Fashionista Dreams in Style, Designer Article Series, Part 6

Have you ever had something special that everyone wanted or that everyone asked where you got it from because they just had to have one like you?  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.

Shawl Dawls has become the new “Dawl” in the house this year and are living it large in their big dream of the big house at Phoenix Fashion Week 2012.  Julie Cruz and Roshena Chadha had always wanted to start their own business and in 2012 of this year, this became the reality for them as a team; they could be finally dedicated to what they love.  Their fashion sense was evident in their early experiences, as both Julie and Roshena pursued careers working with fashion which also included Roshena having a couture and active line.  Their inspiration started with a shawl and their idea evolved into what is now known as Shawl Dawls.  This unique creation has 15 different looks with a one-size fits all design that includes being an easy to care for garment, to which the possibilities are endless.  Their creativity and individuality has meshed together in such a way with their designs and versatility that anyone who has a shawl can feel like it was made just for them and the shawl can become part of who they are and their personality.

 

For Shawl Dawls, what was important, was the creation of a garment that could be easily washed, taken everywhere, could be compact, fit virtually anyone, be comfortable and great feeling, unique looking, and can be styled multiple ways.  They are inspired continuously by the fabrics and search high and low for fabrics that just plain feel good, are easy to work with, have a great texture.  By finding fabrics infused with the patterns, prints, colors they have been able to really dress their customers from morning to night and allow them to experience casual to glamorous all with a single garment.

In addition to the wonderful shawls, there are brooches and belts that can help to accessorize and style the shawls into the 15 different looks they share.  If you want something that can fit every need, this shawl can practically do it.  Customers with shawls are encouraged to wear the shawl over or under clothing and try it different ways.  There is no wrong way to style their shawl.  The philosophy and statement behind the line revolves around the concept of being a doll which is defined as fabulous women, being the best person they can possibly be.  The joy they have in this creation is that it has enabled them through their design to provide confirming affirmations to their customers that go beyond the look of just fashion.

Shawl Dawls' message is of lifestyle and confidence which is reflected in the four elements of their design 1) perfect fashion solution, 2) perfect travel accessory, 3) perfect gift, and 4) perfect feeling.  Besides those elements, they are reinforcing the idea of the design in that it is a great layering piece, it is light and easy to travel with, that it can be a main staple for any wardrobe, enabling anyone to enjoy it because of the one size fits all and all these lead to their mission of making the customers feel sophisticated, confident, and having effortless beauty.  We are ready and waiting for the Shawl Dawls runway with Phoenix FashionWeek 2012.  With Shawl Dawls you will be transformed into a fashionista “Dawl” with style, it’s your only choice. 

Fashionista Dreams in Style, Designer Article Series, Part 5

 The everyday women can be inspired by many things and is often challenged to find that fashion that works daily.  Especially with fashion, women are looking for wardrobe that is flexible, fluid, and that keeps up with the trends.  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. 

 
Samantha Patterson sees fashion as a universal form of expression that eludes no one.  Everyone has to wear clothes at some point and with individual choices, fashion speaks to the person wearing it.  No matter what the likes or preferences, Samantha strives to help people express themselves through different garments and silhouettes. She remembers always being involved with sewing and used her Mom’s sewing machine.  Half-way through her college pursuit, Samantha made the commitment to pursue fashion solely and transferred to LA to make that dream come true.  Her happiness in fashion is derived from the fact this encompasses her whole life and she can do it non-stop. 

Samantha’s fashion style is strong and her most creative artistic design happens between sun down to sun up with musicals playing in the background to tantalize her inspiration.  Beyond the design, fabrics are very important to her and she seeks fabric that proves to have longevity.  She designs for real women in the workplace that are looking for something classic, sharp, and with fabulous lines.  This proves to help create styles that are durable and will last a long time.  Another aspect she includes in her creation is to make them easy to manage.  Samantha keeps inline with the trends however uses pastel and muted colors as accents to the main colors. 

Modestwear, which is Samantha Patterson’s tagline, is defined as clothing that covers the shoulders, goes to the knees and has no plunging necklines.  For Samantha, influences from her upbringing and environment led her to identify a market that called for these types of clothing options.  In business, education, and religious circles sometimes conservative clothes and appearances are called for.  This was one of the voids that Samantha was looking to fill.  Even in conservative dress, the desire to be fashionable still exists and for Samantha this enables her to use her creativity to design inside the box of her modestwear parameters using experimentation on new design details and embellishments to keep things different, unique and stylish. 

