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Posts Tagged ‘tampa bay fashion week’

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Get to Know Sandra Hagen – 2013 TBFW Featured Designer

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 13, 2013 at 12:49 pm


Today marks the first day of Tampa Bay Fashion Week 2013 and we’re kicking off at International Plaza and Bay Street! Be sure to click here to view the day’s schedule of events!

While we’re celebrating the launch of Fashion Week, we’d also like to take a moment to introduce you to Sandra Hagen, a Colombian born designer, and one of the first designers ever featured in Tampa Bay Fashion Week! Sandra graduated in Fashion Design from the International Academy of Design and Technology in Tampa and went on to intern at LUCA LUCA before designing her own line. She finds the perfect balance of feminine and vintage in her designs and ensures that each piece is perfectly crafted. Family is extremely important to Sandra, who makes sure to find a balance between her career as a designer and her family.

  1. What does fashion mean to you? After my family, fashion is my life and my passion. I live and breathe fashion every day. It is what I do.
  2. What do you hope to bring to Tampa Bay’s Fashion scene? I hope to bring beautiful, wearable, comfortable designs that the women of Tampa Bay can see themselves wearing. Wearing my pieces not only for very special occasions, but for everyday life.
  3. What matters to you the most as a designer? What matters to me most is making sure that my customers get something that is well-made and with a great fit.
  4. What makes your line unique? Details and fit are what makes my line unique.
  5. You have experienced living in many different cultures. How have these cultures had an influence on your designs? Living in different cultures has opened the doors for me to see how the women in different cultures dress. It has enhanced my skills and opened the world of possibilities as far as working with details, colors, textures, and shapes.

~Stephanie

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Calling All Tampa Bay Fashion Lovers!

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Updates on September 13, 2013 at 2:44 am

TBFW Pic

Want to win “Tweet Seats” to Tampa Bay Fashion Week’s Designer Runway Shows?

Then share photos of what Tampa Bay style means to you on Twitter and Instagram. Upload your best fashion look or favorite city landmark – be creative!

Here’s how to enter the contest:

  1. Upload a photo to Instagram and/or Twitter
  2. Tag @TBFashionWeek, and
  3. Use hashtags #TBFW AND #TampaBayStyle

The contest runs between 9/13/13 12:00 AM ET and 9/18/13 11:59 PM ET. Winner(s) will be announced on 9/19/13 on Tampa Bay Fashion Week’s social media channels. #TBFW Tweets Seats are a reserved special section of the audience encouraged to live-tweet throughout the show.

So… get out there and show us what Tampa Bay style means to you! We’ll see you all next week!

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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 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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Seven Investment Pieces Worth the Splurge

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on August 6, 2013 at 4:31 pm

Ahh, shopping… any fashion lover’s favorite pastime! So it is no surprise if, like me, you find yourselves asking that age-old question… “To buy? Or not to buy?” I’m talking about that inner struggle you experience when you find that amazing pair of black patent leather pumps you’ve been eying, but know that you could find a more modestly priced dupe at the mall discount store. Is it really worth the splurge? Well, in some cases it definitely is.

One thing many fashion gurus would agree on is the importance of knowing your investment pieces – wardrobe pieces which require a little bit of a splurge, but actually pay off in the end. To make things easier on you, this list will show you which items are worth saving up for – think quality, not quantity!

LBD

The little black dress is usually a staple in every girl’s closet.  It is the perfect go-to outfit for everything from girl’s night out to date night! Take some inspiration from Coco Chanel, who never underestimated the power and elegance of the LBD. You won’t regret digging a little deeper in your wallet for this dress – it’s a classic that will probably never go out of style.

Barney’s

 

Watches

Yet another classic – timepieces practically scream success and style. They add a touch of class to any outfit and are fool-proof accessories. Some quality timepieces can actually increase in value over the years! So don’t feel guilty for splurging a little on an elegant watch… it’s an investment you will be happy you made for years to come!

Michael Kors

 

Jeans

Over the years there have been so many jean trends that it’s hard to keep track… and not all of these trends have been good ones, yikes! So while it may be tempting to go pick up a few pairs of the latest trending jeans, don’t! Instead, invest that money in a quality pair of classic dark denim jeans. Higher quality denim will last for many years when cared for properly; they won’t fade or lose their shape nearly as fast as lower quality denim!

7 For All Mankind, The Skinny in Nouveau New York Dark, nouveaunyd, Womens : Denim : Basics, AU015043A

7 For All Mankind, The Skinny in Nouveau New York Dark

 

Blazer

A perfectly tailored blazer simply radiates success and confidence. Rocking one is the perfect way to command respect and attention on that upcoming job interview or important meeting! Go ahead and splurge a little on a blazer, it is another wardrobe staple that won’t be going out of style any time soon. Blazers can also transform into a classy night outfit! Throw one over your LBD and you’re sure to feel, and look, like a star.

Barney’s

 

Pumps

Many would say that the right pair of shoes ties your outfit together. So, what better way to go than with a classic pair of black or red pumps? Pumps bring the perfect balance of class and sex appeal to any outfit. Investing on a quality pair will ensure that you can rock them again and again.

Christian Louboutin

 

Bras


Bras can make or break an outfit. A bad bra can make your outfit appear sloppy or ill-fitting, while the right bra will complement your shape and even give you a little confidence boost! It is also important to be fitted for the perfect bra. Many great lingerie stores provide fittings free of charge! Your favorite bra may not be cheap, but it will be well worth it… Having the right fit will make you feel and look even unbelievable!

Dream Angels Demi Bra

Victoria’s Secret, Dream Angels Demi Bra

 

Handbag

Let’s face it ladies, most of us cannot leave the house without a tote or handbag to haul around our makeup, wallet and other essentials. So, why not make the investment in a designer handbag that will remain stylish for years to come? Just like watches, many designer handbags increase in value over the years! You will be happy you made the investment on an item that you will use daily for years to come, not to mention beam with pride after all the compliments you’ll receive!

Dolce Gabbana

 

~Stephanie

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Independence Day Style Guide

In Fashion, Trends on July 4, 2013 at 2:17 pm

Whether it’s soaking up the sun by the pool, relaxing at a backyard barbecue, or watching the nighttime fireworks from your favorite lookout spot, we all have our ways of celebrating our country’s Independence Day. One of our favorite ways to show our patriotism is, of course, through fashion! There are so many fabulous ways to show your love for the stars and stripes. Read on for some Independence Day fashion inspiration!

Look #1: Classic Stars and Stripes

  

If you’re into tradition, what better way to show your patriotism than by rocking our nation’s red and blue stars and stripes? Keep the look modern by going with U.S. American flag high-waisted shorts (they’re all the rage right now!), or sporting a faded U.S.A. flag crop top or tank!

Look #2: Nautical Stripes

Image 1 of Vero Moda Nautical Stripe Shift Dress    Whetherly Maryam Stripe Tank Maxi Dress in Red (red/white) - Lyst

Want to try a twist on the traditional American flag outfit? Take some inspiration from its most recognizable features – stripes! We are all crazy about Nautical stripes right now, and sporting them in red or navy will show everyone that you know how to show your pride with style!

Look #3: Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!

    

Now if you want to show your patriotism in a more subtle fashion, this look is for you! Rock a bright red sun hat at the pool or a pair of navy blue sunglasses at that barbecue. When it comes to accessories, there are endless possibilities. Accessorizing is an effortless way to add some patriotism to any outfit!

~Stephanie