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Archive for the ‘Designers’ Category

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TBFW 2011 Runway Recap

In Designers, Events, Fashion on October 5, 2011 at 1:52 pm

This year’s Fashion Week Tampa Bay was fantastic, especially the main event at the Innisbrook Resort and Spa. Of course, I’m talking about the runway shows! Eight designers, sixty models and lots of show production assistance… all helped to create a priceless night! These talented fashion designers brought the glamour, dazzle and drama to our 2011 runway! From sexy swimwear to gorgeous gowns, the runway had it all!

Let’s recap on what we saw at this year’s Fashion Week Tampa Bay runway shows!

Triniece Cagua

Triniece Cagua started the night with some swimwear. I love how they turn a one piece into a fab swimsuit. All of their swimsuits are super stylish, but I really love the print they used in this year’s collection! Gold chains on a red and purple background – I call it… nautical chic!

Audrey “Pat” McGhee

Audrey “Pat” McGhee’s collection had a lot of cool prints, bright colors and tailored pieces. Perfect for a powerful, fashionable woman who likes to have some fun with her clothes!

Two Coconuts

Glamour, vibrant and sparkly… are three words to describe Two Coconuts Spring/Summer 2012 collection! Their stylish swimsuits were mostly metallic, colorful fabrics like pinks, yellows and blues. All of which are perfect for a summer pool party!

Dolly Donshey

From a beautiful ballerina to guards controlling the entry to the runway, Dolly Donshey’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection had it all. Dolly featured her custom couture headpieces with a black-on-black collection, excluding a white lace dress which was escorted off the runway by the guards. I love how unique and artsy her hats are – perfect for any special occasion!

Terri Funaro

Who knew you could create so many gorgeous dresses? Oh, and did I mention… all of which are white? Terri Funaro’s collection featured tailored dresses, stylish day attire and gorgeous wedding gowns. I really love how she creates beautiful necklines on her tailored dresses! Very classy!

Rhonda Shear

The word “sexy” can mean different things to different people… to different cultures… in different times… yeah! That kind of sums it up! Rhonda Shear’s Spring and Summer 2012 collection embodied the different types of sexy women. Her lingerie collection featured sexy icons like an Egyptian goddess, Playboy bunny and Japanese woman.

Kimberly Hendrix

 Kimberly Hendrix flawlessly mixes rocker coolness, earth friendliness and shine-and-sparkle glamour in her Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Love her handmade clothes, especially her shredded tops and beaded dresses!

Dali Hernandez

Dali Hernandez’s Spring and Summer 2012 collection featured fabulous looks that work for all women! I loved her final piece, which was a gold gown with a beautiful jeweled top and neckline.

Essence Flowers

Egyptian royalty came back to life for Essence Flower’s Spring and Summer 2012 collection! Essence, once again, brought the gorgeous couture gowns back to our runway!

All photos are courtesy of Anne Phillips Photography 

Can’t believe Fashion Week Tampa Bay is over! We can’t wait to start planning for next year’s fashion week! Until then, we’ll be blogging about the latest and greatest fashion trends, style tips, industry news and fashionable things around town and beyond!

What were some of your favorite looks from Fashion Week Tampa Bay?

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Runway Day Fun

In Designers, Events, Fashion on October 4, 2011 at 3:35 pm

Fashion week is filled with fun fashion events like cocktail receptions, red carpet premieres and soirees… but what makes fashion week so fab is runway day! It’s the heart of the event! The runway show is a celebration of Tampa Bay and surrounding area’s fashion, art and creativity. We started the night by shopping our boutique vendors, mingling with friends and posing for pictures in the boutique area. Then it’s off to the showroom! Before we discuss the runway dazzle and drama, let’s look back at the pre-show festivities.

But first… a big thank you to our boutique vendors for the pre-show fun!

Art Institute of Tampa

Audi

Hats R Back

Lord’s Jester

Making Strides

International Academy of Design and Technology

Ivanka Ska Shoes

Shoes for the Cure

Stella & Dot

Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine

tbt*

VERTICAL Tampa Bay

Yelp

All photos are courtesy of Anne Phillips Photography.

Check out all the pictures here!

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Everyone Loves the Beach & Two Coconuts Swimwear

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on September 23, 2011 at 9:05 am

Join us as we welcome Renee Scarborough, owner of Two Coconuts, to Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011!

