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Get to Know Rhonda Shear – 2013 TBFW Featured Designer

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 12, 2013 at 10:47 am

Rhonda Shear first made her mark as a beauty queen and Hollywood actress, before venturing into the fashion world as an intimate apparel designer. Her line, Rhonda Shear Intimates, focuses on embracing a woman’s curves and teaching women to accentuate what they have. She listens carefully to her customer’s needs and caters to women from sizes XS to 3X. Rhonda has been featured in Tampa Bay Fashion Week for several years, on HSN, and was even named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012.

This year at Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2013, Rhonda will launch her exclusive collaboration designs with Crystal Hefner and Kato Kaelin!

~Stephanie

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Get to Know Rachana Suri – 2013 TBFW Featured Designer

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 10, 2013 at 1:42 pm

Rachana Suri is the founder and designer of Accessuri.com, a luxury fashion line that prides itself in following only the highest ethical fashion principles. Rachana is an ex-ad exec who has stressed the importance of ethics in consumerism. She believes that our spending habits have a much larger impact on the world around us than we realize, and encourages socially responsible spending. Rachana has worked hard to put the spotlight on the issue of human/labor trafficking and even dedicates a portion of Accessuri’s profits to ending human/labor trafficking. She founded Accessuri.com to prove that designing socially responsible clothing does not mean sacrificing style and luxury.

  1. What does fashion mean to you? Fashion to me is more about how I feel about myself. That means how an outfit can bring out my personality, or remind me of places I have visited. I do not like brand names just for the name; I do enjoy anything that is well-made, timeless, and fashionable. My favorite pieces are from traveling around Europe; I have pieces that are still so hot 10 years later.
  2. What do you hope to bring to Tampa Bay’s fashion scene? A sense of strength amongst women. I would love for women to buy/spend their money on supporting other women, our local communities, etc. It used to be that this type of ethical fashion may not be so fashionable. I want to show that we can use organic fabrics, fair labor, support local communities, and raise awareness for human trafficking all the while looking glamorous, sexy, and fashionable.
  3. What matters to you the most as a designer? I really like pieces that one feels comfortable in, accents their assets, all the while being a piece that you enjoy wearing and come back to often.
  4. What makes your line unique? My line is about being a “rockanrolla” and about being glamorous, while doing good. I use a lot of mixed materials to create unique outlines that accentuate the female figure. The designs are simple so they can easily be manufactured locally.
  5. You are active in creating awareness in ending human/labor trafficking, and a portion of each purchase from your line goes towards preventing this. How do you hope to continue making a difference with this cause? I want to continue to create awareness about human/labor trafficking. How we spend our money directly correlates to the world we want to create. You can spend your money with companies whose sole purpose profits at the exploitation of others, or you can spend money with companies who are trying to replenish the world. I would like to see a paradigm shift in people’s minds as to how much power their money has. The only way to show your voice in this modern time is how you spend your money. It’s your only true vote, use it wisely.

~Stephanie

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Get to Know Dolly Donshey – 2013 TBFW Featured Designer

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 9, 2013 at 1:30 pm

Dolly Donshey of Monstruosité had dreams of fashion designing and finally got to chase that dream when she studied under Jan Wutkowski, a master milliner. She was able to display the skills she learned under Wutkowski when she released her first collection, “Lola.” Dolly’s second collection, “Cycles,” was featured in last year’s Tampa Fay Fashion Week. Known for her remarkable creativity and theatric runway shows, Dolly has been featured in magazines such as Style-Ology, as well as notable Tampa Bay radio and news shows. Dolly has also designed her own luxury t-shirt line, corsetry line and RTW clothing line.

