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Archive for the ‘Designers’ Category

Ashton Anderson: A Dream Come True

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on September 25, 2012 at 6:21 am

Since the day that John Galliano created a shameful scandal resulting in his immediate dismissal from the House of Dior, I have been waiting for the next great designer to sweep me off my feet.  After Friday night’s runway show presented by Tampa Bay Fashion Week, I am quite certain that Ashton Anderson is my night in shining armor.

Romance, intrigue and magic are just a few words that come to mind.  As the designer’s choice of music took me into some mystical world, I watched in amazement as fantastic pieces of beauty floated by.

Ashton Anderson:  Remember that name.  With such amazing pieces, how could you forget?

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Brilliant Runways Soon To Come

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on September 21, 2012 at 7:01 am

Looking for some excitement?  Never fear, for Brazilian designer Rogerio Martins is on the horizon.  Known for his unique wearable art, Rogerio brings the feminine mystique and culture of Brazil to fashion.

Martins has been showcased in several prestigious venues and was recently chosen as an Outstanding Emerging Designer of the year finalist at the Miami Beach International Fashion Week.  After a peek at some of his work, I would say this honor is well deserved.

Another brilliant talent to hit the stage will be Essence Flowers.  A native of Florida, Essence has made a name for herself with a breathtaking design aesthetic.  From professional cheerleading uniforms to magnificent art pieces which serve as inspiration for entire communities, Essence Flowers is here to bring great things to the runways of Tampa, and throughout the world.

With so many  wonderful garments to be seen, one cannot forget intimates.  Rhonda Shear, former host of USA: Up All Night, creates beautiful sleep and shapewear using only the finest materials.  Challenging  women to embrace their curves, Rhonda Shear Intimates are the perfect accessory to any style.

Are you ready for all that shimmers and shines at Tampa Bay Fashion Week?

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Fashion for Every Form

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on September 20, 2012 at 11:59 pm

You may have heard that Tampa Bay Fashion Week will cater  to a variety of style personalities, but did you know that you will also find something for every beautiful body type, as well?  Audrey Pat is the CEO of a high end urban clothing line for women 25 and older, paying specific attention to those in the size range of 12-24.

Pat views her design skills as a gift from God, allowing her to help women in all stages of life.  From the new bride about to embark on a beautiful journey to the woman recovering from an illness, Audrey Pat has every woman covered.

Another fabulous designer with the female form in mind is Lapratto.  Born from the desire to provide contemporary garments to a new generation of women, Lapratto brings the perfect marriage of classic and modern to the woman who knows what she wants and makes no apologies.

No matter your size or style preference, you are sure to be delighted by a garment or two at Tampa Bay Fashion Week.

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Fashion is Art

In Designers, Events, Fashion on September 17, 2012 at 9:35 am

Fashion is about art, diversity and complete freedom of expression.  Tampa Bay Fashion Week will be bringing all of this and more with a plethora of talented designers, catering to each and every fashion desire.

Speaking of desires, Wicked Betty Designs is destined to bring some excitement to the stage.  The artistic collaboration of Nicole Mabalot, owner/designer of Punk Rock Betty clothing and Michelle Cobble, owner of Wicked Threads Wardrobe Styling, Wicked Betty Designs brings a fresh sense of high fashion to edgy and exotic pieces.

If ever there was a perfect example of art in fashion, it would be from Spathose.  “Wearable Sculpture” is the fantastic creation of Scott Durfee and George Medeiros.  Using sustainable, organic materials to create edgy, artistic pieces, the Spathose collection will likely transform the runways of Tampa Bay into a wonderful live museum.

Are your senses tingling yet?  These incredible design teams offer a mere glimpse of the extravagant display of fashion to be seen at next week’s shows.

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Unique Talents and Bold Details Coming Soon to Tampa Bay

In Designers, Events, Fashion on September 12, 2012 at 1:37 am

For those  who may be feeling a bit fashion starved, please try to hang on for a couple more weeks.  Tampa Bay Fashion Week is about to unleash more fashion than your little eyes can handle.

Think for a moment what amazing possibilities could arise when the owners of a posh salon transform their beauty talents into fashion.  Ashton Anderson will be unveiling for the first time their great artistic vision in fabric form.  As I wait anxiously, I have a delightful feeling that the runways  of Tampa Bay will never be the same.

What else can you expect to see at Fashion Week?  The House of Donshey will present unique pieces created from designer Dolly Donshey’s passion for creating beauty out of “ugliness”.

“I don’t know why I design the way I do. I’ve just always preferred the darker side to life. I love the beauty in something ugly that can be transformed into something visually pleasing. With every collection I create I just pull inspiration from my life at that moment…”

–Dolly Donshey
En Vie Magazine 2012

Known for her award winning conceptual films and theatrical shows, Dolly’s design aesthetic has been described as “Edgy Elegance”.  Any collection that incorporates leather, fur, feathers, lace, spikes, studs and crystals is surely one you will want to keep an eye on.

These are just two of the fabulous designers you can look forward to seeing at Tampa Bay Fashion Week.  Are you excited yet?

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Kimberly Hendrix Prepares to Dazzle the Runways of Tampa Bay

In Designers, Events, Fashion on September 10, 2012 at 9:36 am

Vintage inspiration, recyled material and plenty of sparkle.  This perfect combination of ideas results in the stunning garments created by designer Kimberly Hendrix, which will grace our Tampa Bay runway later this month.  K. Hendrix beautifully detailed creations are handmade and feature intricate beading, embroidery and raw details, not to mention the fact that each piece is made with 100% reclaimed or recycled vintage materials of the highest quality.

After working as an interior designer for many years, Kimberly moved her great passion for art and immense creativity into the beautiful world of fashion.  Aside from her own stunning collections, Kimberly also co-designed a full runway collection for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Fall 2008.  Kimberly’s stunning pieces have appeared on celebrities such as Zooey Deschanel, Courtney Love and Juliet Lewis.

The Fall 2012 collection features bold color, brilliant sparkle and delicate fabrics for a style experience that is truly miraculous.

If a picture says a thousand stylish words, I cannot imagine how perfectly stunning such pieces will appear on the runway later this month.  If I were you, I would make September 21st a top priority.

Read the rest of this entry »

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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.