 A map of Oakland, California illustrating historical points of interest.
Hello Friends! Thank you for reading my blog series covering Oakland Fashion Week 2016! I was so fortunate to not only attend all five days, but to also showcase my current collection on the Day 3 Event. During each day I was privileged to meet many amazing people. I am sad that OFW is over, it was such a wonderful week, and quite honestly I could get used to going out to a fashion show every single night! What a dreamy job that would be! Right about now, the professional photographers who worked during all of the fashion filled days, are editing their vast collection of photos, and are beginning to release some truly amazing shots. On the final night of OFW, my family came along with me to view the final presentation of collections. My husband, Javier Rangel, has helped me tremendously with photography and providing me with a Cannon camera to take some behind the scenes shots of the final night. Take a look at some of my favorite behind the scenes photos we were able to capture:
On the final night of Oakland Fashion Week, six designers and boutiques presented captivating ensembles! The first to present an alluring array of formal gowns was boutique owner Rosa Bliss with Bliss Boutique and Bridal. Bliss Boutique and Bridal is located at 881 South 1st Street in San Jose, California. Here are a few pictures of my favorite looks:
Second on the runway, was Oxford Way Tailoring, which is located at 6038 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. I was genuinely looking forward to seeing the Men’s Wear garments presented in this collection, particularly because I know the owner of this tailor shop personally. Mr. Randy Rowden is the owner and tailor of Oxford Way, which he runs with his family. Interestingly, his daughter, Tiendres Rowden and I attended college together at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Sacramento. Although Tiendres was in the graduating class prior to mine, we had several classes together, and the two of us became friends! It was such a pleasure seeing Tiendres and her father, Randy, at Oakland Fashion Week! The Men’s Wear pieces they presented were just my style! As you most likely know, I love mixing textiles and prints! So when I saw the amazing combinations of shirts, sportcoats, ties, bow ties, and suits, I , along with all in the audience, were overcome with joy!
When speaking with Mr. Rowden after the event, he mentioned to me that he was very pleased of the positive feedback he received from young men regarding the looks he presented. He told me that for a while, in the 1990’s, during the “Hip Hop Era”, as he put it, people in general began to dress more casual. Now he is seeing young people interested in dressing up again, and his business is growing more and more each day. Check out a few of my favorite looks from Oxford Way:
The next designer to present was Martha Carretero. Mrs. Carretero's designs were undeniably beautiful and graceful! What most impressed me about her designs was that each formal gown and cocktail dress had an amazingly intricate hand-painted floral motif strategically placed on each garment. Each model walking down the runway held a flower that was identical to the floral design hand-painted on the dress! This styling was cleverly impactful! Take a look at some of my favorite designs:
 Designs by Martha Carretero. Photos by Jav.Ran Photography. Fourth up on the runway was Raul Rosales from Sacramento. I had worked with Raul at a previous runway show, the 1st Annual Soul Incredible Unity Fashion Festive last August in Sacramento. I was very impressed with the designs that he presented last year, and was very much looking forward to seeing his new collection! Mr. Rosales is known for creating voluminous ball gowns fit for a princess! He also uses an interesting assortment of luxurious textile combinations. This collection was no exception! I immediately noticed that in some of his designs, he used a plastic textile! The plastic textile, along with the other fabrics used created a look that was not only artful but futuristic! Check out a few of my favorite pieces from his collection:
After Raul Rosales, the next designer to present was James Thomas Head. I met Mr. Head at the pre-fashion week events that were held prior to OFW, such as model casting calls, and a designer mixer. Mr. Head was very friendly, outgoing, and welcoming. We became friends instantly! As I got to know Mr. Head, and the experience he has as a designer for many years, I was very much impressed! Interestingly, Mr. Head has been designing for over 20 years! He is best known for creating the iconic pants that the musician MC Hammer wore in the 1990’s! Mr. Head’s designs for MC Hammer have appeared on numerous magazines including the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.
Mr. Head also created a successful clothing brand in the 1990’s called Sag Wear. He described to me the process he went through with Sag Wear, creating his extremely unique denim wear in a factory in Texas, and then selling them in retail stores, across the US! Mr. Head is always thinking of, and then creating, very innovative, ingenious designs!  Myself with Mr. James Thomas Head. Photo by Jav.Ran Photography. Check out some of my favorite pieces that Mr. James Thomas Head presented during OFW 2016:
 Designs by James Thomas Head. Photos taken on my IPhone. Closing the runway show was designer Marise Oliviera, from Brazil! Her designs were feminine and stunning! I have yet to visit Brazil, but I imagine the jaw-dropping Brazilian Women would all look like this! Check out a few of my favorite looks:
 Designs by Marise Oliveira. Photo taken with my IPhone. That concludes my journey through each day of Oakland Fashion Week 2016! Thank you again for taking the time to read my blog post series covering the entire week! If you missed one of my articles, click the tab on the right hand side of your screen to access my blog archives. Also, be sure to Subscribe to my blog! As I am sure you have gleaned from my experience, it was a wonderful week, featuring many talented designers, as well as wonderful boutiques! I am thankful to be a part of such an event, and look forward to next years OFW! For information regarding next year’s OFW, visit www.oaklandfashionweek.com! I look forward to seeing you at the next runway show!  Related Links:
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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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