Styling with Junk to Funk

Ornella Grant(far right) with her collection.

 

Emilie Barrow with her collection. Barrow
wants to make next year's showeven bigger.

Ashley Thompson wearing 
a dress from Carol Clifton's colletion

Emilie Barrow wanted to make the Junk to Funk fashion show part of Upper Darby School District’s Art show, bigger and better. The eleventh grader had made up her mind that this would be the best show ever. But this Upper Darby student as pleased as she was with the results has even bigger plans for next year

“I took over coordinating the show because I knew we could make it better than last year.” said Barrow.

“I learned a lot. I learned how to manage my time and to step up as a leader. It was a great experience. We grew from three designers to seven designers participating this year. We had a stage designer (Anna Melone) and lighting designers (Julie Heydeman and Dianne Zimmerman),”said Barrow.

Madison Carr wearing
 PeneillaGuerrier's design

Next year she has plans to feature a slide show on stage and to bring the Cosmetology and Photography students into the mix doing hair and make-up for the models and taking photos. Barrow plans to use her new learned skills to work in the fashion world if not designing then coordinating shows. Her creativity shined through with her collection called Angels and Devils dresses made out of newspaper. She is already thinking of designs for next year.

Ingenuity was the name of the game as students used anything tossed aside from plastic to old CDs to create wearable art. The students were part of the Art Club which meets in Art teacher, Ellen Flocco’s room. Loving fashion and art, the students designed original outfits out of recycled trash. They met after school first designing and sketching their outfits. By using recycled items their vision was altered sometimes but they used their innovative spirit to create stunning fashionable outfits. It all came together when the models and designers strutted across the runway.

This is the tenth year for the show explained Flocco.

“It’s a way to make art ecology –friendly. It was very popular when it first started but died out a bit. This year Emilie said she could make it better and I said run with it. She did a great job,“ said Flocco.

Pilar Lugo, a tenth grader won first place and Most Creative Outfit.

"I was trying to think of different ways to use newspaper from our school paper the Acorn. It was interesting and challenging and gave me an idea that I might like have a career in fashion. It was good learning how to make clothing and be recognized by people at school, “said Lugo.

Peniella Guerrier was challenged by the Junk to Funk fashion show. The tenth grader never thought she would win Best Overall Dress and Best Collection Name.

Demi Hart with her collection Slime

“I started sketching things and the ideas came to make a dress from CDs and a tutu. It really opened my eyes to what I could do with other materials,” said Guerrier.

Carol Clifton had three dresses in the show. Clifton, a tenth grader is an art major in the National Honor Society and in Art club. Clifton won second place and the Best Use of Material.

Siatta Komarawearing her vision.

“It was so much fun. I loved putting it all together and having it (outfit) in front of me instead of a sketch, “said Clifton.

Ornella Grant, a twelfth grader always wanted to be in the Junk to Funk fashion show. Grant used saran wrap, newspaper, wrapping paper, trash bags and duct tape taking third place and Best Collection.

“I feel like I accomplished a goal. I have a real love for fashion and I want to major in it. I love the architecture of this and how bright ideas in my head can be made into regular clothes. It was good and fun. I was excited because I was one of the models I was happy with how it all turned out, “said Grant who after graduation will attend Philadelphia University for Fashion Design.

“It challenged me to more creative in my ideas. I was shocked by the award. I took third place and best collection, “said Grant happily.

Keep Styling in Delco!!! 

Fish Leather, Bingo and Designer Bags

A couple of events are coming up that might grab your interest,if you are looking for some accessories to rock that summer look. Here it goes!

Pamela Levin, jewelry designer at Nivell Jewelry will debut her new jewelry collection created in leather, sterling silver, and semi-precious stones at Blue Streak Gallery in Wilmington, Del. The opening reception is on Friday, June 7 from 5 pm – 8pm, during Wilmington’s Art Loop and runs through July 13. Levin has jewelry collections in sterling silver with semi-precious stones and is now including leather in her work.

“Leather is included in many types of clothing; it is not just in New York Fashion Week designer collections. Jewelry complements what we wear so it is a natural extension of my work to produce with leather, “ said Levin

 Her full vision in one piece of jewelry is the combination of sterling silver, semi-precious stones, and multiple colors of leather that are machine sewn together.

In her Blue Streak Exhibition you can expect to find cuffs, neckpieces, and earrings made with kidskin, buffalo, cow, lamb, exotic skins (post manufactured alligator and lizard) and fish leather.

Fish leather used in clothing, handbags and shoes are a new trend and Prada, Gucci, and Manolo Blahnik have items manufactured with this already. According to Levin fish leather is a very eco-friendly product. Instead of throwing the skins away after the fish are skinned for fileting, they are captured and processed in a tannery to make fish leather. Fish leather is very strong compared to the same weight in bovine leather because of the skin fiber patterns. Something to check out for sure.

If fish leather jewelry isn’t your thing than maybe Bingo is. It’s Designer Bar Bingo happening at Temple Lutheran Church in Havertown. Come play bingo and you might just win one of the stylish bags from Kate Spade, Coach, and Michael Kors awarded per round.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. This is a BYOB event and you must be 21 to attend. All proceeds benefit the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Go to info.avonfoundation.org/goto/BustedLion for more information. For questions and more details, please contact Theresa Schanne at tschanne01@verizon.net

Keep styling in Delco! Summer is almost here so look for our swimsuit dos and don't s coming soon.

Hagley Museum celebrates 75th Anniversary of Nylon

"Silk Stockings

So soft and so sheer

The dear Silk

Stockings you wore"

Lyrics and music by Cole Porter

Today that should be an ode to Nylon.  With the creation of nylon, silk stockings became a memory of the past. The Hagley Museum in Delaware just opened a new exhibit in April called Fashion Meets Science: Introducing Nylon This exhibit shows how nylon revolutionized the fashion industry and influenced how people have dressed since its launch in 1938 by the DuPont Company.

