Fashionista Dreams in Style, Designer Article Series, Part 2

Couture, Couture, Couture – I gotta have me some Couture!!!  There is definitely a theme in the world of Fashion and Couture is definitely one of them.  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.

Italia Rocks Couture founded and created by Natalia Acosta is a vision of her life since she could remember.  Nothing else has fulfilled her life more than living, breathing, and doing fashion since her earliest memories.  It dominates who she is; what she does daily and actually happens everywhere for her.  Natalia is inspired all the time by colors, pictures, views, fabrics and more.  She fancies no particular fabric and will work with anything from lace, silk and more.

Natalia moved from Mexico and went to college here to develop the knowledge she needed to bring her version of fashion to everyone.  Designers such as Valentino and others who have carried the torch for Couture looks, have influenced Natalia along the journey of her fashion evolution.  What Couture means to Natalia is having that creative freedom to design uniquely so that you can feel different wearing one of her fashionable creations.  The hand craftsmanship and the quality of the creation are important.  Her specialty of course, is the long flowing gowns and dresses that can adorn any red carpet with such glamour that those who choose her fashions will “feel like a Queen” or “a million dollar woman” as they walk down that aisle, runway, or any other platform.

Ultimately, Natalia hopes and dreams that Italia Rock Couture fashions will be worn by the hippest celebrities on the Red Carpet at the Golden Globes, Oscars and become common celebrity wear still with the uniqueness she brands her creations with.  For individuals considering similar pursuits, she says the key to being successful is to be first true to yourself, be passionate about what you do, put all your efforts in everything you do, no matter what it is as long as you are doing what makes you happy.  As an artist you should feed your soul and doing what you love is really what it is about.  Natalia is making others feel special in only the way she can through her love…Italia Rocks Couture!!!

Website:  http://www.italiarockscouture.com

Twitter:  @italiacouture11

 

Fashionista Dreams in Style, Designer Article Series, Part 1

Fashion is not just a word or a description or a piece of clothing or an event.  For many it is life…and a way of life.  I have the extraordinary opportunity to share with you, a little part of something bigger than just an industry.  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.

Bri Seeley can be described as classic, quality, and fashionable.  All of these descriptions are exactly what she portrays in her designs as well as branding.  Her desire to create fashion and design started back to her earliest memories of when her Grandmother taught her how to sew.  There was no specific starting point or deciding point on her path, it was just always known to Bri that she would be in fashion.  Her first major design project turned out to be her Junior Year Prom Dress which comprised of Silver Satin, a train and off shoulder or one shoulder design she had professionally made.  When starting out, Bri realized that through just jumping in and sewing her creations was the easiest way to determine what worked and what didn’t.  Mistakes were part of the process to design and improve the designs.  From design to creation, Bri’s experience defines a six to eight week process and potentially more where custom designs come into play.

Bri’s idea of quality consists of two major items that she looks for immediately – 1) fabric content of the best quality and 2) construction quality in how the design is made.  Her favorite fabrics revolve around silk, cotton, and rayon.  Besides quality, the areas that matter most to Bri as a fashion designer are the items being made/manufactured completely in the USA and that the garments are designed to reflect femininity.  In Bri’s design practices, she absolutely would rather go straight to sewing a design and figuring out the appropriate modifications to make it work versus sketching out the entire design first.  Bri attributes gaining some of the best experience from her schooling and work abroad in Italy.  Two years of education and experience in Florence, Italy helped to shape Bri’s thought process and eventual decision to design in the manner she does.  Advice she wanted to share for up and coming designers just breaking into the industry is the importance of networking.  It is often times, not only what you know but who you know that can actually help make the difference in getting your brand recognized.

The inspiration for many of the designs comes from nature and historical vintage fashion.  Through this, the intent of the line is to really reflect the quality, classic looks, and then designs which are outside of the trends and stand uniquely on their own as well as being able to cross seasons and last for multiple years.  Including the fabrics of silk, cotton, and rayon, wool ends up being one of the other favorite fabrics she loves to use in the designs.  Her creations are art and she is truly an artist with a blank canvas when she starts to develop her designs.   Bri’s passion comes across strong and vivid with that feminine side being a uniquely embellished to make you appreciate the movements she creates in all her designs.

