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SS17 DESIGNERS
MARC BOUWER
New York
Of course, anyone enveloped in a Bouwer design, whether a sequined mini or a jeweled silk taffeta ball gown, gets noticed. This, in turn, has gotten the attention of Hollywood’s a-list. His designs have graced the covers of numerous magazines and the red carpet at movie premieres and awards shows. That’s part of his allure—the formfitting look—imbued with a genuine desire to celebrate, as poet Walt Whitman so neatly put it, “the body electric.”
Indeed, one of Bouwer’s strong suits is his ability to cut a garment to complement a woman’s figure. Another is his acclaimed talent as a draper, a skill he mastered during his tenure with legendary designer Halston.
Bouwer, who grew up in South Africa, had an unusual career trajectory. He was drafted into the army, a national requirement, before studying fashion and winning the South African Vogue Young designer award. His roots may be African, but his ambition drove him abroad. “There was only one place to go,” he insists, “New York.” His arrival, or what he calls his big “Hollywood moment,” came when Halston studied his portfolio, then uttered these six prophetic words: “I think you got something, kid.” What Bouwer got was an offer to join Halston’s studio.
AGATHA RUIZ DE LA PRADA
Spain
Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is one of the most famous and personal designers in the Spanish and international fashion scene designers. Her bold and colorful creative universe reflects a point of view full of love, humor and optimism and conveys a concept of life focused on the smallest details and a world composed of vitality. With this unique combination of elements, she infuses a very organic and distinctive personality in all her artworks: textiles, furniture, crockery, technology, childcare, etc.
Born in Madrid (Spain) in 1960, at the crux of the Pop Art movement, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada was inspired by this vibrant, artistic mood of the era. She invoked this splash of pop onto her first collection which debuted in 1980 in her hometown of Madrid. Her creative designs spurred an instant success and went on to showcase on the catwalks of major fashion capitals of the world, including Paris and Milán, leading Ruiz de la Prada to open her atelier in 1982 in Madrid.
BENITO SANTOS RAMIREZ
Mexico
Born and raised in Tepehuaje Morelos Jalisco, Benito Santos studied medicine at the University of Guadalajara and later on Fashion design in Lanspiac Institute of Guadalajara. His fashion career started at an early age as he excelled in drawing, he started with cartoons and slowly evolved to fashion sketches and illustrations. Further in his career Benito decided to pursue his dream and translate his creativity and talent into couture night gowns.
Benito debuted his work as a Fashion designer in Intermoda, the most important fashion event in Mexico. After only 6 years of launching his own brand Benito has taken on an important role in the Mexican fashion world because he has become the go –to designer for women who love feminine dresses filled with glamour and exquisite detail. Benito has become a fashion icon known for his innovative way of utilizing patterns and hand embroidery in all his dresses.
He is well known world-wide due to his red dress that Ximena Navarrete wore as she received the crown for Miss Universe in 2010. Benito Santos is not only this pageant queen’s head designer; he also dresses important personalities in society, politics and entertainment in Mexico. Read More..
JORGE DIEP
Dominican Republic
Award-winning designer Jorge Diep
A native of the Dominican Republic, Jorge Diep relocated to Mexico at age 16 to study fashion design, hand embroidery, and beading. Soon after, he launched his career as a fashion designer, opening his first boutique in 1983 on Calle Estrasburgo in the exclusive Zona Rosa area of Mexico City. His artistic non-conformist soul next took him to Rome, Italy where he worked alongside several great designers for over 2 years. He went on to gain more valuable design and career experiences in the fashion industry in Spain. After returning to the Dominican Republic in 1988, Mr. Diep began designing gowns for the Miss Dominican Republic pageant. Over more than 10 years, he was recognized with numerous national and international awards and accolades for his designs for major pageant events including Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International. He has also created unforgettable designs for Miss Antigua, Miss Bahamas, and Miss Venezuela. Mr. Diep is also recognized for his beautiful theatrical costumes for such major productions as Kiss of the Spider Woman, Evita, Victor Victoria, and Romeo and Juliet. Jorge Diep is currently the official designer of the hit Mexican musical Aventurera starring Carmen Salinas and Noches de Cabaret starring Lucia Méndez. He has also designed many outfits for the First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández. Read More.
