Vanity: The Premiere Fashion Experience

Posted by sarahrabinowe on 8/01/10 • Categorized as FASHION SHOWS+PARTIES

The “premiere fashion experience” at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, showcased exhibitors, models, and designers in beautifully constructed large scale event.

ERollins Marketing Events, a Fashion Marketing Firm, proudly presents, “VANITY” The Premiere Fashion Experience. This exclusive event will take place, Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the Max M. Fisher Orchestra Hall located at 3711 Woodward Avenue in Detroit at 8:00p.m., while doors will open at 7:00p.m. “VANITY” The Premiere Fashion Experience will attract over 400 attendees showcasing some of Detroit’s hottest talents in the world of fashion. “VANITY” The Premiere Fashion Experience will showcase more than 10 exhibitors, 40 models, and over 20 Fashion Designers including Detroit Fashion Extraordinaire, Cedi Johnson of CEDI COLLECTION. Guests will enjoy a V.I.P. Reception, Music, Appetizers and a Luxurious Gift Bag.

Urban Sophistication & Street Couture

Black Confederacy + Backstage Interview

Born and raised in Michigan, the designer of Black Confederacy knows his demographic better than anyone! The denim is the key to this collection, with multiple different denim fabrics incorporated into each pair of jeans. Overall, FORMzine would say this is a young and promising brand and we look forward to seeing the future of Black Confederacy.

Interview with designer Adam David Vought

How was your collection inspired?

It’s inspired by a trend over in the Uk and it’s called dandy manifesto. It’s more of a clean cut slim line cut… jeans. And it’s not really baggy, it’s street-wear it’s kind of like urban wear.

Kind of like a boot-cut then.

More like a boot cut, just really clean lines. Nothing too sloppy, and just basic colors. I love these earth tones; not too many bright colors with it, just dark colors.

So I noticed you had different types of jean patterns…

Well, with the different types of patterns, I had organic cottons, wool patterns, it’s actually wool spun to look like denim. My brand is mainly like denim and jeans so it’s just inspired by, it’s inspired off of, a military look. So I just kind of like a military army look–really rugged.

Is there anything else specifically you want to say about your brand?

Black Confederacy, a lot of people ask me what “black confederacy” stands for. I give them my card and they see black confederacy and they see a confederate flag and they see an African American with a confederate flag. And they say “are you screwed up in the head.” (laughs)

Basically what Black Confederacy is, it doesn’t really have anything to do with one specific race, meaning African Americans. Black has always been associated in my eyes with negative, be it African American, gay, lesbian, Jewish, Hispanics. I refer to it as the people that are “in the black,” kind of like the people who are in the shadows. Confederacy is the meaning is the state or unit of people that come together for one cause. And what better cause to come together for… it’s fashion. It has no language, no racism.

It’s all about self expression.

Exactly, exactly, so I put the two together and it’s Black Confederacy and the flag it’s just… it’s just for kind of…

Kicks?

Yeah. (laughs)

No, I mean fashion isn’t all serious, it should be fun.

Yeah it should be fun, and I have a passion for it.

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Camer0n Zachery

In case you missed FORMzine’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim coverage, swimwear returns! The true beauty of this collection is in the details – the cut of the bottoms at the hip, the cut of the lace along its pattern, and the use of the neutrals trend through white and nude colored fabric.

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Love, Life Swagger

T-shirts, especially screen-printed ones, are a quintessential item for any street style maven. Through the use of non-verbal messages, this t-shirt designer puts a unique spin on this necessity.

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Williams Collection + Backstage Interview

The designers of the Williams Collection are establishing a brand through their line and, as a result, a symbol. Each person who wears their garments knows he or she is making a statement of confidence. The pieces of this collection are meant to be mixed and matched with other brands to create an individualized experience for each wearer. Who better to tell you more about this collection than the designers themselves…

Interview with Ron Williams, Crazy K, and Kristan of Williams Collection

Crazy K: Well, the line is pretty much like urban-wear slash high fashion.

So what exactly does that mean to you then, like what will we see today (at the show?)

Ron: So today, we will see more “casual sporty”–

All: Yeah, casual sporty.

