Kramp Kouture

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.

Last week I drove out to San Antonio to shoot with photographer Jade Noir, makeup artist Divine Excess, and model Jasmine Van Dyke. We shot around the San Antonio Convention Center, which provided tons of amazing places to shoot. I’m so excited to show off a few photos from the set. There will be more photos to come and plenty more exciting news!

Photo © Jade Noir

Photo © Jade Noir

As a participating designer in the Austin Fashion Week Kickoff Event I was randomly paired with a photographer, model, jewelry designer, makeup artist, and hair stylist and asked to create one unique look. This look will be recreated for the runway of the “Bright Lights Idea City” fashion show.

Each team was asked to frame their image for a gallery to be auctioned off at the Kickoff Event. Each image will be for sale to benefit Dress For Success and Austin Involved at the Kickoff Event held on August 14th. Please vote for my mash-up team and my design page so I can be crowned at the Austin Fashion Awards ceremony.

Vote for my mash-up team here.

Vote for Kramp Kouture in the “Best Designer” category for Austin fashion Week here.

Photo © L. Andrew Sterling

Photographer: Sterling Images
Hair Stylist: Misty Mittelstedt
Makeup Artist: Mandy Hernandez
Clothing: Kramp Kouture
Jewelry: Alessa Designs
Model: Jennifer Reyna

Last Wednesday, I attended Fashionably Austin’s: Fashionably Connected Networking Event, a networking event for Austin Fashion Designers, Boutiques and Industry Professionals at the beautiful Aloft hotel in The Domain. Special Guest Matt Swinney with Austin Fashion Week updated everyone on the latest news and opportunities while Cheryl Bemis of Fashionably Austin recognized the accomplishments of individuals in the Austin fashion community. Overall it was a great experience and I met all sorts of industry professionals. In attendance were fashion bloggers, boutique owners, photographers, jewelry and clothing designers, hair stylists, and makeup artists.

Here are links to a few industry people I met:
Diya Liu of In Her Stilettos
Anamda deLeon of Amanda deLeon Clothing
Anne Marie Beard of *annemarie* accessories
Alessandra Robles of Alessa Designs
Shalena White of Shalena Designs
Danielle Tatro of Lovely Austin

Matt Swinney talking about Austin Fashion Week

Rachel Elsberry of Pickie Pie Productions, Cynthia Bloom of Cynthia Bloom Jewelry, and Me

The Austin Fashion Week participant list is finally posted! Check out my profile page here. I can’t wait for the Kickoff Event featuring Austin’s longest runway with collections by Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent & Robert Stock for Robert Graham. There will also be a runway show showcasing over-the-top looks from over 20 kickoff teams. Did I mention free cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and music by 80′s pop icon TIFFANY? How rad is that?!

Austin Fashion Week Poster

For receiving Honorable Mention in the Most Creative Use of Fabric category in the 2010 ASG Creativity Contest, I won five Simplicity patterns of my choice. Since receiving the new Simplicity Pattern Catalog in the mail , I have been feasting my eyes on the new Cynthia Rowley for Simplicity patterns. Her designs are covered in ruffles, rosettes, and grommets so that could explain why I am so easily drawn to them. Here is one of my favorite designs that I am going to make myself!

Simplicity Autumn 2010 Pattern Catalog

Payless ShoeSource is soon to add another high profile fashion designer to their list of collaborations. In September, Isabel Toledo is launching an exclusive handbag and footwear collection for Payless. The collection consisting of 7 shoe styles and 2 handbags is said to retail for less than $40. I cannot wait until her collection is unveiled. Toledo described her shoes as “pure Toledo – playful, bold and strong.” Here is a sneak peak sketch of her collection:

Isabel Toledo Sketch For Upcoming Payless Collection

This year my business advisor nominated my small business for the “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” award given by the New York State Small Business Development Center. Unfortunately, I did not win the award but I am thankful for the nomination. A special thank you to my business advisor Maureen Goodlander for all of her business advice and support. Congratulations to Michelle Bailey and Jennifer Fedeson of F & S Design Studio for winning the award. To everyone else, please support small businesses in any way you can.

For my final project in the Basic Draping course I am attending, I created the front pattern to a draped shift dress. I still have to drape the back of the dress and true it up. Once the mock-up of the pattern is completed, I think I’m going to make it my favorite “LBD”.

Basic Draping Course - Final Project