Passion for Fashion. Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

project manager Brittany Vasquez and assistant Fallon Roy explaining rules for entries.

guest speaker designer Eduardo de la Casas

The Honors group mentored young high school designers and merchandisers to inspire them to produce the requirements needed for entry to the competition, Passion for Fashion. On Saturday December 3rd 2011 graduating high school seniors were invited to participate in an all day event. The students participated in an interactive workshop to help them prepare their scholarship entries. Students have the opportunity to earn a variety of scholarships within a fashion degree program at an Art Institute school, plus a VIP trip to New York City.

Chiquita teacher volunteer passion for fashion

The trip includes a “meet and greet” at Seventeen Magazine offices, lunch, a $500 shopping spree at DKNY, and a $500 gift card to shop anywhere in the Big Apple. The Art Institute’s Passion for Fashion is a competition to unleash your passion on the world of fashion. Entries are due by January 20, 2012 and local winners will be notified in February 17, 2012 and national winners will be notified on March 16, 2012.
Special thanks to:
Project Manager: Brittany Vasquez, Sandra Lozano, Maria Rivas
Assistants: Fallon Roy, Kayley Stewart, Alexandra Rouzier
Instructor Mrs.Tatakis and Chair Mr. West
Guest Speaker Eduardo de la Casas and Paul N

Winterfest Blacktie at the Hard Rock

Models receiving participants of the Black Tie Ball at the Hard Rock, Fl

From left to right. Model Daniella Neira wearing Eduardo de las Casas, Leila Khabbazeh- Eduardo de las Casas, Autumn Harris on Dalya’s Vidal dress, Jennifer Gerrald wearing Eduardo’s gown, Vanessa Delma wearing Jacinta Ligon, Jenik Starikova on Dalya’s dress, Caasi Salmon wearing Jacinta’s gold dress, and Madison Lerro on Dalya’s red and black dress.

Models receiving participants of the Black Tie Ball at the Hard Rock, Fl

On December 3rd 2011, the Honors Program from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale got to be a part of Winterfest’s Black Tie Ball. Project Managers Allison Croft and Elizabeth Wheeler cordinated the Art Institutes involvement in the event. Eight Models were made up extravagantly by Aveda Institute hair stylists and Academy of Glam makeup artists. They then wore and showcased three designers, from AIFL. Three dresses from Dalya Vidal, a current senior fashion design student, were showcased as well as five dresses from alumni designers Eduardo De Casa and Jacinta Ligon.

The models started the vent by greeting guests in the Casino and directing them to the event. Once the event began the models stood up on pedestals in front of large Christmas presents while guests entered the ballroom

Models receiving participants of the Black Tie Ball at the Hard Rock, Fl

Caption: From left to right. Model Daniella Neira wearing Eduardo de las Casas, Leila Khabbazeh- Eduardo de las Casas, Autumn Harris on Dalya’s Vidal dress, Jennifer Gerrald wearing Eduardo’s gown, Vanessa Delma wearing Jacinta Ligon, Jenik Starikova on Dalya’s dress, Caasi Salmon wearing Jacinta’s gold dress, and Madison Lerro on Dalya’s red and black dress.

WINTERFEST

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On Friday night, October 28, 2011, one could say glitz, elegance and star sophistication was the overall mood in the Ocean ballroom of the Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. The commence of the 40th annual Winterfest celebration kicked off what was a fitting opening event to introduce the Grand Marshall (Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees) for the annual Seminole Hardrock Winterfest Boat parade. The theme for this years parade is “Rockin’ Boats and Holiday Floats” which will take place on December 10, 2011.
There was a huge variety of food and beverages provided by an array of sponsors as well as the Art Institute culinary department and music by Sixth Star entertainment, as well as performances by vocalist: 10 year old singing sensation Julie Dale. The party was hosted by Celebrity MC morning show personality Paul Castronovo of BIG 105.9 FM. The mood was light and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and following the theme of the night “eat, drink and be merry”. To top off an amazing evening the Art institute of Fort Lauderdale was honored to participate in a Fashion show presentation shown by AI Fashion Department, who provided stunning garments that wowed the crowd. It could not have been a success without the dedication of the project managers who saw to the success of the show, Fallon Roy and Kayley Stewart (in addition to the rest of the honors department for their help and contribution).

Aveda Fall-o-Ween Event

Designed by Valerie Sanchez. Makeup and hair by Aveda students. Model: Kelly Holt

The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale teamed up with the Aveda
Institute South Florida for Fall-o-Ween, a family fun day inspired on
Halloween. The event was on October 23^rd, 2011 it was filled with
excitement from a fashion show, food, and a bounce house to a haunted house.
The purpose of the event was to raise money for breast cancer awareness.  Fashion design students from The Art
Institute of Fort Lauderdale provided the garments for the fashion show, which
the fashion honors group organized directed by their instructor Chrisa Tatakis
and the Fashion Chair department Andre West.
Aveda supplied the makeup and hair styling that was inspired by the
designs of the garments.