LUCIA RODRIGUEZ
Dominican Republic
Lucia Rodriguez has been honored by the Dominican National Council in Washington, DC as a 100 Dominicans contributing to the socioeconomic development of the United States for the past 50 years. "The Dominican List” was presented on July 27, 2012; at a ceremony on the esplanade of the Capitol in Washington, DC.The release of the documentary about the history of the Dominicans was then performed on the American nation entitled, Dominicans in the United States: Celebrating 50 years of presence and contribution.
Lucia's designs have been seen on the Red Carpet at the Oscars The 50 Most Beautiful of People en Español, Alma Awards, Premios Soberano, New York Fashion Week, and numerous film festivals, captivating the attention of the fashion modeling by presenting a signature line that stands for high quality and perfection. Read More..
Carlos Jose Sierra
Venezuela
Carlos Sierra was born in the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela in 1978, since his childhood he lived among fabrics, from an early age he began working for a textile company, this learns to identify by name each textile and texture. At 17 years old he began his academic training as a fashion designer at the Institute Monsignor of Talavera in the city of Maracaibo, where he qualified fashion designer, in training acquire the skills, technical and professional domain in Fashion design and manufacture. Upon completion of his career participating in different courses at the Fashion Design, in turn organizes workshops taught by Carlos Sierra in textile. In 2000 his young age opens fashion house Desing Carlos Sierra, CA, founded by the same Carlos fruit of their dreams, the same year launched its first collection which is displayed in the Lia Bermudez Arts Center in Maracaibo, from there moved to Caracas in Venezuela Fashion dresses, high-scale event in Venezuela, the collection ends its run El Salvador where Carlos Sierra gets the honor as nobel Designer.
Douglas Tapia
Caracas Venezuela
The acclaimed Venezuelan designer Douglas Tapia, the youngest of seven brothers, and who from childhood was curious costumes, fabrics and design. "I always wanted to study fashion but my family disagreed because they saw it as a serious profession. I am the youngest of seven children and all had a university degree. I decided to study Spanish literature at the University of Zulia (LUZ) "honoree recalled today, detailing who obtained his bachelor's degree with distinction Cum Laude. Later he decided to follow his dreams, studying design at the School of Fashion Monsignor of Talavera, so it must begin tutoring of letters and so pay for their studies. Tapia reported that, thanks to specialist fashion tips Weffer Francois learned to write editorials related to fashion, and not divert their desire to make creations with unconventional materials. "One day Weffer said, 'If you sit on the machine, you'll castrate your ideas, for convenience you will not dare to do more daring things. You need good seamstresses' "he said. Years later, Tapia became a renowned designer, able to spread the Wayuu fabrics for all occasions, create dresses for brides, teenagers and television stars also since 2006 he began working for the organization Miss Venezuela, and in 2012 , he was commissioned to design the official dress of Miss Panama.
MILA TOLEDO
Venezuela
MilaToledo, venezolana de fama internacional con más de 30 años de experiencia, posee estudios superiores en diseño de modas, especializaciones en orfebrería y joyería, es diseñadora de la casa oficial de joyas de la realeza de Malasia, país donde ha recibido cuatro premios internacionales de noveles joyeros, es parte del staff de diseñadores de Miss Venezuela y creadora de las coronas de Miss España y recientemente de Miss Mundo y Miss International Dominicana. Como ex Miss, modelo, empresaria, madre, hija y esposa ha encontrado en sus diferentes roles, vivencias, entorno y etapas de la vida su principal fuente de inspiración.
Colección:
MilaToledo presenta "Pasión" , integrando piezas de joyas e indumentarias de vestir con una fuerte influencia del exótico y maravilloso continente Asiático, pinceladas de la India y su fascinante experiencia con los sultanatos, palacios y paisajes de Malasia, plasmándolos en una sencilla, chic, alegre y bien estructurada colección, cargada de frescura y romantisismo.
BRYAN JIMENEZ
Dominican Republic - New York
Bryan Jimenèz, born and raised in the Dominican Republic, developed a love of fashion in his teens. His interest was sparked when he discovered art in the form of New York City graffiti. He began his fashion career as a self-trained designer in 2014. while only on his 1st year of college at The Fashion Institute of Technology, Bryan has discovered a love for the creative process of designing and constructing clothing.
The comprehensive ready-to-wear collections are inspired by urban subcultures and a chic complex form of streetwear.
