As humanity seeks new and improved ways to produce clothing and fabrics that come from green and sustainable sources, it’s easy to look to mother nature for the perfect solution. Subsequently, designers and manufacturers are looking more toward plant-based fibers that can be grown naturally and be replenished as needed. In the green category, the newest fabrics to hit the fashion scene include textiles made from plants like corn, flax, and even bamboo.

Bamboo shirt

Since the early 2000’s, bamboo has grown and blossomed its way into many applications–it’s more than just the backdrop to tropical forests.  It has been used in many applications ranging from textiles to medicine, even jewelry. For green fashion, bamboo has quickly become the darling fabric for designers, and has even made its way into couture collections in Paris and around the world.

Bamboo Thrives Everywhere

Bamboo’s versatility comes from its ability to thrive in many environments. Its hardy shoots cement themselves into their surroundings and grow quickly. Its strength and fiber-like core gives bamboo a wealth of possible end products within the culinary, textile, and even medical field. Seems like the perfect eco-friendly source? Maybe, but it gets better. Bamboo also boasts anti-bacterial properties that repel pests naturally, making it the ideal plant to provide durable and hygienic fabrics and clothing. The fact that bamboo has anti-bacterial properties makes it a green choice for constructing clothing items such as socks, underwear, and workout gear. Because of its organic properties, it also prevents moisture from accumulating, thus stopping the growth of bacteria. The aroma of a worn pair of socks after a long day’s work is of no issue when the socks are made from bamboo.

Luxury for One Sixth the Price

Bamboo fabric can be processed into a myriad of textures, weights and styles. Its family of textiles can reach the market in its natural form or as a textured form similar in feel to cashmere, but for a sixth of the price. Bamboo is also completely versatile and dyes easily into any color like a charm.

Bamboo diaper

Currently, bamboo is a popular choice for clothing where a plush and luxurious feel is highly desired. Imagine coming home to a pair of cushy bamboo slippers or a bamboo robe with the same velvety texture of cashmere. Today, Bamboo’s use and application is nearly limitless, and current trends in bamboo include its use in undergarments and baby diapers. Bumkins, a brand of reusable diapers, carries an entire line of bamboo diapers for moms who choose to parent with a green thumb.

Bamboo: Not Without Controversy

The Eco-Boom has surely given bamboo a new lease on life and has made it a cash crop for rural farmers in tropical countries where bamboo is plentiful. Bamboo can certainly be considered a new wonder-crop, especially for green fashion, but even great ideas can’t be without controversy. Green advocacy groups have warned that bamboo production has led to a surge in the cutting down of rain-forests to make room to plant bamboo in their place. This has led to the destruction of precious rain-forests–home to many animals and ecosystems. Like with all things, bamboo has the making of greatness as a clean and renewable source of fabric, but proper management and education will be the key to bringing bamboo into the mainstream. Ultimately, bamboo’s future as a fashion force lies with designers and consumers, who, through education and design, can bring bamboo to the center of green fashion where it belongs.

Perspective by Alicia B. Alvarez

This past Saturday, January 22, 2011, patrons were welcome to take part in complimentary services that were offered during the Diva Day event, such as facials, massages, glamor photos, and even their pick of tasty chocolaty treats…did I mention the champagne?

Deb Rohzen, owner of Simply Smashing!

What’s great about the Diva Day event, is that it is held and run by five local business women who not only want to bring beauty, comfort and sass into the lives of others, but they do so while promoting a worthy cause: breast cancer awareness. Deb Rohzen, owner of Simply Smashing! stated that, “through Diva Day, not only do we promote local businesses started or run by women, but we also promote local artists, jewelers and designers, while at the same time bringing more awareness to breast cancer.”

Carla Schwartz of Spirit of Health - Therapeutic Massage

Carla Schwartz, who offered complimentary massages to guests as they walked in the store, has participated in over 20 breast cancer walks in the city. Any tips she received from the day’s event went towards her raising money for the breast cancer walk that she will be participating in again this year.

