Andre Soriano | www.andresoriano.com

Fashion Week San Diego is privileged to have the passionate Andre Soriano as a designer in the 2012 Runway show. Soriano is a designer who truly lives and breathes fashion; a pure creative influenced by the arts from theater to painting. He is known for his magnificent gowns that woman are admired in.

Andre Soriano channels the high fashion and high art with influences from cosmopolitan cities worldwide such as New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Milan and Tokyo. Soriano only selects the best luxurious fabrics on the market such as satin, velvet, chiffon, cashmere, knits and the crochet with bread-work materials that come from Asia and Europe. His vision and fashion interpretation is inspired by Old Hollywood Glamour for today’s women and men in mind. He is a veteran designer in San Diego and we are excited for you to view his never-before-seen Spring 2013 collection.

What to expect: Andre Soriano will bring Old Hollywood Glamour to the FWSD Runway with evening gowns and cocktail dresses beautifully created and crafted by the veteran designer. These designs will make you feel luxurious and glamorous to the point of you believing there is a red carpet beneath you as you walk into a room or down the street.

What does fashion mean to you?

Andre Soriano: Fashion is very universal, amongst all artists, painters, musicians, and fashion designers that I have admired… Fashion is FREEDOM!!!

How did you decide to pursue fashion as a career?

AS: As I was growing up, my family exposed us to theater, arts and fashion.  When we migrated to United States of America, I took more attention to women.  I started paying attention with what women love, and in high school, started dressing them up.  Through practice, research and education, I chose to be a Fashion Designer at the age of 16.  I swear my mom, my inspiration, was thinking of Vogue magazine when I was being made. So I just blossomed and pursued being an artist and a Fashion Designer.

What’s your dream for your career?

AS: My dream has already become a reality.

What do you absolutely love about being a Fashion Designer?

AS: I love the art of creativity that goes with it, especially when women that I dressed up feel glamorous, chic, elegant and luxurious… like a living work of art through my creations. It’s rewarding, humbling and uplifting.

What’s the philosophy of your brand?

AS: It’s all about… Peace, Love, Glamour & Fashion!!!

What do you love about San Diego and it’s culture?

AS: Are you kidding!?!? As a city girl from San Francisco, I never would have thought that I would fall in love with San Diego. I thought I left my heart in San Francisco, but no she didn’t. I love Sunny San Diego!!!  It’s one of the fastest growing cities in United States. This city has pockets of neighborhoods that are quite surprising and lovely, just like it’s people. It’s just a matter of time to having San Diego in the fashion map. Lastly, what I love the most are the wonderful human beings that I’ve worked with and who live here.

How does San Diego inspire your designs?

AS: The people, the history, the architecture, the landscape and the culture, and one more thing, the fabulous beaches and awesome weather…and last, but not the least, the hot boys…hehehe

What about Fashion Week San Diego are you most excited about?

AS: I am very excited having to share my work of art, creativity, and freedom of expression to everyone.

To learn more about Andre Soriano, visit his website , Facebook. and Twitter! Tickets will be on pre-sale May 23rd to see his Spring 2013 collection on the Fashion Week San Diego^TM Runway.

SYC Collection | www.syccollection.com

Fashion Week San Diego^TM will be the debut of SYC Collection’s first women’s wear collection and we couldn’t be more excited! Sameerah, the designer behind the brand has a vision not only for designing clothes women will love to wear, but for creating a brand and company that will help others through job creation and mentoring. She is both an amazing woman and designer.

SYC Collection is a quickly growing women’s wear brand created by designer, Sameerah Yasmeen Corporal.  Since launching the brand in 2009, SYC has evolved from featuring jewelry, to accessories (shoes and handbags), and now to the launch of its women’s wear collection at Fashion Week San Diego^TM.  From its humble beginnings in 2009, the SYC brand has made its way to customers across the US and in countries such as Australia, Ireland, Czech Republic, and Japan to name a few.  One of the latest accomplishments of the brand has been creating custom pieces for stylists and cast on VH1 television.  The SYC brand has a clear course for the future growth and we can’t wait for you to see the launch of the SYC women’s clothing line on the Fashion Week San Diego^TM runway.

What to expect: With clean lines and a chic color palette, SYC Collection will deliver its first women’s wear collection with the design philosophy of American sportswear and accessories with a foundation of minimalism with added small statement accents.  Sleek, polished, and chic with a kick.

What does fashion mean to you?