 

One cannot deny that Bri’s clothing line is special and she is going to create waves on the runway.  Looking forward to seeing more of the designs and having the opportunity to highlight and bring exposure to the Bri Seeley brand.

Photography by Shawn Kinney

Website:  http://www.briseeley.com/ , Twitter:  @BriSeeley

Hot, Bold, and Beautiful…Style in Action

If you want to talk about transformations, this years Phoenix Fashion Week is going to be on top with all the incredible designers being brought into the mix.  Here's the recap of the event on Thursday, June 21, 2012.

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Last week, not only was the heat on in Miami with the NBA Finals, but it ruled the space at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix on June 21, 2012 with the fashionistas out in style and the paparazzi photographers out to cover the next big announcement from Phoenix Fashion Week – Emerging Designers 2012!!  The excitement and the energy were strong as the anticipation built up in the pre-event gathering where heavy networking, pictures, and people watching took place.  There were designers, jewelers, and other fashionable attendees everywhere you looked. 

In their normal guided pace, Phoenix Fashion Week kept the crowd on its toes waiting until everything was just right and the moment the doors opened there was the frenzy to get to the right position to have the best views.  The Founder’s Room was the site where all would take place on this lovely night.  As always, there is plenty of media, fans, support, family and friends in the audience and it was standing room only once everyone was allowed into the room.  The organizers for the event began the night with the introductions and Brian Hill, Executive Director for Phoenix Fashion Week,  took his place at the helm and started the show. 

I always get goose bumps at these times as you are in place where history is being made with these types of events.  You get to see the past accomplishments and then begin to see the vision for the year and into the future at these times.  Brian did not disappoint anyone.   He started off making sure everyone was seated and began discussing , “The Experiment”.   More to come on that later.  A great message was delivered from the main sponsor for Phoenix Fashion Week, Balluun Inc. , who has developed a business collaboration and commerce network to rival all others.  They are very excited to be involved with these events and you will see more of them. 

Now to the highlights - the introductions of the emerging designers:    1) Bri Seeley was out the gate first with a blue and white flowing dress, 2) ENVY sauntered into the room with a black and white block design outfit that was bold, 3) EYE Thread rocked a very versatile, patterned, and lovely creation that just exuded confidence,  4) Italia Rocks Couture strutted with the classic chic long black dress couture style, 5) JHaus entered with a dynamic model wearing an innovative open back design, 6) Living Dreams shared a great message and the look and feel of paradise with the blue hue T-Shirt, 7) Ofra Style walked into what seemed like their fan club of support with an incredibly comfortable styled jumpsuit that has versatility, 8) Samantha Patterson demonstrated that Arizona does have more than one season with the classic simple skirt and blouse-jacket style with very nice cuts, 9) Sew Twisted Designs showed why they were twisted with a nice pairing of pants and top, 10) Paulie Gibson definitely included a unique styling and colorful array for their menswear model, 11) Shawl Dawls carried the catwalk with the stylish convertible and classic styling with the shawl and pants, and finally 12) Suzzane Lay showed another way you could lace it up with the purple flush dress.

You can see the designers and read more about them at their links on Phoenix Fashion Week’s page Emerging Designers 2012.  The night was not over with those introductions as SJ Couture talked about what the next steps and the journey was like based on their past experience.  Additional announcements were made and several successes were shared from the podium.   The last great information shared was that Miss Arizona USA (2011) Brittany Brannon, was there representing for her first major event of Phoenix Fashion Week as the new Fashion Host of PHXFW TV.  She was amazing and did a fabulous job as contributing host along with Brian Hill and the rest of the team.  Looking forward to a fantastic season with Phoenix Fashion Week!!!