Liza Jensen, owner of Bella Diva

Liza Jensen, owner of Bella Diva, a beauty society that caters to women looking for specific skincare and makeup products, and co-host of “Diva Day,” offered free facials at the event along with sample skincare products. Initially starting “Diva Day” in her home about a year ago while holding Bella Diva parties, she too was enthusiastic about the prospect of women helping women in business and in life.

Jeanette Hartley of Desserts by Jeanette

Jeanette Hartley, another local business owner, tempted guests with her sumptuous desserts, which included: Chocolate-dipped strawberries, cookies, brownies, red velvet mini cupcakes, and many more chocolate treats that were hard to pass up. Once you tasted one, you wanted to taste them all…at least I did. All desserts are homemade by Jeanette and can be custom-ordered. Jeanette’s sweets are perfect for clients looking for special cakes or desserts that are unique and beautiful edible works of art.

Jeanine Brown, a professional boudoir and wedding photographer, was offering fun and flirty glamor photo shots for any woman wanting to unleash her inner diva. All photos were taken on a plush black velvet couch with hot pink velvet throw-pillows, a peacock feather fan in hand, and a pink boa wrapped around each willing diva. Now what woman can resist all that glamor?

Bella Diva Cosmetics and Skincare Products

So if YOU want to be a “Diva for a day” while also supporting a great cause, then please make sure to visit the following websites for more information about the next “Diva Day,” or if you want to learn more about the women profiled and their businesses/services:

Fabulous facials by Bella Diva featuring Beauty Society: http://www.facebook.com/belladivabeauty or https://www.mybeautysociety.com/lizajensen

Simply Smashing shopping: http://www.simplysmashingstyle.com/

Spirit of Health: http://www.spiritofhealth.net/

Desserts by Jeannette: http://dessertsbyjeanette.com/default.aspx

JB Photography: http://www.jbrownphotography.com/, or http://www.jbrownboudoir.com/

Being a diva never felt so good!

Event Review by Sophia M. Papadopoulos

Do you love to shop ‘til you drop? If so, then Santana Row’s “Black Friday” sale is where you need to be on Friday November 26, 2010. Various Santana Row shops and restaurants will be offering exclusive sales, tasty drinks and treats, and even some free samples. And, if you want to get your holiday shopping done early this year, then Santana Row is where you can get all your shopping needs met in one fell swoop.

For a list of participating shops and restaurants, please visit:

http://www.santanarow.com/files/black_friday_offers_1.pdf

Post by Sophia M. Papadopoulos

Event Chairs: Susan Lucas & Lori Fox

Production & Design: Matthew Mountford

Creative Direction: Beverly Zeiss

Hair Stylist: James Grifiths of Salon Blu

Makeup Director: Christal Saville of Christa Clear Cosmetics

Makeup Artists: Shante Elise King, Ethel M.H. O’Yang, Bianca Guido, Marina Petrenko, Melissa Foster, Chante Branch, Desirea Ordonez, Lauren Hoskins, Josephine Harmon, & Kade Stuart

Model Coordinator: Karissa Casey

Stylists: Jennifer Giles, Joshua Datu, Renata Gar, & Calli Perez

Designers: Erandeny Torres, Amore Vert, Platinum Dirt, Rosa Habteyes, Norma Arriaga, Diana Aesa, Wei Xiang, Wei Kong, Sheri Duchin, Renata Garaykhanov, Calli Perez, & Jenn Elias

Volunteers: Melissa Shymko, Rosey Stone, Rusty Esmus, Letica Taylor, Wil Dounley, Jade Hernandez, Avery Simone, Nikki Leukes, Theresa Engkilterra, Gina Pichinino, Miriam Custodio, Nancy Martin Flores, Soliel Leroy, Alexandra Galvez,Bessie Perez, Karina Robles, Susana Guardado, Francis Rivera, & Jenn Elias

