AIFL fashion trip to Europe

With 7 days in Europe and 2 days of travel the group of students from the Art Institute toured around some of the most inspiring cities of Italy and France. The group arrived to the city of Milan where the trip began. The first city on the itinerary was Verona, which is home to the famous balcony in which Shakespeare’s story of Romeo and Juliet is inspired. The city is full of fashion stores, typical markets and is also home to Italy’s 3^rd largest Roman Amphitheater. On the second day the group jumped on a boat and sailed to Venice where the group visited the Palazzo Ducale, a glass blowing workshop, traditional lace making school and the very traditional gondola ride.

On the third day the group kissed good bye to the region of Veneto and toured towards the Tuscany. There two days were spent at the Renaissance home town, Florence. The group had walking tours of the city, visited the Piazza della Signoria where the Palazo Veccio is found and a wonderful open air sculpture museum. The students got to see wonders of the city such as the cathedral with its dome and bell tower, a jewelry demonstration, a fake versus real leather demonstration, wine tasting and the Ferragamo Shoe Museum.

On the Fifth day of the trip the group traveled to France. On the way there was a short visit to the city of Pisa to visit the leaning tower. The first stop on France was the beautiful sea side city of Nice. While on the area the group visited a perfume factory in Eze and the Principality of Monaco. Some time was also spent in getting to know the city of Nice with its lots of shopping spots and its antique area.

Days six and seven were dedicated to the city of love, art and fashion: Paris. Here the group mixed and matched the sightseeing by bus and in the Seine river, the Eiffel tower visit and the Louvre with one of the world’s most famous fashion weeks, where the students had the opportunity to attend trade shows and fashion shows as well a remarkable exposition in honor to the little black dress. Some extra activities included visiting the atelier of Lefranc-Ferrant, Aux Laines Escoceses concept store, Versailles palace and the Moulin Rouge.

article by Diana Sofia Parra photos by Luzmaria Palacios

EMERGING DESIGNER CONTEST: FLORIDA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Aimee Hitchner & Jess Cearley

Directors

info@ParkAvenueFashionWeek.com

EMERGING DESIGNER CONTEST: FLORIDA

Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week extends the deadline for its Emerging Designer contest

September 23, 2009 – Winter Park, Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer Contest has a new deadline of October 9^th, 2009.

This year, Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week (PAFW09) brought to you by Orange Appeal and Mercedes Benz of Orlando in Maitland is expanding its Emerging Designer Contest to the entire state of Florida. Harriett’s PAFW09 is looking for design students, fashion aficionados, and anyone else who has what it takes to impress our judges. Contestants must submit pictures and at least two samples of their pre-made 5-piece collection (changed from 10-piece) after which, a panel of judges (to be announced) will pick the semi-finalists. Those semi-finalists will have two weeks month to design and fine tune their collections. On the eve of the main event each designer will display his/her collection and VIP ticket holders will vote one winner. The finalist chosen will open Harriett’s PAFW 2009 with their own personal runway show. They will also receive the opportunity to carry their line in a boutique participating in Harriett’s PAFW09 for one month, accompanied by a trunk show and a prize packet (contents TBD). For additional details and requirements, and to apply, visit  www.ParkAvenueFashionWeek.com.

Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week is a 7-day (October 18th-24th) celebration of the local fashion retail and design

community. The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce and the Park Avenue Area Association set out to create

an event that would represent Winter Park and its fashion’s. Since its conception in 2007, HPAFW is held every fall

with a week full of fashionable events hosted by the boutiques of Park Ave. and Hannibal Square. The grand

finale is the fashion show held in downtown Winter Park’s West Meadow Park where a prominent tent display,

designed by New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s venue designers, lights the night sky. Harriett’s Park Avenue

Fashion Week’s goal is to bring the essence of fashion and merge it with function to showcase Winter Park and

its elegance. For more information, visit www.ParkAvenueFashionWeek.com.

