Countdown to New York City Fashion Week: 13 Days

Angelina Mata Atelier Headed to New York City Fashion Week

When I walked into Angelina Mata’s River North abode, I was immediately transported onto a set like The Devil Wears Prada; if say, the film was strictly about a talented artist preparing for fashion week in New York City next month. My eyes were quickly drawn to white strings of leftover fabric adorning the gray carpet of the Atelier — French for artist’s workshops — but then moved to other excitement in the room. On the two long and wide white tables sat sketch books, small wooden mannequins, an array of colorful fabric waiting to be drawn on, cut, and stitched, as well as tape measures, notes, and quite a bit of ambition.

“Why clothes?” I asked Mata, who’s known in the community for her South Town hair salon and high-end boutique Euphorium. “Because that’s what I always wanted to do,” she began. “Hair was my default, because I come from a family of hairstylists. But I went to school with the intention of becoming a designer.” And I cannot imagine Mata doing anything else; she claims that she just woke up, but is already wearing a silken blue dress with gold buttons and pointy red velvet shoes with gold trim. Fashion is obviously who she is.

Mata worked for the founder of the Horst Institute (now the Aveda Institute), Horst Reckelbacher. Afterward, she attended the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), taking classes in draping, pattern making, and design. In addition, Mata chaired South Town’s “Art of Fashion” show for seven years. However, she has gained success with her Bespoke design, the art of custom-made clothing, which will be reflected in the launch of her Spring 2012 collection of Angelina Mata Atelier next month during New York City Fashion Week. She is currently working with fiber artist Laura Beehler, and metal artist Jose Chapa — one can only guess what her show will look like.

Past inspirations include the Twenties and Belle Époque eras, but she is keeping next month’s show confidential. “I know you can’t unveil your fashion week line,” I begin, “but can you at least give us a hint or secret about what to expect?” Mata hesitates, but replies, “Hints or secrets? This is a re-birth onto a new platform so there is a vital glow about the collection.”

With that, I take my hint that it is time to leave and let Mata get back to work. But I hope to catch her again, at her show in New York City. She is currently seeking contributions for the event, via Kickstarter. Contribute as little as $20 and get your name on the guest list for the show in New York City and a CD of the show soundtrack. $50 gets your name, plus one, on the guest list for the San Antonio screening of next month’s New York City show. Larger contribution giveaways include shoes, dresses from the collection, and more.

Rome Today: Heroic Nudity

Rome Today

I recently read an article by travel writer Rick Steves discussing how American travelers often find themselves in a state of shock when they visit Europe and are exposed to European nudity in public. I couldn’t help but laugh since I was one of those Americans when I first visited Italy in 2004. I felt uncomfortable with such uninhibited behavior. My husband, who is from Italy, reassured me that it was normal and acceptable to go topless at the beach. Unfortunately, his words did little to get me to bare it all. Instead, I couldn’t help but secretly stare and wonder why or how so many people could feel comfortable in their birthdays suits (or at least half of them) in public. As I observed, I witnessed every body type: from my own in-laws sporting a bikini and Speedo at the age of 70, to little girls running around with only bottoms on, to little boys in the nude, to grown men in fitted boxers, underwear or the tiniest of shorts, to cellulite-free bodies, well-tanned biceps, stretch marks, no-tan-line silhouettes and everything in between. Not to mention, there were pregnant women on the verge of delivery staying cool in two-piece suits with no hesitation or discomfort enjoying the sun. Their self-confidence reminded me of Demi Moore when she made headlines for posing nude on the cover of Vanity Fair when she was seven months pregnant.

As the summer passed, I tried to muster up the courage to do the same, but couldn’t. I didn’t feel comfortable enough showcasing my breasts in mid-air or for any other man to enjoy the sight publicly. So I proceeded with caution until I started to learn more about Italian culture. I spent countless afternoons at local museums trying to immerse myself in Italian art and culture, and I started noticing one common theme: Exposed bodies everywhere…featured in art, statues and paintings. This sparked my interest in learning more about ancient Greek and Roman art, when heroic nudity was openly accepted. It was a time when the athletic body or human body was admired, when gladiators were cheered on for their Olympic-sized bodies and strength, when curves were the norm instead of the exception. Full-figured women were glorified for their childbearing abilities and all networking occurred in open bathhouses, with a towel-wrapped around waists, instead of behind the keyboard on Facebook. I realized the focus back then was accepting one’s body regardless of size, shape or ability. Embracing one’s own sexuality was part of the human experience until shame and embarrassment was introduced by religion, with the famous “fig leaf” covering up Adam and Eve. Once I reached this conclusion, I decided I would allow the spirit of Venus and the statue David to live on and abandon my overly prudish behavior abroad and embrace my body for all its curves and imperfections.

Check out more of Araceli's photos featuring "Heroic Nudity,” or some of her other stories and productions, by logging on to Rome Today's facebook page.

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.