Angelina Mata Atelier Premieres at New York Fashion Week

The entrance to Cult Studios is hidden behind plywood and a closed-off sidewalk when I arrive at the Flower District location near New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology. Inside, Henry De La Paz, a hairdresser originally from the Rio Grande Valley, is preparing models with weaves, curls, and Princess Leia braids and ribbons for San Antonio designer Angelina Mata’s Spring/Summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection being unveiled at New York Fashion Week.

With 12 years on the ground in San Antonio, and time in L.A., London, and now New York City, De La Paz continues to work with Mata, traveling to San Antonio roughly every five weeks. “I’ve worked with her and her family for eight years,” he says proudly. The all-star cast of San Antonio artists coming together to support Mata’s new line also includes makeup artist Patrick Eichler, whose extensive career includes working with icons such as Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Zac Posen.

When I’m finally ushered into the studio, I find Mata’s Atelier vision showcased in a performance-art installation rather than the traditional runway show. While the approach is said to have been adopted by many fashion designers after 9/11 for budget constraints, it’s continued because of the way it allows an audience to study the designs more deeply. It’s a different but much more rewarding experience.

A dress made with silk organza and “enshrined underground for ten days” was arguably one of Angelina Mata Atelier’s most important pieces of the night, as Mata worked with fiber artist Laura Beehler who helped dye and weather the fabric to create what Mata’s marketing calls a unique “b(earth)ing.” The two buried the five yards of fabric wrapped around a rusty grate, embedded it with rose petals, and kept it wet, as if growing a plant. Once extracted from the ground, the silk organza was turned into a signature bespoke dress with the intention to look antiquated, and indeed it did, as the rust, rose petals, and leaves all left their mark.

Mata says that her silk organza gown, as well as the rest of her line, “translates into a concise ultramodern look with the haunt of ancient civilizations.” This may feel like a familiar trend, however by combining both modern and ancient elements — conforming the long silk organza gown to the body while also allowing it to flow off the body, for example, contributes to a blending of conservatism and progressivism.

However, this exquisite work was less accessible than Mata’s other ready-to-wear outfits, like the fitted, dark pink, off-the-shoulder chiffon dress; a cream A-line knee-length dress; or the stark-white fitted dresses outlined with green and pink. Mata’s tribute to color featured green, orange, and yellow dresses with unique patterns. One of my favorites was the purple skirt with copper belt, which appeared to have large copper medallions printed on it. Large, thick metal belts tied other dresses together as well, however as exciting as the dresses were, the talk of the night were the shoes.

Mata’s shoes were a collaborative effort; furniture artist Peter Zubiate and graphic artist Can2 assisted here, along with metal artist Jose Chapa, who also did all of the metal work for belts. Many of the models appeared to be perched on stilts as they stood on thick wooden platforms stuck to metal extensions — not your typical stiletto. The shoes created a futuristic fairy tale experience, and complemented the models’ vertically pinned thick braids. Some of the braids appeared to be spray painted, others were very pixie-fairy-esque, evoking the fresh appearance of the line. (With their hair down and undone, the models recalled the film Avatar.) In addition, jewelry designer Tracy Stephens helped execute Mata’s earrings.

Mata made it to New York Fashion Week with more than $8,000 in donations largely from the San Antonio community. A thank-you celebration for local friends and supporters is set for November 2 at Blue Star Contemporary Art Center, during which Mata will show the collection against the backdrop of departed SA artist Chuck Ramirez’ work.

New York City Fashion Week: Kaelen’s Comfortable Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

Toronto born, New York-based designer Kaelen Farncombe presented her Spring/Summer 2012 collection at Chelsea neighborhood’s Root Drive-In Studio. Upon arrival, myself and guests were given a baby pink program with black Rorschachs. But we didn’t know quite what to make of it once we finally previewed the collection, as we were ushered into a rectangular room where translucent pink sheets hung from the ceiling, along with tree branches. The leaves of the trees appeared to be on the models’ headbands, which was distracting from Kaelen’s new collection.

Perhaps the Rorschachs, pink sheets and leafless branches were meant to evoke a psychological, fairy tale dream, which coincided with the collection. Light-weight fabrics like chiffon, silk, and cotton in muted hues of pink, peach, and nude hung loosely from the models’ bodies. Some outfits were given a punch of color, like the cropped tee in orange silk noil, accompanied with a draped skirt in peach silk chiffon. However most of the looks included quiet button up rompers in nude crinkle cotton and a flowy draped pocket dress in cream crushed velvet, with a couple of louder looks like the pleated disco dress in white sheen ossido, and the blazer and slouch shirt in seafoam inkblot. The inkblot was incorporated into a few outfits as well.

While most of the collection was cohesive, the blazer and slouch pant in striped cotton, as well as a t-shirt looking-dress with a slit down the side called to mind pajamas. And then, once the image of pajamas struck my mind, I couldn’t help but think that, perhaps most of Kaelen’s collection could pass for pajamas: some looks were sexy, “my-boyfriend’s-coming-over” pajamas; some were casual and covered up, “I-haven’t-shaved" pajamas; and some were “whatever, I don’t give a shit” pajamas, that can be worn as clothes as well. With that said, I really did like the relaxed look of most of Kaelen’s pieces and think that the loose and flowy fit makes them comfortable to wear, while making the person look and stay cool.

Underage Fashion (and sex) at Katy Perry Last Night.

“So, how do I look?” I asked my one-and-only before heading to the Katy Perry concert at the AT&T Center last night. “Like all the other soccer moms who’ll be accompanying their 14-year-old daughters,” he jokingly replied. “Stop,” I began, “her lyrics are way too explicit for kids.” I was certain that not only would the show be an adult concert, but that to fit in with the trannies and drag queens whom happen to follow Kitty Purry (her alter ego in which she actually dresses up as a kitty and looks like a drag queen herself), I’d need to improvise my fashion a bit. I wore a translucent red top with a black lace bra, copper and gold sky-high heels, a pair of gaudy earrings I bought in Portugal, and stonewash jeans that were so tight I couldn’t look down while seated. I felt like one of those pregnant women who can’t see their feet after seven or eight months—except way hotter, obviously.

