Todays blog might come off as random rambling or mere slight judgement calls from an individual that has observed much  detail and insight from her experiences in the San Antonio Fashion industry of Texas. Hmmm... Curious title I choose for this fashion Blog... curious indeed. Well lets start from the beginning- my first fashion show that I ever had anything to do with was the grand opening IADT spring Finale back in 2008! I was assigned a model provided by the school, her name was Victoria..... I dont remember her age but she was incredibly sweet in personality. The school of Iadt was my first mainstream event. It was very well organized, and well covered by local media. It was the most amazing opportunity in my life because it would be the first time ever that I would meet a genuine celebrity. Which at the time was Nick Varreros of Project Runway season 2... even though I only had one garment to show off it was still a genuine 15 seconds of fame. The designer students also were provided VIP seating for their family members which pretty much went out the window since some 500 guest showed!!! The turn out was successful.

        Todays blog might come off as random rambling or mere slight judgement calls from an individual that has observed much  detail and insight from her experiences in the San Antonio Fashion industry of Texas. Hmmm... Curious title I choose for this fashion Blog... curious indeed. Well lets start from the beginning- my first fashion show that I ever had anything to do with was the grand opening IADT spring Finale back in 2008! I was assigned a model provided by the school, her name was Victoria..... I dont remember her age but she was incredibly sweet in personality. The school of Iadt was my first mainstream event. It was very well organized, and well covered by local media. It was the most amazing opportunity in my life because it would be the first time ever that I would meet a genuine celebrity. Which at the time was Nick Varreros of Project Runway season 2... even though I only had one garment to show off it was still a genuine 15 seconds of fame. The designer students also were provided VIP seating for their family members which pretty much went out the window since some 500 guest showed!!! The turn out was successful.

   Since 2008 I have not participated in any school productions partially because its never as good as the first time!!! I ended up leaving IADT that year shortly after the grand opening  and 2 other shows mainly because ofa compromised living situation with my two daughters. I returned to my mothers in Uvalde Texas and secluded to a very mundane boring life until High Lyfe Entertainment of Crystal city found me! I feel in love with the show business, singing back up, designing tshirts,promoting, and the networking. I vowed that I would return to IADT again some day! I did.. but I never knew it would take me literally 2-3 years. Aside from fashion designing, I had always wanted to be a runway model. Here I am almost 30 and Im still chasing childhood dreams! ( I laugh at the thought of all of this!) Lucky for me I age very gracefully!! Im starting to realize that on the daily!

  This time in retuning to IADT SAN ANTONIO my production experiences were very different. Different in that I had began to witness that fashion businesses and marketing were literally popping up every where. Student designers were naturally more aggressive and ambitious in their own business endeavors. There werent as many posers either. This time around I began to literally become part of the young pioneering  vivaciousness of the industry! The idea of having a genuine career suddenly was real, it was no longer a dream or something I was chasing. These very same confessions that I share with you I know by heart that other local designers will agree with as well. Since January of this year I was literally handpicke for production projects, and while they didnt pay off in monetary means, it did pay off in social reputation! Now this is where Im coming in with teh Underground Fashion Production! Literally in attitude, style and uniqueness.Before I go into detail I would like to credit some key people that have helped shape genuine oppertunities for me and many other student designers. People whome are student designers, directors and producers themselves! I would like to credit Soraya Stringer, Danielle Barnes, Kevyn Pounds, Awilda Legaretta Kelly. I want to credit Danielle and Soraya the most for never leaving me behind despite all the literal challenges Ive had to face outside of school and our projects together. I want to credit Awilda for taking a chance on me as a stylist late last year for her princess show even though Ive never had any experience styling hair! Awild believed in my natural ability to design long before we were temporary business partners. Danielle wanted to take everything to a brand new level to bridge the gaps between art/ open mic/ live entertainment/  runway/  and rap. Kevyn Pounds, was just looking for  the perfect opportunity and focused on literally finding the perfect high fashion runway model!!! Yes the super super skinny ones that were blessed with the high cheek bones! Oh I musnt forget about  Designer Jazzy Chanelle Javogue who graced the runway as one of my plus models for the very first time  this August at one of Danielle's events! Underground production often involves getting your hands dirty and whereing several hats until you can either generate enough funds to pay people to work for you or until you have sponsors. Ive noticed that Ive gained more respect as a public figure through the student underground productions more so then through the school of IADT. Now that is not to say that every one in IADT is 2 faced. Some of the teachers are truly quite genuine! Teachers like : Mrs Villereal, Mrs. Bunce, Mr. Ajani Abdulkhalik, Mrs. Yunger, Mrs. Cobbs, Mrs. Postrano, Mrs. Cruz, Mrs. Benavides, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Floyd, Mrs. Robinson, Mr. Picquet... and oh believe me there are so many more. Many of the names of the people that I just mentioned have had real life career experiences in many different fashion and art markets and chose to come to an institutionalized learning environment to pass their skills down!

     The bigger picture is beautiful... since then (2008) I have to admit that I have fallen even deeper in love with the classical simplicity of fashion. I was never intending to start a trend. I merely  wanted  to  show the world around me that I as a person, as a student, as a woman was and am capable of creating beautiful garments. Currently I am enjoying a sebatical away for this fall term. I felt that the class room wasnt where I really needed to be. I thought I would take a sebatical from shows as well but in actuality I found that it would be best for me to finish. Actual designers never just sit there and look pretty anyway( thats a models job...lol) Real designers are always running around back stage taking CARE of their models and making sure their stylists, assistants and other team members are doing what needs to be done in a timely fashion! I almost fell for the trap of producing my own show but through witnessing what so many others go through stress wise I realized that theres really no rush when there are so many other opportunities being created every month! I am right where I need to be and over all I truly believe there is less creative restriction withe underground industry versus mainstream! Plus I wanted to make my mark on the current fashion industry with plus size beauty and after one year of going non stop I feel I have!!! Who knows what 2012 will bring I look forward to all the  new changes!   Before I end this blog whether your a stage hand or designer ALWAYS bring safety pins, bottled water, loose thread and needles for last mingute emergencies! Have a nice day every one!