Event poster for the 18th & Vine Arts Festival titled 'Rock the Runway,' featuring diverse fashion inspired by neo-soul fusion, with colorful background art, silhouettes of fashion models, and a man dressed in tribal and afro-bohemian style. The event is on Friday, September 25, with various evening features like designer competition, live DJ, and cultural expressions, located in Kansas City, Missouri. The poster emphasizes creativity, identity, and innovation in fashion and includes details about application openings and festival website.

ROCK THE RUNWAY 2026

Fashion. Culture. Creativity. Competition.

Friday, September 25, 2026

Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District

Kansas City, Missouri

COMPETE FOR $1,000

✳︎

COMPETE FOR $1,000 ✳︎

A woman with long gray hair and tattoos on her arms walks on a stage with a colorful, abstract art background featuring five figures in elaborate gowns and suits with painted or fiery hair.

2026

18th & Vine Arts Festival

Think your designs belong on the runway?

The 18th & Vine Arts Festival is searching for emerging and established fashion designers to compete in Rock the Runway 2026, one of Kansas City's most exciting fashion showcases.

Designers from across the region will bring their creativity, vision, and style to the stage as they compete for the title of Rock the Runway Champion and a $1,000 Grand Prize.

Only eight designers will be selected.

Two models or performers on stage, dressed in matching yellow and purple patterned clothing, with a colorful background, engaging in a dance or performance.

NEO SOUL FUSION

Neo Soul Fusion blends classic soul, jazz, blues, and hip-hop with modern Black expression—honoring tradition while designing the future.

Every selected designer must incorporate at least one Neo Soul Fusion-inspired look into their runway presentation.

This theme celebrates:

• Soul

• Jazz

• Blues

• Hip-Hop

• Black Fashion Excellence

• Cultural Heritage

• Future-Focused Design

This is your opportunity to tell a story through fashion.

A man with face paint wearing a yellow and purple patterned coat and gray pants stands on stage with a colorful digital background behind him.

2026

18th & Vine Arts Festival

ABOUT ROCK THE RUNWAY

Rock the Runway is a live runway competition held during opening night of the 2026 18th & Vine Arts Festival.

The event combines:

• Fashion

• Hair Artistry

• Makeup Artistry

• Music

• Performance

• Cultural Expression

Designers will showcase their collections before a live audience and an accomplished panel of judges.

Poster for the 18th and Vine Arts Festival featuring the theme 'Rock the Runway' with fashion, identity, and creative style. It shows two models in colorful African-inspired clothing on a runway background, with event details such as date, September 25, 2026, and location, 18th and Vine District in Kansas City, Missouri. The poster emphasizes cultural celebration and fashion innovation.

COMPETITION FORMAT

Applications Accepted

Designers submit:

• Application Form

• Five (5) Photos of Their Work

• Application Fee

DESIGNER REQUIREMENTS

Selected Designers Must:

• Present 6–8 runway looks

• Include one Neo Soul Fusion look

• Provide their own models

• Provide their own stylists

• Provide their own hair artists

• Provide their own makeup artists

• Participate in promotional content

• Attend event rehearsals

Designers may use up to ten models.

Event poster for the 18th & Vine Arts Festival in Kansas City, Missouri, held from September 25 to 27, 2026. The poster features three women dressed in colorful, patterned clothing performing on stage with bright lights and vibrant background. It includes information about festival activities such as live music, art exhibitions, food trucks, family fun, and cultural experiences, along with a call to buy tickets online.

2026

18th & Vine Arts Festival

GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE

$1,000 CASH PRIZE

The winning designer will receive:

🥇 $1,000 Cash Prize

🏆 Official Rock the Runway Championship Trophy

📸 Festival Recognition

🎤 On-Stage Recognition

📱 Featured Promotion Across Festival Marketing

📰 Media & Press Exposure

🎨 Recognition as the 2026 Rock the Runway Champion

JUDGING PANEL

Confirmed Judges

Pink Lipps

Makeup Artist

Toni Talley

Model & Fashion Professional

Lawrence Crawford

Fashion Industry Professional

Ms. Champu

Hair Artist & Entrepreneur

Vanne McMillan

Fashion & Creative Industry Professional

SCORING CRITERIA

Each category is scored on a scale of 1–10.

Design Quality

Construction, craftsmanship, and execution.

Theme Integration

How effectively the collection reflects Neo Soul Fusion.

Showmanship

Runway presentation and audience engagement.

Hair & Makeup

Styling and visual cohesion.

Creativity & Originality

Innovation and artistic vision.

Overall Impact

The complete runway experience.

Tie Breaker

Theme Integration Score