A Stitch in Time Fashion Jobs Look Promising The Cat Walk
Malissa Rogers
Tonisha Barnes
American River College Fashion Department is preparing for their 12th Annual Fashion Gala. The clothing exhibition is set to take place May 3, 2013 at ARC’s Black Box Theater. The fashion department has recently moved into a brand new building. Viewing the department’s current success it would appear that the department has had a smooth ride. This is far from true. “They were going to eliminate the fashion program,” says Bonnie Spencer, Fashion Department Chair. Just a mere 10 years ago, the department was on its way out. With two full time and two part-time instructors and only six fashion courses, the fashion instructors had to fight for their visions and dreams. Through determination, the group of instructors accomplished becoming a fullfledged department, which enabled them to offer more to fashion-bound students. The students that attend ARC for fashion design now have the opportunity to earn 50 certificates, as well as an associate degree in fashion. The department also gained the rights to the new building (at right). “It went from a one-room sewing space to a design studio. Love it, absolutely fabulous.” –Diane Grant-Toscano, ARC Fashion Professor.
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By: Malissa Rogers
Table of Contents Fashion Department Information
The kaleidoscope was created more than 175 years ago and has been a popular item throughout the world. Its name is derived from the Greek words “kalos,” “edos,” and “scopeo,” which together means “the beautiful shape to look at.” The theme of American River College’s 2013 fashion show is Kaleidoscope, so please take a journey with Current Fashion and look at the beautiful shapes created by twelve different designers.
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Introduction
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Designer Biographies
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Designer Biographies
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Designer Biographies
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Designer Biographies
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Morning Echoes into the Night
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Vintage Designs Inspire New Era of Modern Clothing
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A Stitch in Time
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Job Outlook Looks Promising for Fashion Designers
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Faculty Fashion Show
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Cat Walk to Street Walk
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Design/ photography/articles: Editor-in-Chief: Malissa Rogers malissarogers86@yahoo.com Editor-in-Chief: Tonisha Barnes tonibrnz@gmail.com Copy editing: Megan Houchin
By: Tonisha Barnes
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Jill Wagner, Kel Munger, Megan Houchin, Darlene Brown, Diane GrantToscano, Bonnie Spencer, Gail Russel, our sponsors, fashion designers and everyone involved with the Fashion Department.
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Name: Alexandra Kastner Collection: Mod Me Up Hometown: Brazil
“I was inspired by the 60s prints and colors, but with a modern silhouette...�
Photos by: Tonisha Barnes
Name: Kristen Huss Collection: Echoes of the Morning *Please see page 8 & 9 for full information on designer
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Name: Tiffany Hagewood Collection: Mod-ish
*Please see page 10 & 11 for full information on designer
Name: Carolyn Keys Collection: Lil* Madam Hometown: Oakland
“ I was inspired by keeping girls looking like little girls, but with class...”
Name: Svetlana Nalobina Collection: A step into Summer
Photos by: Tonisha Barnes
Name: Helen Romero Collection: La Beaute Hometown: El Salvador
“I chose fashion because I love the fact that I can have a raw material in my hands and can transform it...”
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Name: Saul Ramirez Collection: The same boy you’ve always known Hometown: Mexico By: Tonisha Barnes
“My collection is 1970s inspired with a little nautical feel to it, but also the whole thought of men wearing lace...”
Name: Syu Martin Collection: Gods and Monsters Hometown: Antioch
Name: Lisbeth Contreras Collection: Wonderland
“I was inspired by my original character Lya; who is a prince who wants to be a princess...”
“I was inspired by the designer Miu Miu and her collection this year; cute, simple and comfort...” Photos by: Tonisha Barnes
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Name: Venice Ousley Collection: Incogneetah Hometown: Chicago
Name: Anha Tran Collection: Break Away Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
“My inspiration is the life of the cheetah with his bold, yet camouflaging print...” “I’m really inspired by the designer Alberta Fretti and my collection is inspired by her design...”
Name: Dure Arshad Collection: Diamonds in the Sky Hometown: Pakistan
“My collection is inspired by the couture evening dresses from 1945 to 1952....”