However—and how does everybody get the memo on these things but me?—I was not savvy enough to wear a bright blue or pink bee-hive wig (as a tribute, I’m assuming) to Perry last night. Upon arrival to the AT&T Center, my girlfriend and I noticed all the wigs running around us; wigs that were finished off with outfits like leopard-print pants, sparkly dresses and candy-cane tops that were so unbelievably fitted they looked painted on. Upon closer inspection, and much to my dismay, we noticed that many of the wigsters were actually 14-year-old girls!

“Candice,” I said to my fabulous friend just featured as NSIDE Magazine’s Style and Substance—shameless plug—“how can parents let their daughters come to a Katy Perry concert? This is Katy Perry, not Britney Spears circa 1999.” She replied, “Wow, I don’t know,” reciting their lyrics, “that one song, I kissed a girl and I liked it? Really, Mom? Maybe their parents just don’t know what the songs say.” As we made our way to our seats, I thought, even though I’d just jammed out to Perry’s Teenage Dreams CD in my car that afternoon, and even though California "Dreams" also happens to be the name of the tour, and would obviously feature such songs from said CD, that perhaps I was overreacting. “Well, maybe they’re not that bad.” I couldn’t quite recall the lyrics anyhow in that particular moment due to drinking a double vodka tonic without eating dinner (FYI: if you want to lose weight for fashion week, vodka tonic has almost no calories).

When the concert started, Perry opened with “Teenage Dream”—a song that wasn’t actually all that bad, if the adult in you could forget the allusion to sex, “I’m a get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight. Let you put your hands on me in my skin-tight jeans, be your teenage dream tonight.” But it was all downhill from there, from her ballad of “I kissed a girl and I liked it, I hope my boyfriend don’t mind it,” to “You’re so gay and you don’t even like boys,” and also, “I want to see your Peacock, cock, cock, your Peacock, cock, cock.” It was in this “cock” moment that I heard Candice state a ghastly, “Oh my God, she’s making a motion like she’s jerking off her microphone!” I, however, disagreed with Candi, how could she think something like this? “Candi, no. She’s giving the microphone a blow job, hello? That swift motion is a pop-culture connotation for blow jobs.”

“God,” she said, “I’d really hate to be here with my daughter right now.” Not that either of us has a daughter, but were glad that we didn’t.

If you could get past the fact that you were sitting next to a bunch of kids last night, and could refrain from trying to cover their eyes (unlike Candi), the concert was actually one of the best ones I’ve been to in a long time. I’d put it up there with Ani Difranco in Rome and Pearl Jam in Chicago. If you’ve always wondered— like I did—whether Perry was one of those Hollywood sell-outs who only sounds good in the recording studio, then wonder no more. She really does have a great set of pipes and not only rocked the house with them but serenaded us on her glittery guitar from a cotton candy-cane cloud above. She’s also a great entertainer with unique fashions and props that set her apart from other acts. I will say one thing though: Perry’s success seems to lie in the fact that, most of her songs are filled with catchy but trite sayings and other over-used and overtly sexual metaphors. It’s very beginning songwriter-ish, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she actually did get help from a 14-year-old daughter while writing them.

The Perfect Dress for Gal about the Globe's Changing Seasons

It’s almost autumn and major fashion magazines have already published their fall favorites. Yet we've still been searching for the Perfect Dress to weather the 100 plus temperatures; an outfit that is both comfortable and cool to wear, but is also versatile with the changing seasons, looks good with a light scarf, or even an 80s jean jacket and Risky Business sunglasses. The Perfect Dress-in places like South Texas or anywhere else affected by global climate change-is like an employee in a bad economy; it needs to have transferable skills for the “changing” climate, be ready for work, the club, a birthday party, and specifically a drought.

I met with Valerie Perez, founder of Verseau, and someone who has designed just such a dress. Verseau, a high-end women’s line with an affordable price point, featured The Perfect Dress in their Spring/Summer 2011 collection, Un Amour Delicat.

While debuting at IADT’s annual runway show “Imagine” in May, I finally had the chance to catch up with Perez and couldn’t wait to ask some very titillating questions about her line, such as “Why did you choose chiffon?” Perez, whom has brought the highlights of her collection to our meeting, excitedly explains, “I like the way it feels and hangs on the body, and when you wear it you feel really pretty and feminine; at least I do. The ultimate goal is to make a woman feel like a woman.” While that’s easier said than done, it appears that Perez has managed to meet that goal. Many of her dresses flatter the figure of a real woman as they’re fitted around the waist, breast, torso, and flare out at the bottom to compliment a woman’s most valuable assets.

One of the Un Amour Delicat dresses (pictured in slideshow above) is a low-cut flirty number made of cream chiffon. Like the other dresses in the collection, it is textured, and includes braided straps around the shoulder. “Each piece was designed with the everyday woman in mind,” Perez says, “with careful attention to how the garment falls when she moves.” Other dresses in the collection have similar themes: a backless halter with translucent magenta chiffon and stenciled designs; a dark turquoise chiffon dress with two straps across the shoulders, featuring flowered embellishments on the right shoulder, “So you don’t crush it with the seat belt,” Perez claims; and a similar dark pink dress adorned with rows of gathered chiffon, and a wide ruffle around the hem.

“I only want to create garments that are wearable with real world applications. I didn’t make them fitted below the waist because they are for real women,” Perez explains, “I also tried to make them a wearable length so you’re not afraid to sit down or move in the wrong direction.”

The navy blue chiffon dress—one of my top picks—is simple, but features a large bow to compliment a plunging neckline, and is also finished with a wide ruffle around the hem. “It’s a really flirty dresses,” says Perez. Her dresses are certainly sexy, however, she also has more conservative numbers, like her longer black dress with white, blue, and gray splashes, ruffles around the neck and sleeves, with a modest neckline.

