Author Archive: Yekatherina Bruner

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Putting Tucson on the Fashion Map

October 12, 2013 |

Handmade designer fashion jewelry by Bowman & Hock will be showcased during Tucson Fashion Week.
photo: Ali Megan

This month, Tucson fashion enthusiasts can enjoy one of the most awaited events of the year.

Tucson Fashion Week (TFW) hits the scene Oct. 17-19, in a glorious three day blaze of style, art and cuisine. Celebrity guest appearances by designer Betsey Johnson and Project Runway designer Bert Keeter are the icing on the cake.  Through fashion events, charitable partnerships, unique experiences and iconic collaborations, TFW is putting Tucson on the national fashion and retail landscape.

Creative Directors Paula Taylor and Melanie Sutton of the House of PM have taken the event to the next level by producing a series of outstanding showcases that provide a professional platform for emerging designers, independent retailers and established companies to present their work locally and nationally to consumers, buyers and industry leaders.

Tucson Fashion Week kicks off on Oct. 17 with a special gathering of its creative team, sponsors, designers and guests at the beautiful Tucson Desert Art Museum, 7000 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Guests will have the opportunity to view the museum’s historic collection of Native American art and textiles as well as the Designer Fashion Presentation and Student Textile Competition, showcasing exceptional fabric designs created by students from Pima Community College, and the Art Institute of Tucson. An inspired fashion presentation will feature the works of local designers, Jan Traficanti of Belsita Couture, Esteban Osuna, and Desert Vintage.

The second evening, Oct. 18, hosts the Premiere Runway & Ensemble Presentation at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave., benefiting The University of Arizona Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing and The Center for American Culture & Ideas. This extraordinary evening begins with The Lounge by Playground featuring fun food and drinks and fashion presentations installed by local designers teamed up with hair and makeup artists and a mixologist. Highlighting the talents of some of Tucson’s top mixologists, guests will enjoy cocktails and culinary creations inspired by original Betsey Johnson collections. A premiere presentation and runway show sponsored by Mercedes Benz of Tucson will follow, showcasing the collections of nationally renowned designers Betsey Johnson, Donni Charm and Frans Braveria as well as that of emerging local and regional designers, Cybil White of Julia Love, Laura Tanzer, Elizabeth Denneau (Albert) of Candy Strike, Too Strong USA and Oceana Kim.

The last evening, Oct. 19, is The Runway Wrap-Up & Fashion Presentation Awards Party at La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Dr., highlighting national designer Nicholas K, emerging designers, local retailers and celebrity guest designer Bert Keeter from Project Runway. Awards will be presented to the winners of Friday’s Premiere Runway and Ensemble event.

For tickets, times and complete details, visit TucsonFashionWeek.com.

FASHION MEETS TANGO

October 15, 2012 |

Photos courtesy of Neil Peters Photography and Ecco Chanel

They say it takes two to tango, and this fall, fashion and music are coming together on October 20 in ICAN Tango, a fundraiser show to benefit the ICAN’s (International Cancer Advocacy Network) Foundation Personalized Medicine Programs at the Proscenium Theatre, West Campus of Pima Community College Center for the Arts.

This magical evening will bring to life the beautiful, sensuous, and intricate Argentine tango dance, featuring the very best local Argentine Tango professionals in individual and group performances as well as a fashion show, featuring local fashion designer Diana Lopez, the owner and head designer of Indi Apparel, a brand that designs for women who love to travel, dance, and be comfortable.

Tango apparel has been an expanding market since the rise of the popular Argentine dance into the global dance community.  And not surprisingly so, the popularity of the passionate dance in Tucson has lead local designer Diana Lopez to expand into that market—not just because she is a business owner, but also because she’s been dancing tango for over 10 years.

Diana Lopez was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved with her family to the US in 1991.  Growing up as an Argentine immigrant, she always found ways with her family to keep a strong connection with her roots and tango is one of them. “I fell in love with tango the minute I saw it on stage,” she says.

Tango apparel has developed different styles over the years, always keeping sensuality and functionality as the two fundamental characteristics. INDI Apparel’s line includes gaucho pants -inspired by the Argentinean pampas lifestyle. Wide legs for horseback riding comfort and tight ankle hems to avoid getting stuck as legs brush around the bushes. A style that translates ideally for tango, where legs fly around in the air and heels are always looking for a place to get stuck. Skirts include fishtails for a flow effect as dancers glide around the dance floor and slits to add a touch of femininity and sensuality.

