ALICJASECH Stylist // Designer

Autobiography

Autobiography

Fashion has been my passion for as long as I can remember. As a child, I could not get my nose out of fashion magazines/books and always watching fashion TV. I began to create clothing around the age of 12, starting with simple pajamas and further progressing to pants, shirts, blouses, skirts, dresses, in addition building skills in tailoring. My signature looks are bandanas, lace, stripes, flower prints, peacock prints, and dangling jewelry. To paint a better image, I really like early 1900s look, flapper girls, pirates, and gypsy looks. At the age of 17, I became involved in the Edmonton fashion com-munity as a clothing stylist at Mode Models Agency, runner and Advertising and Sponsoring Coordinator at Western Canada Fashion Week, and member of Planet Ze Marketing Committee. With my experiences in the local fashion indus-try, it has inspired me to peruse my passion even further by taking the Human Ecology four-year degree program at the University of Alberta. To define Human Ecology is the study of a human environment in which one of them is known to be clothing. As my major is textile and clothing design and my minor fashion marketing, I hope to land my career one day in one of those areas. I have had an equal amount of practice in both the design and business field of fashion, but I am still not quite sure what I want to yet. I believe that throughout my journey in university, I will discover my answer.

Stylist // Designer Portfolio 2010

Fashion Design The brown satin pair of short crop pants was one of my first clothing designs I have ever created. I constructed these pair of pants in my high school fashion class. I was not as well skilled in sewing a few years ago as I am now so if I were to recreated them today, there would be a couple of detailing I would change in my deign. For instance, the back pockets would be placed higher on the pants, the bottom would be stitched more evenly, I would use a different fabric like a twill linen or cotton, and I would add a button in the front of the pant instead of fastening it with a safety pin, which is not visible in the picture. During 2006, the fashion style at the time inspired me to sew a shiny pair of crop pants.

Fashion 30 Course 2005

Fashion Design

The red woven cotton dress with a lace trimming was a reconstructed dress I designed in my high school fashion class. I bought an old vintage dress from a thrift store and added some lacey trimming and black ribbon to adjust it to my style. I really love the red color of the summer dress that is what is most attractive about it, and the style reminds me of the 60’s when the mini was first introduced. By adding these accessories to the dress, made it look more modern to the cur-rent style in 2007.

Fashion 30 Course 2006

Fashion Design

The satin baby blue dress was my final project for my high school fash-ion class. Many things inspired me to create this piece. I was aiming for a soft summer look, but at the same time something that can be worn to an elegant occasion. The luster of the satin fabric gives it a formal touch, along with the crystal studs on the top. The light color and smooth texture makes it very pleasant to wear on a casual summer day. This type of dress is still found in style as I recall from many current fashion magazines.

Fashion 30 Course 2007

Fashion Design

Fashion DesignFor my 2008 high school graduation, I wanted to design a unique formal gown. It was very trendy to have a low back dress, but I knew all the other girls in my graduating class would be thinking the same. To avoid repletion of the style and want to be out of the ordinary, I designed a dress by the inspiration of an Egyptian draped toga or himation with a hint of a modernism style. To give it a signature look and not completely copying a toga style, I wrapped it around my back only covering the upper part and leaving the lower and side open. The long length and train at the end of the dress was not only contributed to the ancient toga look, but was trendy at the time in Hollywood as well. I choose a polyester fabric for an elegant and lustrous appearance, and the electric blue since it is my favorite color. This graduation dress was my best deign yet.

Archbishop O’leary High School Graduation 2008

In my university course, application of computer-assisted design, I have learnt many useful skills with Adobe CS4 that can be applied for my future career. My favorite project was created a magazine cover and spread. I wanted to challenge myself for this project and design something unique and out of my comfort zone, which is known to be fashion. Before creating the magazine, a famous festival occurred in Rio, Brazil called Carnaval. The vivid colors of the festival are magnetic, along with the creative costumes worn. I find cultural events very fascinating, which was my inspired for my project.