Models: Brian Ellison, Britteney Reynolds, Christine Yee, Daniel Orth, Diana Aesa, Em Zhu, Emily Lohnberg, Heather Castro, Josselyn Marie, Juila Saori, Kelly Tanimura, Kyla Tanimura, Mimi Tundalag, Monica Foz, Megan Fox, Mamta Jain, Renata Gar, Marina Petrenko

In-Kind Donors: Salon Blu, Crystal Clear Cosmetics, Smart Water, Joseph George Wines, Tonirose Lambio, Best Alterations, & DiCamo Production

Silent Auction Donations: Patty Grant, Carol Chen, Christina Pickard, Cynthia Woong, Diane Jung, Francesca Ordona, Hector Martinez, Lily Dong, Miko Yamaguchi, Monique Zhang, Shekhar Rahate, Sheri Duchin, Jeanice Owens, Hyeyon Moon, & Carrie Ann Inaba

And of course a special thanks to Susan Lucas & Goodwill of Silicon Valley

Here are some behind-the-scenes photos of last night’s event

]]> http://sjhelium.com/2010/10/09/goodwill-generations-of-change-fashion-show-a-huge-success/feed/ 0 http://sjhelium.com/2010/10/06/take-a-stroll-down-santana-row-with-wine-and-friends/ http://sjhelium.com/2010/10/06/take-a-stroll-down-santana-row-with-wine-and-friends/#comments Thu, 07 Oct 2010 02:36:35 +0000 Sophia http://sjhelium.com/?p=4915 Santana Row will be holding an exclusive event on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 from 5 pm to 8 pm, where patrons are invited to enjoy special shopping opportunities and wine tastings on the row. Your $30 ticket will gain you access into the exclusive wine and spirit tastings inside participating shops and restaurants, along with special discounts and a memorable signature Santana Row wine glass.

For more information or to buy tickets, please visit:

http://www.santanarow.com/events/item/santana_stroll/

For highlights of Santana Stroll, please visit sjhelium.com later this month.

By Sophia M. Papadopoulos

Helium Magazine’s Sophia M. Papadopoulos sat down with Erandeny at the rooftop wine terrace Cielo in Hotel Valencia at Santana Row for an interview.

Helium: What does fashion mean to you?

Erandeny Torres Israde: To me fashion is a way of expression. It’s just something that you have inside of you that you can’t keep in. You get ideas and inspiration from different things and it just translates into a garment or a color, a print or a pattern; it’s just in your head bugging you until you actually sketch it and then make it. It’s really nice to see something that just starts from anything, like architecture, and then it becomes something that you can wear.

H: How/where did your interest in fashion arise from?

ETI: I’ve always had an interest in art and color. I’ve been drawing since I was little. My grandmother, she draws and paints and she’s really talented. My mom and my dad like to draw too, so I guess it got passed down from generation to generation. When I was little I remember making clothes for my Barbie dolls made out of play-dough. So I was always creative and would always like to draw. I also do makeup. Since I was little I would like to see the eye-shadow pallets with all the colors; it was something beautiful to me.

H: What materials/fabrics did you use to make your design?

ETI: My dress title is “Compassion in Action” and it’s made of jersey net; it’s a stretchy fabric. I designed it so that the model wearing it could be comfortable because she had to walk in it. And I wanted a 3 dimensional piece, so I made the faces on the dress out of cast bandages; the same thing they (doctors) use when you break your arm. It had to do with the Red Cross; they gave us a theme. So they told us to use the theme from a disaster and told us that we could use materials from the Red Cross. So I used the cast bandages and I made a papier-mâché first, for the faces, and then I put the cast over it and attached it. Now, I had to think of a way that it would work so that it wouldn’t be too heavy, that it would be comfortable, and that it would have the 3D effect that I wanted. So I made the masks separately and painted them with acrylic on the dress and on the 3D part. The bottom part is also made from the plaster, and I used gloves, thicker plastic gloves. I had to fit it to the mold. I had to do the fitting, the adjusting, and shaping of the masks so they wouldn’t look out of place on the body. I attached them by piercing holes around the masks and then hand-sewed them on the model and on the dress. The train has three layers made out of a veil-like material. The whole dress is white, and the acrylic paint and the art on it are different shades of gray.

