Headquartered in Kansas City, MO, Midland sent its brand new, first-ever wearable, mini walkie talkie, CLIPTALK® across the city to Kansas City Fashion Week for runway-ready communication.
KCFW’S President and Photography Director shared how CLIPTALK made a difference across each touchpoint of their event production, bringing a seamless and spectacular show for its Spring 2026 Season.
ABOUT KANSAS CITY FASHION WEEK
Kansas City Fashion Week (KCFW) brings together a dynamic network of fashion professionals, creating a space where creativity and collaboration thrive. Showcasing local, national, and international designers, KCFW produces two full weeks of premier runway shows each year. These events give designers the opportunity to work alongside experienced stylists, make-up artists, models, and photographers to present their collections in a highly professional environment.
With a strong focus on the business side of fashion, KCFW highlights the many layers of fashion commerce. Each event draws a diverse audience that includes retail buyers, media personalities, online entrepreneurs, and celebrities. This mix creates meaningful opportunities for both emerging and established designers to connect, collaborate, and expand their reach.
Rooted in a rich history, Kansas City has long played a role in the fashion industry. In the late 1940s, the city’s Garment District employed more than 4,000 people, and it was said that 1 out of every 7 women in the United States wore garments made in Kansas City. Today, KCFW continues that legacy by helping refocus attention on the region’s potential as a hub for apparel design and manufacturing.
Led by a team of experienced fashion professionals and event specialists, KCFW sets a high standard for event production. Through strong partnerships with leading Midwest companies, it serves as a collaborative force that supports emerging talent, elevates established designers, and keeps the fashion community connected and moving forward.
MEET MIDLAND'S CLIPTALK® MINI TWO-WAY FRS RADIO
CLIPTALK®is the new wearable, mini walkie talkie that makes crew communication simple and reliable. Its impossibly small form clips on and moves seamlessly with you.
Its ultra-compact design measures just 2” L x 1” W x .5” D, delivering dependable communication without the bulk of traditional radios.
With 22 channels and no license required, CLIPTALK is ready to use right out of the box. Enjoy up to 8 hours of battery life, fast USB-C charging, Automatic Noise Canceling (ANC), VOX hands-free voice activation, and 121 privacy codes to reduce interruptions. The included earpiece provides comfortable, private communication, while the smartphone app lets you customize settings and name groups for easy team coordination.
Impossibly Small. Lightweight and Wearable Design
Micro radio (2” L x 1” W)
Minimal bulk (2” L x 1” W)
Less than 1 ounce
Blocks Background Noise
Automatic Noise Canceling blocks out background noise for crystal-clear sound in loud environments.
All-Day Power
Get up to 8 hours of battery life on a single USB-C charge. (1 day in standby)
Customize Settings with the Midland Two-Way Radio App
Set privacy codes to eliminate unwanted chatter, create groups, and customize radio settings.
Universally Compatible with Walkie Talkies
Pair with your existing FRS and GMRS walkie talkies for instant communication.
Clip It On for Range Up to 1 Mile
Voice Activation for Hands-Free Use
Automatically picks up your voice and transmits, keeping your hands free for what matters most.
No License Required
22 channels ready to use, right out of the box.
Ultra-Compact
Ideal for event coordination, boutiques, food and beverage, service providers, production teams, and more.
Swivel Alligator Clip
360-degree swivel lets you easily clip to any outfit or lanyard
Fast Charging for Quick Power-Ups
USB-C rapid charging when time is tight.
Headset Designed for Maximum Comfort
Includes headset for private, clear audio communication.
Easy and Convenient for Work or Play
No big base unit to attach on your belt clip.
121 Privacy Codes to Reduce Interruptions*
Screen out unwanted transmissions, so you only hear conversations from your group.
Name Your Groups*
Assign group names to make communicating with multiple teams easy.
COMMUNICATION IS EVERYTHING AT KCFW
At Kansas City Fashion Week, every moment matters. From backstage prep to runway execution, timing and coordination must be exact.
With multiple teams working across different areas, communication isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.
For leadership, that means staying connected across the entire event. From coordinating with DJs during rehearsals to confirming model check-ins across the venue, real-time updates keep everything moving.
“Being on a walkie talkie is important because we can communicate directly with the DJ to run all of our rehearsals. I can connect with backstage if they’re missing a model. There’s a lot less running back and forth,” KCFW President, Layne Whitehouse said.
When communication flows, the entire show runs smoother.
A SIMPLER UPGRADE WITH CLIPTALK®
Before CLIPTALK, teams relied on traditional two-way radios that often created more friction than flexibility.
Bulky designs, long wires, and uncomfortable in-ear headsets that were distracting. In some cases, team members avoided using them altogether.
“Honestly, I was never on a walkie talkie. I hated them. They felt so bulky. It was too much for me,” Whitehouse said.
CLIPTALK changed that. 20 staff members used CLIPTALK to communicate between front and back of house over the course of four nights of shows with 10-hour days.
With a compact, lightweight design and multiple headset options, it removed the hassle of cables and complicated setups. Users can simply clip it on and go.
“This season with CLIPTALK was a complete game changer. I wanted to be on a walkie talkie. I actually enjoyed it,” she said.
The result is more people staying connected, more often.
BUILT FOR FAST-PACED EVENT COORDINATION
During a live event like Kansas City Fashion Week, there’s no room for delays.
With CLIPTALK, teams can communicate instantly across the venue. Whether it’s checking in on backstage readiness, coordinating rehearsals, communicating with front of house ticket and security operations, everything happens in real time.
For event leadership, that level of access makes a measurable difference.
“It made everyone’s life easier because I was accessible. Things were resolved a lot faster because I was on a walkie talkie,” Whitehouse said.
Instead of spending time searching for answers, teams stay focused on execution.
CLEAR COMMUNICATION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Behind every moment on the runway, there’s a team capturing it with their camera lens.
Photography coordination at an event like this requires constant communication, from managing schedules to ensuring photographers are in position. When something changes on the runway, that information needs to reach the right people immediately.
“It’s good during the shows. If we have somebody photographing that shouldn’t be, I’m on the walkie talkie and I’ll be able to check who that is,” Eli Stack, Photography Director.
CLIPTALK delivers crystal-clear sound, even in loud environments filled with music and crowds.
Compared to previous walkie talkies the team used, the difference is immediate.
“The ones we used before were not very clear. We always had to deal with a lot of interference. These Midland CLIPTALK walkie talkies were a lot clearer,” he added.
The lightweight, clip-on design also keeps teams moving without distraction.
“I was able to just clip it on my lanyard. It was lighter, not as cumbersome,” Eli added.
With fewer barriers to communication, photographers can stay focused on capturing every moment while staying connected to the team.
STAY CONNECTED. STAY SHOW-READY
At Kansas City Fashion Week, everything happens in real time.
Midland’s CLIPTALK kept teams connected without slowing them down. Its compact design, clear audio, and easy setup make it simple for people to stay on the walkie talkies and stay in sync.
“It made everyone’s life easier. Things were resolved a lot easier and faster,” Whitehouse said.
When communication is this simple, the focus stays on the shows and guest experience.
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