Trisha Frick (left) girlfriend of Hugh Hefner in Academy of Couture Art made Snow White couture Halloween costume. Enchanting! Thanks Academy of Couture Art designers Anna SOTNICHENKO, Laura KIRANI, Nikolle RAMIREZ MEJIA, Kym STYLZ, Valery MIRANDA, Emma CHEN, and Nicole GRANT
Academy of Couture Art Le Reve Gala celebrates next generation of haute couture
Beverly Hills — The Academy of Couture Art, recognized as being one of the leading accredited schools upholding the time honored tradition of haute couture technique and craftsmanship in made-to-order fashion design, hosted it’s annual gala at the Sofitel in Beverly Hills.
Hosted by Rachel Bailit of the Conan O’Brien Show the 2012 event, Le Reve, celebrated achievements in design from full Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design degree graduates through to the teen couture program.
Many special guests supported the special evening with the next generation of haute couture designers including the beautiful star of Tim Burton’s “Planet of the Ape’s” Miss Estella Warren; the stunning leading lady of Simon Wells’ “Time Machine” and multi-award winning recording artist Samantha Mumba; Leading fashion designer Louis Verdad; Miss Lois Aldrin; Miss Terri Gans in official capacity representing the French Consulate General in Los Angeles; Miss Southern California Fehbe Meza; Elizabeth Matthews from the LACMA Costume Council; Paul Mitchell’s John Paul deJoria II; and 45x-Gold Medalist, 3x-world Tae Kwon-Do Champion, 5x European Champion, 5th Degree Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, former Ford model and co-star of Warner Brother’s “Tekken”, Anton Kasabov.
The Academy of Couture is a genesis of true haute couture. In developing their role in the global fashion community, the Academy of Couture Art created for 2012 an Honorary Board of Directors for the College inducting two members at the Le Reve Gala: Her Royal Highness Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark and Her Excellency Michelle Czernin von Chudenitz und zu Morzin. Honorary Membership shows support for the ACA community and the mission of couture. Some members offer to make special guest appearances at our events or even hold intimate guest lectures in the college. Others choose to represent their support simply through the listing of college Honorary Members.
Founded by Sonia Été and Thierry Été, the Academy of Couture Art in Los Angeles provides an exclusive education in haute couture technique and design formerly unavailable outside of the leading European fashion houses. Students learn the delicate process of creating one of a kind pieces. From pattern making to handcrafted lace and beading, the program is an homage to the beauty, sophistication, innovation, intelligence, elegance and harmony of the creation.
Graduates for their Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design including Maxfield Freiermuth, Sarah Kim, Mariana Romero Tejeda, and Angela Wu presented their thesis collections. Justin Howard, fashion columnist for the New York Times commented that his “ones [designers] to watch” list will be growing with names from the Academy!
As part of their global program, the Academy of Couture Art was invited in May 2012 to participate in the Monaco Charity Film Festival. In honor of the Principality of Monaco and under the personal direction of ACA Founder Sonia Ete, students Katherine Enyart, Maxfield Freiermuth, Ciara Green, Sarah Kim, Rachel Nourmand, Margaret Roberts, Mariana Romero Tejeda, Raquel Van Daalen Wetters and Angela Wu created the Grace Kelly Collection. An Award for Costume Design in Film presented at Monaco Charity Film Festival was presented to the feature film, “My Kingdom” (China/HK 2011) produced by Andre Morgan and Zoe Chen.
Finally, the Teen Couture Design Club presented full looks by Rachel Cohen, Mari Goldberg, with special piece designs by Kilina Peltereau-Villeneuve and Michaela Purwin. Miss Rachel Cohen was crowned Miss Teen Couture in acknowledgement of her outstanding design, pattern making and technique in construction of her self-worn dress.
Proceeds for the evening went to the Children of War Foundation.
Images by Lord Byron Photography
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!