H: What inspired you to make this design?

ETI: The theme for the wearable art contest was “being prepared for disaster,” so I was looking for inspiration to start my piece on the internet when I came across two pictures that where my inspiration.

The first one was the image of two men helping to carry a woman away from a collapsed building when the earthquake in Haiti had just happened. The debris and dust covering their hair and faces as strangers help each other…to me that represents unity in the midst of chaos and that is represented in the top front portion of my dress.

The second picture was of a rescue worker that days after the quake, when people where starting to lose hope of finding survivors, found a small child and rescued him from a collapsed building. Fatigued from the search but with a big smile on his face, he held this child between his arms and the child became a symbol of hope. This is represented on the front bottom portion of my dress.

The last part of my inspiration was the repeated element of hands in the pictures: hands that helped those in need; hands comforting those in distress; hands rescuing; hands healing hands, that put compassion in action. This is represented on the back bottom part of my piece.

H: How long did it take you to make the dress?

ETI: I’ve been working on the dress between school, work, and taking care of my son. I think it took about 40 hours. Now, the sewing part did not take too long, it was more the masks because it was a whole process in making the papier-mâché and putting the plaster on top and waiting for it to dry; sanding it, preparing it,  painting over it and fitting it to the model – readjusting, all that took longer.

H: What does your piece represent?

ETI: Compassion in action. Again, the inspiration came from those two photographs.

Erandeny accepting her award.

H: What collection pieces are you showing at the West Valley College Revival Fashion Show (WVCRFS)?

ETI: I’m putting out a line, I believe it’s about six dresses. They (dresses) are draped. I didn’t have a theme that I began with for this line. Usually I’ll have a theme-board where I’ll place images or something that inspires me on it, but this time I started out with the fabrics. I like the contrast of a really bright yellow with black, and the texture of the fabric I used was really crisp. I started draping and letting the fabric do what it wanted to do and then I went from there. I was just playing around with the fabrics on the manikin and with the different dress designs. I incorporate a fan-type look, different fans and a different translation of the fan in one specific dress.

H: Who are your favorite designers and why?

ETI: I don’t have any favorites. I like to see what other designers are doing through their creative process and what they have pondering in their minds. They can have something that grabs my attention; it can be something simple or something really complicated, but I don’t have a specific favorite. It may be a certain garment that I like out of their collection, a certain style, or the way they interpret something.

H: How would you describe your fashion style?

The Art to Wear competition of the American Red Cross for their Heroes Celebration.

ETI: It can arise from anything. I could be observing a flower and I start thinking, “how can this be translated into a garment?” or maybe the color, or the texture of it. I remember one time in school we had a project where we were supposed to use a vegetable or a fruit, and we had to interpret it. I chose an avocado. It was challenging, but I sliced it and photographed the different slices, and I came up with a dress where the slices were the bottom of the dress like a mermaid dress. And the texture, I found the perfect fabric and the colors – the rough texture of the outside, it was like a leathery material, and the bottom of the dress was satin and the color green was like that of the inside of the avocado. My designs vary. They would be for people who are not afraid of being different – they can step back from the classic look – they like something that is somewhat artistic and different, and that they would not be afraid to make a statement with it. My designs are for those who are more daring in their fashion tastes.

H: Who do you see wearing your designs and what demographic do you cater to?

ETI: I guess it’s more of an attitude. I can’t put it in an age group – it’s more of a personality. My designs are for people who want to be unique and who are not scared of wearing something different. My designs can come from inspiration from past decades or something futuristic. They are for people who are not afraid of wearing something different and being different.

H: What do you think is the most rewarding aspect of fashion design?

ETI: Just being able to express myself, just letting my imagination go, and have something that’s like a dream and the whole process of seeing it come to something real; something tangible. You start out thinking, “oh, I wonder if I can do this,” and then my mind starts going. It’s something really fun and relaxing at the same time. It’s exciting to see something and then start thinking of a concept – you know it’s possible, from something that’s just a thought and then it becomes something real.

