FGI NY R-T-W Trend Overview and a new design by me

I just love to be "artsy". A woman called me so last week, when she saw me in the ZIPit dress. Can't stop. Finished a new zipper dress version (ZIPit-two) made again only with zippers. It is white, fitted and has a decorative functional triple zipper in the back. My fingernails are gone, but I think it was worth it.
I wore it when I attended the Fashion Group International's R-T-W Trend Overview Spring/Summer 2011. It was an amazing presentation by Marylou Luther with a noon panel discussion about the newest trends in the Fashion Industry. The panel included Mickey Boardman (Paper Magazine), Colleen Sherin (Saks 5th Ave), Jane Larkworthy (W Magazine), Roopal Patel (Neiman Marcus), Cindy Weber Cleary (InStyle Magazine), and  Betsey Johnson as guest moderator.

Guess who was standing in front of me and told me that she loved my dress?

My newest creation the ZIPit dress

Believe it or not, this cute dress is made entirely out of zippers.

A note from Way Zen

Brigitte,
Many thanks for your participation at our JSong…Way Earth
Friend Party on October 27.

We are honored by your presence. Your views on green
...lifestyles and sustainability were inspiring. Thank you.



Warmest Regards,
Way

Earth Friend Party with Way Zen at JSong

 Note by Way: Last night, October 27, 2010, fifteen Earth Friends joined together at our JSong showroom. A moment of joy and peace were realized in my heart by listening to each individual's inspiring expression on practicing green life style. Together we planted the seeds for our future Great Good. Hope you all can join us on our a...nniversary date of Earth Friend Party next year.

  

Working our way up the Nestle Purina Design Challenge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THnB4qBegtk&feature=channel&list=UL

A Day in the Life by Alex Whatton

http://gypsytheories.blogspot.com/2010/09/day-in-life.html

RESTORE CLOTHING at Yesterday’s News Green Catwalk Event

RESTORE CLOTHING NYC http://www.restoreclothing.com/

Fabulous active sportswear from recycled and organic fabrics

From the Restore Clothing blog

http://blog.restoreclothing.com/

September, 2010

About RESTORE™CLOTHING — No Comments
24Sep 10

Yesterday’s News Green Catwalk Event

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Q: WHAT’S BLACK & WHITE & RED ALL OVER?
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In keeping with the theme of the challenge we presented a black look, a white look, and a red look from our current collection.
[BLACK: Gathered Shoulder Sleeveless T and the 5 Pocket Pull-on Jeans on Jacquie. WHITE: Fitted Long Sleeve Wrap Hoodie, Tank (with built-in body fabric bra), and Meditation/Lounge Full Pant with earrings and a necklace by Kenny Hwang on Toni B. RED: Draped-back Hooded Zip Front Gown in red, recycled polyester on Sarah Anne.  All photos by Alex Whatton.]
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A: THE NEW YORK TIMES & YESTERDAY’S NEWS

Giedre is wearing Yesterday’s News – Newspaper Coat by Anthony Lilore of RESTORE ™ Clothing and newspaper & resin jewelry by Kenny Hwang.

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The Hell’s Kitchen Plaid (named for our NYC neighborhood) is formed ALMOST entirely from the section headings of months of Saturday and Sunday copies of Yesterday’s New(s) York Times laminated to pages from the Arts & Leisure, Financial, Business, Wedding, Obituary, and Real Estate sections of the New York Times (the Hometown paper of the RESTORE ™ Clothing Team). The coat is double-breasted and has two full circle swings as the bottom section. The hand-painted one-of-a-kind lining is the artistic work of Frank Lilore and is meant to call attention to the vibrant colors of today’s multimedia news which, while Read All Over is anything but Black and White.

