Academy of Couture Art designs couture Halloween at Playboy Mansion
The Playboy Mansion kicked off Halloween with a smashing party October 27th in Beverly Hills. The fairest of them all was Snow White; Trisha Frick, girlfriend of Hugh Hefner, looked enchanting.
“Such a great opportunity to work on a special costume from measuring it to final fitting and … being able to make it for beauty, not just to complete it.” – Katherine ENYART,Academy of Couture Art Pattern Design Chairperson
The Academy of Couture Art was honored by a second commission from the Mansion to design and create Trisha’s couture Halloween costume. Her 2012 theme of Snow White was a very special dedication to her dear friend Halley.
“Excited and nervous, excited because you get to gain experience for the future, nervous because you know it has to be perfect.” – Valery MIRANDA, Fashion Design, Freshman
Perfection, beauty, and love was shared among the Academy of Couture Art community as the team crafted Trisha’s costume. We hear it first from our student designer Laura KIRANI:
“Snow white she said…Trisha Frick was her name simple and yet beautiful, she charmed us all when she walked in. An announcement was made, by the Saturday before halloween, a sexy Snow White was to be made. I dazzled most at the thought of being able to see the fabric, to be able to be apart of creating something so extravagant, so bold and original, being able to give life to a costume of such desire and grace. With each passing seam, like air filling a baby’s lungs for the first time, life takes the form of this costume, with every pressing of the iron giving it more shape, like opening your eyes and seeing for the first time. With each pin and connection of the pieces, giving me a feeling of excitement and feeling of flying that we did this, all of us. We gave life to that which starting as nothing less of cut fabric, lifeless and plain just awaiting the day in which to be whole.” – Laura KIRANI, Fashion and Pattern Design, Freshman
Thank you Trisha for the amazing experience! You are gorgeous both inside and out. With love from the Academy of Couture Art design team:
(Left)
Anna SOTNICHENKO
Laura KIRANI
Rahel SHAREW
Nikolle RAMIREZ MEJIA
Mentor: Katherine ENYART
(Right)
Emma CHEN
Valery MIRANDA
Nicole GRANT
Kym SHERMAN aka Kym Stylz
Lead Mentor:
Sonia ETE
Hear it from the Team:
How did you feel? What will you take from the experience? Would do it again?
“I liked working with passionate teachers, friendly class mates, and just over all loved it.” – Emma CHEN
“Admiration of others with years of experience to design a gorgeous Halloween costume.” – Kym Stylz
“Helped me by giving me the opportunity to work in a group and gain that experience for the future.” – Nikolle RAMIREZ
“Definitely do it, to have opportunity to work on an elaborate costume, to learn about the construction of the costume and to be able to work as a team again.” -Nicole GRANT
“Love to, appreciate the possibility that Sonia gave us to help, very inspired to help work on future projects.” -Anna SOTNICHENKO
Academy of Couture Art gets a double take from Monaco!
From Los Angeles to Monaco, the Academy of Couture Art designers are causing a double take within the industry. Able to hold their own on the couture circuit, this June 23 at the Sofitel Hotel in Los Angeles (near Beverly Hills) the secret to haute couture and the Academy of Couture Art will be revealed.
In Monaco, ACA designers presented a collection paired with red carpet couturier, Gilbert Chagoury Couture, at the Monaco Charity Film Festival held outdoors at the beautiful Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The designs went beyond expectations.
Academy of Couture Art Pattern Designer Rachel NOURMAND (Images courtesy Lord Byron Photography)
Couture is not only a very specific and unique way of designing and making clothes, but it’s also a way of viewing the world. What makes the Academy of Couture Art so distinct is how it weaves couture through all aspects of the fashion industry. If you stick only to tailoring in couture, you’ve most likely missed the point.
So, what does it mean? Check it out! Le Rêve 2012 fashion show and gala by ACA tells the story of couture in perfect construction, design balance, mood of the collection, and special techniques to create magic in clothing from our graduating designers. You’ll even find looks that push forward what you would expect at a department store or large retail boutiques. After all, it’s about changing what we see everyday!
