Talent Soars! Flying Solo Fashion Show

Flying Solo Fashion Show

The Lehigh Valley fashion design scene is on fire!  Every time I turn around my hometown is making giant leaps into the arts and fashion world and I couldn’t be more proud.  Proud because I’m just floored by the young talent that is being nurtured and celebrated in the arts community.   I wanted to share with you an incredible fashion event that happened this past Sunday, November 3, 2013, the 3rd Annual Flying Solo Fashion Show supported by the parent association for the benefit of The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (“Charter Arts”), presented at Lehigh University’s Iacocca Hall in Bethlehem, PA.

flying solo flyer

The show’s theme was “A Celebration of Individuality” and from what I can tell from these photos they succeeded in showcasing the power of being true to yourself, creating art, and the personal confidence and beauty that outshines when you celebrate your individuality. A life lesson that LadyBowTie holds dear to her heart and I’m thrilled every time I see young individuals embrace it.

Setting the stage for the event, details from the Charter Arts media advisory:

The show will feature emerging teen designers from Charter Arts, including: Justin Orlick, Ana Raiola and Joya Widney alongside Project Runway alums and other local designers, boutiques and retailers.  Fashions will be supplied by:   Ptak Couture (Pamela Ptak- Project Runway Season 7), Marla Duran (Project Runway Season 2), Macy’s Fashion Incubator Designer Annina King, Geovanny Colon of Vinn Alexander Collins, Mannequin by Jonathan Parker, BombChelle Effects by Michelle Lewis, Sage at the Promenade Shops, V.K. Bridal Couture, Johnston & Murphy, Chico’s, Jos.A Bank Clothiers, and Nine West Outlet.   The MC for the event will be another local celebrity- professional jazz singer, Robbi Kumalo.

It was really wonderful to see such talented established designers such as Pamela Ptak, Marla Duran, Annina King… rallying together to support the Charter Arts School and its students, a little bit of “star power” goes a long way not only for the event publicity but as inspiration for the students.  I applaud these designers and retailers for volunteering their time, their talent and their looks in support of the kids.

Design by Pamela Ptak

Design by Pamela Ptak

The real stars of the show where the student designers themselves, Justin, Ana and Joya. BRAVO!  Please take a minute to read their very impressive mini bios also, provided by the Charter Arts media advisory:

 Justin Orlick, a sophomore visual art student, recently was accepted and attended Teen Vogue Fashion University in NYC, his new children’s line, Mojo Fashions, will be shown during petiteParade Fashion Week in NYC in March.  He has started a Young Designers Network, which has over 10,000 Facebook followers, the goal is to inspire kids to design for kids.  His work caught the attention of Shark Tank, and he was asked to submit an audition tape.  “I have loved fashion since I was very young,” says Justin. 

 Ana Raiola, a sophomore visual art major at The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, participates in this fashion show for the second year.  She creates designs focused on individuality and styles throughout major fashion capitals such as New York.

  Joya Widney, a senior theatre major here at The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts is preparing her portfolio to apply to colleges for fashion design. She has been the costume designer for several shows at the school and is currently designing costumes for the fall production of Hamlet.   Joya has taken classes and will intern at The Arts and Fashion Institute taught by Pamela Ptak.  “I became interested in fashion sophomore year after I saw a show by Alexander McQueen.  I love fashion because the purpose is simple, to make shelter but it can be manipulated to create all sorts of things. Since everyone needs clothes in the world the ideas behind fashion designer’s clothing are passed like wildfire. Fashion is not for a select few it is for everyone.” 

(Left to Right) Pamela Ptak (Project Runway- Season 7), Geovanny Colon of Vinn Alexander Collins, Justin Orlick, Ana Raiola, Joya Widney

(Left to Right)
Pamela Ptak (Project Runway- Season 7), Geovanny Colon of Vinn Alexander Collins, Justin Orlick, Ana Raiola, Joya Widney

 I will look forward to following their careers and seeing where life takes them, no doubt, all the way to the top!

Growing up in the Lehigh Valley I have to admit I’m a little jealous of all these amazing opportunities that seem to be popping up all over because there were almost none to be had when I was a young fashion enthusiast.  At the same time, I’m so excited to see the change and the encouragement for the fashion minded and be able to participate (in some small way).  That being said, there are still not a ton of programs and definitely not enough accredited programs for fashion design and the business of fashion in the Bethlehem, Easton and Allentown, PA area.  I have uncovered a number of programs, all of which teach some sort of sewing, draping and fashion design techniques:

LCCC in cooperation with The Baum School of Art
Arts and Fashion Institute
The Lehigh Valley Couturiere Society

I have personally worked with a number of amazing faculty and students from each of these programs for my fashion show production team, LadyBowTie Productions, and they are just so enthusiastic and hungry to learn as much as they possibly can about the fashion industry, it inspires me. I would like to put out a call to action to the educators and institutions of the Lehigh Valley to help provide MORE fashion design and fashion merchandising accredited programs.  I can attest that there is an overwhelming wealth of untapped talent in the area just itching to learn this craft. Writing this piece has lit a fire in me and I see so much potential and demand for fashion programs that I would be a fool not to dig in a little deeper. Stay tuned.

I wanted to say a little thank you to Ann Gillette of the Charter Arts for introducing me to Flying Solo and for all her cooperation and communication since.

I also wanted to share with the students of the Flying Solo Fashion Show and of the Charter Arts
School
my personal motto  “Fortune Favors the Brave” and tell them to just keep going and don’t worry, you WILL make it!

~ Cori/LadyBowTie

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I have more than a few theories on style. LadyBowTie is a site designed to celebrate those thoughts on fashion, beauty, and fearlessness. LadyBowTie encourages positive self-esteem and freedom of expression through personal style. It also encourages a healthy relationship between fashion and your wallet. And last but not least, LadyBowTie is here to educate on aspects of the fashion and beauty industry through style news, street-style pics, interviews, trend/forecasting, articles, weekly series, and readers’ suggestions. ~Cori a.k.a. LadyBowTie

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