Hello, fabulouses! It is that wonderful time of the week again on the VIP blog–WEEKLY WHISTLE TIME! Yay for the VIP’s outfit of the week! So, before I start singing or quoting silly commercials–let’s see what the VIP’s outfit of the week is! Hm….I wonder what it is….
Dress: The Fashion Barn (Columbus, MS)
Shoes: Target (Trussville, AL)
Ever stress about what to wear to all of the summer’s hottest concerts? Stress no more–check out my Real Story Publishing article “The Adventures of the VIP: The Bonfire Orchestra and Concert-Wear” for tips on how to dress for all of your summer indoor and outdoor concerts! From cocktail parties to rock n’ roll, these VIP tips are perfect!
Purchase Bonfire Orchestra’s album “The Well and the Water” on iTunes here OR Amazon here.
What did y’all think of the Bonfire Orchestra’s sweet sound? Are you getting in the mood for a summer concert?
What summer concerts will you be attending? What will you be wearing? The VIP would love to know! Feel free to comment below or email me at vintage.passionista@gmail.com to share all your summer concerts and concert-wear with me.
Saturday night’s finale was full of excitement and anticipation from the heidi elnora bridal runway show to the announcements of the Emerging and Rising Design Star winners–not to mention the headlining designer Tibi.
Birmingham Fashion Week 2013 concluded with a big, dazzling bang! The finale began with wedding gown designer and co-founder of BFW Heidi Elnora’s collection, which was inspired by the movie Snow White and the Huntsman. “Brides-to-be can find heidi elnora gowns across the world and in Nordstrom Bridal Salons as she has dressed hundreds of brides from L.A. to Dubai.” (www.bhamfashionweek.com)
Big round of applause to the 2013 Emerging Designers! All of their designs were incredibly creative and aspiring! I am so glad that I did not have to pick winners…It would have been pretty much impossible because each collection was truly breathtaking!
BFW 2013 Emerging Designer Winners:
1st Place: Elizabeth Singleton showcased an eye-catching collection that wowed everyone! She is this year’s Birmingham Fashion Week Emerging Designer Winner.
2nd Place: Sarah Winford exhibited a tremendous collection that crowned her runner up of BFW’s Emerging Designers competition. The VIP would love to wear her garments!
3rd Place: AnnaKay Winford (sister of Sarah Winford) and Allison Mills tied for third place in the competition. Both designers displayed marvelous garments–it would have been hard for me to choose just one!
Let’s give a grand congrats to the 2013 Rising Design Star competitors! These talented rising stars designed garments using nontraditional items (garbage bags, paper, can tops, bubble wrap…) and assembled these upcyled frocks with glue, tape, and staples. The eighteen finalists displayed their designs one last time on the Birmingham Fashion Week runway during the finale. “Birmingham Fashion Week wants to help promote and inspire teenagers to follow their dreams….It makes me happy to involve these students in BFW.” exclaims Jeana Lee Fleming, co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week.
To learn more about the Rising Design Star competition, click here.
Want to see more photos from the 2013 Rising Design Star Competition? Check out the VIP Facebook page here!
2013 Rising Design Star Winners:
Annie Bloomston (age 16) of Mountain Brooke High School was named Birmingham Fashion Week’s Rising Design Star of the year. Annie was also the “People’s Choice” when the competitors garments were on display at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Preston Mills (age 17), runner up of the BFW Rising Design Star competition, created a garment that weighed a whopping 35 pounds!
Bradford Billingsly (age 11) won the third place prize in the competition. He designed a fantastic hand painted piece!
Featured boutiques of the night were Laura Kathryn, Shaia’s (menswear), and Gus Mayer. Each store exhibited superb spring attire that had the whole crowd ready to shop!
