"T-shirt ball gown" by Angela Johnson. Photo by davidhsmith.com

Angela Johnson is more than a fashion designer. She’s a fashion artist, creating “innovative eco-friendly gowns from ‘thrifted’ t-shirts”, in addition to her roles as fashion design instructor at Mesa Community College, speaker at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, fashion consultant, fashion show coordinator and mother of two!!

Angela Johnson

I was blown away after a quick peruse of her website. The “t-shirt ball gowns” and clothing are outrageously creative, her list of awards and press are “seamingly” endless, and her fashion illustrations are works of art themselves!! Her website describes the t-shirt dresses as “unique and one-of-a-kind because they are each made with whatever t-shirts can be scavenged at the time they are made.” LOVE IT!! This talented and equally sweet woman has been a staple in the local fashion industry for more than 14 years and will continue to enrich the Phoenix fashion market for years to come!

T-shirt bubble dress. Photo by davidhsmith.com for Angela Johnso

Here’s a brief list of Angela’s awards…

“RISING STAR 2004″ – FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL OF ARIZONA, INC.
“ARTIST OF THE YEAR” – SCOTTSDALE CULTURAL COUNCIL
“CHICEST LOCAL DESIGNER” – 944 MAGAZINE
“1 OF 20 INFLUENTIAL WOMEN” – AZ FOOTHILLS MAGAZINE
“DESIGNER OF THE YEAR SEMI-FINALIST” – SCOTTSDALE FASHION WEEK 2009

Check out videos & interviews of Angela’s fashion shows and media…

The Style Network’s “The Dish” on Angela Johnson Designs

Angela Johnson’s “Candyland” at Scottsdale Fashion Week

To see more of Angela’s work or to buy online, visit Angela Johnson Designs. View a list of local and national boutiques carrying Angela Johnson’s Designs here at Angela in Stores.

0 comments permalink |  9:00 AM |  4.17.2009 | 

The most dear-to-my-heart, important, memorable, sentimental piece in my wardrobe is of course my wedding dress. If you’re married, I hope you share this sentiment.  A wedding dress is an amazing expression of love and of sacred ritual.  But most importantly, an expression of the bride. And bridal designer Jennyvi Dizon says, “You can be whomever you want to be on your wedding day” and wearing a custom gown by Jennyvi will help you express that.

Jennyvi Dizon by Jeff Gleason Photography

Jennyvi of Jennyvi Dizon Couture is a premier custom bridal and evening wear designer in Phoenix, creating awe-inspiring designs that capture the imagination and the heart.  From a classic white wedding dress to a modern, eco-friendly dress made of 100% organic silk to the most lavish “Cinderella” gown of your little girl dreams, Jennyvi’s creativity and attention-to-detail shines through every dress she personally designs and creates.  With this kind of talent and creative flexibility, it’s not surprising Jennyvi has been voted the “Best Custom Bridal Designer” by the Phoenix New Times and been featured in numerous local media outlets like The Arizona Republic’s “Yes” Magazine, News Ch. 3, ABC’s Sonoran Living, to name a few.

Jennyvi Dizon

Jennyvi Dizon

Jennyvi is as impressive herself as are her bridal and evening wear fashions.  This designer, with a degree in Business Administration in addition to her training at Phoenix College’s Fashion Design program, is a contributing writer to Earth911.com, a blogger on her own www.jennyvi.com, involved in many networking communities and is the show producer of the first Arizona Bridal Week debuting in September 26-October 3rd. But like she told me, “You can’t stop the mojo” and she’s definitely unstoppable!  In our chat last week, Jennyvi revealed to me her plans to start launching Jennyvi Dizon Couture as a national brand.  Wow!!!

The adorable Jennyvi of Jennyvi Dizon Couture

Jennyvi Dizon Couture can be found at Jennyvi.com or Lillian Lottie Couture in Scottsdale or direct at 602-284-2073 or jen@jennyvi.com. Custom bridal gowns start from $1800 and a complete bridal party package starts at $9000 and require a 4 month advance.  

Actual bride Andria in Jennyvi Dizon Couture

Actual bride Debbie in Jennyvi Dizon Couture

0 comments permalink |  10:30 AM |  4.9.2009 | 

Spring break has come and gone and you know what that means…Bikini season is just around the corner! AAAHH!! Time to turn that mushy tushy into buns of steel!

Now we all go to the gym for two reasons: 1. To burn calories and 2. To look good. This season, let’s burn calories while looking good in Femme Athletic workout wear!

Femme Athletic is a high quality fitness apparel company based in Scottsdale. Femme’s owner, Brian Hill, is also the Executive Director of Phoenix Fashion Week. I love Brian’s new “iFemme” collection – bras, pants and shorts with a sleek pocket to hold your iPod!

iFemme Hippy Pant $65 by Femme Athletic

Here are a few of my other favorite athletic looks from Femme Athletic…

The Good Life Tennis Dress $68

Brave Long Bra $38

Brave Cropped Bra $35

Not only does Femme Athletic offer a fabulous selection of ready made & affordable “haute” athletic wear on their website, they offer custom designed sportswear. Most recently, Femme designed and created the workout wear for “Code Pink Boot Camp”. Here are a few of the custom designs for Code Pink…

Code Pink Baby Tee $22

Code Pink Beater Tank $24

Finally, my favorite piece by Femme Athletic. The “I Make Boys Cry” t-shirt!! It’s Femme’s most popular item! Love it!! Gotta Have it!!

I Make Boys Cry Pre-Shrunk Baby Tee $22

Check out all these looks and buy online at Femme Athletic!

0 comments permalink |  9:00 AM |  4.2.2009 | 

Jeff Gleason for Jennyvi Dizon Couture

Wow!! I just learned about the fabulously talented Jennyvi Dizon Couture.  She has a great blog and just posted her latest bridal looks! The dresses and  photos are fantastic!  If you’re looking for a bridal designer, check her out Jennyvi Dizon

A little more about Jennyvi Dizon Couture…

Jennyvi Dizon Couture is a premier custom bridal and evening wear label based in Phoenix, Arizona. Jennyvi Dizon Couture creates classy, hand-made bridal and evening wear designs that capture the imagination and the heart. From a simple elegant wedding dress to the most lavish gown you can imagine, Jennyvi Dizon Couture will create the most beautiful, most exquisite gown of your dreams.

1 comment permalink |  10:30 AM |  3.25.2009 |