Computer Design350 Applications of Computer-Assisted Desgin 2010

Computer Design

CarnavalRio de Janeiro

CARNAVAL FESTIVITIES IN RECORD HEATRio Revelers PartyAll Night in 39°C

HOLLYWOOD INVADES

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Madonna BeyonceGerard Butler &

Paris Hilton

CONTROVERSY IN BRAZIL Seven-year-old Girl is Chosen as Samba Queen

2 0 1 0

The World’s Largest Party

Masquerade Ball in Copacabana Palace Hotel

PHOTOS OF AFTER PARTY

Unidos da Tijuca Samba Group Wins Carnaval Parade

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Carnival's biggest bash took to the streets at dawn Saturday, proving that if there is one thing citizens of this laid-back seaside city take seriously, it's partying.

Rio Revelers Party All Night at Carnaval Festivi-

Brazil's Carnaval revelry drew to a close yesterday with the anxiously awaited award for the best parade in Rio de Janeiro going to a show featuring skiers dressed like Batman and a pregnant drum queen.

The Unidos da Tijuca samba group won the battle for Rio bragging rights for the �irst time in 74 years for their parade entitled "It's a Secret!" that featured rapid-�ire costume changes and dancing impersonator of late pop singer Michael Jackson.

Its drum section was led by a four-month pregnant television presenter, Adriane Galisteu.

The Viradouro group, whipped up controversy by selecting a seven-year-old as its drum queen, �inished last and was relegated to second division. Rio's samba schools are organized into divisions.

Each year 12 samba "schools" of samba parade elaborate sparkling costumes, props and extravagant �loats. Judges' marks for the parades arepainstakingly read out for over an hour on national television on Ash Wednesday.

The schools, which provide an annual coming-out for many of Rio's most impoverished slum areas, often have skit-like elements, making the overall experience a cross between Disney World and an Italian opera.

"It's a spectacle that has a lot of culture, a lot of history and a bit of theater. I get goose bumps, it's a very strong, very nice feeling," said Amanda Souza, 24, as she waited for a parade at Rio's Sambadrome stadium Sunday night.

Rio street parties, or "blocos," as they are known in the city, continued on Wednesday as revelers partied up until

vote. With names like "Christ's Arm Pitt”and "Don't Move Because It Stinks," they have increased in popularity in recent years as an alternative to the scripted parades.

Although near-naked women in tiny bikinis have become the iconic image of Rio's Carnival,exposed �lesh is a small aspect of the elaborate displays that provide thousands of people with work and happiness each year.

"Without Carnival, I don't think I could live." said Luiz Paulo, 22, as he waited to parade.

The samba songs that accompany each parade speak of social issues, national heroes and important moments in Brazilian or world history.

A school this year honored the 50th anniversary of the founding of Brasilia, the nation's capital. The blue-and-white

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Without Carnival, I don't think I could live said Luiz Paulo, 22, as he waited to parade.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Beija Flor school launched the parade with a �loat of Brasilia's iconic cathedral and sang "Brasilia: the capital of hope."

Each Samba School in costumes, separated in groups named "alas," rows. They cross the avenue shook up by the singers, "puxadores" and hundreds of percussion instruments, "bateria".

The beauty of the faces and bodies appears in the highlights of their exuberant costumes and in this vibrant sound. Besides the parade is a championship and its participants are there to defend the school's shield with all their energy. The Samba Schools have to show through their plots the development of a theme based on some topics of history, social criticism, or other subject related to Brazilian culture.

The ala which opens the parade is called Comissão de Frente, front commission. It features around 10 to 15 integrants presenting an elaborated choreography so as to introduce the school to the public.

In sequence, the Abre-Alas, "open-wings" �loat shows up bringing the school's symbol or shield.

