THE FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL OF HOUSTON, INC. QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
HOUSTON
WE HAVE A FASHION WEEK!
MERCEDES BENZ
FASHION WEEK-2011 SPRING COLLECTIONS
HAUTE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
– EVA PRAPPAS
WWW.FGIHOUSTON.ORG | ISSUE 3 | WINTER 2010
HAUTE H O U ST O N EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrea Bonner CREATIVE DIRECTOR Grace Jin PHOTOGRAPHERS Heinz Weidmann – Cover Victor Quinteros – Audi Fashion Houston
WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Andrea Bonner and Jeanette Coon © 2010 HAUTE Houston Newsletter. All Rights Reserved. No part of our online or printed newsletter may be scanned or reproduced. WWW.FGIHOUSTON.ORG For FGI Houston news, resources, events, jobs, and internships, visit us online at FGIHouston.org. We are located at 3701 W. Alabama, Suite 390 Houston, TX 77027. PHOTO & ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS andrea@hautehouston.org FEEDBACK Your input is important to us. Email us at andrea@hautehouston.org ONLINE PUBLICATION Available at hautehouston.org
on the cover Model: Cheyenne Depree from Neal Hamil Agency – www.nealhamilagency.com Location: Shot at Cheeky Vintage – www.cheekyvintage.com Clothing: Red Taffeta Victor Costa – 1980’s vintage – Cheeky Vintage Jewelry: Vintage – Cheeky Vintage Fashion Editor/Stylist: Andrea Bonner – Style On Demand – www.styleondemand.com Make Up: Andrea Schutter - Fabulous and Flawless Hair and Makeup Studio & Boutique – www.fabulousandflawless.com Photographer: Heinz Weidmann – www.hweidmann.com
2
HAUTE HOUSTON
2010
BOARD OF DIRECTORS HOUSTON REGION
10
Houston, We Have a Fashion Week
Regional Director – Josephine Gough, UZO Treasurer - Nancy Tran, First Data Secretary - Kara Times, Dillard’s Student/Affiliate Membership Director – Dr. Alyssa Adomaitis, University of Houston Program Director - Alexia Johnson, Savvy Consulting & Events Marketing Director - Maude Peters, Stage Stores, Inc. Creative Director - Grace Jin, Grace Jin Designs Newsletter Director/Haute Houston Editor-in-Chief - Andrea Bonner, Style On Demand
By Andrea Bonner
FOUNDATION - HOUSTON REGION
features 6 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week By Andrea Bonner
17
How We Began By Jeanette Coon
contents Board of Directors
3
Letter from the Regional Director
4
Contributors
5
Letter from the Editor
5
FGI 2011 Calendar of Events
14
HAUTE Member Spotlight
16
President - Jeff Shell, Neal Hamil Agency Secretary - Carla Kay, Personal Style Treasurer - Kara Times, Dillard’s Board Member - Susan Silverman, The Gayla Bentley Fashion Design Group Board Member - Dr. Alyssa Adomaitis, University of Houston
NEW YORK President - Margaret Hayes, The Fashion Group International, Inc. Chairman - Emilie Jackson, Wathne Ltd. Secretary - Charla Lawhon, InStyle Magazine. Pamela Gill Alabaster, L’Oreal USA, Inc. Sally Haigh Alex, Avon Products Joe Boitano, Saks Fifth Avenue Nancy Berger Cardone, Gourmet Magazine Kathryn Cordes, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu James D’Adamo, Hearst Intergrated Media Mary Ann Domuracki, Financo Inc. Susan C. Glick, Merchandise Mart Properties Kate Green, Givaudan Merle Sloss, Geoffrey Beene, Inc. Robin Lewis, Robin Lewis Inc. Jaqui Lividini, Lividini Weisenfeld Partners Donald J. Loftus, P&G Prestige Products Inc. Roseanne Morrison, Doneger Group Deborah Patton, Applied Brilliance Jane Randel, Liz Claiborne Denise Seegal Bari Seiden, The Estee Lauder Companies Audrey Smaltz, The Ground Crew Cynthia Steffe, Cynthia Steffe, Inc. Karen Young, The Young Group
ISSUE 3, WINTER 2010
3
Be Be
letter from your regional director Dearest Fashion Group Members and Friends, As we approach the end of year 2010, the 61st year of The Fashion Group International’s establishment in Houston, TX, I want to reach out to everyone for making this past year such a success!