About the Designer: Valerie Perez’s runway shows include The Saint, Queens of Fashion-Model, Mia Robertz performed to Como La Flor by Selena; Threads for Hope Fashion Show, benefitting the San Antonio Aids Foundation; San Antonio Living Show—Celebrando Estilo, La Villita Assembly Hall (IADT); The Beauty of Giving Back Founder’s Day Event presented by Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated – Sonterra Country Club; Great Day SA – SA Youth Summit (IADT); Great Day SA – Imagine, benefiting Eva’s Heroes and Career Education Scholarship Fund (IADT); Fiesta Fierce Fashion Parade (with Cassandra Lazenby).

Check out ChickRocks Handmade Jewelry and Stationery

When Marianna Urutia graduated from her Master’s program in architecture at the University of Houston, the recession had already begun. Undeterred, the native San Antonian found a way to use her skills and passion. “I took it as a clue to experiment and explore,” Urutia explains, “I’d already been very crafty and part of being in interior design and architecture was about being very elegant.” Today Urutia is the creator of her own line of handmade items called ChickRocks. Her most popular items for sale are the jewelry and paper goods, which are each uniquely designed by Urutia herself.

“My physical models in grad school were always well crafted, and as a teen I enjoyed making friendship bracelets,” says Urutia, “but I wanted to explore and be more modern.” Characteristic to ChickRocks accessories are the modern combination of colors and textures. While Urutia tends to stick to the same color palates, her items are still one of a kind. The two-inch bobby pins pictured here, for example, are made with orange and yellow polka dots against a white background. But they are also made with silver tone and vintage Lucite, which gives the jewelry a clean and elegant look. For Urutia, it’s not just about the “less is more” factor, but also “quality over quantity.”

Similarly, a pair of ChickRock earrings is made in 14 karat gold filling with turquoise and yellow stones, and red jade briolettes, while the necklaces in the flower series are also made with 14 karat gold filling and pink faceted glass stones. However, ChickRocks uses other, more creative metals, “I also like to oxidize some of the silver pieces to make them black, like for the Bell necklace,” explains Urutia. Her love for crafts—and experimenting—has even inspired her to take metal smiting classes at the Southwest School of Arts and Crafts. “It’s very different than my handmade jewelry,” she insists, “because it involves fire chemicals and a torch, and takes much more time to master.”

J’adore ChickRocks jewelry, but I also love their paper goods. And who doesn’t need a cute, little spare notebook to throw in the purse every morning—or some extra greeting cards for a forgotten birthday party? The journals are made from scratch, and the most in-demand greeting cards can be attributed to ChickRocks’ signature wiggly one-eyed monster, reminiscent of “Where the Wild Things Are.” The square glassine envelopes containing the greeting cards won me over, as its translucency makes it perfect for the monster to sneak up on its recipients.

Check out ChickRocks for yourself. Their price point is one of the best I’ve seen in a very long time, and just as this story began with a recession; it must end with explaining that ChickRocks prices are perfect for one. The mini cards start at one dollar, with the rest of the paper goods no more than eight dollars. The jewelry, such as the bobby pins, start at four to five dollars. Items can be purchased through the online shop at Chickrocks.com, Etsy, or at the D.I.Y. Factory on San Pedro Avenue, as well as Pulquerios on South Alamo.

Brides Against Breast Cancer Tour of Gowns Stopping in Texas

Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to granting wishes and memory-making events for men and women battling stage IV breast cancer, has kicked off its 2011 Brides Against Breast Cancer™ Nationwide Tour of Gowns. The event will be stopping in San Antonio on Saturday, July 16 – Sunday, July 17 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio. Local brides-to-be will have the opportunity to find their dream gowns at incredible savings while making wishes come true for metastatic breast cancer patients.

The charity wedding gown sale will feature hundreds of beautiful wedding gowns donated by famous designers, retailers, manufacturers and individuals starting at just $199 and up, including hundreds of brand name and designer gowns, some valued up to $8,000! Tiaras, veils, crinolines and other accessories will also be offered. Making Memories is currently accepting wedding gown donations for gowns 2006 and newer. The gowns need to be shipped to the warehouse in Oregon. Visit Brides Against Cancer for instructions on how to donate gowns.

In addition, while the Nationwide Tour of Gowns is in town, Making Memories will be searching for deserving residents in the area with stage IV breast cancer who would like their dreams fulfilled. Deserving individuals will want to logon to Making Memories to secure a wish packet.

WHERE: Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa
WHEN: Power Hour Preview Shopping Spree – $10 Admission per Attendee

Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. – Noon

General Sale – Free Admission

Saturday, July 16 from Noon – 6 p.m.

Sunday, July 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Teaching Your Kiddos Spanish? Check Out Baby Besos

Many of our parents and grandparents were taught as Hispanics growing up in South Texas, “If you want to prosper in the U.S., do not speak Spanish, do not teach your children Spanish.” Fortunately, times they have a-changed; parents can and should teach their children more about their culture. I met with mother-of-two and owner of Baby Besos, Victoria Herrera, who built a business that teaches other children and her own about being Latino with fashion and other child-friendly tools.

“After I had my second child, I realized I wanted my children to love and understand Spanish the way I love it,” explains Herrera. “I tried to find tools around the house to expose them to Spanish, but I couldn’t find anything. So I decided to start a business and found things from all over the country.” Herrera found books, CDs, toys, blocks, accessories and more. Inspired, she started making her own burp cloths, bibs, blankets, and clothes. “I brought items from all over, but I ended up starting our own line of blankets and bibs.”