Other characters, mandatory presences in a Samba School, are the two Porta Bandeira and Mestre Sala's couples: the �irst one, a woman, is a �lag-bearer and the second is her nimbly escort, dancing gracefully around her.

A spectator said the Carnival helps her to overcome some fears in a city that suffers from frequent violence and confrontations between the police and drug-traf�ickers.

"We forget our problems. We get courage to walk on the streets," said Inaura dos Santos Martins, 58, who attends the annual event at the Sambadrome.

One of the most involved groups in Rio Carnival are the poorest neighborhoods, the so called favelas. The favelas are shantytowns or slums, in which houses are made of cardboard or other scraps, and they are often without water, electricity and sewage system. However, no matter how bad a situation the favelas´ residents are in, they join in the festivities and they actually "make" the Carnival in Rio. Carnival really means a lot to them, because for once during the year they get to go out and have as much fun as they can.

They may try to organize it, glamorize it, televise it, even industrialize it but Rio Carnival is something that comes deep from the fun-loving soul of the Rio people. It does not depend on any authority or sponsor to happen. Carnival in the streets is a living proof of this

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Portuguese: they are very b e aut i f u l women who are in front of the "bateria" keeping the p e r c u s s i o n i s t s exhilarated in the beat of the music.

For those who prefer closed places, there are the classic gay carnival balls. Gala Gay at Scala, situated in Leblon, is on Carnival Tuesday and it is the most traditional one. It concentrates the

the most luxurious costumes. We think it is important to warn that Scala Gay is televised, so if you don't want to be caught, don't forget to take your mask!

The Le Boy disco promotes gay balls every carnival nights, and besides the samba rhythm, there is also dance music with go-go b o y s ' p e r f o r m a n c e s . Next to the Sambadrome, Elite in a big samba hall on Carnival Sunday and Monday.

Another group opened its pink-and-green parade with a mock

between police and prisoners to show how music -- its theme this year -- was a liberating force for the country during its 1964-1985 military dictatorship.

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Another interesting project done in my application of computer-assisted design class was a t-shirt and hoodie design. Before creating this pattern, the class had to use previous projects to use. I chose a design that I formed in a given cell with guidelines needed to follow, along with a typeface exercise that was needed to experiment with different words in order to express them. After applying them to the clothing garments, the designs needed to mold with the flow of the fabric.

Computer Design350 Applications of Computer-Assisted Desgin 2010

Visionary, chic, ethical, audacious - these are the diverse words that describe Mode Models, a perennial name in the world of fashion. Mode Models is an international model-ing agency that discovers, promotes and represents talent at the highest levels of the industry. Mode deals in dreams, searching out unknowns for stardom. Many of those discovered quickly find themselves pacing catwalks in NY, Milan and Paris or spotting their faces on magazine covers.

As a clothing stylist intern at Mode Models Agency, I was not only involved in contributing in fashion shows and photo shoots, but experiencing informative workshops for models about healthy eating, nutrition intakes, exercising techniques, runway/posing classes, role of a stylist/model in the fashion industry. My job was also to scout new models in the public. During open calls, I would measure the model’s height, bust, and waist as well as doing a pre-interview for each model before meeting with an agency director.

Clothing Stylist Intership 10/07 - 04/09

Edmonton Expo Women’s Show

The Women’s Show was my first experience in the fashion industry. Mode Models agency had given me the opportunity to help back-stage at this event as a volunteer where I would be the runner for the agency director, Fiona McNair, and help the models get dressed during the show. I made a great first impression by saving the modeling agency from spend over $1500 worth of damage on clothing that the models had ripped in between changes. With my sewing skills, I was able to stitch up the ripped inseams for an Italian leather jacket and a summer dress. And so, that is how my internship started as a clothing stylist at Mode Models.

The Women’s show occurs bi-annually at the Edmonton Expo Centre, formerly Northlands AgriCom. The show brings together the best of women's shopping, interests and needs such as fashion, cooking, demonstrations, information, sampling - along with some great celebri-ties and exciting guest speakers.

