Syracuse Fashion Week
Inside the Glam Slam
BY Samara Lookatch ★ October 6th, 2025
Photo Credit: Zoe Xixis
At Syracuse Fashion Week’s first Glam Slam, community spirit and friendly competition blended seamlessly. On Thursday, Oct. 2, the Middle Ages Brewing Co. Beer Hall hosted the debut event, as seven teams of fashion designers, makeup artists and hairstylists took to the runway to compete. Glam Slam is a brand-new showcase where teams create looks inspired by “iconic couples,” both real and fictional. The evening was divided into two segments — competition and catwalk — and highlighted bold, over-the-top fashion, dramatic makeup and inventive hairstyles. Awards were presented in each category, along with a special performance and an overall winner.
While covering the show, we had the opportunity to talk to designer Michelle DaRin about her experience working on her Glam Slam look. DaRin chose Sonny and Cher as her iconic couple, paying tribute to the couple's iconic looks. Growing up watching Sonny and Cher, she was inspired by the sweet, happy and colorful aesthetic of the 70’s time period.
The Cher look was composed of handmade leather fringe shorts, a custom-made vintage fabric top with calf high boots and handmade stone jewelry. Sonny’s look showcased handmade striped knit pants and a vest with sleeves crafted from the same fabric. The two sang “I got you babe,” the couple's classic hit, leaving the audience in awe of the performance. DaRin took home the award for Best Performance, and she’s now setting her sights on the Style Icon contest run by Elton John. Voting begins Oct. 6, so keep an eye out.
We also spoke with Lisa Butler, the founder and creator of Syracuse Fashion Week. Butler comes from a theatrical background. While working at Syracuse Stage, she decided to enroll in graduate classes at Syracuse University for costume design, initially leading her to go into bridal and custom designs. Butler was driven to build a network of fashion shows, featuring multiple designers in Armory Square and ultimately created Syracuse Fashion Week, which debuted in spring 2014, showcasing designers from around central and upstate New York.
Butler’s favorite part about Syracuse Fashion Week is the community they've built. Many designers showcased have been a part of Syracuse Fashion Week for years and have come back each year to showcase their newest designs.
This fall, Butler wanted to create a competition style runway show. Her hair and makeup coordinator Heather Isabel (who also competed in Glam Slam) mentioned a previous competition called blowout. Inspired by this now retired competition, Butler and Isabel wanted to integrate fashion into the new competition, leading to the creation of Glam Slam.
Isabel has been a part of Syracuse Fashion Week since the beginning. Inspired by the Netflix series “The Empress,” Isabel chose Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. She was especially drawn to the show’s elaborate hairstyles, which influenced her choice of the imperial couple. For her, the highlight of Glam Slam has been the spirit of collaboration. Her biggest fashion influence is Lady Gaga — from her iconic meat dress to her more mature modern day look.
Isabel took home the award for Best Hair. The empress wore an elegant updo with a crown braid that flowed into a fishtail braid, finished with shimmering embellishments. The intricate, beautifully crafted style truly stood out — we even had the chance to watch Isabel at work backstage, and the artistry was unforgettable.
Competition was truly tight Thursday night, featuring some of the most iconic couples from Frankenstein and his bride to Beetlejuice and Lydia. With each look showcasing detailed hair and makeup, along with striking designs, each team truly brought their all to this competition.
Award winners:
Best Makeup: Mae From MAZE studios
Best Hair: Heather Isabel from Heather Rocks Hair
Best Fashion Design: Mae from MAZE Studios
Best Performance: Michelle DaRin from Michelle DaRin designs
Overall Glam Slam winner: Mae from MAZE Studios
Who: Fashion enthusiasts makeup and hair stylists from upstate and central New York.
What: Glam Slam is a brand new show featuring seven teams to assemble looks based on “iconic couples” fiction and nonfiction. The event is split into two parts: competition and catwalk. It will feature over the top fashion, makeup and hair.
When: Thursday, October 2 @7:30
Where: Middle Ages Brewing Co. Beer hall
Why: This event brings the Syracuse Fashion, hair and makeup community together.
Interview: Lisa Butler
Why did you create Syracuse Fashion Week, and when did you decide to launch it?
Determined to create Fashion shows for her lines of bridal wear led Lisa to create a community with fashion shows featuring multiple designers in armory square. Finally in spring 2014 Lisa created Syracuse fashion week to showcase designers along with hair and makeup artists from the upstate New York area.
How did you first get started in the fashion industry?
Starting in theater working at Syracuse Stage Lisa enrolled in grad classes in costume design from there she was inspired to design bridal
What has been your favorite aspect of running Syracuse Fashion Week?
The community that has been built around it. Everyone is very supportive of each other.
How did you come up with the Glam Slam and what has been the best part about creating it?
Inspired by an old hair and makeup competition called blowout in Syracuse Heather and Lisa decided to create a new competition incorporating fashion.
What inspired you to choose this venue?
The venue has been a beer garden for years having known the owner and the beer garden being passed down to the owners son they opened a beer hall to host events. The venue is just perfect. There's a lot of space, a bar and room to have food out.
Interview: Heather Isabel / Heather rocks hair
What has been your favorite part about participating in Glam Slam?
Being able to collaborate with a team and the community around fashion week in Syracuse. Also being able to raise money for the central New York food bank.
What inspired you to choose Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth as your iconic couple?
Inspired by Netflix's The Empress as a hair stylist she felt she could not miss this opportunity to create some of the most intricate hair styles.
What are some of your biggest inspirations/influences in fashion?
Lady Gaga has always stood out and trying new things and going through many different looks.
How many times have you participated in Syracuse Fashion week?
Hair and makeup coordinator since the beginning
Interview: Michelle DaRin
What has been your favorite part about participating in Glam Slam?
Looking at the old photos of Cher and getting inspired by her and her style.
What inspired you to choose Sony and Cher as your iconic couple?
Overall obsession with the 70s and inspiration from that era. Growing up with Cher and watching her show with Sonny. Everything was “Sweet, happy and colorful. She always looks beautiful in everything she puts on.”
What are some of your biggest inspirations/influences in fashion?
Elton John and Cher very 70s inspiration
Style icon contest with Elton John she would love votes.
How many times have you participated in Syracuse Fashion week?
Since the beginning
Edited By: Madison Sherman