“Laura Kathryn is an exclusive women’s boutique located in Crestline Village. Dressing the city’s women for the past twenty years, it carries one of a kind items and select designer labels,” www.bhamfashionweek.com
Shaia’s displayed sexy and sporty men’s attire on the BFW runway. “Shaia’s is a men’s wear retailer in the finest sense of tradition. More than a shop that sells suits, sportwear, shoes, accessories, and formal wear; it is a destination for camaraderie,” www.bhamfashionweek.com
Gus Mayer featured marvelous fashions that made every lady ready for a shopping trip! “Gus Mayer is one of the premiere shopping destinations of The Summit Lifestyle Center. It sells designer, contemporary, bridge clothing, accessories, shoes, and jewelry for women,” www.bhamfashionweek.com
Headlining designer of the night was Amy Smilovic (Tibi). “Tibi’s contemporary clothing line is sold at more than six hundred retailers worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Harrods, and Saks Fifth Avenue.” (www.bhamfashionweek.com) ” I love it when I see an individual’s personal style reflected in the way they dress. And I always think a woman should dress in contradictions – youthful and sophisticated, masculine and feminine, bold and muted colors,” http://www.tibi.com/about/inspiration/
If you cannot get enough of the VIP, check out my articles in The Real Story! The Adventures of the VIP in the Lifestyle section! www.realstorypublishing.com
I was so flattered to meet Joshua McKinley [Project Runway alumnus] at the Friday night BFW2013 Runway Show! He is such an amazing designer! Photo Credit: Divian Conner – Visual ArtistJoshua McKinley, a Project Runway alumnus with “an unapologetically sexualized aesthetic” (www.huffingtonpost.com), showcased a collection that reflected his athletic roots on the Birmingham Fashion Week Runway. “Running [Track & Field] for so long really helped me to learn about the movements of the body and find things that are both comfortable and fashionable. If you look at a lot of what I do, it’s athletic-based. I love bright colors; uniforms are really an inspiration,” stated McKinley to Phillip Crook, Huffington Post. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/phillip-b-crook/project-runway-joshua-mckinley_b_1029034.html) “I’m very much a dreamer, but in many regards, I’m very much a realist. If there’s something you want in life, you have to put 120 percent into that. I’m not so much of a talker. I’m able to do the things I want because I work hard to achieve them, whether it’s doing fashion or sports. Sports helped solidify who I am today,” said Joshua McKinley to Tim Warsinskey, The Plain Dealer.
Anthony Ryan | Birmingham Fashion Week 2013 Photo Credit: Vintage Inspired Passionista
Anthony Ryan, winner of Season Two Project Runway All Stars, exhibited his bold, graphic collection (which had hints of his “A Thin Line” winning collection) that utilized color-blocking and cut outs on BFW’s runway Friday, March 1. “Fans of Anthony Ryan’s designs are in for a real treat. In addition to working on his capsule collection with Nine West (a deal that is part of his prize winnings), he is also collaborating with his friend and fellow All Stars contestant, Joshua McKinley. The fusion of their fun styles is definitely something we’re looking forward to! Anthony Ryan is remaining a Southern-based brand, tackling Fashion Weeks in cities like Birmingham and Palm Springs. We wish him all the best of luck and can’t wait to see his dresses on women everywhere!” (http://hollywoodlife.com/2013/01/18/project-runway-all-stars-winner-anthony-ryan-auld-interview/)
Both Joshua and Anthony created collections that dazzled and wowed the audience! Now, it is time to enjoy the show!
If you cannot get enough of the VIP, check out my articles in The Real Story! The Adventures of the VIP in the Lifestyle section! www.realstorypublishing.com
Hello, fashionistas! Welcome to the Vintage Inspired Passionista blog on this blustery day in good ole’ Alabama! Today, I bring to you the VIP’s coverage of Birmingham Fashion Week’s Friday Night Runway [March 1] show! Oh, the event was ever so spectacular! After leaving, I went home and made a list of what fashions I was going to NEED in my spring wardrobe! You cannot get much better than Southern style!
The Friday night runway featured local boutiques Soca clothing and Theadora. Their collections made everyone ready for the warmer weather! The Annie Griffin collection fit the VIP’s style for sure! The garments were composed of lots of retro vibes, patterns, and colors! Just talking about it makes me ready for a superb shopping spree! So, VIP readers, let’s take a giant gander at what the Friday BFW runway show was all about! Come on, let’s go!
