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).

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.