Fashion Meets Science: Introducing Nylon celebrates the 75th anniversary of nylon’s introduction to the fashion world. On October 27, 1938, a brand new material named nylon was announced to the public. Created in DuPont’s labs, nylon replaced silk in the ladies hosiery industry. Nylon was so popular that its early sales created near riots.

The highlight of the exhibit is the early development of nylon and its impact on the fashion industry, but it includes other uses for the discovery such as parachutes, toothbrushes, and carpet.

Nylon Wedding Dress

Visitors will be able to view the first polyamide fiber sample (basis of nylon) and first souvenir sample of nylon thread, first all-nylon woven fabric, one of the first pairs of stockings manufactured at the Experimental Station, and the first pair of seamless stockings; the first wedding dress made of nylon (1942), first dress made of 100 percent spun nylon (1949), and first nylon football pants will also be on display in addition to other nylon “firsts.”

Nylon Quiana Jacket.

Visitors can see the first nylon overlay lace dress (1940) and a prototype black nylon nightgown from Vanity Fair (1947). Clothing made from Qiana, a silky nylon fiber that debuted in the late 1960s and influenced fashion of the disco era, will also be displayed.

 Featured Qiana items include a Bill Blass Qiana Boudoir Robe (1968-1969), William Travilla Qiana evening gown (1968-1969), Oscar de la Renta Qiana wrap dress (1968-1969), Charles Kleibacker Qiana cocktail dress.

So for all you nylon   and fashion buffs this exhibit runs through March 31, 2014. Hagley Museum and Library is located on Route 141 in Wilmington, Delaware. Call (302) 658-2400 weekdays for more information or visit www.hagley.org.

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Neumann University students walk the runway for a Cause

For members of the Fashion For A Cause (FFAC) at Neumann University their goal is not only to make you look fashionable but to make the fashionista in you help others.

On April 19 students will walk the runway showing off gorgeous looks  at the Mirenda Center Community Hall at Neumann University in Aston. Maria Sotomayor, vice president of FFAC is proud of her hardworking members who come from diverse backgrounds and reach out to others focusing on their community.

“Our fashion show is our major event of the year, the purpose of our show is not to showcase the latest trends, but to use our talents and teamwork to help a special non-profit organization through our show. All of our proceeds this year will go to a program run by the non-profit organization, La Puerta Abierta/The Open Door, which provides mental health services to immigrants in Philadelphia, “said Sotomayer.

La Puerta Abierta created the Youth Mentorship Initiative focusing on meeting the needs of immigrant youth regardless of immigration status. This is a youth driven program that helps create a supportive and therapeutic community for teens and college age undocumented citizens.

“As a group, we know how difficult being a teenager is; the mission of the program caught our attention, because everyone deserves the chance to be treated equally and having mentors to support them and guide them is very important, “explains Sotomayor.

This year’s fashion show will feature clothes from Louella, a women’s clothing store in Wayne owned by Mary Delany. Members will wear their own favorite spring outfits and accessories. The students will be showing off their own uniqueness choosing clothes that tell what fashion looks like to them .

The goal for the club is to use the universal language of fashion to help young people love the skin they’re in empowering their self- esteem and talents. But even more, the members are committed to helping their communities any way they can.

FFAC hosts A Case for Smiles by ConKeer Cancer creating bright cheerful pillowcases for children. Many volunteer at Dress for Success which helps unemployed women find clothes to wow their potential employers. The students participate in the Neumann Cultural Arts Forum and Luncheon which benefits the Mary Kearney Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University.

Along with the ticket price of $10 for guests and $7 for students there will be performances by talented singing Neumann students and light refreshments. The show starts at 7 p.m. You can't beat the price or the causes these young people are dedicated to. Keep Styling in Delco

Spring fashions take on a bold new look

            Spring Fashion is here with a drum roll. Colors are vibrant, even electric: bright oranges, yellows, blues and greens, large flower prints, geometric black and whites.  Metallic and floral accessories are all the rage. Leather, suede and tweed though usually thought a winter look come to the forefront with short sleeves and vibrant colored leather skirts and pants.            

Skirts a little longer, straight pants, a little shorter and cut at the ankle.  

The white blazer makes a comeback. So does the suit.

So it's time to revamp the wardrobe. Bring out some of those old favorites you might have in your closet or go to Target. Kohl's or JCPenney for designer looks at great prices.  Here is glimpse at some of the new trends seen at a fashion show at the Community Arts Center in Wallingford sponsored by the Delaware County SPCA. Puppies and kitties are always in style when adopted. Premium outlets of Philadelphia dressed the models gathering the best of the best trends.  

 So all you out there ready to think Spring: forget the pastels think bold, think color!

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Delco takes to the Red Carpet

                                       

Delco was showing off  their Hollywood looks on the Red Carpet at Cawley's Irish Pub and the Llanerch Diner in Upper Darby. It was glamour and glitz and lots of Eagle attire.  So here's a look at how good we looked the night of the Academy Awards as we cheered on our favorite actors Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook. This movie brought the stars to the towns of Upper Darby, Lansdowne and Ridley and on Oscar night we were Styling in Delco darling.

                                                                        

Ways to save on Designer looks

It's that time of year to go through your Spring wardrobe looking for ways to fill in the gaps. So what  about designer looks. We all know we love the new looks but can we afford then. When was the last time you paid $500 for a pair of shoes or $4000 for a all cotton tee-shirt. If you are like me the answer is never!
So where do you go for something delicious to wear,  soft to the touch and show stopping.