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We were honored to be in the company of these eco-fashion pioneers’ designs:

From the left, Newspaper designs by: Samantha Pleet, Bahar Shahpar, Lara Miller, Anthony Lilore of RESTORE ™ Clothing and below, handbag designer Elias Abadi of Nahui Ollin:

We’d like to send a Big Thank You to Renee Loux, Cone Inc., Purina, Yesterday’s News, Frank Lilore, Brigitte Schwenner, and Alex Whatton for their hard work and dedication to this project.
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And one last thing; all items are being auctioned off with all proceeds going to the charities of each designer’s choice. For RESTORE ™ Clothing, that’s Riverkeeper.  Click HERE for the link to ebay!  (This coat stands on it’s own in any wardrobe!)

Thanks again and if you want to see some behind-the-seams photos, click HERE to go to our Facebook Account and visit HERE for more photos and even videos from the event.
Our answers to the Sunday NY Times (Will Shortz) crossword puzzle as they appear on the sleeve of the coat.
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Look Great. Feel Great. Do Great.

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Yesterday's News® Catwalk Event

http://youtu.be/hnwSTRmTSyg

Restore Clothing in Yesterday's News do-gooder design challenge

Yesterday was the day of the first-of-its kind green catwalk and workshop event in New York City sponsored by Nestle/Purina Yesterday's News. I worked until 1.30 am that day to finish our final garment. It's a double swing coat made from dated newspaper fused and laminated to work as a raincoat. The coat features among other amazing details a hand woven plaid created with New York Times Headlines.
The lining  represents the multi-colored photography that contrasts the monochrome writing of a newspaper.
Each participating designer had the great opportunity to show in total four outfits of his/her collection including the newspaper design.
The paper garments will be auctioned off between now and September 29, 2010.The proceeds from the highest bid for each newspaper design and handbag will go to the designer's charity of choice. In addition Purina's Yesterday's News Brand will make a donation in the amount of 6000$ to each charity.
More about this event
 http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/yesterdaysnews/45957/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CKVGDsxc4A


The jewelry shown with the Restoreclothing collection was designed by
 Kenny Hwang


More about  Restoreclothing
http://www.restoreclothing.com/

http://www.facebook.com/restoreclothing?ref=ts

Twitter http://twitter.com/RESTORE_NYC

me and 

   Giedre wearing the newspaper coat

Anthony Lilore showing the colorful lining of the coat

red recycled polyester bodysuit with cowl neckline in the back and V-front neck

As another model said:  You look hot!

Toni looks great and feels very comfortable wearing the wrapp knit hoodie with extra long narrow sleeves

and flaired knit pants

Jacque shows how sexy a knit jeans and a muscle shirt inspired top can look 

The red knit gown in recycled polyester with hood and extensive backcowl  was a huge  hit

Yesterday's News Design Challenge

Having great fun working with Anthony Lilore of Restore Clothing on a new exciting project. A full outfit will be created for the Green Catwalk Event debut as part of The Yesterday’s News® Do-Gooder Design Challenge.
Watch videos as the work continues on:

http://www.dogooderchallenge.com/BehindTheSeams/
you can also visit
http://www.restoreclothing.com/

One of my Favorite Creations

  White denim gown with red wooden joiners apron. I designed it for the FIT Graduate Show in May 2006. Later on 06/09/2006 WGSN (the leading online trend-analysis and research service) wrote, "The cage-like wooden joiner overlay Brigitte Schwenner placed over her white denim princess-seamed gown, brought a surreal, Fifth Element effect to the delicate piece."

2.2.10: Anniversary Celebrations | New York Social Diary

2.2.10: Anniversary Celebrations New York Social Diary

THE FASHION GROUP INTERNATIONAL, INC. 13th ANNUAL RISING STAR AWARDS

• What is your company’s vision?
At Sievering the philosophy is simple. I work with my client to create a design to suit her. Every step of the way I engage her in the design development process to establish a look that is uniquely hers. I will select the fabric, the color and the silhouette that expresses who she truly is. Having always the wish to support her beauty I explore the possibilities with a creation that is personal rather than manufactured and expresses the different aspects of today’s woman.
For her fashion is not just something she wears; for many it becomes a state of mind. It is a way of expressing her personality and a reflection of who she is. It can turn a gray day into a sunny one with just glance in the mirror. When she feels confident, she acts self-assured. Nothing can stand in her way when she puts on your favorite pair of shoes with that new stunning dress. Using that new sense of style lets her showcase that new found buoyancy.