Photos by: Tonisha Barnes
*Receive a free gift for booking a party*
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Photos by: Tonisha Barnes
Morning Echoes into the Night By: Tonisha Barnes
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s she strolls along Sacramento’s downtown K Street, blending into the weekend crowd, you would never guess that Kristen Huss, the petite girl wearing the floral dress with the cream and black scarf and grey button up sweater, is the designer and maker of the beautiful couture gown to the left. The 24-year-old American River College student is a sales manager for Miosa Bridal located on J Street in downtown Sacramento. The couture purple gown is part of Huss’ collection “Echoes of Morning,” which is featured in ARC’s Studio 106’s 2013 fashion show, “Kaleidoscope.” It is hard to imagine that the dress didn’t come from Huss’ favorite sketch. “It wasn’t my absolute favorite. I’m not doing my favorite, which is interesting,” says Huss. “You just kind of go where the collection takes you. Now that it’s done, it’s really cool.” The designer’s inspiration derives from her life experiences. A loss of life, the beauty of nature that surrounds her, and her favorite color all influenced her designs. “I think things are more interesting when you have a contrast of emotions,” says Huss. Although Huss began her mood board and sketchbook well before she was required to start, it took time for her to develop the collection’s name. “I can’t title anything,” says Huss as she laughs at the thought. “It’s kind of collaboration between me and my family.
I took key words and put them all together.” Admiring the glory of morning and the hidden darkness that surrounds it, having recently lost her mother, the darkness explains itself; “Echoes of Morning” is somewhat of a double entendre. The multi-talented designer began her journey with art, music, drawing, painting and play-
“I think things are more interesting when you have a contrast of emotions ...” ing the piano. Art turned into fashion after the lack of financial opportunities for new artists became apparent to Huss. When her journey was interrupted by “a fork in the path,” she used a decision-making tool from her childhood to find direction. “I literally flipped a coin. I couldn’t decide,” says Huss. “It’s funny, it landed on music but I ended up choosing the other thing (fashion).” Having the coin land on music made Huss realize that fashion weighed on her heart a little heavier than playing the piano, which she has been playing since the third grade. Huss told herself, “You know what, if it flips and I’m sad about going with the other one, which
I kind of was, I think I should go with that, because that’s where my heart is really pulling me toward. It’s kind of a weird psychological thing I did,” says Huss. “But it worked out.” Once Huss began fashion courses at ARC she discovered “there’s not just one job in fashion. You don’t just have to be a fashion designer,” says Huss, “You can be a pattern maker, you can make fabric; there’s all these windows (for opportunity).” Huss already has two degrees – one in Liberal Arts and one in Social Science – and will earn her third degree after the spring 2013 semester. Her future career plans include helping the growth of Miosa Bridal, which is owned by Michael Summerfield, Huss’ former Fashion Draping professor. Huss also plans to continue to work on her own designs and build her name in hopes of one day conquering New York. “Above all I want New York so bad. That’s where I want to be, that’s my dream.”
Name: LeslieAnn Dameron Major: Political science Age: 19
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Name:Amanda Christensen Occupation: Cashier Age: 20
Photos by: Malissa Rogers
Vintage designs inspire new era of “mod”-ern clothing By: Malissa Rogers
er story began at 10 years H old, when she learned how to sew from her grandmother.