Pattern Designer Rachel NOURMAND (Academy of Couture Art) (Images: Lord Byron Photography)
Be sure to see it before the press. For more on tickets visit www.CoutureShows.com
Career Highlight: French Couture For Ready-to-Wear: It’s all in the Eye
Academy of Couture Art (ACA) congratulates graduate Heidi AN as she takes a bold, confident step to build her own line in NYC.
Heidi’s journey since graduation was surprisingly an easy one for career opportunities. She was placed right away as Assistant Designer in Downtown Los Angeles with a starting salary of $800 weekly.
Most people are now probably thinking, sure, that’s because of the school’s network. Well, building a name in the industry goes beyond the school. That takes skills and rich, marketable creativity.
Right after she started her first job, Heidi presented a collection that was, well, ahead of its time. It kind of surprised her company. Having been to Premiere Vision in Paris with ACA she suggested that the Head Designer visit the show in NYC which was actually scheduled just a few weeks ahead. When the Head Designer returned, Heidi was right on spot and her salary showed it.
It didn’t take long before she was scouted by another company with immediate entry as Head Designer. This time her designs would reach Urban Outfitters and Forever 21.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22525695&navAction=jump&navCount
Being the best requires a lot of passion to endure the long hours, serious training to sustain creativity, eye for producing collection after collection with timeless “I’ve got to have it” quality, and a centeredness that is the sign of true leadership.
Heidi excelled in the industry and revealed a confidence in her art that gave her platform to move forward with her message to the world. This summer Heidi moved to NYC to begin her own line.
Academy of Couture Art congratulates you Heidi on this amazing journey and cheers you on as you transform fashion one collection at a time!
Career Highlight: Fine Art of Fashion
Michelle SHIN, Academy of Couture Art student (Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Bachelor of Science in Pattern Design) is recognized for her talent in the fashion illustration skills that distinguish an haute couture education.
Michelle was commissioned to do an illustration for a book on Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn in Fashion: The enduring influence of Marilyn Monroe, with never before seen images of the darling doll who had a major impact on entertainment and fashion.
She was originally asked to create a fashion design illustration in the spirit of the fashion sketch for that time. The sketch includes a particular gown worn by Marilyn during a uniquely celebratory occasion in the young actress/singer/model’s life.
Having a deep education in period fashion as well as modèle vivant, Michelle took the sketch to a personalized couture level that captured not only the garment but also Marilyn with her distinct personality and proportions.
As a couturière, Michelle would not let her client be compromised by the sketch fashion figure; after all, Marilyn was a major fashion figure. As a result, Michelle was awarded a bonus on her artwork.
The book entitled Marilyn in Fashion: The enduring influence of Marilyn Monroe by Christopher Nickens & George Zeno is to be published in Summer 2012 by Running Press a division of Perseus Book Group of Philadelphia.
Be sure to check out this momentous book for fashion!
In the Atelier: Modern Haute Couture in Hollywood
Blending European haute couture tradition with the fast-paced American fashion system, Academy of Couture Art offers specialized higher education degrees that recognize the separate professions of Fashion Design (Illustrator) and Pattern Design (Pattern Maker, Custom Dressmaker).
The future of fashion is highly creative, impeccably fit, and always inspiring. Welcome on the journey to touch lives as the createur of haute couture or the nouvelle couture designer of prêt-à-porter.
Join the movement at www.intheatelier.tumbr.com
Spotlight: Standing Out from the Crowd
Founder Sonia ETE
Academy of Couture Art Founders Sonia and Thierry ETEFounder Sonia KIM ÉTÉ
Christian Lacroix; Azzedine Alaia; London Underground alongside Vivienne Westwood; Francois Lesage; SAGA furs; Harry Winston; Guess? Handbags; 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; Catherine Bach; Coolio; Michele Lee; Tracy Danza; Lucinda Ruh
Placement/Internship Highlights
Couturier Roberto de Villacis; Lloyd Klein Couture; Nolan Miller; Badgley Mischka; Brian Lichtenberg; Henry Duarte; Rock and Republic; Leyendecker; Cerre; Nicole Miller (NY); Picasso Style Inc (Forever 21, Urban Outfitters); Louis Verdad; Nylon Magazine/ Nylon Guy’s Magazine; LA Fashion’s Night Out; Los Angeles County Museum of Art Costume Council; Braintree (UK); Des Kohan; Harley Davidson; Ed Hardy; Da Nang; LA Insider; Illustrator Running Press Publishing Company; Paul Mitchell the school Portland
Supporters
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
Click for more: ACA Who is Involved
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Academy of Couture Art Advanced Moulage receives special Parisian Haute Couture guest mentor: Guillaume Cardoso de Sousa
Advanced Moulage with Guillaume Cardoso De Sousa
Academy of Couture Art, West Hollywood – 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 at www.academyofcoutureart.edu.