  1. What does Fashion mean to you? Ever since I was little, I have always had this burning desire that I was meant to do something creative and to be something great. I’ve always had the motto, “Try everything and see what sticks.” I’ve done everything from dancing and singing, theater, photography, film and even roller derby (which lasted about a second). My list of past experiences is a long one but the fashion business is the only thing that has ever truly made sense to me. This isn’t just a business for me and my team, it’s a way of life. We spend every minute of every day working toward this crazy dream of mine because it is undoubtedly worth it in the end. I have never wanted anything so badly. Fashion isn’t just clothes for me; it is the perfect outlet for all of my thoughts, feelings, desires and twisted dreams.
  2. What do you hope to bring to Tampa Bay’s fashion scene? Professionalism. I have seen a sad trend of “hobby” designers and it really gives the rest of the serious designers in this area a bad name. There is so much more that goes into a brand than making a collection twice a year and people need to know that. I love this town and no matter where I end up, I want people to respect this area and hold it to a higher regard. We will never be the fashion capital of the world but that doesn’t mean we aren’t just as fabulous!
  3. What matters to you the most as a designer? The brand, the story, being consistent and above all else, our clients. We work our a**** off all year to bring you two entertaining and unique 15-minute shows in September and February. We want you all to love what we do just as much as we do!
  4. What makes your line unique? Anyone can design clothes, but not everyone can tell a story with their clothing. What makes Monstruosité special is the attention to detail we have with not only the designs, but with the entire concept, fabric, music, etc. Our special clients and customers aren’t just buying a piece of clothing; they are buying an idea and an emotion. They radiate confidence and sexiness and we just LOVE that!
  5. You are one of our returning designers. What are you looking forward to most about this year’s show and what do you love most about your new collection? This is our third year with Tampa Bay Fashion Week. We are so thankful to the TBFW team for taking a chance on my brand three years ago, and giving us the opportunity to learn and grow. Anyone who has followed my brand knows just how much of an evolution this endeavor has been. Starting as a hat label, and now full clothing, has been the best ride and we just love that we were able to take this ride with TBFW. Starting in this business so young (19) I am most looking forward to the fact that I have grown up and I can finally approach a show like this in a calm and collected manner. I have finally figured out what works and I am looking forward to the relaxing atmosphere that backstage will bring this year. We haven’t lost the dramatic elements to our show that fashion fans have come to know and love, but we have channeled it into other areas, allowing for the clothes to do all the talking this year. This year’s Spring/Summer collection is called, “The Struggle” and although the concept is gruesome and disturbing (like always ;]), I have translated the inspiration into a very refined, wearable and fun line for women.

~Stephanie

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Get to Know Lorena Knezevic – 2013 TBFW Featured Designer

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 6, 2013 at 11:22 pm

At 17 years old, Lorena Knezevic is the youngest designer at this year’s Tampa Bay Fashion Week. However, don’t let her age fool you! Lorena knew at a very young age that she wanted to be a designer, and has had her collections featured in several fashion events. The VH2 Fashion Show, Latina Pageant Fashions Show, Life’s a Label Fashion Show, and Exclusif Fashion Show are just a few. She has also won national art awards for the past four consecutive years from Young Artists and Writers, and hopes to attend design school in the future.

