Academy of Couture Art emerging designers and stylists Move LA with Fashion’s Night Out

Fashion’s Night Out makes its way to Los Angeles for a second début. This year, Academy of Couture Art students partake, support, and promote the amazing design talent, retailers and huge fashion industry that have always been an integral part of Los Angeles.

The growth of LA’s Fashion’s Night Out is crucial for the (re)awakened movement of fashion to the home base of the Hollywood stars, Los Angeles. In a soon to be released interview through Academy of Couture Art, fashion magic and inspiration is illuminated with the spirit of Los Angeles.

According to the USC Stevens Institute for Innovation, “There are more artists, writers, filmmakers, actors, dancers, and musicians living and working in Los Angeles than any other city at any time in the history of civilization.” What an amazing point of reference for the major role fashion plays in this community!

Academy of Couture Art asks Parisian couturiers now in Los Angeles why it was their first choice for fashion around the world. “When I first came to Los Angeles I was really impressed by this energy, this creative energy in the city. I definitely feel like Los Angeles is the largest city where there is the largest population of artists, from around the world, than any other city of any kind in the world. And I think the fashion scene in LA has huge potential.”

“We have the fashion district which is literally amazing in diversity of fabrics, trimmings, quantity of stores, beading. This is huge. So the potential in terms of material is here. Also we have all the industries and work rooms in Los Angeles downtown that are here for production and this is very well developed. We have the whole Beverly Hills clientele for luxury, ready-to-wear. If you want to do just made-to-measure or just luxury ready-to-wear, we have a huge clientele here. We have the whole Hollywood glamour and the movie industry to promote your clothes with the red carpet. And this is very important because it is a big window; it’s a worldwide window. So, I think Los Angeles fashion has a future, huge potential, and I really believe in Los Angeles for fashion.”

Traverse these avenues of fashion expression with your best soles. It’s you, the community and artist, who make its voice heard. Mark your calendars for Los Angeles Fashion’s Night Out in collaboration with Vogue this September. The streets will overflow with high creativity, one-of-a-kind pieces, unimaginable deals, and a spirit of fashion unmatched in the world!

Careers in Modern Haute Couture: Academy of Couture Art Highlight

Having achieved her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and a few quarters away from achieving her Bachelor of Science in Pattern Design (Pattern Making), Christina Manolescu embarks on a career that is “…beyond what I ever thought I would achieve.”


Christina MANOLESCU
Designing for Academy of Couture Art
Collide 2010 Grand Fashion Gala

Last quarter she began working freelance as a pattern maker for several different design companies. Her first experience was with couturier Roberto De Villacis on a few garments that were made-to-measure for his fit model. “She was so stunned by the fit that she wanted to take the muslin cut home!” At the same time, Christina embarked on her first custom wedding gown, embroidery and all.

Next adventure in the industry, children’s wear. “This will be my first time to integrate the methods of modern haute couture, which is typically calculated for the woman, to children’s wear.” Easier than she thought, she introduced an elegant basic pattern block that the company had not yet developed to bring consistency in production. Her first project was the cutest little coat you can imagine. “I really like this kind of work. I can work when I want, where I want.”

Currently she is employed part-time in the company atelier and freelance in her studio creating patterns and leading consultations between fashion designer and seamstress for a local Parisian luxury leather clothing company.

Her first project brought in a few hundred dollars. The second one received reviews that were unimaginable a few years back when she transferred fashion colleges to specialize in modern haute couture practices. “Our seamstress, who has been over thirty years in the business, said that my pattern was the most elegant and simple to execute that she has ever seen.” This came on the same day that the owner, former fit model for the couture runways in Paris, tried on the muslin of her second project. “No fitting was needed, and I believe she’s keeping this one for herself. It cascaded down so elegantly; It was gorgeous!”

More projects are on the pattern table. Christina has just been approached to make custom garments for a lady with unique proportions. “Her size is bigger on top, making it challenging to find anything becoming for her type of figure.”

