California College of the Arts 2013 Annual Fashion Show Review
I was skeptical when I first escaped the windy tunnel of 8th Street and went into the warmth of the California College of the Arts (CCA) building on May 17, 2013 around 6:40pm.
Once we’re inside, a woman that lost her way, whom I gladly helped to get inside the building to check-in asked, “Was it always this windy?”
“Oh yes,” I smiled, “it was windy last year too.”
The art exhibitions in the CCA building seemed to resemble construction work at times that I was momentarily confused whether the school is currently undergoing a renovation. But after seeing fashionable Amy Williams walking about seamlessly around and about the installations and towards the VIP reception at the back, all was fine in the world. I should not be surprised; CCA is the top school in the world for sustainable fashion education. No materials are off-limits, the students’ creativities are boundless and refreshing.
I very much loved CCA fashion show in 2012, so I had high expectation this year. Chris and I were not fans of the new T-shaped runway setup, and at the beginning we were concerned that the runway surface looked a bit “too much decorated with dust spots”. Seeing looks after looks coming and going on the runway, I was content but not very much impressed at first. Perhaps that runway shape really threw me off. But thank God for Chris’ pictures, because I finally saw the brilliance that the CCA students possess when I chose and edited those pictures on our iMac. Wow, the California College of the Arts 2013 Annual Fashion Show was truly amazing. When I started exporting those pictures from Lightroom, I was no longer a skeptic :)
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Academy of Art 2013 Graduation Fashion Show Review
Once again, Academy of Art 2013 Graduation Fashion Show packed serious heat of emerging talents last Thursday, May 9 at The Palace of Fine Arts Theater. When I first found out about the venue, I was half-hoping the runway would be outdoor. Wouldn’t that be gorgeous? But then I returned from my fantasy thinking when I realized just how complicated it would be to set up an outdoor show :) That being said, this year’s production is the largest the university has ever made. Still clutching to its grip as the “ground zero” of SF Bay Area fashion talent generator, Academy of Art’s newest graduates showed their teeth in diverse range of fabrics and outfits. Compared to last year’s, I saw more varieties (more menswear!) and personal favorites overall.
This year, the Academy of Art University Honorary Doctorates title are awarded to Maz Azria and Lubov Azria from BCBG Max Azria Group (pictured right). H.R.H. Pricess Reema Bandar Al-Saud’s Saudi Project also returned this year; the stunning results were featured as the show opener.
Thank you my husband Chris for all the wonderful pictures. Perhaps it’s worth almost being kicked off by the burly security people. Please click on the picture once and wait a moment in order to bring up the selected designer’s complete looks presented during the Academy of Art 2013 Graduation Fashion Show. Without further ado, these are the collections presented on Academy of Art 2013 Graduation Fashion Show.
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March 2013 Japan Trip Teaser: A (Long) Summary
I love traveling even though I don’t get to do it often, especially going overseas to other countries. When you travel less with a mindset of a tourist and more with a mindset of an explorer, the experience simply opens you. It makes you invigorated and inspired, ready to see things both expected and surprising. Before March, 4 years has passed since my last overseas trip. After my March 2013 Japan trip, I pray that I will get to travel more often. You really miss out a great deal when you don’t travel and experience things. Trust me.
Amongst all countries in the world, I love Japan. Perhaps not as a country I choose to live in, but a country whose way of life, culture, and technology I admire so much. Before our March 2013 Japan trip, it had been 7 years since I first visited Japan. It was only 5 days, but since then I was patiently waiting for a chance to visit that amazing country, this time with the love of my life (you know who). As always, but maybe more so this time, he took gorgeous pictures that I am very excited to share with you.
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UC Davis Threads in Motion Review
UC Davis Fashion and Design Society (FADS) held “Threads in Motion” spring fashion show at SOMArts Cultural Center on April 28, 2013. 15 mini-collections from student designers, consisting of 4-6 looks each were presented on the runway. While I’m happy that the student-run FADS provides the medium and means for these students to take 10 weeks to create their Signature Fashion Collection at UC Davis Threads in Motion fashion show that expresses their own design aesthetics, I was underwhelmed with the overall results.
There are three mini-collections that I love, but I believe UC-Davis students have their work cut out for them if they’d like to be on similar level as AIC-San Francisco, California College of the Arts, or Academy of Arts students. The concepts and story behind their collections are beautiful, however the execution level leaves a lot to be desired.
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Silvia Arguello on NBC’s Fashion Star and Her Upcoming Rosa Clandestino Online Shop
I have been a fan of NBC’s Fashion Star. I think the premise is brilliant and progressive; not only it gives the featured designers a great dose of exposure, it also builds immediate shopping impulse for the featured retailers.
Tonight on NBC’s Fashion Star (Season 2, Episode 8), my favorite Silvia Arguello was shockingly eliminated*. A Milanese fashion designer and Vogue Italia favorite, Silvia has made her mark on this season as the highest seller on the show ($905K record sales for NBC’s Fashion Star Season 1 and 2, successfully selling to all three retailers: Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Express). Here, she discusses her shocking elimination, experience thus far, and positive outlook to launch her prestigious Paris-based clothing line Rosa Clandestino in the US market through the upcoming launch of her global e-commerce store.
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Curtsy for Cheay Rochelle’s Fall/Winter 2013 Collection
First of all, let me apologize for nearly two months of no blog updates. I will explain that on the next blog post. For now, I want to express my admiration to Cheay Rochelle’s Fall/Winter 2013 Collection, aptly titled Victorian Nobility. The clean lines and tapestry print cleanly brings out the vintage romance feel in the garments’ modern structures.
With Victorian Nobility, Ms. Rochelle wants to take us on a journey along the modern Victorian road, where New York meets Britain. The outfits are feminine and romantic, but not overly girly. Instead, they are sharp and possess the right amount of edginess inside the romantic realm. I am thoroughly impressed. Even though I heard about this collection from Divine Influence PR early this month, I just had to feature this collection on my blog. I don’t care if it’s late. If you haven’t known about this collection, I hope you love them like I do.
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The Art Wold of ILJA Couture and Ready to Fish
In a very saturated world of fashion, one of the biggest challenge is to be memorable. I think the fashion weeks happening right now can silently speak volumes to that.
About one and a half month ago, I received ILJA lookbooks from THV PR, which just announced that Ms. Visser joined the roster. So when I remember AND raving about most (if not all) of looks from a Dutch designer Ijla Visser’s ILJA Couture and absolutely loving the shoes worn on all the looks of Ready to Fish RTW collection, Ms. Visser’s works are truly memorable for me.
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Fashion show reviews, DIY projects, and beautiful San Francisco Bay Area. Get fashionably inspired!
By Mira Musank. Read More...
