During the first-ever Austin Fashion Week last year, organizers with Launch787 said the shows and parties brought in around 15,000 attendees. Now in its second year, local designers hope fashion week events never go out of style.

"I really like the fact that Austin is actually finally getting some recognition for being a very fashionable city," local makeup artist Erin Dempsey said. "It may be eclectic, and we definitely have our own style, and it's great that we really celebrate it."

Dempsey considers herself a fairly new artist, having been in the business for about two and a half years. She hopes Austin Fashion Week gives her a chance to collaborate with designers and possibly attract business from magazines and brides looking for a makeup artist.

Louise Black, a second-time Austinite who competed in Season 6 of Project Runway, hopes Austin Fashion Week can help her stand out in Austin's fashion industry. She moved back to the city in May.

"I'm loving it so far, and I've made a lot of great connections," Black said. "I'm actually somewhat surprised because coming back, [the fashion industry] seems a lot bigger now than it was several years ago."

Beyond Saturday's runway kickoff event, designers are staying busy. Dempsey planned to head up an alternative makeup gig in the parking lot of Platinum Ink, while Black is gearing up for a trunk show at Feathers on Wednesday.

Austin Fashion Week includes a competition that allows designers, photographers, models, and others from across Texas to collaborate as part of one of 24 teams. The teams sent their final designs onto the runway Saturday night.

During the rest of Austin Fashion Week, which continues until August 21, there will be more than 100 different events held in the 2nd Street District, South Austin, and other parts of the city. Click here for an event schedule.