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Fashion events are in full gear around the world, from New York to Los Angeles, Milan to London, showing off spring and summer 2015 collections.

So Phoenix Fashion Week is back, returning with three nights of runway shows featuring established and emerging designers, a pop-up shop, industry seminars and a kick-off fashion show to raise money for breast-cancer awareness.

Brian Hill, executive director of Phoenix Fashion Week, is particularly excited about this year's representation from Arizona designers, showing the slow but steady growth of the state's fashion industry.

'There is a shift with more people here launching legitimate fashion businesses that are sustainable, can grow, and are able to sell a lot of merchandise,' Hill said. 'I'm really excited about this.'

Here's a guide to Fashion Week with suggestions from Vanessa Gonzales, the event's style director:

Phoenix Fashion Week

7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 2-4. Check-in each night starts at 6 p.m. Seats will be forfeited by 7:30 p.m. for no-shows. Talking Stick Resort, Loop 101 and Indian Bend Road, Salt River Reservation. $40 for Style seats; $70 for Fashionista seats; $90 for Couture seats; $175 for VIP front-row seats. info@phoenixfashionweek.com, phoenixfashionweek.com.

A model poses for the Fashionably Pink Celebrity Fashion Show at the 2014 Phoenix Fashion Week event.(Photo: Photo by: Phoenix Fashion Week)

Fashionably Pink Celebrity Fashion Show

7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1. Schumacher European, 18530 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. $75 general admission, $150 VIP runway. fashionablypink2014.eventbrite.com.

3 interesting facts about Phoenix Fashion Week

1. Seven of the 13 emerging designers are based in Arizona. Last year, just two were.

2. The Model of the Year contest winners, one female and one male, will win a contract with Agency Arizona.

3. Stay plugged in at the Login Lounge, which will be popular with bloggers and media who need to charge their phones and conduct interviews. The Style Villa Marketplace will be powered by T-Mobile. It will feature an interactive installation by the mobile communications company and Samsung.

Hues of Ego, an Arizona-based company, is part of the Emerging Designer Program at the 2014 Phoenix Fashion Week.(Photo: Photo by: Hues of Ego)

3 things not to miss at Phoenix Fashion Week

1. Finale couture designer shows: The lineup includes Albert Andrada (the designer behind Paris Hilton's embellished gown at this year's Grammy Awards), Aris Pico, Yen Fashion Design (seen on soap-opera actress Brooke Newton), and Rocky Gathercole (who created lavish costumes for Katy Perry in her 'Dark Horse' music video).

2. Business of Fashion Seminar Series: Presented by the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, these workshops are 'focused on educating the community and bringing in top experts from coast to coast,' according to Gonzales. Participants can learn how to launch and manage a fashion business from nine industry experts.

3. Style Villa Marketplace: Browse more than 30 vendors, including Michael Stars, Adoire by Saba and Atiz Fashion House.

3 ways to feel like you're at New York Fashion Week

1. The Red Carpet Experience: Get your photo taken on the 20-foot-long red carpet.

2. Take a selfie: As David Beckham and Carrie Underwood showed at this year's New York Fashion Week, selfies are a popular trend among front-row spectators. No matter where you sit, be sure to snap a selfie in your seat or, better yet, with the runway in the background.

3. Couture designers: For the first time, each evening of Phoenix Fashion Week will feature a couture designer with eye-popping, runway-only styles.

Phoenix Fashion Week 2013 at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale.(Photo: Photo by: The Republic)

3 big fashion trends this season

1. Faux-fur accents.

2. Monochromatic style - wearing various shades of one color from head to toe.

3. Menswear for women. Think Converse sneakers, double-breasted blazers and billowy trousers inspired by the movie 'Annie Hall.'

3 must-buy clothing items for the the fall

1. Leather skirt.

2. Bucket bag.

3. Oversize sweater.

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