DAAPworks 2011: Fashion Show

Well hello there Childrenz, remember me?
How about now? Any guesses?
It's me, Ryan!

I'm taking over for Zach tonight because A, he is out of town on fa-cation this week, and B, he was sick for the DAAP Fashion show...and there's a hella ton of kick ass designers we MUST feature. He'll be posting later this week, though, dont worry.

(If you didn't know, the college of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning at the University of Cincinnati held their annual "DAAPworks" showcase this week, featuring the senior capstone projects from all disciplines in the college. It officially ended today, with the fashion show serving as the finale.)


Don't forget, DAAP is where Fagazine Fave Lindsey Lusignolo graduated from!

Seriously though. The show last night was the hoppenist event I've attended recently. It reminded me a lot of Cincinnati Fashion Week actually, and I even got to see one of our fave models, Taylor Thompson!

It seemed like she literally walked for almost every designer. Which is good. I like her.

I'm saving all the good stuff for later posts when all my pictures are organized... It takes a while to sort through 30+ collections worth of photos you know! And it looks like I'll probably be featuring them all ... they were that damn good.

But for now, enjoy my favorite looks of the night!

(I'll label them with their designer so you can get a head start on buying the clothes! You'll want to snatch 'em up before they're gone.)
Note: as of writing, the site doesn't seem to be working. But have no fear, I'm sure it'll be fixed asap.

All photos by Ryan Seminara. 


Alyssa Work

Lacey Voss

Junior Class: Tailoring Showcase

Joanna Tidwell, Elise Radomski

Alisha Benchley

Rachael Droll Davis

Laura Mollander

Cara Brown

Jenny Davis

This is all I'm showing from this collection because I don't want to spoil the rest. But seriously, you'll thank me later.

Christine Devitt

Gabrielle Barbu

and some cayute little shots from the finale...

Till next time, Fagazine Faithfuls, Ryan is the new Black Zach.

Ryan

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Cincinnati Fashion Week Finale: The Attendees

 I've shown you so many designers, now I want to show you all who attended Cincinnati Fashion Week's Finale show.

It was a family affair! Me, and my Aunt ( who worked with Lindsay Lusignolo) looking adorable.

One of the newscaster's for Fox, Sara Celi (my new friend) and her friend were sitting right behind us.

I see sequins and a gold chain necklace in the same picture! I already miss CFW.

All of Lindsay's former coworkers, they were so excited!

Sarah Celi with Amy Scalia, Editor-In-Chief of Cincy Chic. Clearly, I was in good company in the press section of the venue.

Another adorable picture of me and my bestie (who just moved to ATL) Teren Posey. 

Melissa Scalia was the host for the evening, and she happens to be wearing a gorgeous gown provided by the  beautiful lady she is taking a photograph with! Ashley Burnside, owner of Fetish Boutique.

Melissa, and the man behind the magic, Nathan Hurst. I hope he is enjoying some much deserved time off! This week was so extravagant!

Me and one of my new favorite people, Vivian Moore. Vice President of Mitchell's Salon and Day Spa. 

Words can not describe the level her vision, and her talent with hair took Saturday Night's show to. 

Finally, the ever glowing Adhrucia Apana wearing a creation by Amy Kirchen. How am I supposed to resist using a look with a plunging neckline, sequins, AND shoulder pads as my closer? It can't be done. 

Sorry this post wasn't sassy! I had so much fun this week, I couldn't be sarcastic towards the people who made it that way (again)!

Zach.

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Cincinnati Fashion Week Finale: Lindsey Lusignolo

Zach is in black, Ryan is in blue.

 What a perfect opener.Its volume makes it such a statement piece, yet it is still totally figure flattering because the sheer tulle allows you to see the fitted underdress. Clothes like this that are fashionably showy, a little avant garde and yet completely practical are what every woman needs to stuff her closet with.
If Black Swan had ended with Natalie Portman mixing her crazy dual personality issues into one lesbian-kick ass-dancer-swan, this is what she would wear. And isn't that the perfect criteria for you to want this for an evening out?

 Semi fitted bodice, charmeuse fabric. You get a little hit of sparkle from the front...
The lights go down as the Drag Show is starting...

