ACA Premiere Grand Fashion Gala: Collide 2010

It was an evening where dreams came true…An evening where celebrities mixed with royalty and foreign diplomats… It was the evening that LA’s only fashion school- Academy of Couture Art- that catered to couture design held their first fashion show and gala- “Collide 2010,” held at the lovely Sofitel in West Hollywood and hosted by NBC’s “First Look” On Air Host Viviana Vigil. The fashion show was held during a delicious three-course meal and consisted of introductions by the founders of ACA, Sonia and Thierry Ete; followed by Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark being honored as a role model to the world’s youth. Then Virtuoso Violio Elizabeth Pitcairn took center stage and played a piece with her “Red Mendelssohn” Stradivarius of 1720, which was the inspiration of the Academy award-winning film “The Red Violin”. Lastly, Angelia Dufresne- youth designer from the Summer Intensive program, was awarded “Miss Teen Couture” by Baroness Kimberly Moore.

The fashion portion of the program consisted of eight skirt designs by the youth of the Summer Couture Camp Skirt Collection, then five designs by the youth of the Teen Couture Club Collection. The program concluded with “Nouvelle Couture Show”- designs of ten of the graduates: Boris Ramos, Christina Manolescu, Sarah Kim, Mariana Romero, Tori Cates, Max Freiermuth, Ann Billardello, Angelina Radden, Kay Enyart, Sloane Pennington, Angela Chuy and Sabrina Yadegar. The “Nouvelle Couture Show” ended with designs that paid tribute to Alexander McQueen and Swarovski Crystals. Every designer brought something unique to the table; from Christina Manolescu’s bustiers with off-center zipper closures to Tori Cates’s playful monster purse, Max Freiermuth’s blue gown and the Chanel-inspired pieces by Sabrina Yadegar. I was in love with the McQueen Tribute gowns by Tori Cates and Heidi An. The time it must’ve taken them to pull off such intricate draping and the strict attention to detail….extraordinary! I have the utmost respect for couture designers and I hope these graduates get noticed and continue to receive the credibility they deserve.

About Academy of Couture Art:

The Academy of Couture Art was founded as a higher institution of learning to teach the principles and techniques of fashion that go above and beyond those ordinarily taught in the United States by providing instruction combining European Haute Couture fashion with American fashion. Unique to American fashion education, ACA teaches Pattern Design and Fashion Design separately with faculty educated in French Couture tradition.Located at the center of one of the Fashion and Entertainment centers of the World, in the prestigious Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, the Academy of Couture Art offers innovative, challenging, and flexible fashion education programs that prepare a diverse student population for professional excellence in design, fashion, and business.

Our Vision is to provide an education of excellence that transforms unique creators into life-long professionals who design the world with the essence of Haute Couture.

Our Mission at the Academy of Couture Art has set mission to enrich the community through creations that raise the level of aesthetic, quality, intelligence and sophistication.

To achieve this goal, Academy of Couture Art follows, conveys, and promotes the essence, principles, and concept of Haute Couture translated by the research of Beauty, Harmony, Elegance, Perfection, and Uniqueness.

The market place is becoming more diversified, specific, personalized, and fostering micro-markets that target individually clients with a growing need for products fitting better their unique personality. Academy of Couture Art responds to this demand by preparing exceptionally talented individuals to become highly specialized experts and life-long professionals, who are capable of critical thinking, problem solving, market analysis, and to serve not only companies, at any level of their industry, but also to create their own brand, developing the niche market that fits perfectly their unique creativity.

Academy of Couture Art nurtures professionals with hands-on, student-centered programs and innovative teaching techniques focusing on student learning outcomes that develop confidence, sense of belonging and purpose.   As the result, Academy of Couture Art constitutes a family of artists, designers, creators and leaders empowering each other, and dedicated to bring values and prosperity to the community.

For more information, please contact Michelle Myers, Director of Admissions, Academy of Couture Art, michelle@acawh.com, or call (310)360-8888.

Special Thanks: J, Sofitel, Sonia and Thierry Ete of Academy of Couture Art, Michelle Myers (Director of Admissions), Viviana Vigil, Eva DiShanni (Event Producer), Countess Michelle Czernin von Chudenitz (Media Outreach, PPMG), Lloyd Klein and John Arguelles, Celebrity Hairstylist- Sean James, Celebrity Make-Up Director- Gina Brooke, Celebrity Make-Up Artist- Tiffany Saxby, Elizabeth Pitcairn, Piano Accompaniment- Felix, the designers and models and volunteers (shout-out to Kirbie J!) and singer, Lolene; Elizabeth TenHouten (who wore a gorgeous knit dress by Emily Factor).