Paul Chiba, Marketing Strategist
Jen Carnago, Stylist, Fashion Technology Analyst
Si Jie Loo, Visual and Performance Artist
Si Jie is excited about her upcoming book, Holding Demons in Small Jars, a graphic novella by her pal Jasmine Kumalah which Si Jie illustrated. Her belief and passion –“Life is Art, Art is Life” and words she lives by, “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.”- Vincent van Gogh
Si Jie contributes her perspective and documentation on fashion as an art medium through the lens of fashion exhibitions at the museums – The Oxymoron in “China: Through The Looking Glass”.
What Does Fashion Mean To You?
Fashion is Artwork made where the body is the canvas. It highlights the wearer’s personality and character in a curated time and space.
What Will Never Go Out Of Fashion?
Black Booties and Fitted A-shape styles
Favorite Fashion Icon?
Gong Li
Wayne D. Fleshman, Photographer
“My first love is the camera”, says Flesh, the name he likes to be called. Flesh started his love for fashion photography on the streets of Germany. “I would walk the streets and just shoot my favorites.” With no training at the time, he had an ‘eye’ for interesting fashion he saw on the street. Years later, while he was studying visual media at the University of District of Columbia, he took a photography class from famed photographer, Jim Wells. Wells was known for covering the riots in the District after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. He served on the New York staff of the Associated Press and was a general assignment photographer for Life, Time, and Washingtonian magazines. Wells used to say, “you’ve got it or you don’t”. Out of the 30 students who took the class, Flesh recalls Wells telling him that he’s ‘got it’.
Flesh contributes his unique ability to capture the personality and essence of the fashion runway. He shoots Fashion Weeks and high profile institutional catwalk events – Launch Pad |a runway event fuses an iconic American brand with an emerging design force; Tools to sew is not enough | EDGE talks to Bishme R. Cromartie, Bč.
Favorite Fashion Era?
The glamour of the 1940’s Golden Age of Hollywood. The seductive gowns women used to wear; stylish cinched in waist and broad padded shoulders for day wear with big and bold hats, was all part of the glamour. The men’s unique look in suits, double or single breasted, with wide lapels and fedora’s, was a statement of sophistication.
What Will Never Go Out Of Fashion?
Jordan’s. “I have 60 pairs, many over 20 years old, and I still step out with them. I keep them in boxes – you never want to put away a dirty pair of Jordan’s.”
Favorite Fashion Designer?
Ralph Lauren
Amabelle Aguiluz
, Designer, Visual Artist
Amabelle is a textile artist and designer based in Los Angeles. Her practice incorporates clothing, textile, fiber sculpture, and installation processes that are presented as free form sculptures and are often incorporated into live performance, video, and photographs.
As an emerging designer on the EDGE radar, Amabelle contributes her story and journey . She brings value to her business with sustainable practices and an alternative vision of exposure of her work – EDGE Talks to Amabelle Aguiluz.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion gives many of us room to be free and expressive.
Who is your favorite designer that has made a cultural impact?
Ann Demeulemeester
Who is your favorite fashion icon?
Frida Kahlo
Antonio Crutchley
, Photographer
My perfect day is a day well spent photographing beautiful models that are uniquely styled and makeup. Photography is my life and I couldn’t think of doing anything else. My style is contemporary high key with occasional use of artificial lights to complement and enhance the ambient light. I have been featured in International Lifestyle Magazine and was commissioned to be the photographer on set for The Rich Kids of Beverly Hills reality show. “I don’t take photographs, I create photographs.”
See Antonio’s work of creating photographs that capture emotion, excitement, and ‘the look’ of those dressed to express – EDGE at Rebar Art Exhibition.
What does fashion mean to you?
Fashion is art used to express ones opinion of themselves or their political and social views of the world around them.
What will never go out of fashion?
The collar shirts for men and women will never go out of fashion.
What is your favorite moment in fashion?
Lady Gaga Meat Dress – original, brave, daring and controversial.
Melissa Lugo
, Technical Designer
With a problem solving mindset, Melissa is known for her “looks-like works-like” approach. She is able to work with designers to find aesthetically pleasing ways to turn their ideas into functional garments. Finding solutions that balance the line of elevating the designs yet making them easier to sew and finally wear is what she thrives on.
Melissa contributes her expertise on technical design and the critical importance of spec packages for manufacturing – Spec Packages | The Critical Product Development Tool.
What Will Never Go Out Of Fashion?
The Chanel style blazer will never go out of style. It is the perfect blend of structure and femme. The bracelet sleeves and slight shaping through the waist match any dress or separates. This is a blazer that is easy to dress up or down to fit the occasion.
Favorite Moment in Fashion History?
The 1940’s! For women, there was a lot happening as they were joining the workforce to help the war effort. Clothing took on a utilitarian feel and was designed to give you an hour glass shape (even if you did not have one). The hats were exceptional as well with pretty little embellishments to polish off your look.
Favorite Designer That Has Made a Cultural Impact?
Coco Chanel was a revolutionary in fashion. Women’s clothing would not be where it is today without her ideas. She brought women menswear inspired looks that were also comfortable. Suits for women going into the workforce paired with slim skirts, trousers, and even styles made from jersey fabrics were some of the barriers she broke with her designs. Coco also brought us the little black dress, a staple in all our closets!
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