As we met, Herrera began emptying the contents of her bag, first pulling out a blanket made with the traditional, bright floral hand-embroidered Mexican dress. “This is a dress that my grandmother would’ve worn. Now that I have a daughter I want to pass on a tradition of that dress. But I created the blanket with a modern twist to it.” While the pink Mexican dress adorns the middle of the blanket, it’s made up of several bold fabrics and materials like purple mink with raised polka dots and colorful cotton flowers. “Raised dots are good for a child’s motor skills,” says Herrera. “It’s good for them to feel different textures. But I also make other mainstream blankets that are still a little bit bolder than your normal baby blankets.” Herrera unfolded a two-sided blanket with cute zebra print and soft mink on one side, and turquoise and black flowers on the other. Perhaps it does not include the Latino flare of the blanket made with the Mexican dress, but it is still loud and proud; it is still Latino.

And it’s probably the Latino influence in her garments and accessories that captures people’s attention and won Baby Besos a business award from the South Texas Women’s Center. Herrera pulls out more contents from a bag she also sells, and low and behold, a bib with a giant Virgin Mary on one side and the color red on another, emerges. We are meeting in the Starbucks in a more—how do I be diplomatic about saying this?—less Latino side of town. The conservative Texan in me had to joke, while looking over my shoulder, “Well perhaps you can use the red side when you have more conservative guests coming over, and the Virgin Mary side amongst Latinos.”

Herrera even sells dyed cloth diapers with embellishments, a pink shirt that says, “You’re giving me Ojo,” and a boy’s onesie with the words, “No Hablo” written on an etch-a-sketch. She also sells an array of baby blankets and other clothes with images from the famous Mexican game Loteria, like “El Apache” or “La Luna.” In addition, Baby Besos is growing. They’ve just partnered with Carrizo Project, a company that heads to Honduras to teach women how to sew and be self sufficient. “They are literally in the mountains of Honduras sewing!” Herrera excitedly explains. “And they teach the women confidence. I started selling their bags, and 100 percent of the proceeds are sent back to Carrizo Project in Honduras.” Herrera sells them as diaper and baby wipe holders. “But you can use them for other things like spoons and baby food,” she adds.

To see more Latino-centric items or to go shopping, logon to BabyBesos.com. They have everything from $5 onesies to $90 blankets with their average price running from $15-$25 an item.

Austin: Day Trip to Dress Shop

Dress Shop is no longer one of Austin’s best kept secrets. Tourists from local hotels were stopping by during my visit to check out the infamous store owned by the, “Dress Evangelist,” Leslie Gandy. “We carry dresses that are both ‘of the moment’ but will last for a long time,” explains Gandy, “we do have our fair share of college and even high school customers-but the dresses appeal to the many professional women who work near us, as well as tourists of all ages looking for a fun purchase on their visit to Austin.”

Opened in August 2009, Dress Shop remains the first women’s retailer on Congress Avenue in over a decade. And what better way to announce that a woman can join the ranks of men, than by opening a women’s boutique in a historically male-dominated business area? As if Gandy’s message isn’t clear enough, her dresses are literally the perfect fit, as they’re designed for a real woman and not for the double-zero-diva modernistas have become obsessed with hating. According to Gandy, “we really advocate looking good. The hour glass dress is flattering and fits really well. Our dresses are made of many different [and forgiving] materials, like knit and stretch. We also carry an array of styles and designers, such as Yoana Baraschi, Bon Bon by Micah, Suzie Chin, and Maggie London.”

Dress Shop’s price point ranges from affordable to expensive, as there’s a look for every occasion: casual, cocktail, sundress, work dress, etc. In addition to carrying dresses, they sell all the pretty little things and accessories that accompany them. Necessities for, “no more wardrobe malfunctions,” as Gandy likes to call it, includes original Hollywood fashion tape, disposable nipple covers, silicone nipple covers, deodorant removing sponges, plunge back bras, and more. However they carry more fun necessities and accessories such as, sequin encrusted handbags and jewelry galore, like sparkly bracelets, peacock feather necklaces, gold and silver earrings.

The clutch bags are my must-haves, as I found myself jealous and fantasizing about them within moments of leaving the shop. I’m also still pining away for the timeless polka dot sensations and the Audrey Hepburn-inspired dresses. Today I’m considering re-modeling my closet area—or even the rest of my house—to look like the interior of Dress Shop itself. The shop’s vintage aesthetic with colorful splashes of black and white, baby pink, and exposed brick, features an original Durham Tobacco ad from 1896.

About the owner: A Texas A&M alum, Gandy left her home state to live in New York City, where she honed her sense of fashion. She worked for Us Weekly Magazine, focusing on celebrities and style, and became the marketing manager for Macy’s. She met her Longhorn husband in the big apple, who convinced her to move back to the lone star state and share her knowledge and passion for fashion with the rest of us. Her mother owned a similar shop in the 80s in Texas City. For more on Dress Shop, visit their site, facebook account, or stop by IRL.

A Visit with International Fashion Line, ‘Niche,’ Created in San Antonio, Texas

Turkish-born designer, Nilgun Derman, and her daughter, Ayse Derman, are the proud owners of Niche, a modern women’s clothing line carried in high-end boutiques and departments stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 500-800 stores at any given time, and in almost every state in the U.S., Niche happens to be headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, in an industrial area near the airport, or what I like to call, “Little Industry,” as it’s full of discreet warehouses and studios. However, Niche’s success is anything but little, and you can find the line at Dillard’s La Cantera— in the bridge section with Eileen Fisher—or at Julian Gold on McCullough.

Over 25 years ago, Nilgun Derman began the company with an art-to-wear line of hand-painted garments—influenced from her other passion. She holds a master’s degree in industrial design, and originally made furniture, which she believes inspired her to move toward clothing. “The concept of furniture and industrial design resonates in the work because our pieces are structural and architectural,” Nilgun explains. “But they are comfortable and yet elegant.” Nilgun began designing painted clothing because of its popularity in the late 80s and early 90s, but eventually the clothing evolved into a more ready-to-wear line. The feminine collections, aimed at the 30-and-up demographic, includes wearable separates, casual but sleek and fitted-jerseys, knits, cotton and plaid.

