Phoenix Fashion Week at the Talking Stick Resort- Day 2

Day two of the Phoenix Fashion Week show brought on a new variety of emerging and established designers. The list includes: JOI by Jewel Oribe, Madisonpark Collective, Jean Paul Jeune, Silvia Bours for the established and then Eye Thread, JHaus, Paulie Gibson and Sew Twisted for the emerging designer. Again, as I mentioned in day one the emerging designers are competing for that $10,000 prize package to help them successfully launch their brand. The Yelp Log-In Lounge was especially pleasant that evening, due to Massage Envy being in the house….um….can we say… SWOON?! Please forgive me, I forgot to mention other perks the lounge provided, like a charging station and an express manicure station set up by Teres Nail Bar. I was able to get in a five minute massage from Julia during one of the intermissions. Thank you Yelp Phx, Phoenix Fashion Week and Massage Envy for that service for media, because being in the pit with heels puts a strain on the back and that massage was bliss!

The first established designer of the evening was Los Angeles based JOI by Jewel Oribe. I am a fan of this line, which consisted of neutral knit basics, as well as flowy jumpsuits and dresses. Designer Jewel Oribe launched her brand in 2011 with the LA lifestyle in mind. This is that go-to brand that any girl can just effortlessly throw on and be chic without having to really add any accessories. The beachy silhouettes were fluid and flattering- perfect for the fashionista that has that busy lifestyle, but also likes to be casually chic with a hint of sporty appeal. Pair with a pair of oversize sunnies and you are good to go! Check out joibyjeweloribe.com to shop and for any additional information that you might need.

Next up was Madisonpark Collective, a menswear brand that is also based in Los Angeles. Designer Trey Alligood showcased his Spring/Summer 2013 collection that was titled “Breaking Free.” According to Trey, “The inspiration stems from the hard times we have all faced in the last few years, and the hope that spring, will be the dawn of a new beginning. Supima cotton, open weave knits, fine gauge cashmere, lightweight chambray fabrics and soft pastel colors symbolize that hope. Geometric prints symbolize a new structure for the future, and heavily washed distressed denim symbolizes the hardships, pain, struggles we have endured, and the passion and determination it’s taken to get us where we are today.” This locally manufactured brand had a nicely cohesive collection, which consisted of layered pieces and then transitioned to bright airy basics. Prices for the collection range from $149- 995. Check out madisonparkcollective.com for further deets and to shop the collections.

Next up, Los Angeles-based Eye Thread presented their debut collection to us. They were actually the youngest brand at fashion week this year and they did rather well…presenting vintage-inspired dresses and a pretty rad pair of purple and black color-blocked leather shorts! Designers Ashleigh and Tim titled their collection “Keepsakes and Heirlooms,” which were inspired by a person’s individuality and uniqueness.”What inspired me to start EYE Thread is noticing the disconnect in fashion today. It seems we are told how to dress, or how we “should” look to fit in. I get inspired by everyone’s own individuality and so with EYE Thread, you are able to become your own designer. After our client selects a piece from our collection, we offer a variety of colors, leathers and fabrics to choose from and make it custom for you to express your existence…I wanted to design a collection that spoke to women, timeless pieces more or less that will be made to last generations. Essentially vintage for the future. This is why our luxury collection is constructed by certified Couture Artisans. I design everything, but in order to meet the quality and standards of luxury couture, I look to those who have been constructing for decades,” Ashleigh explained. The Eye Thread team strives to create garments that they hope the wearer will one day pass on as an heirloom. “We like to say that we bring luxury couture to the people. Instead of mothers now just passing down their wedding dress, they can pass down an EYE Thread piece and say ‘I met your father in this dress’, or ‘I wore this to my college graduation.'” Since the dress collection is customized to fit the wearer’s own measurements, price points range from $375-535 depending on the dress choice. For the leather pieces, prices run $670-740. They also showcased their Limited Edition Couture Handbags, which were made with luxury materials that were hand selected and purchased from American Small Business vendors all over the country. The handbags range from $345-740. They also did a screen print tee collection titled “Sharing Treasures,” showcasing original artwork that was drawn by local artists.The net proceeds from the purchase go to a variety of charities. The client has the opportunity to choose one of the four charities that Eye Thread has partnered with, to donate the money to. Prices range from $35-50 and each tee is made locally. Check out more information on this ethical brand via eyethread.com or their Facebook.

