AIA Fashion Show Part 2: Portraits and Candids

Even though just 3 of the 10 models wore pointe shoes, everyone was an honorary ballerina for the show.  This group totally got into the spirit, and everyone was smiling, laughing, and dancing the entire time.  Photographer Anastasia Cheatham captured the joyful energy of these beautiful women in this series.  I dare you not to smile while looking!

all photography by Anastasia Cheatham
MUA: Taryn Scalise and Alyse Billel
hair: Stein van Bael

Alaina Agnello teaching a crash-course on graceful ballerina arms

AIA Fashion Show Part 1 of 3: Backstage

models Madison Ortiz, Marie Muhammed, and Sophia Fenby
all photography by Anastasia Cheatham

I wanted to document my latest fashion show in a really special way.  It's always a whirlwind of activity backstage that it's impossible to notice all of the beautiful little moments that take place.

My latest collection is inspired by impressionist painting and ballerina movement.  I created this garments from vintage materials that I dyed, painted, and shaped in to new silhouettes.  The jewelry is made from vintage material as well.

My models included a three ballerinas, one figure skater, one drummer in a rock band, one Instagram sensation, and students studying a variety of subjects from psychology, to environmental science.  My hairstylist Stein van Bael had just returned from showing her own collection at New York Fashion Week, and was a pro at creating ballerina buns with a twist.  It was my first time working with makeup artists Taryn Scalise and Alexis Billel and I was so impressed with their precision, professionalism and speed as they created glowy looks that made the models light up on the runway.  For the finale piece, Chroma, I collaborated with Romica Singh and Courtney Chin, architects from rogueHAA who in long hours after work to create a custom 3D printed neckpiece.  Photographer Anastasia Cheatham is a former dancer herself, and was comfortable in the hectic backstage environment.  I was so lucky to have my mom as my assistant too!

This first set of photos shows all the work and preparation required for the brief runway appearance.  This talented, enthusiastic (and not to mention totally gorgeous) group of women worked for hours to make the moments on the catwalk extra special and beautiful.  Enjoy!

 

former figure skater Ashley Helen

Emilia Schmier, drummer of Stereo Jane

model Alexia Susalla and I

Stein van Bael working her hair magic

model Karen Polzin

ballerina/model Chelsea Korte

ballerina/model Alaina Agnello

sewing ballerina/model Madalyn Knebel into her dress

 

MUA Alyse Billel

MUA Taryn Scalise making sure Chelsea glows from all angles

Spring Fling

My newest dresses are inspired by movement.  In the past, I've made sculptural pieces that implied motion, but I wanted to create pieces that would transform with the wearer's movement.  And what better models to use than ballerinas?

To create my Spring Dress, I combined two dresses, one seafoam green dress from Goodwill and one pleated peach vintage gown.

I also created a harness necklace to go with this dress that I made out of a plastic vintage necklace that had the most beautiful flower beads.

AFTER

I went to Italy last fall with one of my best friends, and it has had a definite effect on my recent  designs.  Looking at sculptures and paintings that I'd only seen in pictures in real life absolutely blew my mind.  

The Botticelli paintings in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence were especially breathtaking, I'd loved the paintings before, but the colors and gold details were so much more amazing than I had imagined.

  

"Birth of Venus" by Sandro Boticelli

"Spring" by Sandro Botticelli

The draping details of the statues were equally mesmerizing. 

My friend had to literally drag me away when she got bored waiting for me to finish staring at statues/art/everything.  Everything we saw was inspiring...even the chandelier in our AirBNB!  

I'm hoping to go back to Europe in the fall and stare at many more things...until then, working on tons of new pieces! ♥