The techniques echoed in her first creation: A simple, baby blue, cotton shift dress stitched together by her hands. Tiffany Hagewood, an American River College fashion design major, has created a collection, “Mod-ish,” for American River College’s 2013 fashion show, Kaleidoscope. Her collection is inspired by the mod movement in London, with the intention of capturing the fun, flirty emotions of the 1960s. “I spent days on Pinterest looking at vintage photographs and patterns, envisioning an updated 60s line using lace to create a graphic black and white collection and throwing in a mint teal color in order to keep the line feminine and adding a soft touch at the same time,” Hagewood said. She enrolled at ARC in 2010, as an undecided major, with the intentions of taking a few prerequisite classes and transferring to another college. However, as she became more involved with the fashion department, her plans changed. “Once I realized how awesome this program was I decided to continue and complete my (associate of arts degree) in fashion design. The teachers are amazing! I have learned so much from Gail (Russel)and Diane (GrantToscano). They really make the fashion department at ARC,” Hagewood said. Hagewood has spent the last thirteen years working within the hospitality industry in Napa Valley and has credited much of her inspiration to the culture of the community. Although she currently attends school in Sacramento, she has continued to work in her hometown on the weekends. “I have a very classic, clean designing style, which I believe is inspired from the years working and living in Napa. I spend many hours – even today – peoplewatching and becoming inspired by my customers’ outfits and
style,” Hagewood said. Her interest in fashion has followed her throughout her life, but the decision to start a career in fashion design spurred from other directions. “My love for vintage dresses is what led me to start studying fashion design,” Hagewood said. “I originally started studying fashion as a way to create and sell vintage inspired designs...” A passion for finding old, vintage dresses turned into a business opportunity six years ago, when she began selling clothing online through her Etsy, LeBelleRoseBoutique. LeBelleRose Boutique provides an online collection of “upscale pre-1970s vintage fashion.” “Vintage pieces come from a time when women took pride in what they wore, and dresses were handmade or tailored for the perfect fit. The sheer beauty and intricate detailing on vintage garments far exceeds what is currently available in modern, readyto-wear fashion,” Hagewood said. “I love that they give us a peek into a previous time period.” Her future goals include reopening her Etsy, LeBelleRose Boutique and offering two collections of vintage-inspired designs per year for the site. In addition to her online business, she envisions herself owning her own boutique in five years, where she can sell her vintage designs and feature local or independent designers as well. Hagewood comes from a long generational line of fashion gurus, including her grandmother, who taught her how to sew, and great-grandmother, from whom she recently inherited an antique sewing machine. “Although I never had the chance to meet (my great-grandmother) her, I’ve heard she was quite the designer!” She paused for a moment and reflected back on memories of her grandmother and the dress she created when she was a Name:Heather Adams little girl. “I still have that dress; Major: Pre-med I remember how proud I was of myself. I cherish that memory Age: 24 with my grandma.”
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Job outlook seems promising for fashion design majors
ey.com, fashion designers with a Recent college gradutwo-year community ates have been bombarded college associwith the reality of Caliate of arts degree fornia’s job market, which earned more than has ranked as one of the $63,000 annually worst in the nation. With in January 2013. one of the highest rates American River of unemployment, the job College offers a outlook in the state seems degree in fashdismal, but a career in ion design that fashion design could be requires general promising. education classes The fashion industry is as well as spea global industry, where cific classes fashion designers, manutargeted towards facturers, merchandisers building the founand retailers have coldation for prolaborated to influence the spective designclothing worn by billions. ers. In addition, Fashion designers have each spring the Graphs by: Malissa Rogers *Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics competed for generations fashion department an occupation earned more to represent their visions has a student-run fashion than that amount and half on a grander scale and show that showcases each earned less. The lowest 10 students who are contemstudent’s created designs. percent earned less than plating a career in fashThe theme of ARC’s 2013 $32,500, and the top 10 ion should expect fierce fashion show is Kaleidopercent earned more than competition. scope, with twelve partic$130,890. “Strong competition for ipating designers. Earnings in this occujobs is expected because “ARC is the school for pation can vary based on of the large number of me because of the passion experience, employer, and that the teachreputation, but starting ers have and the salaries in fashion deability that the sign tend to be very low. teachers have to Salaried fashion designtransfer what ers usually earn higher they know to the and more stable incomes students,” Helen than self-employed, freeRomero, a Kaleilance designers. However, doscope particia few of the most successpant and fashion ful self-employed fashion design major at designers earn many times ARC, said. the salary of the highestIn 2012 there paid salaried designers. were more than “I’d be interested in 16,500 people fashion even if I started employed in inat the bottom; I’d find a dustries related way to make it work,” Vento fashion de*Source: California Employment Development Department ice Ousley, a Kaleidoscope sign throughout the United participant and fashion people who seek employment States, with more than design major at ARC, said. as fashion designers and 5,000 employed in Calithe relatively few posifornia. Fashion designers Top 3 fashion schools in tions available,” accordare expected to experience ing to the Bureau of Labor little to no change in the United States Statistics “Spotlight on creation of jobs, but the Statistics: Fashion.” unemployment rate for de1. Parson’s School of Fashion Those with formal educasigners has meandered un2. Fashion Institute of Design tion in fashion design, der 5 percent. and Merchandising (FIDM) excellent portfolios and The median annual wage industry experience will of fashion designers was 3. Savannah College of Art and have the best job pros$64,530 in May 2010, which Design pects. According to CNNmon- means half the workers in 13 By: Malissa Rogers
*Source: Huffington Post
Faculty Fashion Show The twelve designers showcased one of their designs for American River College’s faculty members on April 24, 2013 at the Oak Cafe.