Sameerah of SYC Collection: Fashion for me is a voice.  It is used to identify, narrate, define, and even form people places and things.   Fashion is the foundation of style.  It can be trendy or classic, but no matter what it is always saying something.

How did you decide to pursue fashion as a career?

SYC: I decided to start my career in design once I couldn’t find exactly what I wanted in the fashion world.  Things were either affordable, but not quite what I was looking for or they were what I wanted and insanely expensive.  I began designing things for myself and as people responded well, I decided to actually start SYC Collection.

What’s your dream for your career?

SYC: My dream for my career is to stay true to the design and creativity elements of SYC Collection, while continually creating opportunities for others.   My goal is to continue to love what I do and have a customer base that loves it also.  I look forward to watching SYC Collection grow, and the more it gets the more it gives.  I’d love to create learning, mentoring, and career opportunities for others.

What do you absolutely love about being a fashion designer?

SYC: The creative process for me is probably the thing I love the most about being a designer.  To envision a design and produce it from beginning to end is so rewarding. The transformation part of the creative process is enough to make you want to put in those much needed long hours of work.  A close second to that favorite, is customer response.  I love when my customers love the product they receive.  It is great to know they asked for something, and SYC delivered.

What’s the philosophy of your brand?

SYC: The design philosophy of SYC Collection is American sportswear and accessories with a foundation of minimalism with added small statement accents.  Sleek, polished, and chic with a kick.

What do you love about San Diego and its culture?

SYC: I love the diversity of San Diego.  All the different people and cultures here can be very inspiring when designing.  I also love how San Diego is so close to many different environments.  You can be at the beach, the desert, the mountains, or the valley in no time.  The ease of change in scenery is very useful.

How does San Diego inspire your designs?

SYC: San Diego has inspired my designs through its cultural diversity.  Also since San Diego is a military city, the different people who come here from different states also inspire my designs.  Seeing how people from different places define fashion, can expand your reach.  Designing flip flops may be useful here, but probably not in other places where the seasons actually change.

What about Fashion Week San Diego are you most excited about?

SYC: I am most excited about seeing the talent San Diego has to offer.  I know many talented local artists, and I know there are many that I do not know.  So to see the other designers and for the public to see us all on such a grand scale is exciting!

To learn more about SYC Collection, visit her website, Facebook Page, and Twitter! Tickets will be on pre-sale May 23rd to see her Spring 2013 collection on the Fashion Week San Diego^TM Runway.

Fashion Week San Diego has collaborated with one of their sponsors, Roppongi, to bring a kick off to summer happy hour and bikini chic fashion show on May 23^rd from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Roppongi will be showcasing their new summer “skinny” menu and drinks. Hosting guests to this event with low calorie, but high flavor drinks and cuisine. Fashion Week San Diego designers and participants will be providing the hot summer trends in swimwear, showcasing some sizzling bikinis on stunning Fashion Week San Diego models. Guests will enjoy a night of great food, cuisine, music, gift bags and fashion on the beautiful renovated Roppongi patio.

This event will mark the kick off to ticket sales to the Runway Show for Fashion Week San Diego as we begin pre-sale tickets online and at the event.

This event is RSVP only and limited to 150 people. To RVSP, click the link below:
http://bikinifashion.eventbrite.com

Bikini Chic Fashion Show Designers & Participants include:

Dazzlme | www.dazzlme.com
Dazzlme is a unique line of hats and clothing created especially for women who want to stand out in a crowd looking beautiful, sexy and adventurous, but always with class, elegance and style.  Camille will be unveiling her new line of Hot Ice bikinis in electrifying styles and colors that are sure to heat things up this summer!

Dos Caras | www.doscarasswimwear.com
Dos Caras is a line of cheeky, fun swim and resort wear. They will be showing a sneak preview of their line that will be launched at FWSD –Champagne Ladies vintage inspired and flirty swimwear.

Erin Fader Jewelry Designs | www.erinfader.com
Erin Fader Jewelry Designsarevintage inspired “timeless treasures” that connect the past with the present made with up-cycled vintage materials combined with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship.

nOia Collection | www.facebook.com/nOoia
nOia Collection was designed by Evelyne Aguilar to create fun, youthful clothing for the girl who doesn’t take life too seriously. She will be showcasing her collection of swimwear.

Love Is A Devil | www.loveisadevil.com
Love Is A Devil pieces are handmade works of art designed by Alana Crain and Sharie Ellis each piece is unique in design, as they are the perfect combination of romantic edge with the use of mixed metals, creating a fine balance of sophistication and edge, the result is one hot eclectic piece that will remain timeless for years to come. Shakespeare said in a sonnet that “Love is a Devil,” and he is right. Love inspires, love creates, and love takes away.