While the line is created in San Antonio, it’s primarily produced in central Texas, and Niche is proud to have kept it completely “Made in the U.S.” According to Ayse Derman, the company’s Creative Director and a University of Texas at Austin Business Alum, creating the clothing close to home has also helped Niche carve out their own niche in such a competitive market. “A decade ago it seemed very enticing to take production overseas. A lot of companies did it, like Ralph Lauren, and even the boutique brands moved overseas because the production costs so much less.” Ayse continues, “but we were stubborn and kept it here, and now there a lot of problems with overseas production. We can flip over something in three weeks, whereas overseas production cannot be flexible with deliveries and that’s where clothing companies can experience problems.”

Niche can join the “Fashion for a Cause” crowd, as managing their production close to home means they don’t overproduce. Ayse explains that they don’t make anything until receiving orders, and believe it or not, it’s easier that way. “We don’t have to project,” Ayse says, “we do our production based on the response. We don’t end up with extra inventory or clothing.” Ayse ensures that a percentage of the line is brand new and innovative, and a percentage of the line is tweaked. “We have history on the women’s body, as we have a little core group of clothes that have stayed the same for ten years. Soft separate groups, styles that consistently are best sellers.” The company also fulfills special custom orders, for weddings and other occasions.

Niche produces a couple fashion shows a year for the fall and spring break, which includes 110 bodies, styles, and two smaller breaks, one for holiday and one for resort, like early spring, which features crews. In addition, they attend the big tradeshows in the U.S. I had a chance to check out the Fall 2011 line and adore their black and white jersey dresses and scarves, as well as their brown striped separates, as brown is making a comeback in fashion. If you really want to know more about them, go shopping. As Ayse explains, “the pieces will tell you the whole story.”

Sidenote: While Niche’s studio is closed to the public and their line can only be found in select boutiques and department stores, their involvement in the community is immense: they mentor UIW interns, have hired UIW graduates, and also make fabric donations to the International Academy of Design and Technology.

From Austin To the World: Ashley Hansen takes A. Renee Jewelry from “Drag” to Riches

Ashley Renee Hansen, designer and owner of A. Renee Jewelry, began featuring her first sets of earrings and necklaces on “The Drag,” in Austin, Texas. Now her dreams have taken her from the drag to designing custom-made lines for weddings and special occasions. “I have a client who wants pearls, pearls, pearls, for her October wedding,” Hansen explains, “Gray pearls, white pearls, pink pearls, pearls of all sizes! And she said to me, ‘we were so excited- we wanted to design the jewelry first, then design the girl and dresses based around the jewelry.’”



Hansen’s story is such an inspiration, not only because she went from The Drag to managing a jewelry line for a “custom-made” client base, but because believe it or not, she has a day job too. A Registered Client Associate at the brokerage firm, RiverStone Wealth Management, Hansen balances both passions. “I’m basically the client’s administrator; I assist the Financial Advisor’s with planning strategies and execute trades, but now with my promotion I’ll be doing more regulating. I’m hoping to lighten that position,” Hansen laughs. When asked how her jewelry comes to play in such a serious job she explains that her office is full of guys and those guys have wives, moms and daughters. “I try not to talk about it too much, but, you know, they celebrate Valentine’s Day, birthdays, Christmas and other special occasions.

However, Hansen’s style is perfect for both special occasions and every day events, because her jewelry is clean and classic, which she refers to as, “organic.” In addition, it’s light weight, earthy and calming. “It feels like you’re not wearing anything at all, and yet it’s so complimentary to the female body, and makes you feel very sexy and empowering,” Hansen declares. Depending on the piece, her jewelry may include gemstones, a bit of Swarovski, and are either gold-filled, gold-plated, or a unique copper. The splashes of colorful tones like blue, green, pink, as well as Native American Red and Indian Paint Brush, give off a very earthy vibe. Similarly, Hansen claims that many of the stones she works with have calming and healing agents that ward off negative energy like anxiety and depression, and instead encourage positive energy, like compassion and strength. “People have told me that they feel my energy when they wear the jewelry, which is funny because I get excited and pumped up when I’m making it,” Hansen explains, while adding, “My favorite gemstone is the Opal because it promotes feelings of love, passion and spontaneity. It’s also said to aid in visualization, imagination, and dreams- all of which have been huge components in getting me where I am today.”

Also previously featured on the famous site, “365 Things to Do in Austin,” A. Renee Jewelry hosts jewelry parties throughout the Austin area. Hansen’s upcoming events include a jewelry party at Simplicity Wine Bar and Bella on Sixth Street. She also hosts parties at clients’ houses and can host your party as well. If you’re in the Austin area, you can check out her jewelry display at James Allen: The Salon. The very affordable price point runs between $25- $75. You can also visit A. Renee Jewelry online and make a purchase through her website via the safe third-party partner, PayPal.

Fiesta in South Texas: Fashion Victims and Their Flair

Too much Fiesta flair can get one arrested, make others intoxicated, and get a certain Fashionation writer in trouble, as it invites too much inspiration for criticism. After attending a few Fiesta events this year, I’ve amended the slogan from, Viva Fiesta! to Muerte Fiesta!, as I wouldn’t want to be caught dead in some of the Fiesta outfits I saw, and hope that next year you aren’t either. In response to my new slogan, I’ve been asked the following question: “Just how much flair is too much flair?” A good rule of thumb: If ever in doubt, take something off.

For example, consider the culprit, pictured in her mug shot above. A committed Fiesta fanatic, she wore black and rainbow-colored cowboy boots to flatter a white, fiesta-embroidered house dress. Typically, a colorful flower—a-la-Carrie Bradshaw—adds a punch of flavor to any outfit, however this flowered creation ensures a swift punch in the face instead.