A GUEST contributor HAUTE Houston is looking for members to be guest correspondents to write fashion, home and beauty
related articles each quarter. If you or a member you know is interested, please email us at: andrea@hautehouston.org
Membership Quality Our organization does not exist without our members’ exceptional commitment and contribution. Our members make up the best of the best in the fashion, home, and beauty industries in the Greater Houston Area. Not only has our membership grown 30% this past year, but our membership involvement has grown as well. Our members believe that FGI is more than just an international name, but a community of elite professionals supporting the industry they love and cultivating it for the future. A special thank you to all of our members that make Fashion Group the wonderful organization that it is! Accomplishments In looking back during the 2010 year, I am thrilled to see amazing success. We had two great trends events: one combined show and one comprehensive overview of the Spring/Summer and Fall trends from New York. We also brought to you two great business building events: the first was chaired by Lynn Wyatt and a panel of amazing Houston Business owners discussing the future of the business of fashion in Houston, and the second was the top exporting experts from the United States government to teach our business owners how to expand their businesses abroad. We had another successful Career Day in March, and we proudly sponsored Fashion Houston in October, the first fashion week in our great city. And finally, our largest accomplishment of 2010 was the launch of our amazing quarterly newsletter Haute Houston! Recognition of an outstanding Board of Directors I consider myself extremely lucky to serve the 2010 Board of Directors as the Regional Director. I am sincere in stating that without this team of outstanding people, we would not be where we are today. Each director took her responsibilities seriously and made great things happen. I am grateful to be a part of this genuine camaraderie of friends. While 2010 was a great year, our goal is to make 2011 even better! Please check out our 2011 Calendar of Events, and if you are interested in being apart of this unstoppable success, please contact me. It is an honor and pleasure to have lead Fashion Group in 2010, and I look forward to 2011. With Warmest Regards,
Josephine
4
HAUTE HAUTEHOUSTON HOUSTON
contributors FGI HOUSTON
WWW.FGIHOUSTON.ORG
Andrea Bonner Andrea Bonner is Editor-in-Chief of Haute Houston and the owner of Style On Demand, a Houston based, image consulting and personal shopping firm. Andrea is an instructor with Leisure Learning Unlimited and also works as a volunteer for several organizations including Dress For Success, Aids Foundation Houston, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter. Andrea works as a freelance fashion writer and is also Chief Copy Editor of the South Central Regional Reporter newsletter. In addition to serving as a board member with FGI Houston, she also serves on the board of The Ivy Educational and Charitable Foundation of Houston. Andrea is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a degree in Business Administration.
letter from the editor I can hardly believe that another year has passed! It seems like just yesterday that I was going through my list of resolutions for 2010. Some of them I can check off my list and other ones I’ll be carrying on to 2011 (plus adding a few more). One of the best things that has happened to me this year is to have been able to work with the many fabulous contributors that helped to launch FGI Houston’s fabulous member newsletter, Haute Houston! It has taken a lot of hard work, but it has been worth every minute. We want to keep the momentum going in 2011 by getting your input and suggestions for improvement...remember, this is your newsletter! One of the goals of FGI is to help its members become more effective in their professional lives. Whether it’s providing you with the trends of the season or tips to help you market your business, we want Haute Houston to be a tool to help you in that regard. I wish you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season and a prosperous new year!