Fashion Show 10/14/07

Edmonton Expo Women’s Show Fashion with Compassion

Fashion with compassion is an annual formal charity event to fund raiser for the Sorrentino’s Compassion House. They help women that are experiencing breast cancer, coming from all over Alberta, by providing them a home to stay in for a couple of days while undergoing cancer treatments. These women usually come for lower standards and cannot afford a hotel; therefore, the compassion house is a great organization to help these unfor-tunate women. Retail sponsors include Escada and Eddie’s Men’s Wear provide women’s and men’s fashion for the show.

I was fortunate enough to contribute to the Fashion with Compassion fashion show by helping backstage, where I helped prepare the clothing and dress models so clothing is not ruined in between changes. This is the most exciting fashion show event for Edmonton each year, as it done professionally through a New York style runway show.

Fashion with CompassionFashion Show 10/16/07

Feat. Escada

Fashion with

Compassion

Feat. Escada

Behind the Scenes Local & International Models

Photo Shoots 10/07 - 08/09

Every couple of week’s new models would be scouted to join mode models agency, which means they would need to start a portfolio with professional pictures. These new local models and international models would need to update their portfolio frequently to give more variety in photos and experiences in posing for future client’s choice in selection. As a stylist, my job would be to know which models would be doing the photo shoot, along with their clothing sizes. I would than need to pull clothing from different stores according to the theme of the shoot. Usually for simple portfolio shoots, each model would need three looks. For women, a formal look, a causal look, and a swimsuit. For men, a formal look, a causal look, and a topless took. Along in choosing the outfits, I would need to make sure they look perfect for each shoot, things like hair out of the face, pinning clothing if necessary, steaming clothing, and helping them with their posing. It is always crucial to bring a stylist kit to be ready for anything.

Styling Photo Shoot Local & International Models

Styling Photo Shoot11/10/07 Location at Studio 310

Styling Photo Shoot 08/10/08 Location at Kinetis Studios

Styling Photo Shoot

Styling Photo Shoot Styling Photo Shoot 08/10/08 Location at Kinetis Studios

My most exciting photo shoot I got to style while interning for Mode Models was for the open-ing billboard advertise-ment for Shark Club sports bar. To prepare for the photo shoot, another clothing stylist and I had to pull clothes from a variety of clothing stores such as American Apparel, Performing Star Dance and Skate wear, Q, and Gravity Pope. The theme was figure skating for the women and casual/dressy for the men, which was our job as stylists to find clothing relating to the photo shoot. After meeting the models and sizing the outfits, it was my job to reconstruct any piece of clothing to fit the models according to their size, meaning pulling apart and re-stitching the gar-ments. Each model had to wear one outfit throughout the entire shoot.

Styling Photo Shoot08/19/08 Location at Shark Club Sports Bar

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes08/19/08 Location at Shark Club Sports Bar

The agency brings together creative professionals from a variety of disciplines in the arts, fashion and design to create full service agency. The Planet Ze design team, comprised of an eclectic group of international trained professionals, has joined forces with Western Canada Fashion Week – The Agency. This collaborative effort between these two teams strengthens the total design portfolio available to clients. Planet Ze promotes the develop-ment of a professional network to grow the size and talent of a local creative group. An on-going effort is the development of collaborations with industries in all fields to the further the promotion of all creative professionals.

Volunteer as backstage runner 04/08 - 04/10

Advertising & Sponsoring Coordinator 2010Feat. Phabrik Magazine

We have a continued presence in the local community through the production of a bi-annual Western Canada Fashion Week runway show and related events as well as creation and publication of Phabrik, Western Canada Fashion Week Magazine. The WCFW magazine features professional fashion editori-als ad articles that support new and established talent in the arts, fashion, and design. Creative profes-sionals and resources, either as a whole or as a specific talent to assist clients with the development of any type of endeavor.