Soca (local boutique) showed off perfect spring attire on the runway! Photo credit: Vintage Inspired Passionista
“Soca has been voted ‘Best Boutique’ two years in a row by Birmingham Magazine readers. Soca Clothing offers women an array of designer denim and a unique local shopping experience,” www.bhamfashionweek.com Photo credit: Vintage Inspired Passionista
Theadora (boutique) showed off a wide variety of fierce clothing that makes any fashionista ready for a shopping spree! Photo credit: Vintage Inspired Passionista
“Theadora was voted by Harpers Bazaar (for the sixth year in a row) as a style leader for the Top 100 boutiques in the USA. Its well edited selection of clothing attracts a loyal following of hipsters,” www.bhamfashionweek.com Photo credit: Vintage Inspired Passionista
The Annie Griffin Collection (featured designer 2013) made the VIP gasp as each ensemble was modeled on the runway! The colors, the patterns, the vintage feel…all together, I give the collection 5 stars! Photo credit: Vintage Inspired Passionista
“The Annie Griffin Collection is distinguished by a retro flair, channeling soft feminine silhouettes from an earlier era…,” www.bhamfashionweek.com Photo credit: Vintage Inspired Passionista
Want to see Project Runway All Star’s [Season 2] Anthony Ryan and Joshua McKinley’s collections that were featured on the Birmingham Fashion Week runway? Of course you do…but, you will have to wait until next time! So, fashionistas, contain your excitement until the next blog…It is going to be so…VERY AWESOME!
If you cannot get enough of the VIP, check out my articles in The Real Story! The Adventures of the VIP in the Lifestyle section! www.realstorypublishing.com
Mandi Faulk and I at the Saks Emerging Designer Reveal.
Hello, hello, hello, fashionistas! I have a fabulous interview to share with y’all today…the interview with the darling designer, Mandi Faulk! She was the winner of the 2012 BFW Emerging Designer Competition. So, without further ado, I present to you, the interview with the fantastic Mandi Faulk!
Heidi Elnora, co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week, and Mandi Faulk at the Emerging Designers Reveal.
Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m a twenty-seven year old fashion designer from Oxford, Alabama. I grew up with three older sisters and a huge passion for design.
I began my apparel design degree when I was nineteen at The University of Alabama. My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer shortly after, so I moved back to Oxford when I was twenty-one to help my family.
While back in Oxford, I worked in retail management for four years and took Esthetic classes at a local college. Once my father was able to work his consulting business again, I moved back to Tuscaloosa in April 2011 to finish my degree in apparel and textile design at UA.
Who inspired you to become a designer?
Growing up, my mother designed and made jewelry. She allowed me to create whatever I wanted, and I believe that was the beginning of my apparel design obsession.
When I was about six, I would set up my bedroom like it was my clothing store instead of playing “teacher” or “tea party”. I took clothes from my closet and displayed them all over my room for my sisters to come shopping.
In 5th grade, I began drawing my own designs. I was a fan of the Spice Girls, and their unconventional sense of style inspired me to design new looks for them.
In 6th grade, I started redesigning my own clothes. I would put something on and couldn’t help but imagine it looking better “like this.” My parents were always supportive of my designs and encouraged my imagination.
It is hard to believe it has been a year since you won Birmingham Fashion Week Emerging Designer 2012. How has your life and designs changed since winning that competition?
Since BFW 2012, I graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in apparel and textile design.
Winning the competition boosted my design confidence, and I have visually designed too many things to get down on paper. Since winning, I have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people in the industry and have been recognized locally. It’s very surreal and I’m so thankful for such a wonderful blessing.
Also, I am currently seeking a fashion design job and building my website.
Heidi Elnora, co-founder of Birmingham Fashion Week, and Mandi Faulk at the Emerging Designers Reveal.
Tell us about your design philosophy.
My foundation for design is to be innovative and fresh by using a commixture of fashion-forward styles. I constantly seek inspiration, whether it’s obtained through architecture, nature, textures, or timeless icons. My dreams have been crucially beneficial as an element of inspiration and manifestation.
