Get ready for an exciting experience as Baltimore Fashion Week is just around the corner, and the designers for Season 18 have been officially revealed.
The 18th season of Baltimore Fashion Week is scheduled to unfold from August 8 to August 15. The highly anticipated designer showcases will occur on the final two days at The Designer Showcase Series, hosted at the historic War Memorial Building located in downtown Baltimore.
“We are thrilled to showcase this year’s talented designers and celebrate the creativity they contribute to Baltimore Fashion Week,” stated Sharan Nixon, executive producer of Baltimore Fashion Week and executive director of the Fashion Umbrella Foundation. “Each designer brings a distinct perspective that plays a vital role in the ongoing development of Maryland’s fashion industry while motivating the next wave of creative professionals.”
Throughout the event, designers will collaborate closely with the Baltimore Fashion Week team, receiving support in fittings, rehearsals, and runway preparations. The culmination of their efforts will shine through in a two-night showcase, reflecting both the designers’ dedication and the expertise of BFW’s production team.
Attendees at The Designer Showcase Series can look forward to professionally curated runway shows featuring original collections, retail showcases, and emerging design talent.
The designers set to participate in the showcase include:
Opening Night – Friday, August 14, 2026
The Designer Showcase Series
Erin Anderson – Sherman Avenue
Tasia Cotton
Shaniqua Hammond
Darrius Hyman-Sanford
The Ones To Watch
Annaya Thomas
Closing Night – Saturday, August 15, 2026
The Designer Showcase Series
Kenya Baker – Wafiyah’s World of Crochet
Laniyah Tooks
Lloreal Johnson
The Retail Edit
Sankofa African & World Bazaar
Additionally, on Sunday, August 9, a collaborative event with the Walters Art Museum titled Fashion Remix will take place. This complimentary event invites local fashion designers to draw inspiration from artworks in the Walters collection to create original and wearable pieces. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the finalists’ designs, with the top three designers presenting their work during the Opening Night of Baltimore Fashion Week. This year’s Fashion Remix initiative is themed around the exhibit “Douriean Fletcher: Jewelry of the Afrofuture” currently showcased at the Walters Art Museum.
Founded in 2008, Baltimore Fashion Week aims to enhance accessibility and opportunities within the fashion industry. This long-standing annual event employs intentional programming and workforce development efforts to assist designers, models, and creative professionals seeking growth opportunities in the fashion sector. BFW is an initiative of the Fashion Umbrella Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Baltimore that fosters empowerment through educational initiatives, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and the arts.
Over its 18 seasons, the initiative has undergone significant transformations. Sharan Nixon describes the next phase of BFW as “intentional evolution,” which focuses on enhancing its systems, production quality, communication, partnerships, and overall guest experience. Although not every change may be visible on the runway, they are critical for the designers who are at the heart of Baltimore Fashion Week.
“The modifications occurring within Baltimore Fashion Week are intentional, as the designers and their work warrant a platform bolstered by solid production, clear standards, and a thoughtfully crafted guest experience,” Nixon told Baltimore Fishbowl. “Each enhancement is designed to support what occurs behind the scenes, ensuring that when the collections reach the runway, the designers’ visions are presented with the needed care, credibility, and attention.”
Nixon’s vision extends beyond the runway, encompassing workforce development that aims to create opportunities and connections for models, beauty professionals, volunteers, interns, production members, and up-and-coming creatives involved in the event. The practical skills gained from their experiences translate into valuable life skills—helping them with communication, time management, and more in various aspects of their lives.
Baltimore Fashion Week’s commitment to continuous improvement is embodied in its marketing campaign dubbed “The Blueprint” series. Much like a traditional blueprint maps out a structure to be built, Nixon explains that The Blueprint outlines how the designer’s vision aligns with the organization’s developments and the professionals who make the production possible.
“The Blueprint series (our marketing campaign) signifies more than just a plan for a more robust Baltimore Fashion Week,” Nixon explained to Baltimore Fishbowl. “It illustrates our dedication to fostering individuals with as much care as we build the production itself. Through hands-on learning, professional standards, accountability, and teamwork, we help participants cultivate skills that not only enhance their experience during Fashion Week but also assist them in managing daily responsibilities and work-life balance.”
Tickets for Baltimore Fashion Week 2026 are available for purchase now.
