Phoenix Fashion Week and Emerging Designers 2013

Jadapa and I attended the Emerging Designers Showcase held at Toni & Guy in Scottsdale, Arizona on June 14. And how lucky we were to see a Fashion Show of the up-and-coming designers that will be competing throughout the next few months for a spot in the Phoenix Fashion Week 2013!

The evening started off with drinks and mingling with the designers themselves followed by the Fashion Show, where each designer displayed one look in their upcoming line. We were blown away with the amount of talent we saw throughout the evening. All of the designers were amazing, but a few really stood out. Ja’ire International Couture, Trang Nguyen, Herbert Victoria, and Loin Cloth, a mens brand, were our chosen favorites. Each of our favorite designers brought forth their own creative pieces while staying true to their original message as a brand. After the designers presented, a brief Q&A session allowed the media to ask them questions about their style and about themselves.

All attendees made our way over to Spanish Fly Lounge Mexican Beach Club for the after party hosted by Phoenix Fashion Week. I am so excited to see what else the designers bring to the table in the next few weeks, and to see the winner in October at Phoenix Fashion Week!

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On A Fashion Fiend- dress: Rebecca Taylor, belt: Michael Kors, shoes: Aldo. On Jadapa- top: H&M, skirt: Forever 21, shoes: Jessica Simpson
A Fashion Fiend is wearing – dress: Rebecca Taylor; belt: Michael Kors; shoes: Aldo
Jadapa is wearing – top: H&M; skirt: Forever 21; shoes: Jessica Simpson
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Toni & Guy Stylists doing updo’s!
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Jadapa and Phoenix Fashion Week Creator, Brian Hill
*Sorry phone pic!
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Jadapa and designer, Herbert Victoria
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Jadapa and the beautiful sisters, Ja’ire and Nekia of Ja’ire International Couture
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A Fashion Fiend and Jadapa with designer, Trang Nguyen

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My Best Designer Ballot
My Best Designer ballot
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Designer, Michelle Hebert and her model
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Designer from Dolcessa Swimwear and her model
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The guys behind Loin Cloth Menswear and their model (center)

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After party at Spanish Fly Mexican Beach club

Emerging Designer Challenge AZ

Thanks to Brian Hill, the founder of Phoenix Fashion Week, this Friday, June 14th, A Fashion Fiend will be attending the Emerging Designer Challenge 2013. This pre-Fashion-Week event will reveal the Top 12 Designers that will be competing for Phoenix Fashion Week’s Designer of the Year. We are so excited to see what the new and veteran designers have in store. It’s always such a pleasure to network with the other fashion industry individuals, especially in my home state, Arizona!! Come if you can! Tickets are available at Eventbrite-Emerging Designer Challenge. Going to pick some outfits for Jadapa and myself! Check our instagram, @aFashionFiend, for Designer Challenge coverage!

The following press release comes from the Emerging Designer Challenge 2013:

For More Information, Contact:
Melissa Rein
The Brand Consortium PR
602.384.4747

EMERGING DESIGNER CHALLENGE 2013
Phoenix Fashion Week (8) City Tour Ends with the Next Twelve (12) Emerging Designers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (May 24, 2013) – Phoenix Fashion Week is hosting their 5th annual ‘Emerging Designer Challenge’ on Friday, June 14th, 7pm at the TONI&GUY Academy in Scottsdale. This official announcement highlights the fall 2013 Emerging Designer line-up, along with a trunk sale by this year’s accessory designers presented for the first time to the public.

This year, Phoenix Fashion Week is introducing 12 new Emerging Designers to show at fashion week in the fall. These designers have the opportunity to launch their brand at the ninth annual Phoenix Fashion Week at Talking Stick Resort, October 1-5, 2013. This year’s Emerging Designers were discovered following Phoenix Fashion Week’s successful eight- city tour of the United States, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Chicago and New York. These next “IT” designers will compete for a $10,000 (value) prize package consisting of goods and services to help launch their brand. The Emerging Designer Challenge is supported by TONI&GUY Hairdressing, Balluun, and Zappos. An after party will directly follow the event at 10pm and is open to the public.

Past Emerging Designer contest winners Joanna de’Shay of Black Russian Label (2009) and Bri Seeley (2012) will be special guests at the event. Both winners of this impressive award will be available to share their perspective to guests and some best practices to the next (12) Emerging Designers for fall 2013. “If you look up the definition of challenge, it’s a competition or contest. That’s exactly what the Emerging Designer Challenge has become, acting as a launch pad for the best emerging designers the nation,” Executive Director Brian Hill said.

Zappos: There have been amazing success stories that have stemmed from Phoenix Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer Challenge including last year’s winner, Bri Seeley, who has opened a studio in Los Angeles and is currently selling her line on Zappos.