Andrea L. Bonner, Editor-in-Chief Haute Houston
ISSUE 3, WINTER 2010
5
Nothing could have prepared me for the exciting whirlwind of fashion euphoria that is Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. This year’s Spring 2011 shows were held on September 9th – 16th at the iconic Lincoln Center in New York City, having moved from their original home of Bryant Park. Since I had never attended the shows at Bryant Park, I had nothing to compare this year’s shows to. Well, let me tell you…my experience was nothing short of remarkable. The official press release from International Management Group (IMG) stated that “The event went through a significant upgrade this season, providing new services to all of its designers, guests, the media and sponsors with advanced digital offering, streamlined communication, expedited check in, expanded production capabilities, among others. Overall, these enhancements were incredibly well received by the fashion industry, with many excited by the refined prominence and elegance of the venue”. Several media and celebrities that I met concurred that this year’s event was a huge upgrade from previous years. It was hard to believe that the “tent” that we were in was actually just that…a huge, building sized tent, transformed into a bevy of luxurious lounges, media stations, and fabulous studios that showcased the best in the world of fashion and design. My flight landed at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, September 10 and I thought it almost impossible for me to get to the hotel, check-in and make my first show, Ports 1961, at 3:00 p.m. Since I was attending as a member of the media, I anticipated a huge delay with media check-in, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Having arrived at Lincoln Center at 2:00 p.m., via the number 1 subway line (dubbed the fashion line by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and IMG’s Ted Fortsmann via a pre-fashion week press conference) from Times Square, it literally took about 15 minutes to obtain my press credentials from the press trailer and check in for my first show. IMG, the producer of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, used the awesome computer based check in and RSVP system called Fashion GPS to ensure that attendees were checked in most expeditiously. Standing in line for the Ports show, I ran into Lindsey Love, society writer for the Houston Chronicle. It seems that wherever you go in the world, someone from Houston is always there! Other Houstonian sightings during the week included Clifford Pugh, Editor-in-Chief of CultureMap.com and Sharron
Betsey Johnson
Melton, co-anchor for ABC 13’s morning newscast. After eyeing the Chanel jacket Lindsey had on and the other fantastic ensembles that my fellow attendees were wearing, I, at that moment, begin to question every outfit that I had brought with me to NY! All of a sudden, I heard the unfamiliar sound of shuffling and clicking, a sound that became familiar over the course of the following week. The doors had just been opened for the photographers who had been waiting in a mangled huddle to enter The Theatre, where the Ports show was to begin shortly. Each photographer was running to get their place in “The Pit” – the area at the end of runway where those perfect editorial runway shots are captured. After those with seating assignments were seated, the standing room seats were filled, the lights were dimmed and the music started. The first model appeared and began to glide down the runway in an effortless gallop. Flashbulbs go off like fireworks and the hairs stand up on my arm. This, is New York Fashion week. The Ports 1961 (designed by the incomparable Fiona Cibani) show, my very first show of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, surpassed all of my expectations of the shows that I’ve only read about in the past. Other shows that I attended included Academy of Art University, Charlotte Ronson, Max Azria, Carlos Miele, Tracy Reese, Betsey Johnson, Perry Ellis, Elie Tahari, Edwing D’Angelo and Monique Pean. I received several other invitations, but could not attend all of the shows. I was most disappointed that I did not make the Isaac Mizrahi show or budding young designer LaQuan Smith, whose second collection, A Story Book Path was presented at the Peninsula hotel. To see the complete list of designers, view show videos and other highlights of the week, visit the official
Edition Georges Chakra
site of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at www.mbfashionweek.com Friday, September 10 was the phenomenon called Fashion’s Night Out. From Halle Berry signing her most recent Vogue cover at the Ralph Lauren mansion to Solange Knowles (Beyonce’s sister) serving as DJ at Roberto Cavalli, the city was even more electric as the public was enticed to shop, shop, shop (my kind of night)! Houston photographer, Victor Quinteros, snapped a jewel of a shot – Anna Wintour being whisked off to what I’m sure was one of many appearances that night. In addition to the nights many events, I attended one of the most impressive and well attended shows of the week, The Academy of Art University (AAU). Since 2005, the School of Fashion at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California has premiered the collections of recent graduates