“I never thought I would be able to make pieces like crazy complex motorcycle jackets and custom garments to bring out the unique beauty in all. The techniques at Academy of Couture Art are so easy and so elegant. This is awesome! To the students, take lots of notes; this is your bread and butter.”

Standing Out From the Crowd

Academy of Couture Art

Design College of Haute Couture

Standing out from the Crowd

Founder Sonia KIM ÉTÉ

Christian Lacroix; Azzedine Alaia; London Underground alongside Vivienne Westwood; Francois Lesage; SAGA furs; Harry Winston; Guess? Handbags; Baby Phat; Von Dutch; Harley Davidson; Theodore & William (for St. John’s Knits, Richard Tyler, James Galanos, Geoffrey Beene, Nordstrom); Karl Kani; Jennifer Lopez; Candy Spelling; Aaron Spelling; Pam McMahon Inc at Nieman Marcus Department Stores; Ed McMahon; Paula Abdul; Jennifer Stallone; Katherine Bach; Coolio; Michele Lee; Tracy Danza; Lucinda Ruh

With Support From

Made with Swarovski; Solstiss-Bucol; PAD System

Honorary Members: Roberto De Villacis (LA based Couturier); Gillaume Cardoso de Sousa (Parisian Haute Couture Draper); Mahyar Mrok

Gala Distinguished Guests: Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark; Princess Dalal Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia; Baroness Kimberly Moore; Elizbeth Pitcairn “1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius”; Ali Fedotowsky “The Bachelorette”; Max Ryan “Sex and the City”; Macy’s External Affairs; Harry Winston; Tiffany & Co.; GenLux; Lloyd Klein Couture

Placement/Internship Highlights: Roberto de Villacis; Lloyd Klein Couture; Nolan Miller; Badgley Mischka; Brian Lichtenberg; Henry Duarte; Rock and Republic; Leyendecker; Cerre; Des Kohan; Harley Davidson; Ed Hardy; Da Nang; LA Insider

http://www.academyofcoutureart.edu/






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Inspirations for the Future of Fashion

Last week Academy of Couture Art had the wonderful opportunity for inspiration at the invitation of the LACMA Costume Council.

Andrew Bolton, Curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, shared his insightful perspective on the spirit of the American woman through her ever evolving dress (critically acclaimed exhibit at the MET: American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity).

Through his amazing exhibit and presentation, Andrew Bolton reminded us that costumes are very strong tools to convey an “Art de Vivre” to the community.

As commented by Thierry ÉTÉ, Academy of Couture Art, “As we could see through this exhibit, among each era, style, and movement, uniformity in the silhouette was a collective convention. The fashion of today is heading to a dilution of uniformity serving more creatively the unique personality of individual clients. This is exciting for woman who leads the movement for freedom of expression and strength of personality!”

After the event, I met a lovely woman who, upon hearing of Academy of Couture Art, was brightened with joy to reminisce on her experiences viewing haute couture runway shows in Paris perhaps over forty years ago. “Back then the runway was not filled with over the top costumes.” What you saw was pure beauty that you could instantly see yourself wearing. They were garments you dreamed of owning and when you did you cherished them forever because they fit so beautifully, were made with such care, were enriched with even the simplest of detail, and always made you look and feel gorgeous. It was magical. “I had pieces that I wore for almost twenty years.”

This is a perfect example of what couture is all about. It is, before anything, a concept of perfection, of uniqueness, of detailed craftsmanship, of impeccable, elegant fit that should not be reserved only for an elite, but supporting the entire fashion industry at every level. As a matter of fact, the fashion industry has no other choice than to follow this path of quality where fashion art, defined by haute couture, is reflected in the unique personalities of the broader market.

