Category: louisiana
This post was written by JeLlyn Morvant, one of Slow Southern Style’s interns. You’ll get a chance to meet her in the upcoming weeks but for now check out her blog, Bayou Bohemian, and be on the look out for her bio soon.
Fashion Week New Orleans (FW NOLA) is currently accepting applications for their Top Designer Competition, which is part of their fashionable festivities March 21st-25th. Ten designers will be given the opportunity to compete for the title of top designer and a chance to win a 90 day in-store presence at Hemline, a professionally designed website, and a photo shoot of the winning collection. Deadline for applications is January 15th, 2012 and judging by the talent from last year such as Anthony Ryan Auld (of Project Runway fame) you wouldn’t want to miss out on this chance.
2011 Top Designer Alicia Zenobia |
Alicia Zenobia, winner of the 2011 Top Designer Competition, feels the opportunity afforded her served as a springboard to get her designs into the public eye.
“This was the best opportunity to showcase the uniquely wilder flavor of New Orleans fashion in a comprehensive and well produced fashion event. I was so happy that my out of the box creations were not only understood, but also celebrated by the judges and audience at New Orleans Fashion Week and consequently the press and people of New Orleans, and beyond!”
Alicia Zenobia’s striking designs |
Interested applicants should contact Mallory Domingue at mdomingue@fashionweeknola.com
Make no mistake, I’m certainly not a model. I’m about a foot too short, my cheekbones weren’t chiseled by the hands of a Renaissance sculptor and the only way I’d fit into a sample size is if it were socially acceptable to wear a dress around one’s upper thigh. Aside from my prototype setbacks I was pleased and quite honored to model Alabama Chanin’s intricate designs as part of Haute and Handmade this past Friday. Each of Natalie Chanin’s pieces are hand stitched with nary a sewing machine in sight. You have to really get up close and personal to inspect and appreciate the labor and love that goes into each garment. They are truly a work of art with needle and thread.
Along with six local designers, Andrea Loest, Grayson Gold (he’s 12 years old!), Lorna Leedy, Kerry Fitts, Amanda Loest, and Rebecca Rebouche the Ogden Museum of Southern Art served as a pantheon of handmade looks, all designed below the Mason-Dixon line. I’m told there were over 400 people in attendance that evening, a great testament of support for southern based fashion. It was interesting to see which the similarities and stark contrasts of each designer but the common theme throughout the evening was a commitment to quality and originality.
My friend Chanel wearing a Bayou Salvage dress |
Fancy Ponyland |
Fancy Ponyland |
Bayou Salvage |
Amanda Deleon |
Alabama Chanin |
some random girl |
oh wait that’s me |
Copper, feathers, and fur from Lacey Dupre
I can’t believe how great opening night for Objects of Adornment went! Since its inception two years ago Slow Southern Style has been all about showcasing Southern based designers and I was thrilled with the opportunity to share four of my favorites in an intimate setting.
While the internet is the easiest, fastest way to discover fresh talent it is an entirely different experience seeing the work in person. We had every aesthetic represented, from Alicia Zenobia’s experimental hair dresses, classic style courtesy of Ben Azevedo’s bow ties, fanciful headpieces from Kaci Thomassie and swamp art thanks to Lacey Dupre’s nutria and bone necklaces.
I want to give massive amounts of thanks to Du Mois Gallery for helping me bring a little fashion to Freret Street, Lazy Magnolia for providing the beer, and the mannequins on loan from Armoire Boutique, Buffalo Exchange, Denise Lyons, Gera Kirkland, and Rachel Elizabeth Adams.
There are tons of photos from the evening on the Slow Southern Style Facebook page so make sure to check those out as well! And don’t forget that Objects of Adornment will be at Du Mois Gallery now through the end of October. All artwork on Freret Street is tax free for an extra incentive to add a wearable work of art to your collection, handmade right here in Louisiana.
Objects of Adornment Du Mois Gallery 4921 Freret Street New Orleans, LA |
My good friend Rebecca with her boyfriend Nick |
Kaci Thomassie and her boyfriend. It’s sort of ridiculous how cute they are together, right? |
Fiber art headbands by Kaci Thomassie |
Antique sewing machine, bow tie work station |
Drawing from her degree in theater with a concentration in costume design and inspired by vintage clothing Kaci works with a variety of materials including feathers, leather, unique fabrics, vintage buttons, and beads. It’s no wonder why her fascinators are sought after by brides to be, especially on the North Shore. Check out her work in person at this Saturday’s Objects of Adornment at Du Mois Gallery on Freret Street. Can’t make it to the opening? The show will run from October 8th until the end of the month.
Hello lovely readers of Slow Southern Style! I hope you are all doing wonderfully this Monday! I am Meganne, from The Posh Pearl. I am so thrilled to be guest posting for Christy today!
As the full two months of “Spring” have come and gone, the city is picking up steam with all things that consume our social calendars of events that force us to enjoy the outdoors. The days seem to grow longer, the hot, sticky embrace of this humid city awaiting with arms wide open. Yes, ladies and gents festival season is in full swing! Personally, it is my ultimate favorite time of year.