during New York Fashion Week. “We view this show as the University’s commitment to help launch the careers of our designers”, said AAU President, Dr. Elisa Stephens. “To be a part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at in Lincoln Center is an incredible opportunity”. Recently graduated designers who showed their collections included Jungah Lee, Cara Chiappetta, April Howard, Louie Llewellyn, Print Collaboration (a collaboration of students from the Technical Design, Fashion Design and Textile Design departments), Camilla Olson and Maria Korovilas. I had the honor of speaking (via email), to Cara Chiappetta about the experience of preparing for and participating in Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Here’s what she had to say – “The experience was an amazing learning opportunity as a designer. The process was challenging at times and I learned something new and vital every step of the way. As far as participating, it was my dream. From the model castings to the last minute tweaks backstage, it was totally surreal. To know that when my plane touched down in New York during fashion week, it was because I was to be on the other side of those tents. It was an overwhelming feeling and I felt so grateful to be awarded the opportunity.” I learned that Cara was a member of the San Francisco chapter of Fashion Group International and earned a scholarship from their Foundation earlier this year. When asked how her FGI membership has
Cara Chiappetta
benefited her, she stated that “Aside from the most gracious scholarship award, I have attended some great events that helped me gain more insight to the industry on a personal level. When volunteering for one event earlier this year, I realized how important groups such as FGI are - to support and educate one another in a community setting. I really enjoyed meeting the people who worked in the San
Francisco area and enjoyed listening to their histories and experiences. As a student, I felt reassured knowing the possibilities were endless in the fashion world, and I was assured I could carve out my own niche along the way”. Cara is currently searching for a job in the contemporary RTW market. She is staying open to all opportunities and is energized and ready to go. I have a feeling that Cara will be a permanent fixture at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in the very near future. At the Tracy Reese show, I was able to meet and ask a couple questions of iconic supermodel, Beverly Johnson, the first black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in August, 1974. She was extremely gracious and could give any of today’s top models a run for their money! When asked how she feels about being a trailblazer in the fashion industry, she stated that “I definitely feel a sense of pride and destiny to have been where I was at that point in time”. She also said that a piece of advice for those who want to make it in this business is that “With perseverance, success will come – if you love what you’re doing, keep doing it”. She did express concern and disgust that of all of the shows that she attended, there were very few models of color represented. She said that obviously, the fashion industry has a very long way to go.
LaQuan Smith
Celebrities claimed their seats in many a front row during the week to support their favorite designers. I personally saw Anna Wintour (well…I saw the back of her head), Nicky Hilton, Ciara, Russell Simmons, Kelly Rowland, Debora Cox, J Alexander, Aisha Tyler, Solange Knowles, Kelly Osborne, Anderson Cooper, Denise Richards, June Ambrose, Fern Mallis and Robert Verdi. While standing in line for shows, there were always mumblings about what celebrity had been spotted at what show or party. It was indeed an honor for me to have met Fern Mallis, a former Vice President of International Management Group (IMG), who, while serving as Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), was a visionary and organized what is now known as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. The sponsors of the week put the cherry on top of the experience. Maybelline New York, the #1 make up brand in the world was the brand of choice backstage and on the runway. DHL, the official logistics provider was on hand to greet guests as they entered the venue at the very chic DHL Information and Guest Services Desk. The Fiji Water never stopped flowing, nor did the Starbucks Bottled Coffee Frappaccino. The event’s official wine, Kim Crawford Wines kept us mellow with tasty 2009 Sauvignon Blanc and 2008 Pinot Noir.
HAUTE HOUSTON
Although Lincoln Center was the epicenter of the weeks fashion story, there were many other established and up and coming designers who showed collections at various venues across the city including Tom Ford, Rachel Roy, Stephen Burroughs, Laura Smalls, and countless other nameless talents.
The creative talents of the designers, make-up artists and stylists, the beauty and grace of the models, the commitment of the sponsors and the hard work of the many volunteers and other contributors is what made Mercedes Benz Fashion Week an experience unlike any other.