• What defines you as a Rising Star?
My ready to wear designs show a high almost timeless creativity. My unique designs combine sophistication in style with detailed workmanship. The perfect workmanship and the perfect fit, which are extremely important to me, build the foundation of my work. The designs are always complimenting the woman’s body, whether they are accentuating a woman’s curves by following the body’s shape as a sexy bias dress or they might hide those unwanted ones as a playful A-line dress.
I am always up for a challenge, which can be recognized in many of my garments.
Examples:
*For one I designed a beautifully rushed chiffon upper back. It looks soft and loose. To get this look I had to add an invisible support that kept the garment in shape and let the back look as I wanted it to.
*Another challenge was to have a decorative zipper going around the stove pipe neckline without adding an additional seam in the center front of the dress, which I was able to include in my design.
*When necessary I also create the fabric on my own to get to the desired result.
I am not afraid to invest a lot of time and craftsmanship into the creation of each design. The perfect fit is very important as well as the seam finishing, and the lining of the garment. Sometimes it happens that the fabric I use for the inside of the garment is more expensive than what I use as shell fabric. My experience shows, that the cool softness of silk charmeuse lets every woman feel much more beautiful and sexy when she is wearing it directly on her skin.
I am convinced that not only making the woman beautiful from the outside but also letting her feel beautiful from the inside is very important.

• Please complete this phrase: “The single most important thing that I have learned during my career is……”If you know that you are doing the right thing, never stop believing and trusting yourself and your destination!

FGI Rising Star Competition

Today was the FGI Rising Star 2010 Award Luncheon. Even though I did not win, I have been very lucky. Right at the event I sold my newest design, of which I was wearing the first sample, to a Fashion Insider.
Most definitely that made my day!

SUCCESS WITH SUPIMA: Brigitte Schwenner in WWD

Friday, January 15, 2010

NEW YORK -- Two years ago, when she was one of the winners in the first Supima Design Competition, we knew Brigitte Schwenner was going to go far.

Now she's been nominated for one of the Fashion Group International's prestigious Rising Star Awards for women's wear--the most ultra-competitive category.

Here, in a article headlined FGI ANNOUNCES RISING STAR FINALISTS, is what WWD reporter Marc Karimzadeh had to say:

NEW YORK — The Fashion Group International unveiled the list of finalists for its Rising Star Awards later this month.

In the women’s apparel category, they are Joseph Altuzarra of Altuzarra; Prabal Gurung; Nima Taherzadeh of Nima; Peter Hidalgo; Matthew Ames; Michael Angel; Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs of Cushnie et Ochs; Bibhu Mohapatra, and Brigitte Schwenner of Sievering.

In men’s apparel, they are Loris Diran; Anthony Keegan and Richard Christiansen of Commonwealth Utilities; Paul Marlow of Loden Dager, and Stefan Dahlkvist, Simen Staalnacke and Peder Borresen of Moods of Norway.

The accessories finalists are Amanda Pearl Brotman of Amanda Pearl; Cornelia Petronis of Mark; Shai Levy of Seventy Eight Percent; Adriana Castro; Robin Frances Stern of It’s About Time, and Katherine Fleming. For fine jewelry, they are Visnja Brdar of Visnja Jewels; Kelly Amorim of Carla Amorim Jewelry; Monica Rich Kosann of MRK Fine Arts, and Nina Basharova of Nina Basharova Jewelry Design.

In retail, the award could go to John Bartlett; Helena Greene of Swing Concept Shop; Edward Chai and Paul Birardi of Odin New York; Barbara Moore of B. Moore Designs, Inc., or Alexandra Galgano of Charm and Chain.