I like the idea of embracing the beauty of grunge while preserving the sexy, urban sophistication of today’s modern woman. The woman I design for is chic, trendy, and appreciates a fresh dynamic esthetic. I want my customer to feel confident, strong, and beautiful while she makes it look easily natural to others.
I adore your “Wanderlust” collection! What is the inspiration behind it?
Thank you! The inspiration behind Wanderlust came from the idea of combining different styles from different locations. When someone is asked about their style, I don’t feel they should be limited to just one. Wanderlust is a mixture of textures and natural colors. It’s bohemian sophistication with an edge.
What is the best advice for aspiring designers?
Don’t second guess yourself. If you visualize something, draw it. If you end up not loving it, you can determine what it is that you like about that design and incorporate that into something better. Second guessing yourself is a good way of bruising your imagination.
To be a designer, you must be self-motivated and really live, breathe, and dream design. If it’s there, it will only intensify. If you’re interested more in clothes that you in see in stores rather than ones that pop into your head, you could become a stylist. It takes just as much creativity and talent to become a stylist as it does a designer. Some of my friends in design school said that they too had been faced with this life decision.
On your website, you talk about “Alabama Forever” and “Operation Prom Dress” charities. How did you become involved with these organizations, and how can the VIP readers help support them?
Alabama Forever is a charity founded by Alex Sokol and Chris Nix. After the April 2011 tornadoes in Alabama, this charity was formed to help those communities. I had the pleasure of meeting Alex Sokol at BFW 2012, and his passion for this charity is contagious. The Emerging Designers from BFW 2012 were asked to design a tshirt for this charity. This is their mission statement: “The mission of Alabama Forever is simple-to help our communities in need. Alabama Forever was founded by tragedy, developed by necessity, and inspired by the beauty and strength of what makes Alabama special, its people. Our efforts will all be community based with the sum of the whole being far greater than its parts.” –Alabama Forever www.alabamaforever.org/
The University of Alabama has a club called Fashion Inc. I was the Vice-President for that club, and we got involved with Operation Prom Dress. We wanted to do something for the high school girls in Tuscaloosa that were affected by the tornadoes, as well as those that were financially unable to buy a new prom dress. Every girl deserves to feel beautiful on prom night, so Fashion Inc. partnered with Operation Prom Dress and we held many dress drives. Over 170 dresses were donated to us. I’m beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of such a humbling experience. I’ll never forget the profound appreciation and genuine smiles of the girls when they came to pick out their dresses. www.opdproject205.org/
What are you bringing to the Birmingham Fashion Week runway this year?
This year, I will be showing new designs from my Wanderlust collection. It is my spring line that covers different types of styles. It’s a little more casual than my Catching Dreams collection that I showed last year. I incorporated browns and blacks, which, for whatever reason, has gotten such a bad rap. Rusts and burnt oranges aren’t typically what you would see for a spring collection, so I incorporated those as well. I want to encourage people to think outside the box instead of limiting their wardrobe choices.
When you are not designing, what do you enjoy doing?
When I’m not designing, I try to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends. My family is a huge part of my life and spending time with them reminds me of what’s important in life. I’m a Southern girl at heart, so I really enjoy being outdoors. Whether it be fishing, boating, hiking, or kayaking, I’m going to love it. As far as my guilty pleasure: ice cream. It could be snowing outside and ice cream would always sound like a delicious idea!
VIP QUESTION: What is one item in your closet you would never toss out and why?
As superficial as this might be, I refuse to throw out my “skinny” jeans. Not skinny as in the fit, because they’re flared, but skinny as in the jeans I wore when I was at my fittest. The knees are worn out with authentic holes and other places have been patched up like a champ, but I refuse to throw them out. They remind me that it is important to stay active and healthy. Plus, they hold some really good memories.
To learn more about Birmingham Fashion Week, take a gander at their website: www.bhamfashionweek.com. If you are interested in purchasing tickets for Birmingham Fashion Week, click here.
If you cannot get enough of the VIP, check out my articles in The Real Story! The Adventures of the VIP in the Lifestyle section! www.realstorypublishing.com
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