Helium Magazine | Silicon Valley | » WDesigns

CFS: An Epic Event for an Amazing Cause

amandaholst — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:35:23 +0000

The “Largest Fashion Show on the West Coast” delivered a stellar performance over the weekend as designers and devoted students joined together under one tent for a night of charity which benefited Bay Area’s micro-finance non-profit Kiva. The 140,000 square foot tent in Stanford was the platform for over twenty-five designers to flaunt new pieces. Fans of Jimmy Century opened the show, rocking an energetic mini-concert, and set the mood on fire for the rest of the evening. Here are just a few of the astonishing highlights that were captured at this year’s Charity Fashion Show.

TOSCA SORAYA

Shai White & Eugenia V Sokolova wearing Tosca Soraya

Tosca Soraya’s entire Hardscore Debut Collection opened CFS, and her Dutch influence brought over contrast of futuristic fabrics and cutlines. Croquet embellishments unexpectedly assembled with geometric black-and-white patterns to bring a dramatic, yet passionate appeal. Bodysuits became the palette for Tosca Soraya’s striking hand-crafted nylon jackets and the collection wasn’t without an explosion of color.

This stand out dress looked stunning as it flowed down the runway. Dramatic choice of fabric and flattering structure in the top portion truly showed off Tosca’s inspiration.

Shin Choi

Unoma 'Nomis' Okolo wearing Shin Choi

Shin Choi’s ready-to-wear line took a refreshing approach down the walkway. Simple, yet sophisticated jumpsuits and separates made their way, never compromising Shin Choi’s vision of timeless appeal. Vibrant-colored leotards added just the right touch to compliment the functionality of each piece in her practical collection.

Shai White wearing Magdalena Trever

Magdalena Trevor

Magdalena Trevor’s charismatic two-piece bathing suits caught the eyes and attention of onlookers at CFS. Most pieces were made out of croquet with the exception of a few, including a black and white sequin suit and a cowboy-inspired bathing suit that was outlined with pearls and leather frill.

Each piece was distinctive, as shades of green, orange, blue, and red paraded down the runway without ever making for a dull moment.

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This romantic forest green bathing suit outlined with frilly lace captured the innocence of Magdalena’s collection.

Detailed croquet sarongs and lacy-detailed wrist gloves completed the look for some styles.

Swati Couture

Shai White wearing Swati Couture

Swati Couture’s Indian Fusion was exemplified as each piece that made it down the runway was more gorgeous than the last.

Pieces included a traditional, yet modern looking peach and teal sari, a green and gold paisley ankle-length dress, and two detailed pewter gowns.

One of the collection’s highlights included this majestic red and gold-embellished gown.

Words cannot describe the exact detail and stunning design that went into each of Swati’s high fashion pieces.

(Swati Couture’s Goddess Collection is featured in Helium Magazine’s Elemental issue)

Aksel Paris

Daniel Orth & Taylor Jackson wearing Aksel Paris

Aksel Paris was definitely the show stopper and onlookers were delighted to see the flirty girl/boy skits that played out at the halfway mark of CFS’ diamond shaped runaway.

Aksel Paris’ ’smart, sexy shirts’ were just that, and the boxers and tights served just as a decoy for the European-tailored shirts that featured designer Yazid Aksas’ signature three-inch collars and statement-making cuffs.

Kent Denim

Kent Denim showcased their Spring/Summer 2011 line at CFS this year and the theme was ‘bike messengers of the Serengeti,’

Kiyan Williams wearing Kent Denim

according to an earlier Helium Interview with designer Noah Landis.

Urban aesthetics trotting down the runway included slim and relaxed-fit dark blue and black jeans, short sleeved casual button-up shirts, and modern tees and tanks.

These minimally-styled jeans paired with an everyday-looked red-and-blue checkered button-up shirt showed off Kent Denim’s effortless and realistic line.

Danielle Pettee

DeAnna Francine Maile Basques wearing Danielle Pettee

Danielle Pettee ended the show with her collection she’s calling ‘the goodwill of fabric.’

Romance walked down the runway as Danielle Pettee’s floral tulle, leather detailing, and crochet detailing added to her custom-made dresses.

This dress made out of black leather and chiffon showed off the designer’s romantic approach.

Other designers at the show included Civil Society, Clutch Couture, Eva Franco, Future Faces of Fashion, Kitty Andrews, Aiko Designs, Alexandria von Bromssen Design, WDesigns, Karen Lum, Nanette Lepore, & Lenny

By Amanda Holst

All photography courtesy of Jack Husting

CFS: 2010 Designer List Announced

Helium Magazine — Sun, 02 May 2010 02:37:06 +0000

With Just two weeks until the largest fashion show on the West Coast, CFS has released the final designer list for the 2010 event. Click on a name to go to the site, or check back to sjHelium.com between May 10th and May 15th for Charity Fashion Show Week featuring interviews and profiles with CFS designers.

Returning designers are in bold.