* * * * * * * * * *

The Art Institutes Passion For Fashion Competition

The Art Institutes Passion For Fashion Competition

The Art Institutes Passion For Fashion Competition
High school seniors who are graduating in 2010 and are interested in either fashion design or fashion marketing programs are eligible to compete for this scholarship. Learn more: www.artinstitutes.edu/passionforfashion

Lunch provided! Get tips on your entry!

* Fashion Design – Room 218
* Fashion Merchandising – Room 220
you could win a trip to NYC’s Fashion Week, greetingwith Seventeen magazine, & $500 shopping spree.

Reserve your workshop spot: aiflcommunications@aii.edu

AIFL fashion program in the media: read about recent graduates

The fashion design and fashion merchandising students and instructors at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale offer some advice and insight on fall fashion trends:

“Global cultures influence the colorful mosaic of fall ‘09, creating a new universal attitude,” says fashion design instructor at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Chelsea Rousso. “Through a mixture of motifs, layering occurs, allowing for uniqueness and individuality. Deep ethnic colors and patterns are appearing on scarves, skirts and knit dresses worn over leggings or textured tights. These ‘boho’ looks capture the relaxed approach to the easy-does-it mind-set.”

Rousso, who is currently writing a book on fashion forecasting, has more than 20 years experience as a designer and design director in the New York fashion world. As business in the early ’90s was changing, she developed the concept for an artisan-inspired collection called Earth Song, clothing with natural and earthy appeal that was sold to stores and catalogs throughout the U.S. “I am now committed to ‘giving back’ through teaching,” she says.

Recent graduates of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale fashion programs have their own opinions on fall fashion. “College students think about finding themselves,” says Karlee Smith, who received a bachelor’s of science degree in fashion merchandising and immediately went to work at the VF Corporation in Atlanta, Ga., as Vassarette merchandiser. “In essence, they create their own trends. At least most do who care to be unique. Even if they are on a budget, college students can find affordable clothes and accessories at places like Forever 21, Zara and Express.”

Smith’s classmate Elana Bloom concurs with making your own fashion statements and that college students care about their clothes. “I do think college students still think about fashion when they dress for class. Although, I do not think fashion is what is determined in their mind when they are shopping for their class attire,” she says. “Comfort, convenience and chic are ideal for a college student who faces long days schelpping books, laptops, and other college necessities. Let’s face it, can a girl walk up three flights of stairs in 4-inch platforms and make it without breaking a sweat or falling?”

read the article

read more

12th annual Miami International Fashion Week!

Welcome to the 12th annual Miami International Fashion Week!

The next event is schedule for March 18 – 21, 2010 at Midtown Miami.

We have been working especially hard the last few months developing the new student and emerging talent competitions to include fashion, photography, graphic arts and film.

Please review the competition rules and let us know if you have any questions. We are launching the competitions earlier than ever before with hopes that you will include the MIFW 2010 competition as a class project so everyone gets involved. We have also been working extremely hard in planning additional events to benefit the MIFW Foundation Scholarship Fund with a cash prize going to the winners in each category next year.

Our judges are highly professional in their fields and all are very excited to be working with us in these competitions. We look forward to your feedback and to your participation! Its going to be a great year! Many thanks and Good Luck to all!

www.miamifashionweek.com

Best Regards, Beth Sobol Sobol Fashion Productions

9378 NW 8th Circle Plantation, FL 33324 USA

Armani Exchange store recruit at Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

Thursday, July 30^th, 10am until 4pm in the lobby of the main building :
On Thursday, July 30th, the managers of the new Armani Exchange store at Sawgrass Mills coming to the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale to recruit for available positions. This store is about to open and is expected to be the 3rd largest store at Sawgrass. This store is about to open and is expected to be the 3^rd largest store at Sawgrass. They have OVER 100 positions to fill. They are looking for everything from sales to stock to cashiers. Some stock positions are overnight or early morning shifts. Come and fill out an application and meet with the managers. Successful candidates will be invited to a 2^nd interview on Friday.

questions?: ask Jodi R. Berkshire. Assistant Director of Career Services. The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

2008 Spring Fashion Show “A Scarlett Affair” on video

This video promo of the 2008 Spring Fashion Show “A Scarlett Affair” was produced, filmed, directed, and edited by students of the Digital Filmmaking & Video Production program in collaboration with students in the Fashion, Broadcasting, and Visual Effects & Motion Graphics programs at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.Visit The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale online
Learn more about The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Fashion programs

Las Olas Wine and Food Festival

Another one bites the bullet” Andre West stated as the Fashion Show ended and the eye candy descended on the streets of Las Olas Blvd.