Sutra Lifestyles | www.sutralifestyles.com
Sutra Lifestyles is an online community for women who want to connect with like-minded women. This site not only features articles on life, fashion and health, but also an online store with exclusives from top brands. They will be featuring their exclusive bikinis from Acacia Bikini’s which was just featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Eclectic Couture | www.eclecticcouture.com
Eclectic Couture is definitely for the girl who has to stand out. The line consists of several items you could wear for a day in the sun or for a night on the town, including dresses, tops, shorts as well as the line of bikinis, Eclectic Swim that will be shown.

Amy Thai | www.amythaicostume.com

People say that fashion is art and this couldn’t be more true with designer Amy Thai. Taking inspiration from everything around her and the experiences in her life, she creates pieces that are both beautiful and moving. Bringing to life a work of art in the form of clothing.

Amy Thai brings a capsule collection to Fashion Week San Diego called “Fractured Kaleidoscope”. Using geometric shapes in black and white her pieces have a 3D effect. All the pieces have the same goal of creating images of symbolic significance. This is her first cross over collection from costume to ready to wear. It blends the elements of historical costuming with modern day styles for an exclusive, custom wearable piece of art. With an emphasis on details, each element of a design possesses a special meaning or purpose making the garment distinctive. Created for the distinguished person whom wishes to enhance their individuality in an alluring and elegant manner. This is Amy Thai’s first full collection.

What to expect: Amy Thai will bring a costume inspired ready to wear collection to Fashion Week San Diego that will highlight artistic expression. Adding pops of color with hand dyed fabrics of all natural fibers of silk and cotton, this collection will be the work of an artist creating wearable articles of clothing with symbolic significance.

What does fashion mean to you?

Amy Thai: Fashion to me is a form of expressing oneself through art.

How did you decide to pursue fashion as a career?

AT: I’ve always been surrounded and influenced by art and fashion as a child. My father was an artist and my mother who was profoundly into fashion helped create my obsession with textiles and the construction of garments.

What’s your dream for your career?

AT: World domination! But all kidding aside, I would love to see my line flourish and contribute some way, shape, or form to the fashion industry.

What do you absolutely love about being a fashion designer?

AT: I love the entire process from conceptualizing, creating the finished product, and then receiving the feedback from others.

What’s the philosophy of your brand?

AT: My designs blend unique details with contemporary styles for exclusive, custom wearable pieces.

What do you love about San Diego and its culture?

AT: San Diego is known for its extraordinary weather year-round, which I feel influences the San Diego culture as well as the fashion in this city. With that said, we have less pressure to follow trends and seasons allowing us more flexibility when it comes to designing.

How does San Diego inspire your designs?

AT: The diverse cultures, colorful neighborhood, picturesque scenery, and carefree lifestyle.

What about Fashion Week San Diego are you most excited about?

AT: Celebrating our beautiful city through fashion.

To learn more about Amy Thai, visit her website, and Facebook Page! Tickets will be on sale at the end of June to her Spring 2013 collection on the Fashion Week San Diego^TM Runway.

by Tabbitha Banuelos

Fashion Week. If you are a fashion enthusiast, you can’t help but be giddy with excitement and envision models in elegant dresses, edgy structured jackets, countless shoes and of course, Anna Wintour. Held each year all over the world, the most prominent fashion weeks are seen in New York, London, Paris and Milan.

Other cities have held fashion weeks allowing their own designers, brands, or houses to display their latest collections and now San Diego will have its turn.

Fashion Week San Diego will take place October 1^st through the 7^th bringing together San Diegans for one common reason: fashion. The online dictionary gives the term various descriptions, the top three:

1. The prevailing style or custom, as in dress or behavior
2. Something, such as a garment, that is in the current mode
3. The style characteristic of the social elite

No matter what definition you give it or try to escape the term, Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada said it best when she explained to Anne Hathaway that each morning we go to our closet and select something to wear; each item we choose “represents millions of dollars and countless jobs” in the fashion industry.

Designers and boutiques will be able to display their contribution to the fashion industry in a few months. Along the way this blog series will serve as a voice, a messenger for behind the scenes look into Fashion Week San Diego, and will spotlight San Diego fashion and style.

While some may state the sunny city only encompasses flips flops and tank tops, there are others that can beg to differ and have the clothes to prove it. So put on your Ray Bans, sit back and enjoy the stylish road ahead.