Tuesday, November 24, 2009

I ran across this article published in the Seattle Times in 1995!

Teen Wins Fashion-Design Competition

Grunge may have put Seattle style on the map, but the designers at the Local Brilliance apparel design contest in the Pike Place Market Cinema last night showed Seattle has a full design repertoire.

The winning ensemble was a black wool gabardine criss-cross back knee-length dress and waist-length '60s-style cape, lined with silver. The outfit was selected from 36 entries submitted by 20 designers.

"I'm so impressed with the level of quality and just the love that went into all the designs," said Renata Tatman, who owns Local Brilliance. The contest celebrated the shop's 10th anniversary as an outlet for locally designed apparel.

Even more impressive was the winning designer. Christine Lindebak is a self-taught 17-year-old Auburn High School student. She plans to enroll in an apparel-design program after she graduates next year.

The five judges scored the clothes based on four criteria: fit; choice of materials; construction quality; and creativity and originality.

Second place went to Tseza Matsiyevskaya for a classic floor-length satiny purple gown with a plunging V-neck, tiny beading across the shoulders and cap sleeves, and a shoulder-to-waist back cutout. Valentina Vasilevskaya took third place for a bridal gown with a sweetheart neckline, beaded mutton sleeves and a ruffled skirt and full train.

Jeannette Sellers' clingy knit ankle-length dress, flared at the knee in large blocks of gold, purple and a colorful floral print with matching cropped jacket, drew a loud "oooh," from some of the 40 or so people who attended the judging. But it didn't win the People's Choice award, which was a tie between Lydia Voiland's brown satin sheath with sheer waist inset, and Angela Hocking's creative beige lace halter dress with a asymmetrical hem, described as "constructed from Grandmother's doilies."

A beige sleeveless jumpsuit and matching cropped jacket by Gwendolyn Jackson was eye-catching because of the simple yet flattering fit.

Also attractive were a pair of pantsuits, one for men, one for women, both designed by Makini Howell. The man's suit was maroon three-button double-breasted with wide lapels and a nubby texture. The women's suit was hunter green with a four-button double-breasted jacket and contrasting maroon square-neck collar framing the collar bones.

The winning entries will be displayed at Local Brilliance, 1535 First Ave. Call 343-5864 for information about buying any of the outfits.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

John Galliano

John Galliano has claimed his place as one of the most influential designers of our time as he carries the essence of Christian Dior forward.

As with many of the people I admire greatly, it is not always their current success that draws me in, but instead, it is their journey that captivates me most. John Galliano is no exception. His early years in Gibraltar and Spain exposed him to a world of Mediterranean color and textures and upon moving to South London he sometimes felt out of sorts. It was London, where he discovered the arts and true kinship.

Upon graduating from St. Martin's School of Arts in 1984, his first collection, Les Incroyables, was bought and sold in entirety in Browns. Based in London he began his own collection, and in 1988, among fledgling financial backing, moved his operations to Paris.

By 1993, with the help of Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley, Galliano developed partnerships that helped him gain strong financial backing and credibility among the social elite. Much like Christian Dior in 1947, Galliano brought life to Paris and had what some describe as a "fashion moment". In 1995, he became the first British designer to head the LVMH fashion house, Givenchy.

Less than two years later, Galliano was appointed as the designer for Christian Dior, and his first haute couture show coincided with the label's 50th anniversary.

Through the years, Galliano has stayed true to his wild child passions, and similar to Christian Dior, never feels the need to apologize for his big dreams. In 2000, he became inspired on his morning jog along the Seine River. The ensuing collection, inspired by the homeless people along the river, created the largest stir. He remarked to WWD about the uproar, "better to be talked about than not."

Galliano loves theater and femininity and feels it is his job to seduce. And seduce he does...Each and every look from the Christian Dior Fall 2009 Haute Couture show takes my breath away.

Vive, John Galliano!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Style Icon: Kate Lanphear

As US Style Director at Elle, Kate Lanphear is poised to lead the fashion troops with her distinct, edgy, feminine style. Her look inspired my latest hairstyle, which has been very fun to wear in New York!