- Because we care -
Academy of Couture Art

Academy of Couture Art Advanced Moulage receives special Parisian Haute Couture guest mentor: Guillaume Cardoso de Sousa

Pattern Designers (aka Pattern Makers and Custom Dressmakers) at Academy of Couture Art specialize in the modern techniques of construction from haute couture to mass market. Last Wednesday, January 5, 2011, Advanced Moulage (Draping) students received a special surprise for the start of their quarter. ACA Honorary Member, Guillaume Cardoso de Sousa, announces to the group that he will be mentor to the class.

Guillaume Cardoso de Sousa brings an exceptional background in Parisian haute couture. As a specialized graduate of draping from Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne he is an inspiration to those who pursue a similar journey at the U.S. Fashion Institute of Haute Couture, Academy of Couture Art. Guillaume has worked for Dior Haute Couture, Balenciaga, Kenzo and other great designers. He is currently aligned with fashion designer to the stars, Kevan Hall.

His greeting last Wednesday briefly touched on the collaborations and lectures to come with discussion on the various ways to approach pattern designing on a fitted body and the differences between fashion industries in the U.S. and Paris.

Last February 2010, Guillaume made a formal presentation to the Academy of Couture Art community about what it takes to perform with the greats as well as the difference in pursuing fashion design education in Paris where it is necessary to find a design entity sponsor for whom he could work as an apprentice for his education.

A key message, that he imparts to all aspiring and emerging designers, is displayed through his modest and respectful demeanor; to be a professional success requires dedication, punctuality, hours beyond the clock in clock out to ensure that work is done at its best, not getting involved with ego clashes, having eyes in the back of your head to learn from all, and the ability to solve problems and innovate solutions quickly.

Guillaume’s encouragement and positivity left all present full of knowledge towards a better way to think of apparel creation. Look forward to the collaborations to come.

For more information contact Academy of Couture Art at (310) 360-8888 or online atwww.academyofcoutureart.edu.

Parisian Odyssey 09

What do you feel you gained academically, and professionally from this trip?

The only way that I could answer that question, is by just emphasizing that after I had stepped onto foreign european soil, after my eyes had been in the presence of priceless, legendary, masterpieces, while walking on historic steps that echoed, across the universe...and after being swallowed up by the intoxicating parisian bright nights, under Eiffel light, made me once and for-all be awaken to the possibilities, and true capability of the potential of artistic expression in human beings. Catching myself in that moment In Paris while the world turned, surely signified my balance in it. I had now earned it. Closest I’ve ever been to a near-life experience. 

Truly holding my own at the 3 day Première-Vision international convention in Paris was something serious to me. I had be looking forward to it. Learning how to really work that giant orbiting planet, upon which countless people from all corners of the world were flocking to enter...was frightening, but immensely exciting to achieve, and decipher. A giant world infested with the finest accessories, the rarest and most innovative fabrics, pulsing with the fashion industries most ground-breaking and original ideas, avant-garde manufacturers, and artistic trend-setters and observers. 

I’ve always been told “Treat talent as a business, if your fortunate to have it... then you must master working hard to perfect that gift, as a lifetime commitment. Hard work equals success,... talent tragically is never enough”. This fruitful sort of mentality was the driving force behind all those at that convention trying to find those diamonds in the rough, and for those showing the world they were one.

That creative drive is what I desired, so I decided to capture it, and bring it back with me. New standards on how I would see the world, and how my academic, professional, and artistic success would now be judged. A personal epiphany. Making deals with legendary manufactures, and really networking to familiarize myself and learn the ropes of this business, the do’s and don’t was the key thing I learned in the professional sense there. Being present, and experiencing first hand the commitment Lesage has in his work to make sure that his production, and reputation are second to none. Enriching and inspiring to say the least. Nothing compares to the acquired knowledge that comes with experience. In lamest terms delivering, and preparing me with the necessary tools in order to carve out a path, and a name for myself in

the enormous mountain I’m still destined to conquer. The constant pursuit of my existence. There are a lot of whom depend on it. It’s surreal to think Paris, was my destiny at age 22. 

-BorisOrlando 2009