local designers

Rebecca Del Pizzo

Fashion design technical major Rebecca Del Pizzo won't tell you that her favorite part of her major is designing. As the name of her major indicates, she looks more toward the construction of pieces rather than the designing process.

Ashley Angresano

Simple, elegant, luxurious – a small combination of elements that, when applied properly in a design, can steal your breath away. For many women, it is precisely that combination that they seek out when searching for the most important dress that they will ever wear: their wedding gown. By designing a collection of wedding gowns that impeccably execute this combination of elements, Ashley Angresano, has accomplished her final task as a track II technical fashion design major at Kent State University.

A focus on felt fashion

Akron native T.J. Horst showed off his latest collection for Horst Couture Friday night at MOCA. The event was sponsored by FLASH and The Fashion Group International.

Charmingly original

Katie S. Marks designs her jewelry line with true charm and originality. Unique pieces are made using high quality materials including sterling silver, vermeil gold, pearls, Swarovski crystals and even vintage coins.

Works of art

"I was working at Urban Outfitters," Rick Sans said, "and I said (to myself) that I could make clothes better than this." This thought began the Japanese- and street art-inspired clothing line, Sans Oceana.

Blue Orchid Handbags

Blue Orchid handbag designer Jackie Adamany began making handbags three years ago. She has been sewing for over 30 years, and with her love of handbags she thought it was, “only natural to take my creativity into the direction of designing and sewing handbags.”

Believe in Cleveland

Believe in Cleveland. That is how Timothy Kilkenny and a handful of local designers feel about the city of Cleveland. A month ago, they founded a web-based business called Collision Bend Clothing. The shirts they design are meant to be fun with Cleveland history and the suburbs.

Beautifully drawn

The fashion illustrations of Suzanne Gilbert and Salvador Miguel are now on display at the Geode Gallery in Tremont. Gallery owner Gillian Barnes had seen the work of both illustrations and wanted to show them together because they are neat and fit together. When asked what her favorite piece was, Barnes had a tough time. She picked her favorite piece from both artists: Fall from Grace by Miguel and an untitled watercolor by Gilbert.

Fashion Knockout

Four designers showed off their finest work to a packed house at the thirteenth annual Fashion Knockout, presented by Waki Wear. The event took place on July 19, 2009. The outfits were sent down the runway while the designers' identities were kept secret (so as not to influence voting.) At the end of the show, the designers were identified as Aziza Yasmine, Miguel Osborne, Yolanda Ballard and Kimberly Craig.

A Cleveland treasure

Valerie Mayen has truly chased her dream of becoming a fashion designer, and has done everything in her power to grasp it. Today, her very own clothing line, Yellowcake, is sitting pretty in the palm of her hand, with endless possibilities. Fashion sparked as an interest to Mayen at a young age. Family income was minimal, and creating complete and different outfits from pieces and parts of Wal-Mart and Goodwill selections brought her many compliments from friends. She had an eye for the industry and the concept early on in life.

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