As in previous years, there are two beauty categories, for fragrance corporate and fragrance entrepreneur.

In the fragrance corporate category, the finalists are Irina Burlakova of Givaudan Fragrances Corp.; Jerome Roux of Coty Prestige; Juliette Karagueuzoglou of International Flavors & Fragrances, and Jaclyn Rebecca Davis of MAC Cosmetics. For fragrance entrepreneur, they are Matthew Malin and Andrew Goetz of Malin + Goetz; Lisa Hoffman of Lisa Hoffman Beauty; Frederick Bouchardy of Joya; Janet League-Katzin of Sphatika International, and Danny Seo of Wholearth Beauty and Bath.

Finally, the home-interior design Rising Star honoree will be selected from among Luke Vahle of Fifth Season Design; Shawn Henderson; Dror Benshetrit of Dror, and Joey Roth.

This year’s Rising Star Awards luncheon will take place at Cipriani 42nd Street on Jan. 22. Nina Garcia, Marie Claire fashion director and “Project Runway” judge, will be the event’s keynote speaker.
Posted by Greg Wang at 1:51 PM
http://supimacotton.blogspot.com/2010/01/succes-with-supima-brigitte-schwenner.html

SIEVERING by BRIGITTE SCHWENNER Fall/Winter Collection

My winning gown of the Supima Design Competition will be exhibited at PREFAB

My cotton pique evening gown that won the design competition for best in knit will be exhibited by Supima during the Supima PREFAB Show in New York. Love it!

WWD: Fashion Group International Names Rising Star Finalists. And - I am one of them!

Lace and Denim, two fabrics that couldn't be more different, work so well for Cocktail and Evening

Thank you SUPIMA -world's finest cottons for such a nice post about me

http://supima.com/design-competition
http://supimacotton.blogspot.com/2010/01/success-with-supima-sievering-nominated.html

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

SUCCESS WITH SUPIMA: Sievering nominated for FGI Award
NEW YORK -- She was one of the winners in the first-ever Supima Design Competition. And now she's a finalist for one of the industry's top honors.

Brigitte Schwenner, designer and owner of the Sievering couture collection, has been named one of the finalists in the Fashion Group International's Rising Star Awards, which will be named at a luncheon at Cipriani here in New York on January 22.

Schwenner, as fans of the 2008 Supima Design Competition may recall, impressed the judges with her superb execution of two technically difficult designs, including a long and elegant evening sheath of Kaihara stretch denim (pictured at right), which featured a minimalist neck-to-hem, two-way zipper construction--creating a face-graming "necklace" neckline in front and a dramatic, exit-making back view.

The feat was all the more impressive since Schwenner was more accustomed to working with couture-quality silks and satins.

"The elasticity of the denim supported the perfect fit of that gown," explained Schwenner, who also turned out a strapless dress made of Choi & Shin pique for the Supima runway finale.

A native of Germany, Schwenner studied chemistry and lived in Japan before coming to the U.S. in 1999. A summa cum laude graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, Brigitte’s training in haute couture has also included internships under Francois Bouchet in Carolina Herrera’s atelier.

In 2006, she began Sievering, her own custom-couture business. Her philosophy: "We work with our client to create a design to suit you. Every step of the way we engage you in the design development process to establish a look that is uniquely yours. Together we will select the fabric, the color and the silhouette that expresses who you truly are. Explore the possibilities with a creation that is personal rather than manufactured and expresses the different aspects of today’s woman."

Log on to the Sievering website to see her latest bridal, evening, and cocktail dresses.
Posted by Greg Wang at 8:18 AM

FGI Rising Star Competition

I am very happy to be one of the finalists in the Fashion Group International Rising Star Competition. The winners will be announced during the awards luncheon at Cipriani 42nd Street, NYC. Nina Garcia, fashion director at "Marie Claire" and judge at "Project Runway" will be the keynote speaker.
Thank you to everybody who voted for me!!