After volunteering for Western Canada Fashion Week for three consecutive years, I was given the posi-tion of Advertising and Sponsoring Coordinator for Planet Ze agency. My job was to promote WCFW and the launch for the new Phabrik magazine all over the city, along with finding business corporations that would be interesting in sponsoring the event. Some of which are Edmonton BMW, Goodwill industries, Global TV, Hudsons Tap House, Metterra Hotel, Varscona Hotel, Davines Aesthetic Products, and Jane Iredale Skin Care Makeup.

Paul Hardy imbued with persistence and passion has now risen to become one of the most promising young Canadian fashion designers. His collection appeared in Edmonton Fashion Week 2008 and I got the fortunate chance in help backstage as a dresser for his show. Hardy collected a string of indus-try awards for design excellence. After living and studying in London, Toronto and New York, he began selling high-end fashions as a personal shopper for Holt Renfrew, the prestigious Canadian retailer - experiece that aided the launch of an exploding design career. His debut collection for Spring 2003 in Toronto caused such a sensation that carried over into his collection at the L.A. Fashion Week for Fall 2003. Currently carried by Holt Renfrew in Canada, Hardy has been in negotiation for targetting the U.S. market. His anticipated New York collection for Spring/Summer 2004 places Hardy as the first Canadian designer to show at New York Fashion Week.

2008 Spring//Summer Collection Feat. Paul Hardy

2009 Winter//Fall CollectionFeat. Haithem Elkadiki

.During 2010 Western Canada Fashion Week, I had the wonderful opportunity to work for Calgarian designer Haithem Elkadiki as a dresser for his 2010 spring and summer collection. When designing a collection, Elka-diki sources his world travels and experiences, instead of relying on trends. "I do not create fantasy clothes, but they are distinguishable and incomparable to off-the-rack clothing," he says. Past collections have reflected the styling and energy of fashionable cities such as, Milan, New York, and Zurich. KaaDiki collec-tions focus on mixing traditional men's wear construction techniques with contemporary silhouettes that have a well-proportioned and fashionable appearance. KaaDiki details include patch pockets placed in an unpredictable spot, omitting elements like buttons from a jacket, whimsical graphics silk screened on t-shirts or button downs and bold colour palettes through his label KaaDiki.

I had the great honor of meeting and working for Canadian designer Michael Kaye during Western Canada Fashion Week 2010. He is building a reputation dressing New York society in his couture designs – each individually crafted by hand. Kaye’s couture design is known for an easy, modern, elegant lifestyle that has been embraced by a roster of distinguished women of style: Cece Cord (Best Dressed Hall of Fame Member), Judith Taubman, Lauren Veronis, Grace Hightower DeNiro, Christine Schwarzman, Muffie Potter Aston, Susan Bodnar, Cynthia Lufkin, Mrs. Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart are but a few of his clients.

2010 Spring//Summer New York Couture CollectionFeat. Michael Kaye

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Currently residing in New York City, one of the most competitive environments in the industry, every day brings great challenges, exciting opportunities and the chance to learn something new. Creating garments for some of America’s most wealthy, powerful, discerning and scrutinized and photographed women has driven Michael’s evolution. Michael’s accomplishments as a designer are remarkable and numerous. His success is manifest in the clientele he has developed, the awards he has received and recognition the industry, collectors and museums are already giving him. But his accomplishments go well beyond fashion design itself – Michael must balance the needs of his clients, the business of design and his personal artistic aesthetic. And his plans for the future demonstrate an unwavering commitment and love for his home and native land – Canada and Alberta.

www.modemodels.com/edmonton/

http://compassionhouse.org/fashion.html

www.edmontonfashionweek.com

http://paulhardydesign.com/

www.kaadiki.com

www.michaelkayecouture.com/home.html

ReferencesStylist // Designer Portfolio 2010