Crazy K: For grown men and women, like every day, you can wear to the grocery store, the kids can wear to school.

So very ready to wear?

Crazy K: the soccer mom… the soccer mom type. (laughs) Not overdressed or underdressed.

Ron: Buttons up, polos.

Crazy K: You can do a 9-5 in it, too.

Ron: Hang out all the way to two o’clock, no problem.

Very versatile!

All: Yes.

Kristan: Both men’s and women’s jeans, as well as shorts, you know, tank top types… the summer cotton wear, durable clothing.

What do you want people to look out for in your line?

Kristan: Well let me explain that. See, we’ve got the signature C and the W, you know we have (on the clothing).

Ron: We’ve got our own logo. It’s important for some of the shows that we have, I mean, we have tags and things of that nature, but you don’t know that that it’s necessarily Signature Williams collection. There are also different colors that may be used at any given time, it depends on the trim maybe, and depends on the season, but it’s good for everyone.

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Ndcysve + Backstage Interview

The modern Ed Hardy, this collection actually has two parts – garments with glittered, alien inspired graffiti and others cleaner-lined looks with individualized one-of-a-kind gold button hardware. Always a trend setter, Ndcysve uses alien inspiration rather than the standard dragons, fish, tigers, and snakes art for these designs. Likewise, through the use of gold hardware, this designer proves that not just swimwear designers can modernize gold.

Interview with designer Rodney McDonald

So first of all, what was kind of the look and inspiration for this collection?

I have two lines, one is a little more urban, one is a little more ready-to-wear. The first one is Ndcysve clothing, which is a little more glitter and glamor. It’s. I guess, people were more-so putting it in the category of Ed Hardy, but it’s a lot more extravagant. It plays a lot more on light; it kind of makes you stand out a little bit more. The other line was Buttons, it’s a really clean line, really elegant kind of more upscale and the concept of it is using, utilizing all real gold buttons, and never using the same patter of gold buttons on one garment.

What was the image you were trying to portray with these lines?

I mean the image is kind of… I don’t want to say upcoming fashion, but maybe like flash-forward. I want people to get a glimpse of what is now, but also what is to come. I know a lot of people are doing skulls, so I’ll have shirts similar to that, but instead of skulls I might use aliens. Or you know, it’s ironic that.. you know, when I started doing buttons I kind of got out of the phase of wearing glitter and more wanting to just do plain stuff. Clean lines, stuff like that. It’s weird because I don’t see many people that have lines or collections that do anything with gold buttons. And the way they “pop” on clothing, you would think they’d be utilized more. That was just something that I wanted to use, something that makes people stand out. Just basically something you could put on every day and you feel good. You actually feel like this is your outfit. I want it to feel like this is your favorite outfit. You want to wear it every weekend.

So finally, is there anything else you’d like to say?

I need more followers on twitter. (laughs)

Well we have a Formzine twitter (@formzine) so you’re welcome to exchange followers that way!

Oh yeah, definitely. My twitter is @byRodneyM too. Also, I’m working on a collection that’s Ndcysve by Rodney McDonald: The Black Collection, which is all black everything. Anything that has glitter or swarovski crystals, it’ll be black swarovski crystals. And I’m also working on another collection for Ndcysve called “A Splash of Summer.” Using really really vibrant colors pastel colors, but the bleaching and the textile colors in it, too. Really, really creative and not that much glitter on it, because I want the focus to be the garment.

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Jkatdor+ Backstage Interview

While the entire collection is appealing, the swimwear truly shined – the cut, choice of fabric, and hardware details are all excellent. If I had seen this swimwear in Miami, I would have thought they were of the best of the week!

Interview with designer Katrina

What’s kind of your brand’s image, what’s this collection inspired by?

It’s actually inspired by me and my designing. I’ve been modeling for the last seven years now and I decided to cross over. It’s a mixture of hip-hop couture with just a little bit of twist, because it has a lot of bling, swarovski crystals, things like that.

What’s your most important thing for this collection?

Swarovski crystals. Bling, bling bling. Actually, my line of jeans, my line of jeans are incorporated with the crystals.