 For Samantha, quality is paramount, creating garments that are comfortable, fashionably sexy and modest is the goal.  For her and her customers, “Modest is the new black.”  She wants her customers to be confident and feel good in their clothes and not feel like they are taking a risk with a style.  There will be more to come with new lines and more innovative styles and what she brings to Phoenix Fashion Week 2012.  One thing is for sure, with Samantha Patterson designs you cannot go wrong, only right.

Fashionista Dreams in Style, Designer Article Series, Part 4

Our perceptions are much influenced by our experiences and how we learn to adapt and embody those things we choose to believe in.  Fashion gives us this opportunity to express who we are and what we believe and often times a way to share this with others.  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.

Ofra Aricha of OfraStyle has made herself known for her ability to make your daily life convertible and flexible if you so choose.  The designs she creates enable one to see past the limitations of traditional apparel that normally has one purpose and one way to wear it.  Ofra was always attracted to colors and fabrics and at the early age of 10 she delved into her mother’s closet to experiment and create using her mother’s sewing machine.  She had the opportunity to study in Europe Photography and Art which helped to develop her eye for the beauty she now creates in her special clothing lines.  In her early years, she was already distributing her creations to stores so this experience has allowed her to build and come back to something she loves now and has launched with OfraStyle.

 

Her restart into fashion design most recently happened when she moved here to Arizona five years ago and built a successful Mobile Alteration business.  She was inspired and prompted by her good friend and partner Lisa Miller to take what she had started with one design to continue and expand her vision.  The first convertible jumpsuit which is one of her signature pieces evolved with fine fabric from Israel.  Not only has her original line evolved however they will be soon branching into to other lines where flexibility and comfort are import as well as the flash of colors you are used to seeing in her every day wear.

Ofra is focused on making fashion practical and flexible to fit each person’s lifestyle the way they choose to adapt it.  She loves the casual by day and contemporary by night philosophy infused into her garments which enable one to have different looks from morning to night with the same piece.  Colors and the different fabrics make her products stand out uniquely and there is a definite flow and unpredictable nature about the blending of these to make the designs have life.  For Ofra, the colors in the fabric have energy of their own and are important in meaning similar to chakra colors of energy.  Age does not matter to Ofra and she believes that being able to start new every day without limitations is what her creations are about.  Her desire to see others inspired and coached to live that unlimited life without impossibility and her designs of OfraStyle are her way to reach your soul.

Website:  http://www.ofrastyle.com/shop/

Twitter:  @OfraStyle

Fashionista Dreams in Style, Designer Article Series, Part 3

I recently wrote an article called “Fashion with a Cause” which described how those in fashion could make a difference in people’s lives especially those in need.  What if the scenario is reversed?  What if the Cause itself can actually drive one to create fashion that in the end will have the same result?  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.

EYE Thread fits the concept of an organization that has a cause.  Their beginning came from the roots of their desire to make a difference for individuals, communities, and the world.  What you don’t know is they did not originate with an idea to be in fashion but to help others and do things differently.  Their brand which is young and fresh starts with a communication of "Resource Integrity".  This is their commitment to no mass production, usage of products created and made in the USA, only responsible manufacturing, and support of independent artists and to create an economy in the USA.

 

They have considered all their moving parts and how everyone is impacted, the benefits, and created what can only be described as an innovative union of resources and design that strives to have a unique footprint in the fashion world.  As EYE Thread has evolved over the last year their focus has been on taking quality materials and creating functional luxury collection of couture styled accessories, custom designed to order bags, clothing and more.  They want you to "Express your own existence."  The artists and designers they work with have that chance and they encourage their customers to embrace that philosophy as well.  They are a brand the "celebrates the history of fashion."  Every piece comes from the soul and has the spirit of change built into it. 

Through their efforts, EYE Thread has included in their core structure, the art of giving back and supporting charities.  They offer their clients an opportunity to join their cause in many ways that we will discover this October at Phoenix Fashion Week. Their passion and love is sewn into everything they do as they support the philosophy behind being made in the USA.   EYE Thread makes the fashion world move.

 

Website:  http://www.eyethread.com/us/home.html

Twitter:  @EYEThread  

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