walked from the 3rd floor down to the lobby.
A majority of the looks were black and white, but many of the looks had unique detailing or were accompanied by jewelry by local jeweler, Carla Shaw. Aiste also highlighted her commitment to sustainability, as she has been doing sustainable fashion since 2013.
Devinto’s friend and fellow fashion designer, Mira Crosby, helped at the show at the booth where Devinto was selling pieces.
“I love the material she works with, I’m wearing one of her black dresses right now and it’s super comfortable, but it could be dressed up for a night like tonight,” Crosby said. “I love the vibe of this hotel, I think it’s very party-like, very trendy, very elegant, I think it’s a lot of fun!”
Many of the guests of the show were hotel goers.For example, Paddy Ashworth, who was visiting from Texas on a work trip and became enamored with the show.
“I’ve never seen anything like this at a hotel before,” Ashworth said. “It’s mixing a nightclub, shopping, with a restaurant. It’s so cool that they’ve repurposed the hotel from a jail.”
The show concluded, yet the music kept playing. Each Thursday a new designer takes center stage. In the spring Mira Crosby will also show her collection at the Liberty hotel. The hotel helps to build Boston’s fashion scene, Thursday by Thursday.
“I was very happy to do my first Boston showcase here!” Aiste said.
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