“

This was our fifth year with the Wine and Food Festivities and to tell you the truth our talent is like wine the older we get the better it produce.

Among some of the designs were The Dear Sweet Cupcake Dress designed by Christian Tinson and the Marshmallow Fondue dress Designed by Lorena Pires that placed first place. The garments all were crafted to resemble a food or to have some type of food included in the garments. The show was a success. We look forward to next year’s showing.

by Sheila Rodriguez

Dress like Beyonce Contest . Obsessed

The Dress like Beyonce Competition was held on April 23, 2009 the evening of the screening of the Obsessed movie starting Beyonce Knowles, Ali Larter and Idris Elba. The movie is basically a remake of fatal attraction with a crazy twist.

The fashion Students of Aifl were challenged to make or style garments that Beyonce Knowles would wear. Among those student designers were Brandy Harris, Sheila Rodriguez and Alinne Netto. The garments and models were judged by the crowd. In first place came Brandy Harris. His garments are now being displayed in the window on the right hand side of the elevators. Thank you very much to all participating students.

by  Sheila Rodriguez

Saggy pants ban according to a fashion expert.

Saggy pants ban leads to a legal challenge and Chelsea Rousso was called to testify as a “fashion expert”

I testified in court about “saggy pants, slouching, or baggy pants”. The hearing was to challenge the ordinance in Riviera Beach, Florida (Palm Beach County) which makes it illegal to wear pants that show skin or underwear below the waist. In Riviera Beach more that a dozen young men have been arrested. The public defender, John Rivera asked the court to review the constitutionality of the ordinance. I was asked to testify in court as a “fashion expert” to explain trends, how fashion trends move through society often representing a social message  I presented evidence to support my ideas. After I was sworn in, my credentials as a fashion expert were examined. I explained my 22 years in NY as a fashion designer, design director and company owner. I also explained my current company, Remake Now and discussed my teaching career at the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. I was asked about my book contract with Conde Nast and I confirmed that I am under contract to write a book about Fashion Forecasting. I explained about fashion forecasting and how fashion trends evolve and can be studied. When questioned about this particular trend, I made clear that it is over 15 years old and that it started as a rebellious statement but now has entered mainstream.

As evidence, I presented photos from a fashion forecasting service of young men wearing this style. I also showed pictures of celebrities showing their underwear. They included Marky Mark (famous for a Calvin Klein ad from more than a decade ago), Lindsay Lohan, Zac Efron from High School Musical, David Beckham the famous soccer star and Prince Harry. These examples showed each person wearing this style and also each of them in conservative or “appropriate” clothes. When cross examined by the city attorney, he asked me to define fashion and style.

The Palm Beach Post, Fox News and The New York Times sent photographers, videographers, and writers to cover the case. Prior to the hearing, I was met by a photographer outside the courthouse. Two young men volunteered to be photographed wearing their pants with their underwear being exposed.

The story was broadcast on Fox News in Palm Beach and I was shown testifying in court. The Palm Beach Post ran the story (which now is on my website) and I have had emails from other organizations. A writer for a newspaper in the UK asked for the copies of the photos that considered evidence in the case; especially the ones of Beckham and the Prince!

After the court appearance, I was asked to speak about the case on BBC’s World Service along with the Mayor of Riviera Beach. I was also interviewed on the Dom Giordano radio talk show where I discussed the controversy and spoke to listeners who called in to comment. Additional radio interviews are planned.

The court will continue hearing testimony in this case on April 22, 2009.

by Chelsea Rousso

exclusively for The blog  of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale Fashion Club

read more: www.nytimes.com/