To compliment—or contrast—her off-the-shoulder flowers, the culprit accessorized with a little more Fiesta flair around the wrists. However, it is her hat that really ties the costume together and is worth mentioning as it is an example that more really is more. In my opinion, it even deserves an award—or perhaps a few more of those prestigious Fiesta medals. Tangled in cascarone eggs, confetti, streamers, and I think I saw a blinking night-light somewhere in there, stood a giant Toucan-Sam look-a-like. Whether or not the bird found the exit in time to make his grand escape is uncertain, however it is possible that he laid more eggs while up there. Where is PETA when you need them? Of course, such a costume would not be complete without a large, sky-blue sequin purse, possibly stolen from an 11-year-old daughter or Claire’s Boutique. Because if there is anything else this Fiesta fanatic still needs, it’s definitely reflective sparkly gear so similar comrades can find her.

If you have any other great pictures commemorating my new Fiesta Slogan, Muerte Fiesta! Please forward along to fashionation@sacurrent.com. I’m already looking forward to next year’s flair!

San Antonio, Texas: International Academy of Design and Technology to host runway show with Project Runway’s Shirin Askari

This Thursday March 31, 2011 from 6:30 p.m – 9:30 p.m., the International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT) presents, “Imagine.” An annual fashion runway event, featuring ten of IADT’s graduating fashion design and merchandising students, this year Shirin Askari of Project Runway Season Six will host. Tickets are $20 and VIP tickets are $35 and can be purchased here or by calling IADT at 210-530-9449. Doors open at 6 p.m. for photo opportunities and interviews.

Art fans will want to arrive by 6:30 p.m., as the evening begins with, “The Ten Show,” the graphic design and art exhibit from IADT’s graduating graphic design students. Sponsors of the evening include Dillard’s North Star, Top Knotch Officials, Lari Nelson Fashion Group, Circle of Influence, Sam Paniagua, Jonathan Moreno and Makeup Team, Bare Escentuals, Melendrez Entertainment, Banned Entertainment, Bisli Event Services, Gialex Cosmetics, Normas Creations, Sociallite Marketing, and David Constante. Show proceeds benefit Eva’s Heroes and Career Education Scholarship Fund (CESF).

With more than 30 years as an established institution, the International Academy of Design and Technology offers students a hands-on education with experienced faculty dedicated to providing students with the necessary skills, knowledge, support and guidance to pursue fulfilling career opportunities in the design and technology fields. The San Antonio campus (IADT-San Antonio), which opened in 2007, offers degree programs in graphic design, fashion design and merchandising, merchandising management and advertising design. Students also have the opportunity to take a portion of their coursework online through IADT-Online. The school is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is a national accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. IADT-San Antonio does not guarantee employment or salary and is part of Career Education Corporation network of schools (NASDAQ: CECO). For more information, visit the IADT San Antonio website or call (210) 530-9449.

South By Southwest's Style By Global Theme: Fashion For a Cause

I’m left with many impressions of SXSW’s first ever fashion component, Style X. However, among those impressions I’m referred back to a comment I made in an earlier Fashionation blog: “Fashion is not just a passion; it is a lifestyle that tells a story about ourselves, from something as ubiquitous as what kind of coffee we drink, to something as controversial as what kind of politics we practice.” While at Style X, I learned that many brands and designers are doing just that with their clothes today—getting political and striking up a conversation about it. I ran into a few fashion companies that are not only donating a portion of their success to their chosen non-profit but who have—surprisingly and profitably—built a fashion line for the sole purpose of supporting their cause.

Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Toms Shoes who also happened to speak at SXSW this year, is a successful and famous example of fashion for a cause. A native Texan, Mycoskie went on a trip to Argentina a few years ago, and, shocked to find children without shoes on their feet, returned to the states to create Toms Shoes, a for-profit footwear company which designs the traditional Argentinean shoe, the Alpargata. Each time an American buys a pair of Toms Shoes, a pair is sent to a child somewhere around the world, preventing diseases that over a billion people in the world suffer from as a result of not wearing shoes on their feet.



Open Arms, a sustainable for-profit company featured at SXSW’s Style X, maintains that they’re, “a company with a conscience,” as they enable a better life for refugee women by providing them with jobs that pay livable wages. Open Arms engages the community by asking for donations in the form of old t-shirts, which they recycle to create one-of-a-kind clothing products. The company not only accepts recycled clothing, but volunteers as well.



Krochet Kids International, “Buy a hat, change a life,” teaches developing countries how to crochet to break the cycle of poverty. The non-profit company, while only three years old now, was created by three guys from Spokane, Washington who were even featured in their local paper as the “Krochet Kids,” as their love of snowboarding inspired them to crochet and sell beanies to their high school friends. During college, the friends separated but were inspired by their travels, in particular a trip to Northern Uganda, in which one of the friends learned that the Ugandan people rely heavily on their government because rebel armies had torn the northern country apart. Today, Krochet Kids International teaches the Ugandan people how to crochet so that they can pay them a wage to be independent and support their family.

Krochet Kids International Fortunately, you did not need to attend SXSW’s Style X to get involved with the mission of Toms Shoes, Open Arms, or Krochet Kids International. Next time you need to buy a pair of shoes or a beanie, or get rid of some old t-shirts, you’ll know where to look.

For more “Fashion for a Cause,” join me in San Antonio, Texas this Saturday evening March 26, from 5:30 – 7:30 at the Pearl Brewery’s Aveda Institute. Aveda San Antonio will premiere their first “Catwalk for Water,” a national, annual Aveda event that raises funds and awareness for clean water. Beneficiaries for this runway show include the Gulf Coast Restoration Network and Global Greengrants Fund.

Listen Up Gals about the Globe: Free “Square” App Turns Your Smartphone into a Cash Register

Okay. So I know I’m supposed to be writing about the first ever fashion component that took place this past week at South by Southwest (SXSW).

In addition, I should really be telling you not only about how, in 24 years, it’s the first time fashion has participated at the mega conference, but also how I attended the first ever runway show featuring musicians from SXSW modeling in exhibiting designers’ clothes, sunglasses and accessories.