  1. What does fashion mean to you? To me, fashion is the most direct way to sense the mood of the world. Trends in movies and music, and influences of other cultures all manifest into the clothes that people wear. Like people, fashion can’t remain in one place for long. Every six months, there is a new rhythm, a new beat to run, skip, trot toward, the next big thing. Seeing this communication between global influences and the works of art that people wear is just incredible to me. When seen in that sense, fashion can’t simply mean one thing. Fashion is everything.
  2. What do you hope to bring to Tampa Bay’s fashion scene? Coming from the perspective of a 17 year old designer who was born in Torino, Italy, with a family originally from Croatia, who now lives all over the world, I think I will definitely be able to bring a new perspective to Tampa. I hope to present a line that is influenced by my mixed cultures and past travels, as well as my youth.
  3. What matters to you the most as a designer? My designs focus on the woman who is wearing the garment. In my opinion, fashion is most successful if the woman wearing the dress looks and feels beautiful. The dress should fit her, both in tailoring and in the elegance of the design.
  4. What makes your line unique? I call my style a “modern romance”. The past few years, it seems like many designers have embraced a sort of androgynous tough-girl grunge vibe. Though I respect these designers and the movement, I believe there is strength in femininity. There is a certain boldness in being completely confident being a woman, being beautiful, being soft. No one should mistake femininity for fragility. My line, with its modern romantic style, represents exactly that.
  5. At 17 years old you are our youngest designer this year! How do you manage to juggle life as a high school teen with life as an emerging designer? I could sit here and say that juggling six college credit classes and six fashion shows a year is difficult. I could say that scheduling all my school clubs and casting calls is stressful, which it is, though I never mind doing it! School is one life. Playing the role of the high school teenagers starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m., or after I finish my homework. The rest of the time, I am exactly who I want to be—the designer behind Lolodaisy by Lorena. I suppose it helps that I started working my way into the fashion world years ago. Fashion was always part of my life. The past four consecutive years I have won Gold Key National Art Awards from the Scholastic Young Artists and Writers. I started modeling seriously when I was 13 or 14 years old, which allowed me to get a lot of contacts and knowledge into the fashion industry. I even modeled at Tampa Bay Fashion Week the past two years!

~Stephanie

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Get to Know Kimberly Hendrix – 2013 TBFW Featured Designer

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 5, 2013 at 8:17 am

Kimberly Hendrix

Kimberly Hendrix  of k.hendrix always had an eye for beauty and creativity, working as an interior designer, vintage collector, and seamstress prior to moving to LA to chase her dream of fashion design. Since then Kimberly co-designed a fall 2008 Mercedez Benz collection, had pieces featured in Vogue, and garments worn by A-list celebrities, among other achievements. Each piece in her collection is unique, beautiful, and made from 100% reclaimed and recycled vintage materials. Thanks to her use of recycled materials, Kimberly was also applauded as an eco-conscious designer by the Sustainatopia Awards 2012.

  1. What does fashion mean to you? Fashion is expression for me. Not expression of style and trends, as much as expression of one’s true self. I love seeing people transform themselves when they dress up or even dress down. There is a comfort level that people find and they let themselves just be.
  2. What do you hope to bring to Tampa Bay’s fashion scene? I would love to see Tampa Bay branch itself out. Not always being the trendy city with everyone wearing the exact same dress in a different color. I would love to see individualism stand out as it does in bigger cities and other countries.
  3. What matters to you the most as a designer? Making things I love and sharing them with others, using what I do to inspire people in many areas of life, not just fashion.
  4. What makes your line unique? My line is just that, unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, all recycled materials. The pieces always fit each customer, as if it was made just for them. And they will never see someone else wearing the exact same thing. My stuff is unfinished and raw for a reason. I don’t like people thinking these clothes are too precious to actually wear out anytime, dressed up or down. People should create their own look with the pieces rather than wearing them only as they saw them in the store window.
  5. You are one of our returning designers. What was your favorite part of last year’s show, and what are you looking forward to most about this year’s show? I love the fashion chaos that goes on behind the scenes at Fashion Week. There is this amazing energy with all the designers putting their very best together to showcase and it is inspiring. For me, personally, each year in September I feel like my designs go through a rebirth and transformation. I try something brand new and I push it as far as I can to surprise people.

~Stephanie

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Get to Know Elizabeth Carson Racker – 2013 TBFW Featured Designer

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 4, 2013 at 9:14 am


Elizabeth Carson Racker first realized her love for fashion while attending the Ebony Fashion Fair show when she was only 12 years old. She took this newfound passion and ran with it, eventually earning her Bachelor’s in Fashion Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. This Tampa native even went on to work as a Wardrobe Assistant at the Fashion Fair show, where she further discovered her passion for the industry. Already a successful evening wear designer, Elizabeth will be debuting her new line “A New” this year at Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2013.