Edwing D’Angelo
ports 1961
Tracy Reese
Monique Pean
ISSUE 3, WINTER 2010
9
Audi Fashion
Houston, We Have a Fashion Week! By Andrea Bonner
(Photography by Victor Quinteros) www.gopro2.com For four fashion frenzied days this past October, Houston put itself on the fashion map by hosting the inaugural Houston Fashion Week – Audi Fashion Houston 2010 at Houston’s Wortham Center. FGI Houston, an official sponsor of the event, was on the scene for each style packed night. Vickie Rizzo, owner of More Than You Can Imagine (and FGI member) represented FGI in grand fashion, featuring an enticing display in the vendor tent. FGI Program Director, Alexia McWhinney, set up a very chic information booth in the tent as well, which was manned each night by dedicated FGI members including Maude Peters, Judy Gulgun, Kara Times, Dr. Alyssa Adomaitis, Raza Hasaan, Jessica Ogden, Eva Prappas, Toni White, Shandolyn Arline - Johnson and FGI Operations Manager, Ingrid Furtado. FGI Houston was also proud to have two of its talented members as featured designers in this historic event; Chloe Dao of Lot 8 and David Peck. When asked how he felt about his participation in Fashion Houston, David stated that “Fashion Houston was such a fantastic way for Houston to showcase its love of good design. I was honored to be included and welcomed with so much support. Making Fashion Houston a regularly occurring event will help solidify Houston’s place in the global fashion community. It can only get better, and I’m looking forward to the next one!”
Spotted on the front row each night, along with the other stylish fashionistas – two of FGI’s past Regional Director’s, Mrs. Suzette Brimmer and Mrs. Kay King – looking front row worthy of course! In addition to our talented members, Fashion Houston welcomed national designers including Christian Siriano, Lela Rose, Cesar Galindo, Marc Bouwer, Lyn Devon, Kiton and Lauren Bush. Lauren’s grandparents, President George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush were on hand to support Lauren’s Lauren Pierce Atelier show. Toni Whitaker, a Houston fashion powerhouse, showcased a breathtaking collection which was inspired by everything from African textiles to a sense of old Hollywood glamour. Grammy award winning singer, Yolanda Adams, along with her daughter Taylor, were front and center for Ms. Whitaker’s show. Yolanda has long been a client of Ms. Whitaker, having worn her gowns to the Grammy awards in past years. Net-a-Porter, the luxe London online retailer brought a bevy of glamorous pieces from some of their top names to showcase on the runway. Lupe Puerta, Net-a-Porter’s Personal Shopping Manager was here from London and greeted guests in the lounge with an aura indicative of their reputation for exemplary customer service. The final night, with a presentation of Houston’s fashion royalty, Lynn Wyatt’s couture gowns (BREATHTAKING) and the tribute to the iconic Eileen Ford, was a finale befitting the overwhelmingly successful week. Jared Lang, President of Audi Fashion Houston, along with other key members of the Fashion Houston team, including Bambi Lynn, Neil Hamil, Page Parkes, Rob Rutherford, Erica Garza, and Nancy Hamil should be commended for this huge undertaking, but most importantly for a job well done.
Announcement We want to hear
YOUR SPECIAL ANNOUCEMENT
10
HAUTE HOUSTON
Have you received an award or honor? Are you or is your business doing something that we need to know about? We’d love to hear from you! Please send any special announcements to andrea@hautehouston.org
n Houston 2010
Assoc.Editor
We are looking
FOR AN ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Do you love to write, edit and have a keen eye for detail? Then, Haute Houston would love to talk to you about being our Associate Editor! Please contact Andrea at andrea@hautehouston.org for more details. IISSUE SSUE 3, WINTER 2010
11
Audi Fashion
12
HAUTE HOUSTON
n Houston 2010
ISSUE 3, WINTER 2010
13
2011 CalendarAudi Fashi OF EVENTS
JANUARY At Your Service: Business Building Event for Service Professionals FEBRUARY 17 Spring/Summer Trends: Runway to Reality MARCH 7 25th Anniversary Career Day MARCH Downtown Home Tour with Downtown Alliance APRIL Men’s Night Out MAY Haute Town, Summer Fashion Show with the Downtown Alliance JUNE Retail Revolution: Maximizing Your In-Store Event JULY Summer Soiree AUGUST Fall Trends: Runway to Reality SEPTEMBER Beauty Tips for Brides to Be OCTOBER Inaugural Rising Star Gala DECEMBER Annual Meeting/ Holiday Cocktail Party
14
HAUTE HOUSTON
ion Houston 2010
interested in being an
intern?