I should also be telling you about how Keds is currently touring the country, asking an awesome designer from each city, like Austin, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Boston to design a pair of Keds that reflects each city’s character and charm. I should probably also tell you about the newest W Hotel in North America, where I happened to have drinks and dinner tonight. However, all I can think about right now is how my smart phone has suddenly turned into a cash register.

A cash register? That’s right, a freaking cash register! Genius. And didn’t you wish you thought of this application for your smart phone or android?

At exhibit hall number four of the Austin Convention Center stood the “Square” booth. A San Francisco-based company, Square produces the Square, which is exactly that: a little white plastic square that plugs into your smart phone or android, allowing you to swipe a credit card, and charge that card, sending money into your bank account in moments.

Confused? Imagine that you’re at the W Hotel tonight in, I don’t know, Austin, Chicago, or NYC. Imagine that you’re at the end of your dinner with four friends. Imagine that you’re about to pay the bill, and need to split it four ways. You don’t want to bug the server to split the bill because you don’t want to be “that table.”

If you have Square, then you can choose to pay the entire bill on your own, and then have each of your four friends swipe their card onto your Square, type in the amount they owe you, like $30, and then suddenly, voila—$30 is transferred into your bank account, just like that. Can you imagine? I’m thinking it’s time to take out a bunch of friends, get them roaring drunk, and have them hand over their credit cards at the end of the night.

If you’re excited about the potential of your phone becoming a cash register, you’ll be even more excited to learn that this app is entirely FREE! You can log on to the Square website, download the application onto your iPhone or Droid device, then activate your account in minutes (while the actual tiny little Square device gets sent to you).

I don’t know about you, but I simply cannot think of anything more fashionable and trendy today than downloading money to yourself!

Positive Pin yourself: Native San Antonian Inspires National Message

Jonathan de la Garza, a real estate broker based in San Antonio, Texas is the creator of the Positive Pin™, a lapel pin meant for everyday wear to remind ourselves and others about the power of positive thinking.

While fashion is as much about making a statement as it is about looking good, who would’ve thought it’s as much about science too? Featured on the Positive Pin™ website is an article from The New York Times concluding that depression and negative thinking can lead to a weak immune system, increasing the risk for heart disease, the cold, the flu and more. It was exactly that feeling of depression that inspired de la Garza to create the pin to begin with. “One morning, when I was having slumping sales and feeling down, I wanted to create something that would remind me to think positive all day,” de la Garza says, “something that other people in a professional environment could also wear.”

Only a year ago de la Garza sat down with a paper and pencil to sketch out thought bubbles and positive signs, however today the demands for his pin has inspired the hat, t-shirt and coffee mugs, “I placed a small order for friends, and then a small business I knew,” de la Garza recalls, “first 100 Positive Pins flew off the shelf, then it was 500, then 1,000, then I placed two more orders of 1,000 and now I’ve just placed an order for 3,000 Positive Pins.” But that’s not all. In May 2010, the Positive Pin was featured nationally in Realtor Magazine, as one of the “Cool Tools,” and eventually companies began to get excited about the product and ordered the Positive Pin in their company colors. Typically a classic white, the lapel pin was created in teal for ExitRealty, and de la Garza created the “Positively Pink” pin for cancer awareness, a message recently swapped with the Komen Foundation. “In February we participated in the 2011 Fight for Air 5k run/walk, which benefits lung cancer research and we’ll showcase the arrival of the organization’s new red positive pin next week,” de la Garza explains. The Positive Pin was also featured on Great Day SA, as its following in San Antonio is strong. The Positive Pin, which began in Houston, where de la Garza lived for several years, can only be purchased on its website and at the Houston Association of Realtors.

However, it’s showing up on collars across the nation. Last week, Berney Dohrmann, founder of CEOSpace International Inc., flew in from San Francisco to address the new San Antonio CEOSpace chapter. Dohrmann was wearing de la Garza’s Positive Pin and was excited about its message. In addition, de la Garza received a hand-signed congratulatory letter from Zig Ziglar, the famous motivational speaker, praising him for the idea. But, while de la Garza is excited about all the hype around the Positive Pin, at the end of the day, it’s the fact that his message of thinking positive is paying off in people’s lives. A portion of the pin’s proceeds go to various charities, including the World Wildlife Fund, Ronald McDonald House, Scouts Honor Rescue, Breast Cancer Research and Habitat for Humanity. And his success stories are inspiring. “I received a story from a lady whose sister passed away from cancer. And while her sister was dying, she wore the pin and stressed upon her family to be positive because her sister’s blood type was BPositive!”




You can read more of the Positive Pin’s testimonials on the website, and order your own as well. The Positive Pin hats, t-shirts, and coffee mugs are also available now and the first five to order a t-shirt and mention this SA Current “Fashionation” story in the comments section of Paypal will get a free Positive Pin as well, in your choice of Keepin’ it Teal, Red E for the World, Positively Pink, or When in White.

Fat Tuesday is Fashion Tuesday Too!

Get out those Masks and Dresses! It began in Italy to celebrate the season of Lent, however today it is celebrated around the world. Whether it’s called Carnevale, Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, it’s a great day to get dressed up, eat too much and have a blast. This weekend, my best friend living in Rome, Araceli, jumped on a train to Venice, where the Carnevale festivities began, and took some pictures for Fashionation readers to ooh and awe, get inspired and—as in my case—get a little jealous.

According to Araceli, the legendary sight included thousands of tourists artistically dressed and embracing overindulgence. It was about class and fashion, creative elegance and—my favorite—people roaming the canals half-naked. Check out the fashion below! Unfortunately we can only post photos featuring individuals in actual clothes. However, we agree that nakedness is a fashion statement too, which probably says, ‘You’ve had too much to drink, it’s time to go home.’

For more of Araceli’s endeavors, you can check out and 'Like' her RomeToday page on facebook.

