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I love creating fashion! I love everything about it. I have a million pieces of clothing in my mind that I would love to make into flesh and bone reality. But Fashion isn’t that simple. Fashion starts with ideas, but then is refined by research. Trend forecasting and then conceptual sketches can really narrow down that dream closet in my mind, and help me focus on what other people, beside myself might enjoy, along with what’s on trend for the upcoming season.
After I’ve sketched out my illustrations, and have an idea of the theme I am going for, I get to shop for the fabric and supplies I might need to make my vision a reality. Like most ladies who love fashion, I love to shop! I love looking at a variety of textiles, and like a fine wine with a delicious meal, I love seeing which textile combinations pair well together. Once I have selected my textiles, it is back to the sewing work room for pattern drafting and sample making!  Roxanne Rodriguez 2015 "Purple Moonlight" Collection. Photo: Roxanne Rodriguez All that I have mentioned so far is painstakingly hard work! But when the designs are working, and the pieces are coming to life in a way that is even better than I had originally envisioned, all of those hair pulling moments are long forgotten! And then comes the best part… A Fashion Show!  This past summer I had the privilege of showcasing my Fall 2015 Collection in two fashion shows that were held in Sacramento, California. My Fall 2015 Collection, “Purple Moonlight” is my debut collection; the first collection I created since graduating college this past May!  Roxanne Rodriguez 2015 "Purple Moonlight" Collection. Designers Unleashed: A Tribute to Tamisha Ridge On May 16th 2015, The Designer’s Unleashed Fashion Show featured several local fashion designers, and was held to raise awareness about domestic violence in our community. I was first contacted about participating in this event, by a former professor of mine, Mrs. Esther Amato, who had met a man named Dakista Jones and his fiancé, Tyniece Hall, at a recent fashion event. Mr. Jones was planning a fashion show to showcase Ms. Hall’s work, along with other local designers, with a goal to raise funds to assist with domestic violence awareness. The issue of domestic violence was important to the couple, because a woman whom they had known, Tamisha Ridge, a talented young fashion designer herself, was killed by the hands of her boyfriend. It was truly a life that ended too soon, and for what reason?  Designer’s Unleashed Fashion Show. (From left to right) Producer Dakista Jones, Designers Tyniece Hall, Roxanne Rodriguez, Maisha Bahati, Hosts Carrie Bailon and Big Al. While learning more of Tamisha Ridge, I found that not only did she inspire many people to sew, she did so by creating sewing tutorials that she posted online. This was a great way for Ms. Ridge to teach others, perhaps people who might not be able to attend a formal sewing class, new skills and techniques. Her tutorials are still available for viewing, and are still inspiring people. You can view her tutorials by clicking the link here. While working on the Designers Unleashed Fashion Show, I was pleased to find it was a wonderful networking opportunity in which I was able to meet talented designers, hair and make-up artists, photographers, as well as beautiful talented models. Check out a few back-stage photos:  Model, Jasmine Reyes, and Myself, backstage at the Designer's Unleashed Fashion Show! Photo: Javier Rangel  Backstage: Roxanne Rodriguez 2015 "Purple Moonlight" Collection. Photo: Roxanne Rodriguez
 Models await the runway. Designers Unleashed Fashion Show. Photo: Roxanne Rodriguez One young lady, who I met, was the runway model, Charis Hill. Charis contacted me a few months after the Designer's Unleashed Fashion Show to see if I was interested in participating in another fashion show: The Soul Incredible Unity Fashion Festive!  My dad, Oscar Rodriguez, and Sylvia Prado, attend the fashion show! (Pictured here with myself-center) Photo: Javier Rangel Soul Incredible Unity Presents: Fashion Festive! On August 30th 2015, I along with several other designers, and artisans presented our work at the Sacramento Grand Ballroom. It was a stunning location. The Fashion designers who featured their collections in this event were a different group of designer’s than the previous show I participated in, and it was really cool seeing so many different design aesthetics. One unique feature about this show, is that it featured contemporary dancers, singers, poets, musicians and even a Hawaiian dance group! It was a lovely night for all in attendance!
 Roxanne Rodriguez Fall 2015 Collection on the Runway.  The beautiful model, Brianna Sommer, in Roxanne Rodriguez. Soul Incredible Unity Fashion Festive.  Model Angelina Garcia, in Roxanne Rodriguez at the Soul Incredible Unity Fashion Festive.  The Final Walk: Designer, Roxanne Rodriguez and two of her models on the Runway. Jav Ran Photography. Behind the Scenes Prior to any fashion show, model casting calls, model fittings, and runway rehearsals are a must! I am immensely grateful for people like Mr. Jones and his team, as well as Mr. Lam Nguyen and the Soul Incredible Unity team, who worked so hard in securing our venue, finding amazing hair and make-up artists, a wonderful modeling coach, photographers, as well as all the other million things that go into making a fashion show a Fashion Show!  Left: Models practice their runway walk before the Designer's Unleashed Fashion Show. Right: Models behind the stage wearing fashions by Hill Tribe at the SIU Fashion Festive. I am looking forward to presenting my Spring/Summer 2016 Collection soon! See you at the next Fashion Show!!  Designer Roxanne Rodriguez, wearing a Roxanne Rodriguez Summer Day Dress. Photo: Javier Rangel Related Links:
2 Comments
Oscar
11/25/2015 11:25:09 pm
Great blog! To be good at anything always requires a "hair pulling moment" or two, but keeping the eye on the target and finishing a particular project makes it all worth the effort! Leave a Reply. |
AuthorHello Readers! Welcome to my Blog! I am Roxanne Rodriguez Rangel, a Fashion Designer from Northern California. I love all things Fashion, particularly historical fashion! Join me, as I take you around Northern California, covering fashion events and related topics! 
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