Faculty Spotlight : Academy of Couture Art & PAD for Couture Digital Pattern Design
JOINING FORCES: Kristine Gloviak of PAD with the Academy of Couture Art’s Thierry and Sonia Été
by Robert McAllister, Technology Editor, California Apparel News, December 26, 2008
The Academy of Couture Art is a Los Angeles–based fashion college that prides itself on the ages-old haute couture methods of garment construction taught in Europe. Yet, the school’s founders know that with today’s fast-paced fashion, a little technology can go a long way toward helping students get to the next level.
So beginning with the next quarter, the school will launch its first CAD courses using the PAD system. Kristine Gloviak, vice president of PAD’s North American distributorship, will lead off instructing the quarterly courses. It will be a different environment for Gloviak.
The academy is a specialized school where no more than 10 students sit in a classroom. The instructors come mostly from France and have worked in the top fashion and trend houses, including Promostyl.
“We start from scratch. We can teach you to make the perfect skirt—like Gucci,” said Chief Operating Officer Thierry Été, who runs the school with his wife, fashion design instructor and school President Sonia Été.
While the school is rooted in haute couture methods, “today’s designers realize that they are probably going to have to work with Asia some time,” Thierry Été said.
With that in mind, the Étés decided to combine Old World methods with the new and combine American business methods with French garment making. “You really need both today,” Thierry Été said, adding that the unique curriculum has put the college among the top five fashion colleges in the world in one Internet survey.
Fashion design and pattern-making are taught separately at the school, which is based in the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. Calif. The idea is that a patternmaker is going to be a patternmaker and a designer is going to design. Four-year students must take a total of six trend classes, and new students are required to learn to visualize using bold, deep colors. The curriculum is loosely based on the one found at the prestigious EsMod school in Paris. In fact, the school was supposed to become the first U.S. annex of EsMod until a new owner came in and changed the minds of the Étés.
Combining technology with haute couture is becoming more of the mode these days. Many of the fashion houses in Europe still resist technology to some degree but are warming up to the benefits, which are speed and efficiency. … Read More
Faculty Spotlight: ACA Faculty: Kristine GLOVIAK
It’s okay to change your mind
Posted by brianna Daily Fashion Diaries
Sometimes it’s difficult to know what you want to do with your life. Sometimes it’s easy when you have the passion for something. Even then, life can throw some unexpected opportunities your way that can push you in a new direction. I recently came into contact with an amazing woman who knows all of the aspects of the fashion industry. Seriously, she’s tried everything! Luckily, she wanted to share her story and her advice for those considering a career in fashion. I want to extend my gratitude to her for participating in an interview, and for providing so much insight and support on my journey.
With a passion for Art, Kristine Gloviak transformed from an Oil Painter to a computer Research Analyst for a leading Apparel Patternmaking software, with clients ranging from American Apparel to Yves Saint Laurent.
Attending high school in Chicago, Kristine spent her time oil painting. However, with a nudge from her father to pursue something that could pay the bills, she translated her love for classic art to the profession of Graphic Design. She attended the private midwest Art college of the Kansas City Art Institute. For her Senior theses to earn her B.A., she dedicated herself to creating the book design, The History of American Women’s Dress, which looked at fashion from the years 1920-1970. Contributing her photography and content, this project motivated her to eventually design clothes.
After college, Kristine began drawing sketches, which were recognized by Spiegel Magazine/Catalogue where she became it’s Art Director, and soon she even developed her own line of very Fitted Designer pieces. The concept was to emphasize the hourglass figure, which is why each piece was altered to its owner. Her line, Gloviak Chicago, was sold in select stores on Oak Street in Chicago’s Gold Coast area. Its success was more than she expected as she never expected to be so deep in the Fashion Design world being formally trained as a Graphic Designer. Realizing the difficulties of fittings the two distinctly amebic shapes of bodies and fabrics, she began research on the technological aspect of Body Scanning and Computer Pattern Making. Drawing inspiration from the computer designed sky rise buildings in Chicago, the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center, she questioned why clothes can’t be designed in the same way. Turns out, they can.