~Stephanie

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Get to Know Audrey “Pat” McGhee – 2013 TBFW Featured Designer

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 3, 2013 at 8:08 am

Audrey “Pat” McGhee is a returning Tampa Bay Fashion Week designer, with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. As a former model, retail manager, and make-over consultant (just to name a few professions), this designer definitely knows how to put on a great show! Pat knows how difficult it can be for plus-sized women to find fabulous clothing with a great fit, and has designed her Audrey Pat collection to cater to women sizes 6-24. Over the years Pat has also dedicated her time to volunteer work within her community and is currently an active member of the AIDS Services Association of Pinellas, Inc. and Without Walls International Church.

  1. What does Fashion mean to you? Fashion is in the eye of the beholder.  It is the ability to view another person’s creative talent and appreciate the work and love involved in their creation.
  2. What do you hope to bring to Tampa Bay’s Fashion scene? I would like for the crowd to take back from my showcase a wonderful experience.
  3. What matters to you most as a designer? That I always put 100% into what I do for the very best results.
  4. What makes your line unique? It’s bold colors and fabric textures. A mixture of simplicity with an edge.
  5. You’ve been featured in our event since 2008, what do you like best about Tampa Bay Fashion Week and how do you feel about showcasing in front of the Tampa Bay crowd?  It’s been a blessing to be able to showcase for six years. The Tampa Bay Fashion Week team is amazing and awesome to work with.  They allow me the flexibility to be me, and you don’t always find that everywhere. I feel excited and I can’t wait to showcase my new collection!

~Stephanie

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A Bright Night for Fashion

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on June 17, 2013 at 2:18 am

The secret’s out! For weeks we teased you guys with our top secret Bright Nights party… Up until last Friday night our lips were sealed on the exact location and details of our fashion rave. Well, now we’re here to fill you in on all the details about how we lit up the night!

Seeing as this was a secret underground party, it only felt right to keep it literally underground. The Basement Gallery, located in downtown St. Petersburg, was the perfect venue. Owners Nicki and Sam have created an ideal space for a party like this. The Basement Gallery is just that… a basement. It’s raw, edgy vibe was exactly what we imagined for our fashion rave.

The attire was anything bright. There was no shortage of neons and boldly colored prints! Party guests definitely did not disappoint! Once guests arrived they were directed downstairs, where they were greeted with a variety of glowing bracelets. Attendees included fashion designers from previous seasons, plus those who will be announced soon, as well as models, boutique owners, media and more! There was plenty of entertainment for all who attended. Live deejay, Haven Industries, got the party started, a photo booth courtesy of Shutterbooth Open equipped with props, sweet treats from Visual Delights, a live performance by local band Death Starsky and our fab house photographer, Anne’ Phillips. Our party guests danced and chatted the night away, all while munching on their favorite candies from the candy bar and sipping on complimentary wine. Dee-lish!

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We would like to thank all of our amazing guests for attending and making the night such a success! If you weren’t able to make it to our Bright Nights party, there is no need to fret. More fun is on its way this September! Just be sure to stay tuned to our Website, Facebook, and Twitter for all of the latest updates!

~Stephanie

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The Best of the 2013 Billboard Music Awards Fashion

In Events, Fashion, Trends on May 22, 2013 at 1:41 am

 One of the things we look forward to the most during award shows is, of course, the incredible fashion! We glue ourselves to our televisions and gawk at the amazing designer gowns and tuxes, all the while wishing we could wear them.  Sunday night’s 2013 Billboard Music Awards was no exception. Comedian Tracy Morgan hosted Sunday night’s ceremony at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, honoring music’s top-charting artists.  In case you missed it, here are our five favorite blue carpet looks from the 2013 BMA’s.

