Baltimore resident Sharon Nixon is founder and chief executive officer of the city’s first-ever Fashion Week, which kicks off Monday. Nixon has organized several runway events featuring local designers plus workshops on photography, hair, makeup and modeling. Is Charm City the next Milan? Nixon thinks so.

People don’t think of Baltimore as a fashion hub. Why host an event like this, here? I want people outside of Baltimore City and Maryland to know Baltimore does have fashion. We have more than “The Wire” and “Homicide.” You need to come see it! Also, I want all these designers to work for phat design houses in New York or Paris. They are great at what they do. They just need the exposure.