Seattle, WA. January 15 2013 – Evening Magazine began taping a new and local fashion designer reality TV program in November, 2012, which will air on KING TV Channel 5 Evening Magazine at 7:00 p.m. the week of February 18 –February 25, 2013. Ten local fashion designers were selected to compete in this filmed competition. The winning designer will win a prize package that includes $10,000.00 that is to be used to expand their fashion design business, coverage in 425 Magazine, and the opportunity to display their winning 5 piece winning collection in Neiman Marcus at The Shops at The Bravern in Bellevue, WA.
The ten designers selected to compete are: Justin Zachary Bartle, Gingerlyn Bellus, Sonia Chehade Maxwell Cunanan, Julie Danforth, Lisa Hunter, Iris Klein, Monica Kitchen, Deyante Weather, and Tina Witherspoon. On Friday mornings the designers were given a design challenge, sketched, selected their fabric, and began cutting and sewing their garment in the workroom at IADT Seattle. On Saturday the garment was fitted and refitted, before being worn on the runway by a TCM Model and being judged by a panel of fashion experts. The designers only had 14 hours to complete their design for each challenge. This has been a stressful experience for them to complete their design on time, and have it ‘fit and look fabulous’ on their model.
Each of the four challenges had one winner and two losers. The final three designers will present a five piece collection on February 7, 2012 at The Shops at The Bravern, 11111 NE 8th Street, Bellevue WA. Suite 120, with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. and the fashion show beginning at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $125.00 p.p. At www.brownpapertickets.com. Gilda’s Club Seattle has been selected as the event beneficiary. The Look winner will then be announced to TV Viewers on Evening Magazine in a 30 minute segment airing February 25, 2013. Judges for the finale of The Look are Lauren Foster, 425 Magazine; Fashion Designer’s Carole McCellan and Justin Bartyl; PNB Costume Designer Mark Zappone; and Rose Dennis.
Along with Evening Magazine, The Look is being co-produced by Monir Zhandghoreishi and Rose Dennis. Monir’s role is the designer’s ‘ mentor’. She worked closely in the IADT Seattle workroom assisting each of the designers with their sewing techniques and construction questions. Her experience with Couture training began in Europe, starting in Persia, Vienna, and then Austria, before coming to the United States. Currently, she is the Fashion Design& Merchandising Program Chair for the International Academy of Design & Technology in Tukwila, WA.
Co-Producer Rose Dennis has served as a member of the panel of judges, and has coordinated and is managing all of ‘The Look’ programs. Rose has been selected and awarded many Seattle Tastemaker and Best Dressed awards; and has chaired many non-profit events in the Seattle area. She has been Public Relations Manager for Seattle fashion designer Luly Yang for the past ten years, and worked 14 years as the Department Chair and a tenured college professor teaching fashion, retail, marketing, and business management.
Thank you to the following partners and sponsors: KING 5 Evening Magazine; Neiman Marcus; TCM Models and Talent; The Shops at The Bravern; 425 Magazine; Anthony Tippins; Red Door Spas; David Lawrence; IADT Seattle; Masin’s Fine Furniture and Interior Design; SJW Wallpaper; John Howie Steak ; CMS Wines-Hedges Family Estate; The Glass Distillery; Trophy Cupcakes; Neuro Drink; modaandestilo.com; Seattle International Textile Expo; Goodwill; Sewing Machine Service Co; Mike Adams Photography; Andy Karuza; and Babbitt Consulting Group, LLC.
Rose Dennis
425.641.3602
Press Release
| Media Contact: Daniel Arthur DonePhone: (425) 785-1984 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE5/22/2012 9:00 A.M. |
Seattle’s Apparel Industry Represented at Nation’s Capitol
Seattle, WA (May 22, 2012) - On May 10th 2012 longtime Seattle fashion industry advocate Steven Paul Matsumoto spoke to an audience of industry leaders, government officials, and small business owners at the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of Style Advocacy Day on the Hill. Held at the Rayburn House Office Building, the panel discussed President Obama’s small business agenda, the importance of incubators to revitalizing the creative economy, the American Textile Technology Innovation and Research for Exportation (ATTIRE) Act H.R. 2275, and the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2011 H.R. 1418/S.509.
“It was an honor to be asked to participate in the panel, and bring national attention to Seattle’s fashion and apparel industry,” says Mr. Matsumoto, “we are actively working with the Department of Commerce on educational and advocacy issues related to the industry.”
The “American Textile Technology Innovation and Research for Exportation (ATTIRE) Act” establishes a grant program to fund textile research and innovation in the U.S. textile and fiber products industry and to promote increased U.S. textile exports. Entities eligible for funding would be institutions of higher education, like Washington State University’s school of Apparel, Merchandising, Design & Textiles, and not-for-profit research institutions, including not-for-profit industry associations whose mission is to support textile research and innovation.
Currently, credit unions are required to limit member business lending to 12.25 percent of the credit union’s total assets. The Small Business Lending Enhancement Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act by raising that cap to 27.5 percent of total assets, and increasing the minimum business loan subject to the cap from $50,000 to $250,000. This measure makes capital more accessible and makes it a little easier for future business owners to achieve the promise of America.
The distinguished panel of industry leaders moderated by Lauren Rothman, Huffington Post Contributing Style Editor also included:
- Janet E. Heinzen, Director Office of Textiles and Apparel, US Department of Commerce
- James V. Hunter, Legislative Aide, Representative David Price (D-NC)
- Jacqueline B. West, Field Operations Specialist, Office of Field Operations, Small Business Administration
- Adriana Pavon, Co-Founder, Detroit Fashion Collective
In addition to providing an educational opportunity to learn about the fashion industry and the policies that shape decisions the panel urged those in attendance to be a part of change by voicing their support of both H.R. 2275 and H.R. 1418/S.509 to their congressional leaders. Christine Brooks-Cropper, President of the Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce, also announced the formation of a National Coalition of Fashion Incubators at the event. Among the initial 13 founding member incubators is Seattle Fashion Incubator, of which Mr. Matsumoto is a co-founder. The coalition will pool resources to support its members, and provide a unified voice of advocacy on Capitol Hill.
We would like to thank Congressman Jim McDermott’s office for taking time to meet with Mr. Matsumoto to discuss these important issues for the industry in Seattle, and across the nation.
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For more information or to schedule an interview contact Daniel Arthur Done at danny@showsnorthwest.com, or 425.785.1984. See a brief video from the panel by clicking here.
Head shots for Mr. Matsumoto