Model: Christina Mora wearing a garment of Veronica Ramirez with a Mohawk hair style.

Palm tree garment designed by a Fashion student from the Art Institute

Sawgrass Mills Role Models

Sawgrass Mills, the largest retail outlet Mall in The United States hosted the ROLE MODELS event that was held on Wednesday October 26, 2011 from 6:30 to 9pm. This event was held at The Colonnade Outlets. This was the closing event for the month long celebration of breast cancer awareness. There was a special appearance by Miss America Teresa Scanlan who hosted the event. The tickets for ROLE MODELS were $50 per person and 100% of all the money made was given to participating local charities. Guests enjoyed cocktails while watching the award ceremony and fashion show. The fashion show featured what’s hot for fall at Sawgrass. Retailers such as The Outlet Store-Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue off Fifth, Betsey Johnson, and many more provided garments in the fashion show. The fashion show was put together by our very own Fashion Honors Group at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. It was at this event where they announced the winners of The Pretty in Pink Design Challenge. Ten student designers were challenged to create high fashion looks using the color pink as a tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Throughout the month, shoppers logged onto Sawgrass Mills’ Facebook page to vote for their favorite design. The Facebook shoppers choice award went to Ariadne Quezada. Third place winner was Maria Nunez. Runner up design went to Aline Bastien. The winning designer of The Pretty in Pink competition was Bri Sharpe. All the winners received cash prizes.

Miss America Runway

The winner Pretty in Pink garment made by Bri Sharpe student of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

Caption: Second Place for the Pretty in Pink Contest. The designer is Adriadne Quezada another student of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

The third place for the contest is a Maria Nunez

Fashion Merchandising students from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale accessorized the garments for the show.

Vitaminwater uncapped Fashion Show

The garment was inspired by Vitamin water zero squeezed flavor. “The look is strong and soft at the same time while the drink is refreshing and strongly nourishing at the same time” Dalia Vidal.

Dalya receiving the prize

: “A sophisticated look for a sophisticated flavor inspired by the coloring of the flavor its bottle. The shape and volume are inspired by the letter x”Bri Sharpe

“This look features popping statement making colors, a boned and lined corset and has hundreds of hand sewn and hand dyed strips of fabric attached to an underdress.

On Friday, September 23, eight of The Art Institute of Fort
Lauderdale’s fashion design students showcased their skills in a runway show
competition. These eight designers each created a garment inspired by their
favorite vitaminwater flavor and
strutted their designs for a panel of judges at The Stage in Miami’s design
district for a chance to win $1,000. Dalya Vidal took home first prize with her
avante garde design inspired by vitaminwater
zero’s squeezed flavor. Briana Sharpe followed with a close second with her
sexy yet sophisticated vitaminwater’s
XXX inspired design. Mitchell Perry came in third place with his innovative
take on vitaminwater zero’s Glow
flavor. The two runners up each won an iPod touch and a six-month supply of vitaminwater.

The event was coordinated by the project managers, Allison
Croft and Brooke Zand of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale’s Fashion Honors
Group in collaboration with vitaminwater.
Members of the Fashion Honors Group and their instructor Ms. Chrisa Tatakis
planned and produced the fashion show, which took place during the four day
event series.

By Allison Croft

Breast Cancer Awareness – Miss America Fashion Show Preview

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale was involved in the event held by Simone Mall at Sawgrass Mills. The Fashion Honors Group along with Fashion design and Merchandising students, Mr. West, and Mrs Tatakis participated in the event.

It was a lovely day for the Fashion students of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale to participate in such an amazing cause.

Fashion students from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale assisted giving the ribbons to the survivors.

Breast Cancer survivors and family members

A large pink ribbon with name of the survivors will be displayed in Sawgrass mall during the Breast Cancer awareness month.

Eight pink inspired garments were chosen from the fashion design department to be displayed as a preview for the Miss America Fashion show that will take place later in the month. On October 3, 2011 as part of this preview AI fashion students set up a table among many other organization to hand out pink ribbons. The ribbons were for breast cancer survivors or family members, friends and anyone who has been touched by breast cancer. After signing the ribbon, it was placed on a large backdrop that is displayed in the middle of the mall along with the garmetns that will be shown on Oct 26. A young women’s choir and motivational guest speakers and tables of informational awarness of cancer were there to participate in the event as well.
By Elizabeth Wheeler

Gaga Over Fashion

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The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale was invited by Simon Mall at Boca Town Center to show off their creative fashion. Designers where to submit their designs while the public votes for the top ten. Six designers from the Art Institute where selected to compete in the GaGa over Fashion NOW Runway show. The crowd went wild to see such out the box designs come to life. Eliane Timmberman a student of the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale got to lavish her creative eye for fashion and won the grand prize of $500.