Two Coconuts brings sophistication and comfort to all your swim wear and resort wear. Renee, a native of St. Pete, understood how uncomfortable and ill-fitting swim suits could be, because of this she began creating her own designs for herself. Soon her friends began asking for swim suits and sun dresses for themselves, bringing to life Two Coconuts Swimwear. For 15 years, Renee has been creating her custom swim wear that can be worn by all woman. Two Coconuts has a wide selection of swim suits, from bikinis, tankinis and one pieces, with tons of prints to choose from!

Renee’s debut at Fashion Week will surely take the audience back to their summer days on the beach with her beautiful designs of swim wear and sun dresses! Can’t wait to see what she brings to the runways tonight – see you there!

~Yolanda

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The Treasures of Kimberly Hendrix

In Designers on September 23, 2011 at 5:30 am

We’re glad to have Kimberly Hendrix back on the Fashion Week Tampa Bay runway! Last year’s collection left a lasting impression on all of us, and we sure can’t wait to feel-it, see-it and shop-it all over again! But before that, let’s get to know Kimberly a little more.

Meet Kimberly

She started her creative career as an interior designer. Then in 2007 she decided to expand her design talents, vintage passion and seamstress skills into fashion design. Since she’s made the decision to move forward with her passions for design, she has done some of the following:

Co-design a full runway collection for Fall 2008 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Appear as herself on the TLC reality series Bikini or Bust

Season 8 Project Runway casting finalist

Celebrities like Zooey Deschanel, Courtney Love and Juliet Lewis have worn her work

Featured in fashion spreads for Ocean, Glitterati, LA Direct, Icon, 944, Fantastic, Bambi, S Magazine, Vertical, and Blackbook – to name just a few

Signature Style

K. Hendrix creations are handmade pieces with intricate beading, embroidery, raw edges and meticulous detailing. Every item in her collections are created from high end, 100% reclaimed or recycled vintage materials. She’s known for re-using vintage materials and creating one-of-a-kind treasures.

Favorite Piece

Love both of these looks – especially the gold sequin pants with the black blazer!

Three words to describe her designs…

Vintage-inspired, glamorous and trendy

Looking Back

Let’s look back at her work and showcases in previous years of Fashion Week Tampa Bay!

Be sure to check out Kimberly Hendrix in Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2011, where she will be showcasing her latest treasures tonight!! See you there!

Click here to learn more about Kimberly Hendrix.

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A.P.M. Images Hits The Runway

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on September 22, 2011 at 3:33 pm

Tampa Bay Fashion Week is thrilled to welcome back Audrey “Pat” McGhee, CEO of A.P.M. Images, as one of this year’s featured designers. Her urban couture women’s line is designed for those who want to blend boldness with feminine beauty. With over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, Pat uses her God-given gifts to work with women from their most extraordinary or nominal points in life and everywhere in between.

In addition to creating fabulous ensembles, Ms. McGhee also serves as the Fashion Editor for Power Broker Magazine in addition to volunteering her time to the community working with youth and being involved in service projects.

Pat’s talent is the fashionable inspiration for trendsetters as well as movers and shakers who are looking for unique, classy appeal. With focus on individual body size, and specifically honed in on the difficult to find forgotten sizes (12-24), her designs appeal to the everyday woman. After many previous runway hits at Tampa Bay Fashion Week, we are eagerly anticipating what’s yet to come!

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Essence Flowers Brings Couture to TBFW 2011

In Designers, Fashion on September 22, 2011 at 4:35 am

Essence Flowers will be joining us again this year and we can’t wait to see her designs tonight! She’s no stranger to the runway or to Fashion Week Tampa Bay as we welcome her for the fourth year in a row, but just in case she’s a stranger to you (where have you been?)…Before we enjoy another wonderful Essence Flowers runway show, let’s get to know her a little more! Read below to learn some fun facts about fashion designer, Essence Flowers.

Meet Essence

Since Essence graduated from Tampa’s International Academy of Design and Technology, she has had a successful career in fashion. Her work ethic and design talent have led her to creating magnificent pieces of art. Essence wears many hats including:

Consultant in Tampa

Buyer in St. Petersburg

Pre-Fashion Week participant in New York City

Force behind an up-and-coming label in Atlanta

Swimwear and uniform designer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleaders for their 2010 and 2011 seasons

Signature Style

Her designs are elicit art and visual controversy with a hint of sex appeal. Best known for her gorgeous couture dresses and glamorous swimwear. Essence Flowers designs are nothing short of remarkable!

Favorite Piece

I love all of the couture dresses below, but my favorite is the royal purple dress in the middle!

Three words to describe her designs…

Remarkable, elegant and artistic

What can we expect this year from Essence?

For Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2011, Essence will take attendees on a journey back to her couture roots for her set, IMPERFECTIONS. You can totally expect high fashion couture that is breathtaking and artistic!

Looking Back

Let’s look back at her previous collections showcased at Fashion Week Tampa Bay!

We invite you to experience the couture movement that is Essence Flowers on Friday, Sept 23 at Innisbrook Resort and Spa. Be sure to get your tickets while they last! Get tickets here.

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Swanky Soiree on the Fashion Week Calendar

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on September 21, 2011 at 1:24 pm


Swanky Soiree 2011 is an official event of Fashion Week Tampa Bay, and their name truly does say it all – it will be another Swanky Soiree!

Amazing restaurants, chefs and vendors are all part of this year’s event as well as fashion designer, Alla-K and fine artist, Don Kobasky. And while you are having a dream night at the soiree, you will be happy knowing that proceeds are going to help Brookwood Florida, a licensed therapeutic group home for adolescent girls.

There simply is nothing we like better than an evening filled with fine fashion, fine art, fine dining and fine friends – and knowing that proceeds of that evening are going to benefit a very worthwhile and much deserving organization like Brookwood Florida.

Follow this event up by attending the after party at Push Ultra Lounge, and then, of course, Fashion Week Tampa Bay’s runway show (9/23)  – a perfect start to another perfect weekend in Florida paradise.

See you there!

~Paula

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Meet The Designer Behind J. Cagua

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on September 21, 2011 at 4:28 am

Living in the Tampa Bay area, or anywhere in Florida for that matter, the “seasons” often mesh into one – or two – many scorching months of summer weather and a brief cold period. Of course I’m not one to complain about long summers and soirees by the pool, but any fashionable gal knows finding the perfect bathing suit can be exhausting. Thanks to Tampa Bay Fashion Week designer, Trineice Cagua, the search has been made easier. Her swimwear line, J. Cagua, comes in an assortment of styles from one piece suits to string bikinis. Trineice’s sexy, yet tasteful designs are triggered by her own love for poolside fetes and summertime in Florida.

Trineice graduated in 2004 from the International Academy of Design & Technology with a degree in fashion design and marketing, along with a dream to create her own swimwear line. A dream that soon became reality and a success, with dedication and the assistance of her two longtime best friends. She was first invited to Tampa Bay Fashion Week in 2009 to showcase her line and has returned every year since. The mother of two believes in encouraging and mentoring young girls and amidst designing also finds time to support the Girlz to Women cause and other programs.

J. Cagua swimwear is not only durable, but is made tailored to the individual specifications of Trineice’s clientele – ie: comfortable and totally on trend. Her goal is to make women feel confident and fashionable while wearing her designs.

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Such a Mahh-velous Designer: Rhonda Shear

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on September 20, 2011 at 6:06 pm

When I learned that Rhonda Shear was going to be returning to Fashion Week Tampa Bay runways this year, I just had to visit her website and check out the latest designs.  Like most of us, I am very familiar with what Rhonda shows on HSN, and I do love those products. But I had no idea the extent of her line until I saw her site this week. And I am so glad I checked it out.

Of course, undergarments can be functional (and need to be), but the best scenario is when they are functional, comfortable and beautiful – and that describes Rhonda’s line perfectly.  “Help me, Rhonda” is exactly her calling, and with her beautiful designs, she has done just that for all ages and sizes of women.

I know I like to feel beautiful starting with what I wear under my clothes, and the way to look and feel your best is when you know that everything stays put with no unsightly lines, no unwanted bumps, no tugging and pulling.  Fashion at its best from the inside out!

So I say thank you, Rhonda, for making me and my fashion world a prettier, more comfortable place. Check out Rhonda on the runways this Friday, Sept. 23 at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort for Tampa Bay Fashion Week! See you there!

~Paula

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Dali Hernandez: Anything But Basic

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on September 20, 2011 at 9:21 am

Dali Hernandez is an amazing designer with bold, beautiful fashions and can’t wait to see her designs this Friday on the runways at Fashion Week. I eagerly checked out the House of Dali portfolio and boutique on her site several times – mostly because I found I needed to visit and revisit to fully capture the essence of the designs. She has everything from a ruffled top (a must see to fully appreciate) to party dresses and ball gowns.

Even though we have all seen ruffles, party dresses, ball gowns in basic black – these are like nothing you’ve seen before and are anything but basic. Check them out for yourself on her site, and you will see why you have to attend this year’s Fashion Week Tampa Bay to see Dali Hernandez and her designs on the runway. You will be glad you did.

Here’s to another beautiful night of fashions,

~Paula

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