Photos by: Tonisha Barnes
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Diane Grant-Toscano: GrantTD@arc.losrios.edu Bonnie Spencer: SpenceB@arc.losrios.edu
Gail Russell: RusselG@arc.losrios.edu Adam Karp (Dean):KarpA@arc.losrios.edu
Cat Walk to Street Walk By: Tonisha Barnes
1. Amrit Sohpal, 19
2. Jordyn Bradley, 19
Lacquered floors and concrete boards; what do they share? They are both graced by the same fashion. Some may disagree, but the fashion on the catwalk is the same fashion that is flooding the asphalt rivers of the street. The catwalk is where high-end designers display their art, while the street is where everyday people use the creations of lower-end designers as art to express themselves. For instance, when top designers use feather coats in their catwalk displays, which can cost in the upper thousands, lower-end designers will use the idea in their own collections, but maybe as an accessory, which usually drops the price drastically. Those who don’t watch runway shows or indulge in fashion magazines probably do not realize that catwalk designers set the colors for the season. They also introduce the pattern schemes and textures that trickle down to consumers. Stores like Target now feature collections created by top designers like Prabal Gurung, making some of the runway creations now obtainable by the average person. Now everyone has the possibility of being fashionforward without having to take a trip to Paris, Milan or New York. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, one of the most anticipated displays of fashion, has just wrapped up its spring shows in New York and the effects are being seen in online stores, local retailers and on the street. The first of the three main color trends running off the catwalk and into the streets are pastels for soft sultry colors. Nina Ricci was one of
the designers who showcased pastels in their catwalk collection. The second color trend hitting the streets is the bold, bright, neon colors, as seen on the runway by designers like Oscar de la Renta. This trend was named “Electric Avenue,” according to Harper’s Bazaar. Let’s not forget about the neutrals. This spring, the designers decided on a nautical influence, so stripes were the pattern of choice. The trend was named “Between the Lines,” according to Harper’s Bazaar. However, some designers such as Tommy Hilfiger decided to put a spin on the stripe trend. In his collection, Hilfiger added a white suit with stripes made of polka dots. Yes, polka dots! Textures are also being seen jumping off the catwalk and landing on the pavement. Floral prints – which scream spring – eyelid prints, lace and even leather, are the new feel for spring. Think you have to buy a whole new wardrobe? Not necessarily. That stone-washed jean jacket and those black (not see through) leggings you have from last season would look great with your new pastel lavender lace top and those new, multi-color, pastel slingback peep-toe pumps you just bought. That is the thing about fashion on the street: You can mix and match seasons and trends to make it your own. Just remember to accessorize to add the extra personality. This year it is all about stacking bangles. To achieve the look, lacquered bracelets are being utilized. Fashion is a language; the catwalk and the street are the pathways for learning to speak it.
Clothing price points: $:0-10
3. Estefania Sanchez, 21
1. Sohpal Dress: $$ Ross Cardigan: $$ Ross
2. Bradley Dress: $$$ Target Bracelets: $ Target
Photos by: Tonisha Barnes
$$:11-20 $$$:21+
3. Sanchez Top: $$ Sears Cami: $ Sears
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Photos By: Tonisha Barnes