DOSSIER MELKIS DIAZ
Dominican Republic
A los 17 años inicia sus estudios en el Instituto Tecnológico Mercy Jaquez, graduándose posteriormente en el año 1999.
Curso varios talleres y seminarios complementarios en la casa de estudios Altos de Chavón. En el 2005 abrió las puertas de su atelier, con una trayectoria ascendente, vistiendo a personalidades del ámbito social y empresarial con diseños exclusivos, iniciando así la gran travesía de empresaria y creadora de tendencias. En el 2007, fusiona el concepto de atelier con casa de novias, iniciando con pequeñas colecciones de sus diseños.
Con más de una década vistiendo los momentos importante de la vida de muchas Novias, novios, reinas de bellezas, trajes de gala para premiaciones y más.
En el año 2015 inaugura Melkis Díaz Bridal Boutique, un nuevo espacio exclusivo para novias y fiestas, elaborando Trajes de impecable confección cargados de diseño y buen gusto. Leer Mas..
FRANCISCO SAEZ
Madrid Spain
"Francisco Saez is a designer of 25 years. He began his studies at the international school of design and fashion in Madrid, Spain , ended his career with honors and performing practices with renowned designer Ion Fiz . During his career he has received several awards, including the gold thimble and the medal of merit European Working for his career and his contribution to the world of fashion, making designs actresses like Estefania Martinez. Based on the Golden Mile of Madrid, Francisco Saez makes and sells all his couture creations and custom clothing."
DIMITRI WIENER
Haiti
Dimitri Wiener was born on January 16th 1981, in Port-au Prince, Haiti.
He participated in horseback riding for almost 15 years. In 1997, after the death of his horse ‘’ Asgard ‘’, Dimitri expressed his feelings through painting untilhe developed a passion to explore his new found talent designing.
His grandmother, Liliane Hibbert gave him the support and encouragement toexplore the art world. His first exposition was in Saint Denis, Montreal (2004). Since then, he has exposed in various countries such as the US, France and Haiti.
The illustrations in his artwork often represent his horses. For the artist,the horse symbolizes peace, liberty and confidence. In some of his paintings,you will also find the eagle which symbolizes peace and courage.
The foundation Prom’Art Haiti has contributed to the start of Dimitri’s art & design career and he would reveal his first ever artistry in clothing this season in New York City Uptown Fashion Week.
Dimitri currently lives in Port-au-Prince.
JOEL REYES
Dominican Republic
Joel Reyes Maria nacio el 17 de junio en la ciudad de santo domingo desarrollando a muy temprana edad su talento en la industria de la alta costura y el diseño de modas. Se graduo de la academia de modas de la diseñadora Adolfina Lluberes en el 2007. Numerosas figuras publicas escogen sus diseños a la hora de las grandes galas entre ellas : Sarodj Bertin, yubelkis peralta, Carorile Aquino, Jenny Blanco entre otras grandes figuras de los medios de comunicacion y ambiente artistico nacional e internacional.
Sus diseños han desfilado en las mas grandes pasarelas y alfombras nacionales e internacionales, tales como: Golden Globe, Latin Grammy, Cannes Festival Films, uptown Fashion Week, Heat Awards, Oscar, y Premios Soberano.
AREGA
Virgin Island - New York City
Fashion Designer for the Press Conference Exhibition
Aria Garcia was born December 11, 1989 in St. Croix, of the United Virgin Islands. When she was 16 years old she moved to the United States to pursue a better future for herself. She took up residence in Gainesville, FL. In 2000 Aria made the journey to Orlando, Florida where she was embraced with a diverse community and culture pushing her to pursue her dreams in fashion.
In 2012, Aria moved from sunny Florida to the bustling metropolitan of New York City. Where she started putting gowns in fabric stores. She got noticed by Mika Nakashima, a now-33 year old Japanese singer and actress, who wore the outfit as part of her 29 show 2015 tour.
From that moment forward her career spiraled upwards. With skills acquired from FIT and hands-on experience at Fernando Rojas, Aria aims to change the fashion world and, for those who know her, she has already began to make a significant print on fashion and what it stands for.
Aria presented her first Fall/Winter line in 2015 for New York City Market Week – and gained select clientele from Carmen Carrera to the founder of Uptown Fashion Week, Albania Rosario.
She now is preparing to debut a preview of her Spring/Sumer Haute Couture collection at the opening of Uptown Fashion Week press conference in September, AREGA first presentation.