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale’s Fashion Honors Group, with the coordinators Tenille Daily and Trisha Joseph and their professor Mrs. Chrisa Tatakis, headed this fun and challenging event.
By Sandra Lozano

Sustainability message from Valley Forge Fabrics

Ken Koneck, LEED AP, from Valley Forge Fabrics at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale to introduce students to Valley Forge's sustainability practices and initiatives.

Ken Koneck, LEED AP, from Valley Forge Fabrics and Lindsay Smolinski, an intern from the fashion merchandising program

Ken Koneck at the AIFL presenation

Ken Koneck, Public Affairs Manager at Valley Forge Fabrics , and Lindsay Smolinski, an intern from the AIFL fashion merchandising program came to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale to introduce students to Valley Forge’s sustainability practices and initiatives.

Valley Forge Fabrics is a leading global firm for the Hospitality industry supplying decorative interior textiles. Sustainability and a dedication to the environment is Valley Forge’s mission. Recycled fabrics and those made from eucalyptus are products that are among the sustainable textiles that they produce.

With great passion, KenKoneck delivered an exciting and excellently  crafted presentation that inspired the audience to consider the role that each one of us can have in helping to preserve the environment for healthier living for the future. The students were given samples of fabrics made from plastic water bottles and introduced to eucalyptus textiles which they later used to create lifestyle and trend driven presentation boards in Ms. Rousso’s Textiles. These boards will be presented to the executives at Valley Forge in October.
Materials of the presentation will be implemented as well in the Advanced Digital Textile as well Textile and Apparel Design classes at AIFL ( Instructor Andre L. Milman)
by Chelsea Rousso
photo by Andre L. Milman

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale semi-annual Bachelor Fashion Show.

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At the beginning of the spring term, the Fashion Honors Group was given the
opportunity to plan, produce, and execute the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale
semi-annual Bachelor Fashion Show.

After many meetings headed by Mr. West and Mrs. Tatakis, the theme, “Elements,” was born, where earth, wind,
water, and fire came together for one powerful show.

Designer: Beverly Adejobi.Afrika Bamboo Collection, tribal prints

The show opened
with designer Beverly Adejobi, whose collection was based on tribal prints in
earthy colors and pops of bright pinks and oranges.

Designer: Orly Romay. Just Me, Pre-teen

Orly Romay’s
collection, “Just Me,” was a unique young girls’ line of denim overalls and
ruffled dresses caught the attention of the audience with its innocence and
sweetness.

Designer: Marina Cvetkovik. Femme Fatal, avant-garde style

Marina Cvetkovik’s collection, called “Femme Fatal,” was
inspired by futuristic avant-garde styles, showcasing architecturally shaped
dresses combined with beautiful laces and corsets.

Designer: Brandy “ Le’Tron” Harris. Iconic Diversity, Divas.

Brandy “Le’Tron”
Harris’s collection was “Iconic Diversity,” a procession of costumes
representing divas such as Lady Gaga, Tina Turner, and Beyonce ruled the runway
with their outfits and hit pop song interpretations.

Designer: Diana Parra. Conteporary Affair, vintage lingerie

Designer Diana
Parra’s graced the audience with two collections, the first which was
“Contemporary Affair,” berry-and-tan couture swimwear reflecting the classic
lingerie construction and romantic affairs.  Parra’s second collection,
“Lolita,” was made up of pink swimwear inspired by French vintage silhouettes
with modern touches.

Designer: Aijamal Baetova.“Aika”, 1920’s inspired

[
Aijamal Baetova’s “Aika” collection took us on a
trip back in time to the 1920’s. Her line was included reinterpreted flapper
dresses, vintage hairstyles, fringe, and handmade beaded jewelry.

Designer: Sandra Gigler “Mystic” wines and berry’s inspired

Sandra
Gigler’s eveningwear collection consisted of elaborately draped gowns in various
shades of wines and berries.  Most of the dresses were stunningly constructed
from organza and faux silk

Designer: Narishdath Maraj. Description: traditional Indian bride meets Victorian

In Narishdath Maraj’s cultural collection, we
were taken on a special journey to a place where a traditional Indian bride
meets Victorian details in hot colors and ethnic makeup that gave us.  The
gorgeous garb was an amazing way to close the “Elements” fashion show.

by Elisa Santiago
All Photos Photographed by: Humberto Vidal