Also, 2012 Emerging Designer finalists, Jlynn Hausmann of JHaus based out of Beverly Hills and Paulie Gibson of St. Louis are being carried by Zappos and have exciting projects in the works. For the last two years, Zappos has traveled to Phoenix Fashion Week in search of the best emerging designers. Each year, the Emerging Designer Challenge has led emerging brands to one of the largest fashion e-commerce platforms in the world, Zappos.

Follow Phoenix Fashion Week on Twitter @PHXFashionWeek. We encourage followers to use Phoenix Fashion Week’s official twitter hash tags #phxfashionweek and #designerchallenge2013.

Become a fan of Phoenix Fashion Week on Facebook to stay up-to-date with future events.

ABOUT PHOENIX FASHION WEEK
Phoenix Fashion Week is the leading fashion industry event in the Southwest. The organization’s mission is to bridge the gap between national and international designers and premier retailers and prestige fashion media. Phoenix Fashion Week’s ultimate goal is to garner global exposure for Arizona’s fashion industry. Through educational fashion seminars, year-round fashion events, and charitable partnerships, Phoenix Fashion Week is gaining rapid acclaim for its community-service efforts and for infusing world-class innovation into the Southwest. For more information please visit Phoenix Fashion Week.

ABOUT TONI&GUY HAIRDRESSING
TONI&GUY Hairdressing is an international icon synonymous with fashion and quality. TONI&GUY Salons and Academies offer unparalleled service and education. For more information, visit TONI&GUY.

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Trend Spotter Summer Series: Event One!

The Trend Spotter Summer Event Series began last night, May 21, 2013, at Macy’s in The Galleria. The evening kicked off with tasty treats and wine, and DJ Fanci mixing some beats. Our swag bags were filled with Clinique samples, a Houston magazine, and Macy’s and Krayon catering coupons! The fashion show had men’s and women’s summer styles, dressed by Chelsea Alexa. Many Houston Fashion Bloggers were present and a few Houston Dynamo Players were there as well!! All of the Trend Spotters were styled to the 9’s, and the Dynamo guys were so sweet! I had the chance to show off my custom dress made by up-and-coming Houston designer, Delmonicole. I received so many compliments on this dress’s color pattern and design. This event was so much fun, and mingling with the other Trendy Fashionistas in Houston was such a great opportunity to see what this summer’s styles will be! I can’t wait for the next event on June 25!

DJ Fancy
DJ Fancy

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A Fashion Fiend with fellow HFB, Heather
A Fashion Fiend with fellow HFB, Heather from www.LAfashionsnob.com
Dress- Delmonicole, Bag- Tory Burch
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Houston Dynamos
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A Fashion Fiend and Houston Dynamos, Warren Creavalle and Kofi Sarkodie

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Model Hosea
A Fashion Fiend and Houston Dynamo player, Mike Chabala
A Fashion Fiend and Houston Dynamo, Mike Chabala

Style Icon- Zoe Saldana

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I was inspired after seeing the midnight showing of the new Star Trek movie to share one of my longest style crushes. I have been a fan of Zoe since her days as a harsh and abrasive ballerina in Center Stage back in 2000. The 34 year old beauty has become one the best actresses, and is  truly making a name for herself with her unforgettable roles in so many great movies. Zoe has played characters in Pirates of the Caribbean, Avatar and recently the film Star Trek: Into Darkness. Not only does she always look comfortable but her slender frame just makes clothes look so good! Her acting blows me away but her off duty outfits as well as her red carpet looks are a few of the reasons she has been a style inspiration to me.

Trend Spotter Summer Series

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Houston Style Magazine hosts The Trend Spotter summer event series
with Macy’s Sage Galleria Houston

Houston (Thursday, April 25, 2013) – The Trend Spotter summer event series is a platform for Houston Style Magazine and Macy’s Sage to provide an awesome set of events to our city’s bustling demographic of young adults looking for the next cool thing around town. Expect a unique fashion industry experience jam packed with light snacks/drinks, good music, networking, styling tips and an opportunity to support local community initiatives and organizations. Our first date highlights the nonprofit, Team Gini. Team Gini provides engagement with the youth in creative ways (remixes of popular songs rewritten with positive messages, theatrical performances, community support by hosting donation drives for other organizations) to help participants discover their purpose through “edutainment” (educational entertainment).

Dates: May 21, June 25, July 23, August 27
Time: 6:00-8:30pm
Location: Macy’s Sage, 2727 Sage Rd, Houston, TX 77056
Number: (713) 968-1985

The Trend Spotter Host Committee is a diverse group of progressive individuals, organizations and companies pioneering their way to success in their respective fields here in Houston. Keagan Noelle Stylist, Feyi Omodele Stylist, Jon “Cabby” Caballero The Class Room Men’s Boutique, Phillip Adesulu JPR Styling, The Houston Fashion Bloggers, Zoe Jackson-Jarra Stylist, Chigozie Anaele Designer Kachi Designs, DJ Fanci, Ahrif Sarmui Writer/Contributor Huffington Post, Chris Huston R&B/Pop artist, SoutherNewyorker Kavachi, Chris Manfredi Futurist & CEO Connect Strategies, Brittany Sweetnam Stylist, Southern Gents’, Shalanda Turner Live Life in Style Blog, Marquis Trill MC/YouTube Personality, Nadia Palacios Lauterbach & Gabriella Aliberti Mon Venin.