Erandeny with model Alyssa wearing her inspirational design.

H: What is the most difficult aspect of fashion design?

ETI: I enjoy it (fashion design). Everything about it is just fun to me. It’s not difficult for me.

H: What advice would you give students who are aspiring to become fashion designers themselves?

ETI: It’s true that you reap what you sew, so just be yourself and know yourself and know that you don’t have to be whatever people want you to be. Or if they tell you that your designs don’t work, maybe that’s your style and that’s your essence, so just know who you are and know what you like and keep doing what you want to do. And if you work hard and you are persistent, your hard work will pay off. Do what you like and what’s really in your heart without letting yourself get influenced by things that are not really you.

H: What is your ultimate career goal in relation to fashion/fashion design?

ETI: As long as I can keep working on something that I love to do, it can be anything, as long as it has to do with being creative, using creativity, or being in a creative outlet. I would also like to put out a line. I do makeup as well, so it can be anything having to do with using a creative process.

Interview by Sophia M. Papadopoulos

Photos courtesy of Erandeny Torres Israde

The girls are back

After two years and dozens of Cosmos later, the wait is finally over as the fab-four (Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha and Miranda) are back in the highly anticipating sequel of “Sex in the City 2.” You die-hard “Sex in the City” fans once again have an excuse to wear your favorite pair of stilettos to the movies, but make sure they are Manolos; Carrie wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you are like me and were left with your mouth open upon watching the first “Sex in the City” movie, you are not alone. All the women in the theater gasped when Mr. Big left Carrie at the altar. And after all the emotional games he put her through over the years due to his fear of commitment, I’m almost certain that they wanted to rip his head off at that moment. However, like almost all movies with a romantic plot, there was a happy ending, as Carrie and Mr. Big FINALLY tied the knot.

Now the girls are back, and the sequel is sure to stir up more drama, love, desire, and of course, fashion, as they make their way from one cosmopolitan metropolis to another, Abu Dhabi, on a trip of a lifetime. But, as the tantalizing previews suggest with the “Sex in the City” soundtrack playing in the background, even in the far away desserts of the Arab Emirates, Carrie finds herself in a love-tryst with an ex-lover. So what will this illicit rendezvous mean for Carrie and Mr. Big? I guess you have to go watch the movie to find out.

So grab your stilettos, shake up your Cosmos, and invite your favorite gal-pals for a night of fun, fashion, and of course the fab-four. New York sky-scrapers the limit, so get ready to let loose and have some fun!

“Sex in the City 2″ in theaters May 27, 2010

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

The Unpretentious Type

You definitely don’t care about what others think about you and you don’t take yourself too seriously when it comes to fashion.  As if you didn’t have an impossible boss to please and moral standards to uphold, deciding to play the part is what has you in shambles here.  Do the clothes make the person or does the person make the clothes?  This is for you to decide.

The character that best describes you is Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada.

The Dramatic Type

Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009)

Just as ostentatious as the title of this type suggests are you about being admired for the time you’ve invested on your fashion execution.  Good taste can be awarded by designer logos and your self-esteem can easily be boosted by visiting any designer store that you deem worthy.

The character that best describes you is Rebecca Bloomwood in Confessions of a Shopaholic.

The Mood Type

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

If you are going to make it as a New York socialite in the 60’s you know that Givenchy’s version of  the Little Black Dress will get you there.  You know that every occasion demands its own outfit and above all you know and understand your body type, which serves as your main template.

The character that best describes you is Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

The Timeless Romantic Type

Days of Summer (2009)

Dainty and feminine are the two words that best describe your fashion style.  Adorned by floral prints and open to experimenting with ruffles and anything vintage, you certainly establish yourself as the epitome of nostalgia.

The character that best describes you is Summer Finn in Days of Summer.