 1.        Jennifer Lopez

<p>Golden girl: The diva also rocks a dazzling Zuhair Murad number but goes with a plunging neckline.</p>

Jennifer Lopez turned up the heat on the blue carpet in a gold Zuhair Murad gown. Never one to be stingy on the “sexy,” Lopez rocked a boldly plunging neckline. She polished off the look with gorgeous pointed Christian Louboutins.

2.       Taylor Swift

<p>Shine on! The country crooner opts for her signature sequins in a Zuhair Murad mini.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

It seems that Zuhair Murad was a hit on the BMA blue carpet. Country crooner Taylor Swift sparkled in a bright blue glittered mini with sheer panels on the front and back. Taylor perfected her flirty look with a beautiful pair of Jimmy Choos.

3.       Emily Rossum

<p>Zuhair Murad seems to be the designer of the night! The actress also opts for one of his sexy creations.</p><p><a href="http://www.eonline.com/photos/8904/2013-billboard-music-awards-arrivals" target="_blank"><strong>NEXT GALLERY: 2013 Billboard Music Awards Arrivals</strong></a></p>

Yet another blue carpet hit for Zuhair Murad! Emily Rossum made a statement in this black velvet gown with polka-dotted panels. The actress completed the look with a few dazzling cocktail rings. Who says Goth can’t be sexy?

4.       Hayden Panettiere

<p>The <em>Nashville</em> star looks elegant in a Halston Heritage gown with metallic Jimmy Choo clutch.</p>

Actress Hayden Panettiere went for a more sophisticated look in a black Halston Heritage gown. This backless halter featured tiny ruffles along the bodice and went along perfectly with the star’s Jimmy Choo clutch. Hayden definitely proved that a simple, sophisticated look can still make a huge statement.

5.       Selena Gomez

<p>The "Come and Get It" singer is a bight spot on the red (er, blue) carpet in a Atelier Versace dress with neon accents and silver Jimmy Choo heels.</p>

Paneling seemed to be a major trend on the blue carpet. Selena Gomez stunned in a white Atelier Versace gown featuring sheer panels along the front, side and back. The dress’ neon trimmings brought a youthful feel to Selena’s look, which was topped off with a dazzling pair of Jimmy Choos. (Images: Eonline.com)

Voilà!  There is your quick 2013 BMA fashion recap! Clearly, the Billboard Music Awards never disappoints. We hope you enjoyed our five favorite looks and have gained some fashion inspiration for your next big event!

~Stephanie

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Fashion Designer INDASHIO Brought His American Dream To Life In Tampa Bay

In Designers, Events, Fashion on March 28, 2013 at 11:35 am

International fashion designer and reality star, INDASHIO, showcased his newest collection at the American Dream Fashion Show in Tampa on Friday, March 1.

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Attendees dressed to impress and filled the Hard Rock Café for this patriotism-infused fashion show at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. From bold stars to color-blocked stripes, fierce camouflage to sparkle and shine, INDASHIO did not disappoint with his never-before-seen American Dream collection. Models rocked the runway to beats provided by DJ Kidd Leow of 93.3 FLZ FM.

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INDASHIO, one of the youngest designers ever to show at Fashion Week in New York, was excited to be back in the Bay area to showcase his newest collection and bring an over-the-top fashion show spectacular to Tampa Bay. We caught up with INDASHIO following the show and he enlightened us with the inspiration behind the collection: “Obama and the spirit of equality in America, especially marriage equality, inspired the designs for my American Dream collection.”

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While the finale was star-studded to say the least, it was INDASHIO’s talent and passion for his work that truly lit up the night and brought his own American Dream to life.

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A portion of the event proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warriors Project, a cause that INDASHIO holds very near to his heart. Event sponsors included the Hilton Tampa Downtown, Tampa Bay Times, Wild 94.1 FM, Maxima 92.5 FM and ACE Tampa.

Did you attend the show? What do you think of INDASHIO’s American Dream collection?

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~Jenna