Fashion Take Over!! Revealing Moments!!

~ By Toy Taylor - What a fascinating evening at Phoenix Fashion Week’s 2014 Emerging Designers event in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona. This event was held at the Toni & Guy Academy who are big contributors to Phoenix Fashion Week. This was a sold out event and quickly became standing room only. Phoenix Fashion Week brought in some fierce competition for this years event. The dynamics of the individual designers were superb! We have couture from resort wear and bikinis to sophisticated chic and long sleeved evening gowns. With the multitude of fashions on the runway this season, Phoenix Fashion Week may outdo themselves yet.

All 14 emerging designers got the chance to give us a sneak peek at their own unique brand in front of a packed house. I was in awe of the level of sophistication I saw in each designer. Blackberry Maverick out of Colorado Springs states their brand is a fusion of “retro socialite with an edgy artistic flair”. Their look boasts a vintage look with sophisticated pizzazz. The teal summer dress debuted was full of fun and girly-ness. And I love anything girly. Atiz Fashion has a real sense of Eastern cultures merging them with Western innovations then sprinkled with a dose of an exotic feel. Designer Swati Padmaraj debuted an elegant piece. Purple shirt/jacket with an inlaid paisley print was sheer elegance. I’m not sure of the material but it looked very soft. I wanted to touch it. Very nice! Jacqueline Nicole had fun with her debut piece. A fun and flirty crop top complimented by an asymmetrical mini skirt. The look was quite the trend!

Designer Julia of Point & Hue did an impressive rendition of the LBD (Little Black Dress). The simplicity of the dress was perfect by day yet flirtatious enough for the after hours. Personally, I would have bought the LBD Julia was wearing right off her back. Loved it! Local designer Lillienne Lang displayed a brilliant sage dress that dusted the floor. This design was a trendy mix of old school avant-garde. Kismit, who is one of 7 local emerging designers, gave us so many things. Sleek. Sexy. Eye-catching. Kismit gave us something to gawk at with this low-back stunning maxi dress. I can’t say anything more. Kismit is sure to bring her A-game. Adoire by Saba showed off a beautiful suede-looking olive green dress adorned with intricately embroidered embellishments. What a perfect blend of old world style and today’s modern flair.

One of my absolute faves was Hues of Ego. Natasha Duran-Lynch definitely put her brand on the fashion map. An all white halter style pantsuit with a plunging neckline was stellar! Accompanied with a full-length trench set the tone just right. This wasn’t the first time Natasha has been affiliated with Phoenix Fashion Week. At last year’s fall event, Natasha was one of 4 finalists in the little black dress contest. This year, Natasha will surely have her eyes on the big prize. Hues of Ego has the right fashion sense to be a star on the runway. Fabulous!   

Well it wouldn’t be a fashion preview event if they didn’t have swimwear on the runway. Designer Neida Hall of Charmosa Swimwear adds a brazilian touch to each piece with hand-painted and hand-crafted unique styles. The one-piece suit was fun and playful with intricately detailed artwork. During an interview, I asked Neida if her swimwear was made for the ocean and happily, she said YES! Just amazing! One designer that caught my attention were two sisters who created Rayan. Nadia and Nora saw a need for long sleeved evening gowns. Through their vision Rayan has produced an exquisite brand that goes beyond the world of traditional evening gowns. Can’t wait to see what Rayan will bring to the fall event.

I love the energy all the emerging designers bring to the runway. But what tugged at the heart strings most is how giving and caring and eco-friendly some of them were. Michelle Biondolillo of Schuylark Designs shares her passion for environment friendly fabrics that help reduce waste in our fashion cultures. Michelle recognized how much material is wasted in this realm and decided to do her part and make a change in her creations. Her designs boasts “style without compromise”. Fabrics used by Schuylark Designs are all natural or organic. Her debut piece of a simple ombre jacket white tee and a darling tennis skirt was a hit in my book! Michelle proved you can create an amazing piece AND conserve waste at the same time. Kudos to Schuylark Designs!

Misha Mendicino Designs gave us comfort in every sense of the word. Her brand boasts comfortable relaxed resort wear. Misha was inspired by the thoughts of comfy clothes not only for lounging but for running out and about. The sheath dress she debuted was just adorable. It definitely reflected a resort style flow but also showed her passion for saving the elephants. Elephants are stitched around the bottom showing Misha’s love for them. And each piece of clothing created has an elephant subtly embroidered on the back. Misha Mendicino Designs of Phoenix brings a real zen feel to her simplistically chic resort wear. I recently saw Jenesis Laforcarde and her Woman’s Touch Apparel line at Phoenix Fashion Week Spring Event last March and thought, wow, what a way to spread the word. Its no surprise Woman’s Touch Apparel is an emerging designer. Jenesis brings a strong powerful message to her collection. Empowering women everywhere encouraging strength and confidence is the creed of Woman’ Touch Apparel. All shirts are made and produced right here locally. Another local favorite is State Forty Eight who celebrates their love for good ole Arizona by making a wicked cool T-shirt line. These tees have an outline of our beautiful sunny state with their name etched in the middle. I have to give it to the men of State 48 (hand clap) for creating an excellent way to give back to Arizonans everywhere. 

Over the next four months, all 14 emerging designers will go through a rigorous boot camp learning business building skills to make their brand the best it can be. I can’t wait to see what all of these designers learn over the next few months. A special thanks goes out to Executive Director Brian Hill and his amazing team. I can only imagine how difficult it was to choose only 14 up-and-comings. Phoenix Fashion Week Fall Event 2014 should prove to be spectacular!