The FGI Houston internship program is designed to provide students and recent graduates with an opportunity to learn about the fashion, home and beauty industries of Houston. There are currently four (4) Spring internship opportunities available for 2011. The complete bulletin can be viewed on FGI Houston’s Web site at www.fgihouston.org If you or someone you know is interested, please contact the FGI Houston Operations Manager, Ingrid Furtado at Ingrid@fgihouston.org for more information. ISSUE 3, WINTER 2010
15
HAUTE
member spotlight
Eva Prappas
FGI Houston is proud to have such a star in our midst! Eva Prappas, a native Houstonian, after graduating from The University of Texas with a degree in Radio, Television and Film, moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career in the motion picture industry. Her area of specialization is fashion and period costumes. Eva was instrumental in setting trends for a generation of teenagers, costuming first for “Beverly Hills 90210”, then moving on to work on more than 40 feature films. Eva recently finished filming “True Grit”, directed by the Cohen Brothers. Having been asked about the experience, Eva stated that “It was a difficult time period to recreate”. The movie is set in 1870 then skips to 1910. There were not a lot of original clothes from this time period. If there were originals, they were threadbare. The actors’ clothes were all made. Extras for the movie were fitted from stock rented from costume houses. Eva was involved with the fitting of these extras which accounted for approximately 1000 fittings! “The extras looked great. My hands were beat up from lacing so many corsets”, said Eva about the tedious process. To participate as an extra, men were instructed not to shave or cut their hair. Ladies could not color or cut their hair nor pluck their eyebrows. After the fittings, it was then decided how the men and women should be styled concerning hair (i.e. mutten chops for the guys etc.). It really helped to contribute to the look of the film to start from such a base. In the film, Jeff Bridges plays Rooster Cogburn which won John Wayne his only Oscar nomination. Matt Damon covers Glen Campbell’s role as Texas Ranger LeBeouff. Newcomer Hailee Steinfeld plays the lead role of Mattie. “True Grit” comes out Christmas day. In addition to Eva’s successful career in motion pictures, she also works as a stylist for many local and national clients.
Nominate Nominate
SOMEONE TO BE FEATURED
16
HAUTE HOUSTON
Would W ould you like to nominate someone to bee featured in our next member spotlight? b Email E mail us at andrea@hautehouston.org ISSUE 3, WINTER 2010
Who We Are
The Fashion Group International is a global, non-profit organization of dynamic professionals, men and women of achievement and influence in the all areas of fashion and design and design related industries, including apparel, accessories, beauty and home.
What We Do
The FGI mission is to be the preeminent authority on the business of fashion and design, and to help its members become more effective in their professional lives. FGI offers insights on major trends in person, on-line and in print, hosts programs and business symposiums, and provided access to industry leaders and peers. FGI raises money to support a range of philanthropic causes that benefit and improve the Fashion and Lifestyle industries and our community.
As A Member
HOW WE BEGAN
by Jeanette Coon
Founded in the 1930s, Fashion Group International (FGI) was the first non-profit fashion organization established by and for women. Today the organization offers membership to men and women alike. Elizabeth Arden, Edna Woolman Chase, Lily Dache, Edith Head, Claire McCardell, Virginia Pope, Eleanor Roosevelt and Carmel Snow were among the founding members. These legendary figures left an indelible print on the American fashion landscape.
Publications: The International Membership Directory, an invaluable resource, lists all FGI members around the world. The Members’ Bulletin reports regularly on the latest trends and industry issues that help members market and manage their businesses while it updates readers on member related news. The Ready To Wear Trend Report publishes twice yearly, straight from the runway commentary. Web site: The FGI online community includes comprehensive news, event information, fashion and business reports 24/7. Updated daily, the Members Only Fashion Access Network features member profiles, executive job banks, forums and more. Region Events: Our industry events (retails trends, informational seminars, panels designed for decision makers and CEOs) keep you informed. Our networking opportunities are limitless. Use our directory to maximize business trips by networking with potential clients, suppliers, and manufacturers among the FGI membership worldwide. ISSUE 3, WINTER 2010
17