Video: Behind the Scenes with WDesigns and Jack Husting

Helium Magazine — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:47:10 +0000

Ever wonder how Helium does it?

Believe it or not, many of Helium’s shoots are shot in front of a white background (at Studio 2147X) and completed in post-editing. This behind the scenes video by Brian Agee shows how photographer and Helium’s Art Director Jack Husting teamed up with Wayne Hwang and some Charity Fashion Show models to produce Helium’s Fashion Feature on WDesigns.

Check out the rest of WDesigns’ new line and more from Charity Fashion Show at their May 15th event (the largest fashion show on the West Coast) plus the debut of Helium’s Elemental Fashion Show Issue.

Fashion Feature: WDesigns

Helium Magazine — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:17:44 +0000

It was the first of May in 2009. Helium’s Founders were only a few weeks from our Developer’s Conference where we would unveil our plan to produce a magazine that would be launched at a fashion show. It felt like walking into an open and quiet sea, until my phone buzzed with a new text. “Fwd: Charity Fashion Show at Stanford! 5.4.09.”

It was already sold out, but a few emails and a flash of the “Editor-In-Chief” card later, and we found ourselves standing at the feet of a wickedly large white tent on the Roble Field at Stanford University. A true castle of fashion; it housed a 75-foot runway, over a thousand guests from across the Bay Area, and clothes from 37 designers.

Surprisingly, the center of all this madness wasn’t the big labels — Oscar de la Renta, Betsey Johnson, Andrew Christian — but an up and coming designer. A man who found his footing modeling in New York for DKNY. A man who, as the Executive Director, used brass and brains to turn Stanford’s Charity Fashion Show into the Largest Fashion Show on the West Coast.

Now a graduate, the kingpin of fashion is going rogue and taking his national following with him.

Wayne Hwang is his name, and WDesigns is his game.

PHOTO SERIES: Object In Motion

Helium Magazine: What does fashion mean to you?

Wayne Hwang: Fashion is more than clothing. Fashion is about me as a person, and society as an experience–as art. Having worked in the fashion industry, I think that is my most immediate answer: it is an industry. Deep down though, it is far more than an industry: it is the furthest reaching form of art, and a genuine replication of an attitude. Your style is who you are. WDesigns is how I see the world.

HM: How did WDesigns get started? How long has WDesigns been established?

WH: WDesigns started as a hobby years ago; initially focused on jewelry, then on costume design, at one point even swimwear—WDesigns has really been through the ringer. These days, my line focuses more on ready-to-wear with a couture bend. I used to just call everything I did WDesigns, so in that form it has been around for 5 or 6 years, but in its current form it has only been around 2 or 3. It only recently started getting big though; following Charity Fashion Show 2009 and San Francisco Fashion Awards I have started really focusing on the line.

HM: Who do you imagine wearing WDesigns?

WH: WDesigns is about rediscovering beauty. Discovering WDesigns is discovering elegance and femininity, while also experimenting with edginess and intrigue. The wearer isn’t categorical, she is herself. WDesigns allows her to be herself. Whatever the age, whatever the race, whatever the location—WDesigns isn’t just me, its whoever is in clothes.

HM: How does WDesigns represent the Bay Area?

WH: WDesigns got its first real start in the Bay. Focusing on Charity Fashion Show, and eventually San Francisco Fashion Awards, our most dedicated clientele lie in the area. WDesigns is a representation of the world around it, so it certainly is a representation of the Bay. The underground arts scene is reflected in this new collection more than ever, and as I familiarize myself with the scene even more that connection can only grow.

HM: What is your new line called, how does it differ from your previous lines, and what was your inspiration?

WH: The new line is called Venus. It is drastically different, and a huge departure from my previous looks. Don’t get me wrong—the line still has semblances in places of my previous collections (Water, Fantasy, and SwimHood). I haven’t abandoned the gown-based collection, but Venus certainly has more than just that. Venus was about expanding my horizons, and expanding WDesigns. The collection is meant to combine love and technology; this synergy is done by contrasting silver colors with reds and blues, and by combining flow with structure. The result is something new, and something I am really proud to showcase.

HM: Where can people purchase your clothing?

WH: Clothing can be purchased online at wdesignsfashion.com. This new collection will be available shortly after the premiere for special order. Hopefully the collection will be carried at boutiques around the Bay following the show as well. This is my first real collection that has a ready-to-wear component, so I hope to have it more readily available for purchase.

HM: What is your ultimate goal for WDesigns?

WH: WDesigns has huge potential for growth. I would love to extend beyond the Bay, and really succeed as a designer. Right now, I want to continue production of this line, and see where it takes me. Venus is something new, and I don’t want to set goals quite yet. Right now my focus is this show, and some shoots that I have on the schedule. After the Venus Premiere my goals my change, but lets get to Friday first.

Wayne’s line officially launches on Friday, January 22st at a private fashion show in San Francisco.

MODELS
Ariana Afshar
Rachel Nydam
Taryn Peacock
Raquel Goya
Julia Wycliff
Renata Gar
Emily Lohnberg