#phxfashionweek #emergingdesigner #pointandhue

#emergingdesigner Charmosa Swimwear

#phxfashionweek #emergingdesigner Jacqueline Nicole

#EmergingDesigner @HuesOfEgo - Natasha Duran-Lynch

#phxfashionweek #emergingdesigner Atiz

 #phxfashionweek #emergingdesigners Rayan

Presented by www.chronicbehavior.com / @chronicbehavior , www.facebok.com/FilmFashionFutures , www.facebook.com/chronicbehaviorllc  - Thanks to the team of Karen Sundt, Dasche Taylor, and Toy Taylor for their excellent coverage of the event.  They are the team helping to support the brand and we appreciate you.

Fashionista Dreams in Style, Designer Article Series, Part 9

Fashion transforms by creating an image and allowing the person to become something they may aspire to be.  There are influences that go deeper than just the look and feel.  This article series is being written to allow you a sneak peek into the lives of some of designers that are part of the 2012 Phoenix Fashion Week.  The interviews comprise of candid discussions and questions asked of the designers and my interpretation of their answers.   The write-up will be a summary of the conversation.

Suzanne Lay’s first dream was to be a Rock Star…speed up the clock and now she is a rock star Fashion Designer.  Her mom taught her at the age of 8 years old how to sew and she fell in love with it.  As she was growing up she started to make her own clothes and then for her friends.  While her other friends decided to pursue education in sciences, Suzanne’s draw was still towards fashion and clothing.  She went to Columbia College in Missouri and attended the fashion courses there and again reaffirmed her love for fashion. 

Suzanne Lay wants the image of bold and enviable style to be reflected in her fashion.  The designs are somewhat of an alter ego of a Midwestern girl in that she wants the clothing to stand out and when a person walks into a room that they are noticed and different and others want what she is wearing.  One of her strongest influences came from the experience she had in an internship with Zandra Rhodes, a well-known British designer, whose own lifestyle is also as dramatic, glamorous and extrovert as her designs.  This education and knowledge helped to shape and develop her design philosophy.

Regarding the fabrics used for her designs she utilizes knits as well as woven fabrics that feel really good and that are conforming and fitting and forgiving to really shape well on any figure.  She has been inspired as well as inspired others with her color combinations and designs as there is heart and soul woven into them based on the life trials and tribulations that have been experienced.  The corresponding theme captured is how love burns deep and the ability to find strength in your heart.  These concepts have enabled Suzanne to develop a clothing line that is romantic with hard edge looks that are edgy and sexy. 

Her goals are to get into as many boutiques as possible and drive towards high volume production.  She is definitely reaching many markets and her home one of St. Louis, MO.  She hopes her designs enable others to create a lifestyle they want to share with everybody.  Suzanne Lay’s main tagline – “Bright colors. Bold looks. Enviable style.” says it all.  The key messaging emphasizes being an “Enviable Woman”, which is a woman that when she wears these clothes she aspires to be beautiful and feel better about herself.  There is excitement and spontaneity that just seems to exude from the designs as well as the voice that Suzanne has about what she has created.   The runway is calling to Suzanne Lay, watch out and get ready to rock and roll!!

Website:  http://www.suzannelay.com/

Twitter:  @SuzanneLaySTL

Fashionista Dreams in Style, Designer Article Series, Part 7

“Life stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes.” – This quote by Carl Friedrich Gauss expresses what most Fashionistas think when a new line is ready to be released.  It’s like being a kid in a candy store you can hardly wait to hear more.  This article series is being written to allow you a sneak peek into the lives of some of designers that are part of the Phoenix Fashion Week 2012.  The interviews comprise of candid discussions and questions asked of the designers and my interpretation of their answers.   The write-up will be a summary of the conversation.

 

Burlap Dress

Burlap Dress, photo shoot was in Arizona at Greasewood Flat in North Scottsdale

Burlap Dress photo shoot was in Arizona at Greasewood Flat in North Scottsdale

JHaus brings something unique to the style they’ve introduced at Phoenix Fashion Week.  JLynn Hausmann founder and creator of JHaus always wanted a clothing line since elementary school and has ventured strongly in a direction that many would not go. Denim is a tough style for most; however for JLynn she has embraced her design foundation and opted to create using denim with all ideas originating from her home state of Nebraska, kindly referred to as the Corn Palace.   JHaus’s tagline of “premium denim line inspired by American roots” speaks strongly to the traditions they have infused their clothing line with.  Besides the incorporation of the country into their apparel, each core style is named after a family member.

Dolly Jean (style boot cut, named after my mother)  Medium Wash

Coming from the Midwest, JHaus’s denim creations reflect significant influences that have encouraged natural looks and comfort due to washings as well coloring focused on earthy and muted tones.  JHaus has been noticed and is creating waves beyond just the denim.  They have introduced a glamorous burlap dress design and accents of chicken wire into another one of kind couture creation and now have become known as innovative and stylish with every piece.  Their inspirations appear to be limitless and know no bounds.  Additional creations in the future clothing lines will be skirts, more couture and even a dress made out of corn. 

At a red carpet event in LA, with Jody Carlson who is wearing the denim chicken wire dress

JLynn with her 3 nieces, Ava, Emmie, & Livie  (Ava: Flare jean, Emmie:  Skinny Jean, Livie:  Straight Jean)

Becca Jean (color: husker red) (named after sister-in-law)  with JHaus jacket

JLynn on the runway with my 3 nieces

JHaus has plans to produce and distribute to where the customers are and that appears to be worldwide.  In addition, they are adding new and exciting pieces to their ever growing collection.  With her love of fashion and her passion to share their difference, JLynn hopes that their customers through their designs see their message of the importance of having strong roots no matter where you come from and embracing them and just being yourself.  JHaus will be bringing it home as they walk down the runway at Phoenix Fashion Week 2012 to celebrate traditions and innovation like no other.