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The Groves

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A Fashion Fiend: Dress- Rebecca Taylor, Shoes- Guess, Necklace- Forever 21, Bracelet- (Not To) Worry Beads, Makeup- MAC
Jadapa: Top and Shorts- Forever 21, Shoes- Jessica Simpson, Makeup and Hair- Dolce Salon and Spa

Spring Break was wonderful as usual in Arizona!!! The weather was warm, the sun was shining, and the orange blossoms were in full bloom. One of Jadapa’s friends is a local photographer and offered an impromptu shoot one day while I was in town. We journeyed over to The Groves in Mesa, where acres of orange trees reminded us of our frequent trips to the area while growing up. The weather was perfect and the trees provided the perfect backdrop for the pictures. Thank you to Monica Johnson Photography!

Versatile Blogger Award

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Missed you all! So much has been going on behind the scenes, and so much exciting news!! Thank you to Vera, creator of the blog Avec Veritas, a blog about Vera’s beauty advice that documents the marvelous places she travels to; we have been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award!! Thanks to this honor, A Fashion Fiend has been contacted by and collaborating with many different brands and gaining tons of followers in Houston! Lots coming up so stay tuned!

The rules, so that I can officially be called a Versatile Blogger:

  • Thank the person who gave you this award.
  • Include a link to their blog.
  • Select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly.
  • Nominate those 15 bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.
  • Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

My nominations for their Versatile Blogger Award are:

* Kenya L Fashion Blog

* Just kink in it

* Neo Soul Sistahs

* Cristina Martinez

* Fashion and a Fellow

* Style for Breakfast

* The Fashion Reign

* Sylvie’s Fashion Secrets

* Wear and Paperback

* The Do not Enter Diaries

* Beauty and the Booty

* Beaus and Bows

* The Black Cape

* Petite Daughter

* Inside the Mind of a Ghetto Genius

SEVEN THINGS ABOUT US:

1. We have 3 completely different styles.

2. A Fashion Fiend is 6 inches taller than Jadapa and Mootz Mouth (same parents!).

3. Mootz Mouth loves animals and has 4 dogs and 2 cats (it’s ridiculous).

4. We have an older brother and 3 younger siblings (big family).

5. “I didn’t choose thug life. Thug life chose me.” – A Fashion Fiend

6. We’ve been called the three witches, on more than one occasion…

7. We love, love, love our grandparents!

w/ Grandmom

Thank you again, Vera, for nominating A Fashion Fiend. It’s an honor and we are so very grateful.

HAPPY EASTER!

Why, Hello!!

So sorry I have been MIA! I started an awesome new job, and training has been taking up all of my time! On top of that, I have been attending events on the weekends so free time is non-existent! If you are in the Houston area, try to come out to this event tomorrow night! Contact me for discounts for dress rentals from newforthenight.com!!!

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Prabal Gurung for Target

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Sunday, February 10th, Prabal Gurung released their much anticipated line in Target stores nationwide. The launch was closely watched as Target’s last collaboration back in December, with luxury brand Neiman Marcus, was a total failure resulting in many sad and disappointed Target and Neiman Marcus shoppers.

The line was way too expensive for avid Target shoppers and seemingly too dressy. It was quickly ushered to the clearance racks and then removed from stores.

Nevertheless, Target learned their lesson, and I’m happy to say I’m very pleased with the job they did with Prabal Gurung. Not only are the pieces on par with the clothing prices at Target, but the line’s romantic feel with floral patterns, bright pastel colors, and flowy dresses are perfect for Valentine’s Day and the Spring.

I was sad to see that so many pieces at my local Target were already taken or not in my size, but I managed to pick up the long sleeve tee. It’s still chilly and rainy here in Houston, so the long sleeves are prefect. The fit is awesome and the material is so soft. A lot of the pieces can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

All-in-all, Prabal Gurung collection at Target is a hit!

Happy Valentine’s Day and a Movie Review

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Dress- Banana Republic, Shoes- ALDO
Dress- Banana Republic, Shoes- ALDO

Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope it’s lovely!

Safe Haven

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Safe Haven opens today, Valentine’s Day! It’s a perfect date movie: it’s a love story (duh) but, honestly, not too sappy. A girl with a troubled past moves to a small town and is wooed by a fun-loving widower played by Josh Duhamel. The story line is very similar to the 1991 movie Sleeping with the Enemy starring Julia Roberts. Males in the audience were able to enjoy the psychological element and a little bit of action. For the ladies, Josh Duhamel is super cute and funny. He carries the movie and makes you fall in love. Pretty good for another love story by Nicholas Sparks.