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About Us:

 

Runway Fashions was established 2002 in Sterling Heights MI. We started as a dressy casual wear boutique with only a few

evening dresses; soon we expanded the evening wear collection as customer demand increased.

 

Today, we specialize in one-of-a-kind dresses that you will not find anywhere, including Evening Dresses, Pageant Gowns,

Prom Dresses, Homecoming Dresses, Fashion Jewelry, Evening Bags, Shoes, and accessories.

 

We are authorized retailers for, Sherri Hill, Jovani, Terani, Alyce Designs, Mac Duggal Couture, Cassandra Stone, La Femme, GIGI, Blush Prom, Tiffany Designs, Jasz Couture, Tony Bowls, La Gala, Paris, Panoply, Interlude, Johnathan Kane, ME Prom, Val Stefani, Scala, Flash, BG Haute, Claudine, as well as many imported designer dresses from Europe and other parts of the world.

 

Don’t forget; we also provide on-site expert alterations.

 

 

In October 2008, Runway Fashions moved to a new location, just 1 mile down from the old location.  The new location offers a    

beautiful spacious showroom with large fitting rooms, and a classy, professional atmosphere. Come in and visit Runway Fashions

and find out for yourself why we have been one of the leading boutiques in Michigan.

 

      Helpful Fashion Terms 

  

A-line

A dress or skirt that looks like the letter A. The silhouette starts as a form-fitting bodice that flares out at the waistline forming an A shape.

 

Acetate

A man-made fiber that is flexible, yet firm.

 

Appliqué

The attachment of cut-out fabric patterns to the surface of another fabric forming different designs.

Ballerina

A dress or skirt length that finishes right above the ankles.

 

Ballgown

A dress with a fitted bodice, narrow waistline and a wide, floor-length flared skirt.

 

Bias Cut

A fabric cutting technique that is used to achieve the most possible give by following the body’s natural curves. This happens when the fabric is cut at a 45 degree angle across the length and width.

 

Boat Neck

A high, wide, often straight, neckline running from shoulder to shoulder, usually has the same front and back.

 

Bodice

The upper portion of a dress, above the waistline.

 

Bouclé

A knit or woven fabric with a looped and knotted surface resulting in a nubbed textured surface.

Camisole

A sleeveless, waist length undergarment with thin spaghetti straps.

 

Cap Sleeves

A small short sleeve covering the shoulder only.

 

Cashmere

A luxurious, incredibly soft fiber obtained from the Kashmir goat.

 

Charmeuse

A fabric with a pearly satin finish and crêpe back.

 

Chiffon

A light, airy and transparent fabric woven from tightly twisted yarns resulting in a crêpe-like texture.

 

Column

A long, straight dress.

 

Corset

A corset-like bodice incorporates most of the following elements: strapless, fitted, sometimes boned, seamed and often laced, button, or snapped up the back.

 

Cotton

A soft white fibrous substance harvested from the seed pod of the cotton plant. Cotton is a breathable, natural raw material used on its own or in blends to create new fabrics.

 

Cowl Neck

A piece of material attached to the neckline that drapes loosely from shoulder to shoulder at the front and/or back.

 

Crêpe de Chine

A fine, lightweight crepe usually made of silk.

 

Crochet

Loose, open knit made by looping thread with a hooked needle.

Décolletage/Décolleté

A low-cut revealing neckline.

 

Draped

A loose, pliable piece of fabric that is pulled, attached or hung across a garment. Usually on the bodice or at the neckline.

 

Drop Waist

A waistline with a seam that falls a few inches below the natural waist.

Embroidery

Decoration of a fabric or garment in which various colored threads are sewn on to the fabric creating a design.

 

Empire Line

A dress that has a high waistline, one that starts under the bust. Can also be a seam or panel just under the bust.

 

Eyelet

A type of embroidery in which holes are punched into a fabric and finished and embellished using a needle and thread.

Flounce

A dress or skirt with a ruffle at the hemline, or one with multiple ruffled layers.

 

Georgette

A sheer, light-weight, fabric with a rough surface.

Halter

A sleeveless bodice typically held in place by a strap around the neck, usually backless.

 

Handkerchief Hem

A hemline that is gently jagged to form uneven, flowing points.

 

Hi-Lo Hemline

A hem length that is shorter in the front and longer in the back.

 

Iridescent

A shimmery fabric effect in which two different colors reflect in the light.

Jersey

A term referring to knitted fabrics.

Keyhole

An oval shape cut-away, usually on the neckline.

 

Kimono

A long robe with wide sleeves typically worn with a broad sash at the waist.

 

Knee-Length

A dress or skirt that falls on or about the knees.

 

Knit Fabrics

Fabrics formed by the intermeshing of looped yarn.

Lace

A delicate hand or machine-made decorative fabric made in a variety of designs by looping, interlacing or knitting thread in an open pattern.

