Kramp Kouture

I can’t believe that it’s been two years since the making of Kramp Kouture. Thank you to all of the people who have supported and believed in this dream of mine. Thank you to the people that collaborate with me, I am so grateful for your support and lending me your talents. Now it’s time to enjoy this buttercream frosted Hello Kitty cake…I wish the cake decorator didn’t run out of My Little Pony toppers!

Happy Birthday Kramp Kouture!

Happy Birthday Kramp Kouture!

For years I have admired Julian Humphries photography from a distance. Since my move to Austin, I have met him several times at mixers and fashion shows. The opportunity to shoot with Julian arose when model, Hattie Watson inquired to use my clothing for an upcoming photoshoot. Hattie is a former roller derby girl so we took advantage of her skating skills. She rocked out in her quad skates and I made sure she didn’t spill on the blacktop by being the official road sweeper. Hair and makeup was styled by Misty and Emily from Lucy Skyrocket. Here is a sneak peak from the shoot.

Photo © Julian Humphries

Photographer: Julian Humphries

Hair Stylist: Misty Mittelstedt

Makeup Artist: Emily Kleinsorge

Model: Hattie Watson

Last week I had the pleasure of collaborating with photographer Barry Underhill, model Velocity, and hair stylist Misty Mittelstedt. I have been wanting to shoot with Velocity for a long time now and she happened to be traveling through town. We were able to set up a shoot with Barry, a photographer whose work I have been admiring for years now. Misty was able to do Velocity’s hair while she did her own makeup. Misty is an excellent hair stylist, she has actually styled every shoot I have done in Austin. I am so in love with these photos! They remind me of Jem and the Holograms which just might be my next Halloween costume.

Photo © Barry Underhill

Photo © Barry Underhill

Photo © Barry Underhill

The Austin Fashion Awards wrapped up Austin Fashion Week last night at the Long Center for the Performing Arts. The event was hosted by jazz singer Mandy Lauderdale and presented by the 2nd Street District.

The event began with walking the red carpet, interviews with the CW, and photo ops with the press. Jennifer Reyna, my Kickoff Team model surprised me by arriving with her friend both rocking my designs. My Kickoff Team was nominated for the People’s Choice Award for Best Mash Up Team. Unfortunately, my team did not take home the Golden Boot, but I am so honored to be nominated for an award during fashion week.

Between awards, singer Zayra; best known for appearing on TV show “Rock Star: Supernova” performed while runway shows featuring Boudoir Queen, Rene Geneva Designs, and Celestino by Sergio Guadarrama hit the runway. Later on, SPEAK! performed a set while Line & Dot, Chloe Dao, and Betsey Johnson with America’s Next Top Model winner Krista White walked the runway.

Highlights of the event would be Tito of Tito’s Vodka giving several big ROARS! when giving out his award, watching a Betsey Johnson runway show, and doing a mini photoshoot with my models. Austin Fashion Week was such a great experience; I met such wonderfully talented people. I can’t wait until next year!

On the red carpet with Kelly Wall and Jennifer Reyna

Matt Swinney - Founder of Austin Fashion Week Photo © Ed Lehmann

Mandy Lauderdale - Photo © Ed Lehmann

Zayra Photo © Ed Lehmann

Golden Boot Award © Ed Lehmann

Photo © L. Andrew Sterling

I revealed a mini collection at the “Texas: A State of Fashion” fashion show held on the south steps of the Texas Capitol on Thursday August 19, 2010. The event featured 30 pieces by 10 local fashion designers, and was held in conjunction with Austin Fashion Week. I was so excited to show off my new petticoat and finally have a model rock my ASG dress. I had such a blast showing a collection during Austin Fashion Week!

© JEJ Commercial Photography

© JEJ Commercial Photography

Well, my models look great!

Check out backstage footage of Austin Fashion Week’s Kickoff Event featuring Kramp Kouture. Also, hear Louise Black discuss the growing fashion industry in Austin and makeup artist Erin Dempsey discuss Austin receiving much deserved recognition for being such a fashionable city. Check out video footage here.

Skirt on the clothing rack

Misty Mittelstedt doing Jennifer Reyna's hair backstage

Makeup artist Mandy Hernandez hard at work

To my surprise, my design was featured on Channel 8 news last night! I am featured for a hot ten seconds. Watch my model work the runway at 1:00-1:10.

News 8 Austin

Watch the video here!

There was much excitement at last nights Kickoff Event held at GSD&M Idea City. The event began with a silent auction of wardrobe and jewelry packages from local designers, getaway packages, and gift certificates that benefited local charities Austin Involved and Dress for Success. After bidding on jewelry by Bella Lili, I made my way to the back patio to mingle and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks. There were delicious drinks provided by Dos Equis and glittering brownies and cupcakes provided by Delish. At 8pm, 80’s pop icon TIFFANY performed an amazing rendition of Blondie’s “Call Me”, and yes so totally sang her heart out to her big hit “I Think We’re Alone Now”. At 9pm, Twelfth Street By Cynthia Vincent and Robert Stock for Robert Graham collections walked the runway. By 9:30pm, 24 kickoff teams looks walked the runway; each team recreated the look from their mash up photo. Models wore over the top wigs, had puppies as accessories, and even skipped down the runway. My design was second to last to appear on the runway. This was the moment I have been waiting for all night. Jennifer rocked my outfit and I had an amazing response to my look. What a way to kick start fashion week!

Showing off a design I created for the silent auction

TIFFANY

Austin Fashion Week poster art by artist Gary Dorsey

Me with the models inspired by AFW poster art

Hair stylist Misty Mittelstedt with model Jennifer Reyna

Jennifer Reyna enters the runway

Jennifer rockin' the runway

Finale

My intensely awesome Kickoff Team members:

Kickoff Team

In order: Mandy Hernandez, Misty Mittelstedt, Shannon Kramp, Alessandra Robles, Yuvraj Pahuja, Jennifer Reyna, and L. Andrew Sterling.