The next show -JHaus Denim- kicked off with an acoustic violin accompaniment of One Republic’s ” Apologize” by Jennifer Spags Spingola. This girl ROCKED that violin, getting myself and the audience revved up for Los Angles-based JHaus’s show. After that spectacular and rather moving exposition, the fashion show began. We were immersed in denim of multiple washes, colors and styles and were in awe at the two couture finale gowns; one made entirely from denim and the other burlap, twine and chicken wire. Designer JLynn Hausmann went back to her Midwestern roots to find inspiration. She also drew from her life growing up on a farm and ranch, taking things from home and integrating them into her designs. I also felt that the collection leading up to the finale had a very laid-back Midwestern feel but with a hint of that California recherche. Regarding the fantastic escapade with the violinist, JLynn shares, “We started off the show with the song ‘Apologize’ which for me is taking a negative into a positive and basically saying it’s too late for your apology. We than went into other songs and closed it with I feel so close to you right now and bringing all that positive energy together. Basically nothing is gonna stop us! “There’s no stopping us right now” were in the lyrics. Denim is difficult and there are so many difficult barriers and I believe in just working hard and when you get knocked down you get up and keep moving forward towards your goals.” Well, JLynn has surely reached her goals! The show was wonderful and that burlap dress was phenomenal! I look forward to seeing more from the designer in the future. Check out jhausbrand.com for additional deets!

Who says men can’t make a statement when they get dressed for the day?! That’s exactly what emerging menswear designer Paul Gibson had in mind when making his collection. The Paulie Gibson brand was launched this year (2012) with his Spring/Summer collection entitled “Bang Bang.” As Paulie explains about his collection, ” I like to say that its Sartorial Stimulation for the Modern Man…and it comes from my heart.” For Phoenix Fashion Week, he presented twelve looks from his Spring 2013 collection titled “Tribe.” Gibson was inspired by the history of tribal culture, ranging from Mongolian, African, Native American and Amazonean tribes. “I felt a strong concept of inclusion as I was researching and I interpreted that to mean that “You are one of us, if you look like this” – which I still feel is a very strong mindset of most people today. I wanted to shake that idea up and say we are all in the same tribe, lets celebrate how we are different.” Gibson’s collection was very unique and included a fun mixture of fabrics and textures. And I couldn’t agree more with Paulie’s final thoughts, “Fashion isn’t about just clothing. Fashion should make you feel good. All I want to do is to give people more options to be expressive through their apparel and ultimately lift their sprits when they get dressed. Fashion has brought me pure joy for as long as I can remember. I just want to make people feel good. Be yourself and express that in all that you do.” Life is too short to conform with the ‘norm.’ Even if you don’t put on a full Paulie Gibson ensemble, at least deck yourself out in one of his custom shirts with a great pair of jeans or vice-versa. Check out pauliegibson.com for additional information.

Emerging brand Sew Twisted was the next to be presented down the runway. Self-taught designer Brooke Reyes showcased looks that were somewhat based on her background in theater. Her brand is about creating chic yet functional clothing for the ‘everyday’ woman. Only two looks really stood out for me that evening… the white bustier top and the red draped gown with dramatic plunging back. Check out sewtwisted.com for further details.

Ah yes… more menswear…which made my job so much fun during PHXFW. Seeing the men stride down the runway in handsomely tailored suits, pants and button-downs. Phoenix-based designer Reza Ghayour’s (a.k.a Jean Paul Jeune) dazzled us with retro styling and silhouettes. I liked his use of prints and fabrics that I normally wouldn’t see on the average man, but when I saw it that evening, I found that it really worked. Ghayour also added in a few womenswear pieces as well. I could see 60s/70s influences in the dresses and also modern silhouettes in the separates. My faves were the yellow (very “Twiggy”) 60s style shift dress and the “hipster” crop pants with suspenders. Check out more deets on JPJ on JPJexclusive.com.

The last designer to present that evening was Sonora, Mexico-based Silvia Bours. This was definitely one of my favorite collections for fashion week. If you’ve ever drempt of having a tutu-esque, uber-feminine dress in your closet, then the Silvia Bours brand is for you! The theatrical dresses are a mix of ‘Marie Antoionette meets her girlie punk phase’, meets ‘the new Betsey Johnson of the millennium’ meets ‘blinged-out princess.’ I loved every dress that walked the runway and the detailing… everything down to the tulle skirts, trims, jewels, bows, draping and fruit prints…I can’t wait to see more from Silvia! Attention celebrity stylists, the red carpet needs more whimsical gowns on the red carpet..nudge..nudge.. Anway, be sure to check out silviabours.com for additional information.

Stay tuned for Day 3… the finale of Phoenix Fashion Week….