 

Lamé

A woven fabric that uses gold, silver or metallic yarn throughout for a shimmery effect.

 

Linen

A cloth made from fibers of flax. Linen fabrics are cool and absorbent but wrinkle very easily.

 

Lining

A fabric that is used to coat the inner surface of a garment, providing a finished look.

 

Lurex®

A metallic fiber or yarn trademark by Dow Company.

 

Lycra®

An elastic fiber trademark by DuPont that has incredible stretch and recovery and is especially used for close-fitting garments.

Macramé

A heavy lace, often geometric in design, formed by knotting and interlacing threads, cords, strings or yarns.

 

Matte

A flat, non-shiny fabric finish

 

Mermaid

A dress that fits tightly until the knee then dramatically

Mesh

An open, net-like fabric.

 

Metallic fiber

A gold, silver, copper or other type of metal-like yarn.

 

Microfiber

A soft, durable, lightweight, and breathable fabric.

 

Miniskirt

A very short skirt that falls at the mid-thigh or above.

Natural Waist

A seam or waistband that falls at the natural curve of the body, between the hips and the ribcage.

 

Net

An open-mesh fabric often used in veils and fish nets.

 

Nylon

A synthetic fiber that is durable, lightweight and resilient.

 

Off-the-Shoulder

A neckline which lies just over the top of the bust with shoulders uncovered.

 

Ombré

A fabric dyed in a gradation of a single or multiple color, from light to dark.

 

Organza

A thin stiff transparent silk or synthetic fabric.

Paillettes

Large sequins.

 

Paisley

A detailed pattern of curved tear-drops.

 

Peasant Skirt

A skirt, usually full and long, that features bands of embroidery.

 

Pleat

A tailoring technique where a fold of fabric is made by doubling material over on itself.

 

Polyester

A man-made fiber that is strong, resilient, and highly resistant to abrasion.

 

Poncho

A square or rectangular piece of fabric with a center hole for sliding over the head.

 

Princess

Princess seams are long and vertical, designed to create a form-fitting shape. A princess shape dress has a tight-fitting bodice, then flares out from a seamless waist.

 

Print

A fabric with a design applied to it.

Rayon

A man-made fiber.

 

Ribbon

A flat, long, narrow strip of fabric used as a decorative piece.

 

Ruched

A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates gathering up a strip of fabric and stitching it through the center to make ruffles on both sides.

 

Ruffle

A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates gathering a strip of fabric by stitching it along one edge or cutting that fabric in a curve so that it produces a rippling effect.

Satin

A fabric that has a silky, lustrous surface.

 

Scoop Neck

An open, low, U-shaped or round neckline.

 

Sequins

Circular decorative pieces used to embellish a garment.

 

Sheath

A straight dress with no waistline

 

Shirring

A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates gatherings made by having the material along two or more parallel lines of stitching.

 

Shrug

A short, round-edged jacket or sweater with no closure.

 

Silk

A strong, luxurious, natural fiber produced by silkworms.

 

Spaghetti Straps

Very thin shoulder straps

 

Spandex

A manufactured fiber that is extremely elastic. It can be stretched over 500% without breaking and still recover its original length.

 

Square Neck

An open neckline with two right angles in the front forming a square shape.

 

Sweetheart Neckline

An open, curved neckline with a scalloped edge similar to the top of a heart.

Taffeta

A fine fabric that has a slight ribbed appearance and a crisp feel.

 

Tank Top

A short, sleeveless top with wide armholes.

 

Tea Length

A hemline ending mid-calf.

 

Three-Quarter-Sleeve

Sleeves which reach just below the elbow.

 

Tiered

A dress or skirt made up of layers of varying lengths.

 

Train

An elongated piece of fabric extending from the bottom of a dress or skirt which sweeps the floor and varies in length.

 

Triacetate

A manufactured fiber possessing some similar traits to acetate.

 

Tulle

A lightweight, extremely fine, machine-made netting.

 

Tunic

A simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves, usually knee-length or longer, sometimes belted at the waist, and worn as an under or outer garment.

V-neck/V-back

An open neckline/backline that forms a "V" shape midway down the bodice.

 

Velvet

A soft, closely woven fabric that has a short, thick pile.

Waistline

A tailoring term usually describing the line that encircles the narrowest part of the waist or the line above or below this point.

 

Woven Fabric

A bodice created by the cross-wrapping of fabric; may be in front or back.

 

 

   How to measure for a dress

 

 

Bust

Not your bra size! Place the tape around your back and bring it across the fullest part of your bust. Your arms should be relaxed, down at your sides. You must wear a bra when taking this measurement.

 

Waist

This is the smallest part of your waist. Typically it is an inch or so above your belly button. Also known as the natural waistline.

Hips

This is the widest part of your hips, across the hipbone. Measurement is taken approximately 7-9 inches below the natural waistline. This measurement is not needed for full gowns.