The Trendsetter

Annie Hall (1977)

You know that adopting risky and fearless behavior in fashion is what separates the leaders from the followers.  In order to remain fashion-forward you are always at the top of your game by constantly changing and experimenting with your look.

The character that best describes you is Annie Hall in Annie Hall.

Perspective by Amanda Holst

The beauty of “Ugly Betty”

For all you fellow “Ugly Betty” fans out there, I’m sure you were glued in front of your TV set, as I was, to get your final dose of Betty before she went off the air for good on April 14, 2010. After four seasons, the show’s executive producer, Silvio Horta, was ready to have Betty leave Mode magazine and the airwaves on a high note.

For those of us dedicated to the show from the very beginning, we have been with Betty (America Ferrera) on her tumultuous journey up the not-so-easy fashion magazine ladder as she made her way out of Queens and the comforts of home and into the high-life of Manhattan-living and the fast-paced world of fashion. But even though Betty did not fit in with the fashionistas at Mode, her determination and never-die attitude helped her rise in the ranks; going from Daniel Meade’s (Eric Mabius) assistant to being offered an editor’s position in London; a true “dreams can come true” story.

However, “Ugly Betty” was not just a show about the underdog making  it in the big city and breaking into the cut-throat fashion magazine industry; every episode had a moral. Although Betty, with her shiny braces, frizzy hair, and signature red-rimmed glasses stood-out like a jagged multi-colored rock (with her mismatched outfits) among the dazzling plethora of beautifully polished diamonds that were the models and fashion-conscious employees of Mode, her winning spirit, go-get-them attitude, and overall bubbly personality eventually won the hearts of those who at first despised her and her lack of style. At the same time, Betty also proved that despite all appearances, authenticity, being true to oneself, and hard work is the key to success and prosperity in the end.

For most “Ugly Betty” fans, we were not ready to have the show come to an end, but at least the show’s producers had everything fall into place, as all the characters got what they wanted: Wilhelmina (Vanessa Williams) became editor-in-chief of Mode, Hilda (Ana Ortiz) married Bobby (Adam Rodriguez) her high school crush, Justin (Mark Indelicato) finally came-out of the closet, Mark (Michael Urie) got his promotion as creative director, Amanda (Becki Newton) found her long-lost father, and of course Betty (American Ferrera), as mentioned above, was offered a great position as editor at a magazine in London. The only disappointment was that Daniel (Eric Mabius) and Betty (America Ferrera) did not officially end up together in the end, even though the previous episode alluded to that fact. However, the fact that Daniel passed the title of editor-in-chief to Wilhelmina and followed Betty to London indicates that they just might end up together after all; at least that’s the ending in my final cut.

I know you Betty fans were sad to see “Ugly Betty” make its last curtain-call, but at least you can take this moral of the story with you: dare to be different, be yourself, and never give up on your dreams.

Adios Betty, we’ll miss you.

Fashion Art Music Exhibition, F.A.M.E. brought a dynamic collaboration of live music, artists, and models to the Women’s Club in downtown San Jose last weekend.

The venue was filled with local venders and boutiques showing unique products and creations. From bow ties and cupcakes, the Women’s Club contained wall-to-wall street-inspired designs.

Live music included master mixes and beats from performers DJ ThuyVu,
DJ Quantum,
DJ Snare, and
TradeMark Krew.

Treatbot, a karaoke ice cream truck, made an appearance outside of the building, where gourmet ice cream was served to those who wanted a sweet break.

Outside of the building, sunshine and summer-like weather greeted painters and onlookers viewing the artist’s developing creations. Alongside the artists was another deejay playing as people of all ages went freestyle and break dancing.

Umbrella Salon was the official hair salon of the night, creating looks for the runway models and prize packages.

As the night neared the end, everyone’s attention veered to the F.A.M.E. finale as models walked the runway in new and recycled clothing by retailer Crossroads Trading Company from Blossom Hill.

Several beautiful models sported spring’s biggest trends of floral prints, stripes, cropped tops, overalls, oversized sun hats, and bright makeup.