After working with several CAD/CAM (computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing) patternmaking companies, she came across the best. PAD System Technologies, invented by a creative Pattern Maker in Montreal Canada is dedicated to the process of virtual design and integrated production in the fashion world. In simpler terms, it is a modern way of making custom patterns and multiple sizes. Working in various apparel, textile, and leather industries, PAD has remained the leading supplier. Bebe, American Apparel, Rock & Republic, Hudson Jeans, BCBG Max Azria, Burberry, and GAP are all clients, just to name a few.
So, what does Kristine do? She is the VP, Senior Manager of USA Operations of the company, managing the training and implementation of the PAD software. On top of this, she is a partner in the research of body scanning Technologies at Cal Poly Pomona. She also teaches a class once a week on Intermediate Production at a French patternmaking school in Beverly Hills, The Academy of Couture Art.
Being incredibly involved in the fashion world, I had to ask who her favorite designers are. A fan of French designer, Sonya Rykiel, California-based designers of Rodarte, and Europeans Valentino, Chanel and Giorgio Armani for his modest, but modern business wear.
And of course, advice from someone with incredible experience is always a necessity. Read more …
Summer of Couture Fashion on Grand Fashion Runway
Teen Designer and Model Kalia BORNSTEIN
The group of girls came into camp to give their personal fashion sense a lesson in Haute Couture. Every day of the camp, each artist was being challenged in her own way to think outside of her fashion box. Surrounding them, the walls, rooms, and tables spoke openly of the discoveries of other students, present and past. Discoveries that had resulted in art and nature inspired fashion collages, hand-embellished textiles, sketches of concept collections. This was an environment ripe for breakthrough.
Each student spent time to study under their well-trained instructors, learning the fine art of fashion and pattern. Watchfully cutting and measuring to Haute Couture standards, training their eyes to acutely observe images from the minds of the masters, and disciplining their instruments to sketch fashion figures the proportional and naturally elegant French way. Also, the students felt their ideas and expressions come to life with the use of European color theory, in addition to American, providing them with an entirely new and innovative color palette!
The progress that each girl felt as she watched her skills and design concepts become more refined and matured just added to the spirit. Every girl watched and invested in each other’s progress, getting excited and encouraged to encounter their newfound abilities in fashion. Excitement that built with each new fashion sketch, each experiment with color, each hand-measured muslin skirt, each carefully chosen final fabric…All leading to the height of the Summer Couture Camp achievements- the Red Carpet!
The girls were a burst of exhilaration, modeling their handcrafted skirts in front of the long ornate mirrors, teasing and primping their hair to decide the ultimate impression, tossing questions over their shoulders to others for their insider opinions.
Almost the moment. All feverishly lined up and waiting, smoothing their skirts, listening for their music cue. Then it’s time.
Music compels as each girl strides down the runway, pride in her eyes while she shows off her perfectly fitting, personally hand-made skirt to the eager onlookers. Everyone is thrilled to be experiencing this satisfying unveiling of the month-long program’s culmination.
A job well done (and exciting!), all the girls agree at the end, surrounded by admiring family and friends. When asked what they learned about fashion that was fresh and brand new, they beamed, and each answered with her own enlightenment. From the importance of knowing American and European techniques, to learning how to make their own patterns as well as concept sketches, to the value of piecing a garment together from scratch, to learning how to make garments that fit perfectly and capture a vision. Parental feedback was also revealing, one mother noting that during their last shopping trip, her daughter had immediately assessed a garment to find if it had a luxury finish (it did not). And another mother thoughtfully describing her daughter’s “evolution and refinement of taste” visible in her fashion sketches and still life drawings, as well as her garment design and construction.
Testimony after testimony reveals young artists flourishing under instruction at Academy of Couture Art, the only fashion design school in the U.S. teaching the height of fashion technique, Haute Couture.
