By Michael Quintanilla - Express-News

If New York, Miami, Chicago, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Dallas and Austin can do it, why not a fashion week — actually four days of shows, workshops and parties — for San Antonio?

The Alamo City chapter of the New York-based Fashion Group International is setting its designs on making it happen, determined to let the rest of the world know that San Antonio's fashion image isn't just about wearing cowboy boots and hats, says Priscilla Martinez, the group's program coordinator. Martinez and Sheila Masterson, the group's regional director, and other key members are involved in pulling together the Oct. 6 to 9 event at various locales.

In the planning stages are two fashion shows. "Go Green" will kick off the four-day occasion with an eco-friendly runway theme. The other, "A Night of Stars" gala will close out fashion week with a show featuring local designers, hopefully "a big name" and later, an awards program honoring emerging talent and individuals who have made a difference in the industry, locally. While the shows require purchasing a ticket, many, if not all of the other events will be free.

Additionally, educational workshops, seminars and fashion exhibits are in the works. Several committees (publicity, sponsorship, educational and fashion show production) are in place, manned by fashion group members and other volunteers who turned out for a recent meeting at the International Academy of Design and Technology that offers a fashion program.

"With three months to go, we've got the wheels turning," Martinez says about the fall event. "We have a lot of talent here and this talent needs to be cultivated. People grow up here, learn here and train here. They go off and do big things in New York and Europe. And they tend to come back to San Antonio and bring their art back with them. San Antonio is where we want them to make their mark as well and having a fashion week will show that we do have a lot to offer."

For more information and to volunteer email fgisanantonio@gmail.com and check in at http://sanantonio.fgi.org