John David Collection

Save & Share

	Share on Facebook

Miami FASHIONscape

April 14, 2009
Delano Hotel
Miami Beach, FL

Review by Chaunielle Brown
Photos by Logan Fazio

This year GenArt – the leading arts and entertainment organization -- selected Miami for its sixth annual fashion event. The edgy inaugural Miami FASHIONscape replaced its Fresh Faces of Fashion show that introduces new fashion designers.

Like something out of a fairytale, guests stepped through the looking glass and into Miami FASHIONscape’s wonderland where two of the hottest new fashion designers presented their creations in live theatrical sets.

The eclectic evening spotlighted two of Miami’s up and coming fashion designers, Claudia Estrada and John D. Schoemann, who were chosen by GenArt’s Fashion Department in New York. This year’s spectacle also integrated the work of David Glass, set designer extraordinaire. He worked with each designer to create live vignettes that would reflect the emotion of their designs. The dramatic sets with live models posing as mannequins also let the audience in for a closer view.

This year’s spectacle also integrated the work of David Glass, set designer extraordinaire. He worked with each designer to create live vignettes that would reflect the emotion of their designs.

Claudiae model

       Ecuadorian native Claudia Estrada, creator of the label Claudiae, is known for enhancing a woman’s beauty with feminine fabrics and colors. A graduate of Miami International University, Estrada presented fresh bright hues in soft silky fabrics on live models dressed as geishas who graced the Japanese-themed English tea party setting, complete with Wagasas (traditional Japanese umbrellas); tables covered with candles and teatime arrangements, while cherry blossom flowers swayed through the trees.

       A former fashion stylist, John D. Schoemann is a designer for the John David Collection. The cuts and tailoring of his designs are retro-1980s. The geometrically fused vignette served as a live photo shoot with fashion photographer Mario Alfonso de Armas.

       The evening was a series of mini intermissions; when the 20-minute vignette sessions paused for dress change, the social crowd took over. The sounds of DJ Ryan Evans echoed through the imaginative garden-like framework which circled the Delano’s pool area, cleverly decorated with an ornately framed mirror propped on a slant against a tree, along with the wonderland-like mad hatter chair.

A model for Claudiae prepares backstage

Once again, GenArt succeeded in fulfilling its commitment to the emerging talent with its fusion of fashion and art. Over the years, GenArt’s Fresh Faces shows – the predecessor of FASHIONscape – have launched fashion designers such as Zac Posen, Vena Cava and Rebecca Taylor to name just a few.

Do you love fashion? Twitter Us