Anything else you’d like to say about your line?
Just that it’s different, it’s unique, I put my all into it, I do have a clothing store that’ll be open August 28th that will carry my brand. It’s going to be in Detroit, Michigan on Plymouth between Evergreen and Telegraph. I’m also going to mass-produce my line so it’ll be in Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, places like that.

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AYV

This t-shirt brand, serious about its collection, yet playful through – literally – its message. Slogans like “This is what a star wears.” in Star Wars font and “Accent your Vibe” adorn the shirts, making a statement without the wearer appearing to take him or herself too seriously. Ultimately, the point is to send a message of individuality through clothing.

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Haute Couture & Casual Chic

Cedi

The most anticipated designer of the night, this collection did not disappoint! For the sophisticated, socialite of Detroit – a woman, who travels, requires a dress and jacket for a gala, opera opening, wedding, et al – these are the designs to wear.

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Addiction

Prints on the bottom and solids on the top, this is both one of FORMzine’s favorite collections, as well as one of the most cohesive. When the designer came out at the end, it became clear that she designed this collection for herself, which always makes for the best clothes. This fact shows, every look in this collection is both stylish and wearable!

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Love Stitch + Backstage Interview

How unique! FORMzine does not choose “best collections,” but we do have our favorites – and this is one! True Haute Couture, this entire collection is hand-crocheted, one-of-a-kind pieces by its designer! Not made from a pattern, purchasing one piece from this collection means owning a piece of art. As models demonstrated – through the prints, length, and colorations – these dresses are truly striking on anyone.

Interview with designer Eliana Evans

What was your inspiration for your collection?

My inspiration comes from a lot of different places. From flowers to music to anything. I can get inspiration from even a song. I just like to create something that’s a little fun and flirty.

When I saw the collection I loved it. The great thing is, I felt like it’s not “your grandmother’s knitwear” so to speak.

It’s definitely not your grandmother’s crochet. I actually think that my line is a little fun and sexy, and it kind of brings out a little daring part in some women. But it doesn’t go too overboard, it’s a little classy too.

I noticed all of the great patterns, was that a knit from the bottom to the top? How did you construct the garments?

Every garment is constructed differently. I don’t use any patterns, everything is freeform. I actually can’t even read patterns.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

I just want to create something that everybody will love. That’s where the name Love Stitch comes from, that, and my daughter. Actually, I started crocheting when I was nine years old, and when I had my daughter–she’s four now–I wanted to create clothes for her. I started making baby clothes, and people started asking me where they could purchase them. From there, I started making women’s clothes.

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Alexander Ali + Backstage Interview

These designs are for the young and chic – people who know themselves and their style. Very edgy -with the leather and hand-stitched zippers – these are the perfect outfits for any night-on-the-town.

Interview with designer DeShawn Louis

What was kind of the inspiration, or the point of view, of your collection this season?

The point of view for this season was more of a “grungier” feel with the nails and the wool sweaters, and the guys looking a little preppy with the trashbag bowties. It’s just a big collage of everything.

I love the zipper detailing could you tell me a little more about that?

The zippers, I’m a big fan of zippers. Like I’d zip anything.

How should people feel when they wear your clothing?

I just want them to feel good about their clothes. And, my garments are not for the shy or nonchalant. I like bold pieces and that’s what my customer will have to be.

Is there anything else you want to say to our readers?

Just look out for me! I’m getting my website up soon.

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Fleu’try Designs

Classic pieces for the young and you-at-heart, these designs are mostly made of darker neutral tones, with splashes of color throughout. The flattering boning constructed in these garments are the best part of this collection, as seen by pieces below!

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N’Kesh

This collection is a reminder of what “summer fun” means. With bright, bold colors, “girls just want to have fun…” came to mind during this collection!

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Miss Behaven

This collection is a retrospective of the 1970s Detroit with color, cut, and – most of all – high-waisted pants. Welcome back!

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Styles by Fanciee

Like the decade, following the 1970s inspired N’Kesh is a return to the 1980′s with Styles by Fanciee. Artsy prints and great, bold looks create an altogether finished ensemble! Of the night, this collection stood out as the most complete in terms of actual outfit styling.

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