 ...and then BAM. She knocks you out with a metallic applique.The back of this dress is the most spectacular I have ever seen.
...and then BAM. She bursts into the song Toxic by Britney Spears, sending you into the highest heavens of gay club euphoria.

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CFW After Party @ The Weston Art Gallery

Ryan and I decided to give you dual commentary for this post. It worked out well. 

It's kind of like reading a dialogue, like the ones going on inside Courtney Love's head. 

Zach is in blue. Ryan is in black.

 Bathing in maribou feathers? Glamorous. I told her if I saw her vagina I would sue. She assured me she had panties on. I'll never stop being afraid of the vagìn. 

 6 Vodka Cranberries + 18 Donuts = Drew is still as drunk as he was before the 18 donuts. 

She was wearing lace leggings with her ass hanging out, and silver stripper boots Christian Louboutin's AND she invited me to her closet to see the rest of her collection. Don't get any ideas lady, I've been out of the closet for a long time, and I DON'T plan on going back to Narnia any time soon. 

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Cincinnati Fashion Week: Cala Ossidiana

Cala Ossidiana is the designer I don't have much to say about. The swimwear was sexy and gorgeous, but swimwear is not my area of expertise. There isn't much clothing involved, and clothing is my crack. I do however, know that the colors of each swimsuit matched the models skin perfectly.

Warning: These pictures will make you put down your cookie and watch Gossip Girl on the treadmill.

Their bodies are sick.

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Cincinnati Fashion Week Finale: Avni Trivedi

I thought about saying all of this myself, and then thought: Well damn, the folks at CFW did a pretty amazing job, so why not let them do the talking?

"Avni focuses on offering fashion collections that are environmentally responsible and support the centuries-old artisan cottage fabric-making industry in India. All Avni designs are crafted from fabrics that are commissioned exclusively by Avni. These fabrics are hand-made, utilizing customs that are hundreds of years old and uphold the tradition and history of Indias celebrated artisans. By requisitioning these fabrics, Avni not only helps maintain economic stability for artists, but also helps keep these ancient arts alive. All fabrics are 100% hand-dyed and woven by individual artists. The dyes used in Avni creations are chemically free, using herbs and plants to create colors. Avni's naturally dyed fabrics are created by urban artisans from Mumbai, who use their talents to create the environmentally friendly fabrics." -CFW

Also, it was a perfect time to tell you to go read Nathan Hurst's blog, the Founder of Cincinnati Fashion Week. 

Photos by Ryan Seminara.

I'll probably be saying this a lot in this post, but Avni is a pro at taking traditional Indian garments, and putting a modern spin on it. For example, this top has a shape hugging blouse with a gentle overlay, sexy while still incorporating the Indian traditions.

I can't fathom the time it took for that garment's fabric to be hand made in Mumbai. But they're about to get more impressive. 

I love the thick, rigid fabric of the jacket with the light scarf on top. It's the same contrast the rest of the collection holds 

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Cincinnati Fashion Week Finale: Johnathan Mezibov

Finally, a menswear designer who designs with equal parts of trend and tailoring in mind.

Jonathan Mezibov's collection is full of shirts that were perfectly fitted to each model, he has a very classy aesthetic to his design and it is right up my alley.

I bet you all are just going to hate looking at all the male models wearing the clothes. Sorry, please stick with me.
Photos by Ryan Seminara

I happen to know this model (Dylan) through mutual friends, and he has a really interesting tumblr. Read.

These are by far the best pair of cowboy boots I have ever seen, and I want them very badly.

I love the belt buckles and the boots catering to the western theme, and the bold purples to contrast. 

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Cincinnati Fashion Week Finale: Amy Kirchen

Amy Kirchen's collection was full of classic feminine silhouettes, (with the exception of the swim wear, but I mean.) as a gay who favors sartorial freedom I love women who wear menswear. These dainty, sexy silhouettes were a nice change of pace. 

Photos by Ryan Seminara

Such an adorable pattern on that blouse, and I love the high waisted skirt.

This model has THE LONGEST legs I have ever seen in my entire life, and that jump suit showcases them beautifully.

The hair for each of these looks matched the clothing perfectly. The ladies of Mitchells Salon and Day Spa, and Pump Salon did a phenomenal job.

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