Gilbert Zarate Jr. Printing ‘Sweet gzas’ Collection On American Apparel Tees

Its popularity rose in the United States during the 19th century when soldiers were given the garments during the Spanish-American war. T-shirts eventually caught on with skilled laborers and basically anybody challenging the heat. But hippies and tie-dyed t-shirts taught us that the garments are as much about comfort as they are about displaying important messages, political statements, and art. While some tees feature a favorite band or quirky slogans such as, “I Write about Fashion, Bitches!” the best t-shirts remain those that are not only comfortable and convey a message, but are real works of art. Sweet gzas (pronounced Sweet Jesus), the art alias and digital signature for an up-and-coming clothing line, is founded by Gilbert Zarate Jr., an award-winning graphic artist and illustrator from Brownsville, Texas.

A graphic artist for over 12 years, Zarate previously worked at the Brownsville Herald, the Express-News, and in advertising. He holds two Associated Press Sports Editors awards (APSE) and an Associated Press Managing Editor (APME) award for his visual journalistic work. Today, Zarate is the senior graphic designer at one of the top multicultural advertising firms in the nation, Interlex, headquartered in San Antonio. The source for Gilbert’s success, however, is his passion for art, which he’s pursued since childhood. “Since I was in junior high, I drew digital mazes, at home, in the classroom, everywhere, and then I began to see M.C. Escher, one of the first artists I was inspired by,” Zarate says. “His pencil drawings of varying shades and textures are incredible. He did a lot of mathematical patterns that were well drawn and penciled in—shaded but it’s almost like his drawings were computer generated before the computer was generated because he had fluid transitions and very intricate designs.”

Zarate is also a fan of Juxtapoz and Empty, two international magazines that taught him about the world for modern artists as the digital age has changed. Today, artists rely more on getting published than the more traditional gallery exposure at exhibits. “It got me thinking,” Zarate says, “my goal is to publish a book of my art work, sort of like how a writer looks to publish a novel.” Zarate is well on his way to achieving that goal. Based in Sydney, Australia, Semi-Permanent is a world-leading design conference (kind of like SXSW) that publishes a book each year featuring the best creative artwork in the industry, and in 2009 Zarate submitted his artwork for publication. He did not get selected.

However, in 2010, he got a call from Semi-Permanent and now his design, Monkeyboy, is published in Semi-Permanent’s 2010 1st Edition Art Book, which is a design you can buy in print and will soon be available on his t-shirts. “It was my proudest moment and makes me believe that I can publish and continue creating artwork,” Zarate says. It is his passion to share his art with the world that inspired Sweet gzas to produce their designs on comfortable American Apparel, 100% combed cotton tees. “My most popular designs are the ‘Jayberd’ and the ‘Elephant’, so I began by printing those on the t-shirts,” Zarate says.

The “Jayberd” and “Elephant” are also a little bit more “mainstream” fashion, a little less urban than some of Zarate’s other designs. A mom and/or the boy and girl next-door can wear them as well. If you’re more of an artist, check out his famous “Monkeyboy” design or one of his intricate, fully-functioning mazes by logging on to sweetgzas.com and make sure you check out the t-shirts — yours truly got to be a model for a day :) . Additionally, check out the designs that are going toward Zarate’s artbook at Behance Network.

Academy Awards Fashion Includes Nods to Starship Enterprise and Easter Bunny

Well, the results are in and the competition was tough. So tough it’s a three-way tie. The theme of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards Red Carpet Show was Aliens, The Easter Bunny and Table Cloth. On February 27, 2011, Gwyneth Paltrow landed in Los Angeles, California from outer space, in a long silver space suit designed by Calvin Klein. When the hosts at E! News asked Paltrow who designed her dress, I was just glad she didn’t respond with, “Aliens,” because we all know how hard it is to get those celebrity red-carpet knock-offs for our own night-out-on-the-town. Dear God, Italy is far enough to go for a good imitation Versace gown. It’s good to know that while Calvin Klein may work for NASA he also works on planet earth.

Nicole Kidman claims to have arrived from Australia; however her strapless, form-fitting white evening gown was encrusted with moon dust and a V-neck. While designed by Christian Dior and for the red carpet, it was clearly a nod to the very first Star Trek. But the number one Starship Enterprise fact every Trekker and Vulcan should know is that V-necks are not for the waist or the red carpet, but rather, the neck, as its title clearly implies.

Cate Blanchett, while she did not arrive on the same space ship as Gwyneth Paltrow or Nicole Kidman, was still transported to the red carpet from the future—Easter. Probably inspired by the giant egg Lady Gaga wore at the Grammy’s earlier this year, Blanchett’s Givenchy Couture was a tribute to Peter Rabbit as it included a violet purple rabbit hole on her chest, punctuated by yellow M&Ms across her back, so that kids everywhere—from outer space as well as the planet earth—could find her while on an Easter Egg hunt. To respect the Easter Spring theme, Hillary Swank showed up as Big Bird in the color gray. Her Gucci Premiere Couture gown was donned with feathers around her legs, ankles, and nowhere else. Perhaps Big Bird sheds during this time of year instead, I don’t know. You’d need to get with Gucci for further details.

There were a couple of stars who did not hail from outer space or the future this evening, but rather the present as they were spotted rummaging through my dining room earlier today. Scarlett Johansson’s lacy, flowered see-through Dolce & Gabbana gown is a memoriam to my great-grandmother’s nineteenth-century table cloth—before it was dipped in the color fuchsia. I couldn’t have picked a more beautiful girl than Johansson to carry on my great-grandmother’s memory, except for Natalie Portman, who was wearing purple tassels from the holiday curtains that go with the table cloth. Portman swears that the earrings are from Tiffany & Co, but since diamonds remain to be seen on her ears I’m going to have to call bull-shit on that one. Sorry Natalie.

Those were the highlights of this year’s 83rd Annual Academy Awards Red Carpet Show. Looking forward to next year!

The above photo attributed to Roobee’s Photostream. Check out more of the above mentioned red carpet fashion at Flickr.