Park City is set to sparkle with the return of Park City Fashion Week, scheduled for January 25, 2026, at The Marquis. This highly anticipated event coincides with the Sundance Film Festival, showcasing a blend of local talent and established designers from across the nation. Founded by Kim Kienow, a fashion producer and educator, the event serves as a dedicated platform for fashion amidst the film festival, helping to solidify its place as a key winter event in Park City. Kienow, who has been producing runway shows in Utah since 2016 and is now an instructor in runway production at Salt Lake Community College, emphasized the synergy between fashion and film. “To me, fashion and film go hand in hand,” Kienow stated, underlining the artistic connection that has made the event a staple during Sundance. The inaugural Park City Fashion Week took place in January 2020 at The Marquis, then known as Park City Live. Just weeks after its debut, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a halt in events nationwide, forcing a pause on the fashion show in 2021. However, it returned to the calendar the following year and has since evolved, moving between various venues including the Goldener Hirsch in Deer Valley, before returning to The Marquis last year to accommodate a growing audience. Kienow’s goal for the fashion week has always been to elevate the visibility of Utah's design talent. “We have tons of designers who have competed on Project Runway. We have tons that go and show at New York Fashion Week. We have several that have made international headway,” she explained. Her commitment to showcasing local talent stems from her awareness of the remarkable designers based in Utah. In its early years, the fashion show primarily featured custom couture from local designers, maintaining a high standard of craftsmanship and creativity. “Everything has to be entertaining,” Kienow stated, emphasizing that the quality of the show must justify its ticket price. As the event has grown, it has started to include select Park City boutiques and ski and lifestyle brands that resonate with the region’s mountain culture. The 2026 showcase promises to be a standout event, featuring a carefully curated lineup of established designers, emerging talent, and exclusive celebrity-led collections. Notably, a surprise runway debut from a two-time NBA Champion unveiling his first-ever clothing line has generated buzz among attendees, making it one of the weekend's most anticipated moments. Returning designers include Heggy Gonzalez, known for his multifaceted work in hairstyling, makeup artistry, and fashion design, and Hannah Gordon, who plans to debut a new collection after a successful showing last year. Davis Hong will also return, showcasing a condensed segment that highlights his recent appearances at New York Fashion Week. New to the lineup are brands like SkyeAire, the creation of Denver-based designer Skye Barker Maa, recognized for her sculptural couture, and Nomadic Reign from Texas, which specializes in one-of-a-kind coats crafted from vintage carriage blankets dating back to the 1800s. This brand's work merges Americana influences with intricate handcrafted details, giving the collection a unique historical context. A significant addition to this year's event is a dedicated runway segment featuring Indigenous designers, in partnership with Utah Indigenous Fashion Week. Kienow expressed her intent to create a balanced representation, stating, “There’s a strong Americana element in some of the collections this year, but it felt important to also elevate Indigenous designers and give them a platform on a larger scale.” This segment will showcase multiple designers together, featuring models from both fashion weeks. Guests can expect an immersive experience, with doors opening at 2 p.m. for mingling over live music and cocktails, followed by the runway show at 3 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to shop from designers' collections before and after the show, with pop-up booths located on the upper level of The Marquis and runway seating below. For those seeking an elevated experience, VIP tickets will offer personal cocktail service, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, a dedicated photographer, unobstructed views, a post-show meet-and-greet with designers, and luxurious gift bags. Looking towards the future, Kienow envisions continuing the show in Park City, even as Sundance prepares to leave Utah, stating, “I’ve always envisioned this as something bigger.” She is exploring the possibility of expanding the event into additional seasonal showcases, potentially hosting multiple events throughout the year. Tickets for Park City Fashion Week are available for purchase at parkcityfashionweek.com/tickets and themarquispc.com. For updates and images from past events, interested attendees can follow Park City Fashion Week on Instagram @parkcity_fashionweek.