INDI’s tango line uses knit fabrics which allow dancers to move with great ease, and many of the skirts have drawstrings so that the length can be changed based on necessity — another INDI Apparel trademark.

www.indi-apparel.com. For more Information about ICAN and the ICAN Tango event: www.askican.org. For online reservations: www.askican.org/TangoTickets. Tickets: $30 Reserved Seating, $50 VIP/Preferred Seating (limited). $25 students (with I.D.)

Decoding Printed Denim

September 1, 2012 |

Just because you love to wear denim jeans doesn’t mean your look needs to be the same every day. Last spring, fashion runways around the world displayed the widest variety of printed denim we have ever seen and now printed jeans are promised to be the hottest trend this fall.

“I love the floral pant craze right now” says Christina Henneke, owner of Swindlers, located on 906 E. University Blvd. You can find them in eye catching patterns like leopard print, stripes, polka dots or floral; and in more subtle prints like small plaid or even painted scenes. There is a pair for every taste and every budget!

So how do you style this hot new trend and not look like a hot mess? Start by mixing your printed denim with a solid top in the same color palette. This will guarantee a fresh and effortless look. If you are looking for a head-to-toe textured look, follow the same rule and keep both your top and bottom prints in color harmony.

Pair a lighter wash denim shirt with your printed jeans and don’t worry about committing a fashion faux-pas. When you do it right, it becomes a fashion do. Your neutral tops will be your best friends when wearing printed denim. A plain white tee, tank top or silk blouse will go a long way in making the best out of this fun trend. For the perfect finale, add a pop of color with your shoes and bag and accessorize, accessorize, accessorize!

Yekatherina Bruner is a local fashion stylist and personal shopper. Visit her website at  Ykstudioonline.com

Credits:

Photos by Allan Sturm.
Styled by Yekatherina Bruner.
Model: Morgan Chmielowiec.
Hair and makeup: Starla Cocio.
Location: LoveSmack Studios.

Mossimo Supply Co. Blue floral denim at Target. Chantilly Laced Skinny in blush denim at Joesjeans.com. Peach and White leopard print denim at Joesjeans.com. Beulah Style orange and fuchsia floral denim at Swindlers. Beulah Style orange and black denim at Swindlers.

Bright Done Right

August 7, 2012 |

As the sun gets brighter, so does fashion – bright colors are in!  We are seeing them on the runways, in stores and in magazines; now we are seeing them on Tucson’s streets. The black, white and muted clothing colors on the vintage murals of Downtown’s Broadway Boulevard are a thing of the past.

Akiko Senda, owner of Tres Boutique, the latest addition to the 4th Avenue vibrant fashion scene at 210 N. 4th Ave., agrees: “When we first opened our shop in 2011 we focused our color palette on neutrals: black, beige, taupe… but this season it’s all about bold and bright hues. Color is definitely the way to spruce up any wardrobe from bright accessories to head-to-toe color blocking.”

Bright colors are not for the faint of heart and the possibilities are endless. If you are daring enough to rock the latest trend, here are a few tips for how to do it in style:

• Examine the color wheel. Each half is a family of either warm tones (red, yellow, orange and pink) or cool tones (blue, teal and green).  Jeans and tops now come in every possible color. Have fun by mixing and matching any color in the same family for an effortless look.

• For a much bolder look, pair the color you’d like to use with its perfect opposite on the color wheel. Yellow and purple or teal and brick red and violà…bright done right!

• A monochromatic look in a combination of different shades of the same color usually goes well together. Pair a summery light colored dress with its most intense shade for shoes and your look will go a long way.

• For a more conventional or office appropriate look, spice those “same old” neutrals with a bright colored bag or multicolored shoes to make a statement. And don’t forget about jewelry and even nail polish, they are the perfect complement to your bold wardrobe.

 

Yekatherina Bruner is a local fashion stylist and founder of Tucson Fashion Group. Visit her website at YKStudioOnline.com

Credits: Photos by Liora K. Photography. Styled by Yekatherina Bruner. Hair and makeup by Danielle Gary and Starla Cocio. Models: Jessaca Marie Haag, Christin Gilmer, Emily Glynn, Sarah Ward, Cory M. Kuehn