Academy of Couture Art gets a double take from Monaco, France!

From Monaco to Los Angeles, the Academy of Couture Art designers are causing a double take within the industry. Able to hold their own on the couture circuit, this June 23 at the Sofitel Hotel in Los Angeles (near Beverly Hills) the secret to haute couture and the Academy of Couture Art will be revealed. 

In Monaco, ACA designers presented a collection paired with red carpet couturier, Gilbert Chagoury Couture, at the Monaco Charity Film Festival held outdoors at the beautiful Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The designs went beyond expectations. 

Couture is not only a very specific and unique way of designing and making clothes, but it's also a way of viewing the world. What makes the Academy of Couture Art so distinct is how it weaves couture through all aspects of the fashion industry. If you stick only to tailoring in couture, you've most likely missed the point. 

So, what does it mean? Check it out! Le Rêve 2012 fashion show and gala by ACA tells the story of couture in perfect construction, design balance, mood of the collection, and special techniques to create magic in clothing from our graduating designers. You'll even find looks that push forward what you would expect at a department store or large retail boutiques. After all, it's about changing what we see everyday!

Be sure to see it before the press. For more on tickets visit www.CoutureShows.com

Majoring in chic at L.A.'s fashion schools

Majoring in chic at L.A.'s fashion schools

This LA Times article by Susan Carpenter is an interesting resource for anyone considering fashion schools especially in Los Angeles. For those questioning what Academy of Couture Art is doing different, check it out. Here’s an excerpt about the New Design College of Haute Couture.

…Located in a Wilshire Boulevard high-rise, the academy’s curriculum is focused entirely on French couture techniques for making clothes that are luxurious, hand-sewn and precisely fitted. Its associate and bachelor degree programs offer students choices in two areas of specialization — pattern making and fashion design.

“By offering degrees in the specialized professions, we train in how the industry actually works according to the division of labor,” Été says.

“Haute couture means highest creativity, highest technique,” adds Été, whose students have gone on to work with couturier Roberto de Villacis, Nolan Miller and Badgley Mischka. “We want to take a student to the couture level to teach them the thinking process, creativity and technique. If you study at the highest level, you can always trickle down to any level in the industry,” says Été, whose curriculum includes work with beading, feathers and furs as well as classes in business development, manufacturing collaboration and trend forecasting. …

French Couture for Ready-to-wear: Alumni

Academy of Couture Art (ACA) congratulates graduate Heidi AN as she takes a bold, confident step to build her own line in NYC.

Heidi’s journey since graduation was surprisingly an easy one for career opportunities. She was placed right away as Assistant Designer in Downtown Los Angeles with a starting salary of $800 weekly.

Most people are now probably thinking, sure, that’s because of the school’s network. Well, building a name in the industry goes beyond the school. That takes skills and rich, marketable creativity.

Right after she started her first job, Heidi presented a collection that was, well, ahead of its time. It kind of surprised her company. Having been to Premiere Vision in Paris with ACA she suggested that the Head Designer visit the show in NYC which was actually scheduled just a few weeks ahead. When the Head Designer returned, Heidi was right on spot and her salary showed it.

It didn’t take long before she was scouted by another company with immediate entry as Head Designer. This time her designs would reach Urban Outfitters and Forever 21.
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=22525695&navAction=jump&navCount

Being the best requires a lot of passion to endure the long hours, serious training to sustain creativity, eye for producing collection after collection with timeless “I’ve got to have it” quality, and a centeredness that is the sign of true leadership.

Heidi excelled in the industry and revealed a confidence in her art that gave her platform to move forward with her message to the world. This summer Heidi moved to NYC to begin her own line.

Academy of Couture Art congratulates you Heidi on this amazing journey and cheers you on as you transform fashion one collection at a time!

Couture makes for Exceptional Careers: Alumni

Having achieved her Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and a few quarters away from achieving her Bachelor of Science in Pattern Design (Pattern Making), Christina Manolescu embarks on a career that is “…beyond what I ever thought I would achieve.”

Last quarter she began working freelance as a pattern maker for several different design companies. Her first experience was with couturier Roberto De Villacis on a few garments that were made-to-measure for his fit model. “She was so stunned by the fit that she wanted to take the muslin cut home!” At the same time, Christina embarked on her first custom wedding gown, embroidery and all.

Next adventure in the industry, children’s wear. “This will be my first time to integrate the methods of modern haute couture, which is typically calculated for the woman, to children’s wear.” Easier than she thought, she introduced an elegant basic pattern block that the company had not yet developed to bring consistency in production. Her first project was the cutest little coat you can imagine. “I really like this kind of work. I can work when I want, where I want.”
Currently she is employed part-time in the company atelier and freelance in her studio creating patterns and leading consultations between fashion designer and seamstress for a local Parisian luxury leather clothing company.

Her first project brought in a few hundred dollars. The second one received reviews that were unimaginable a few years back when she transferred fashion colleges to specialize in modern haute couture practices. “Our seamstress, who has been over thirty years in the business, said that my pattern was the most elegant and simple to execute that she has ever seen.” This came on the same day that the owner, former fit model for the couture runways in Paris, tried on the muslin of her second project. “No fitting was needed, and I believe she’s keeping this one for herself. It cascaded down so elegantly; It was gorgeous!”

More projects are on the pattern table. Christina has just been approached to make custom garments for a lady with unique proportions. “Her size is bigger on top, making it challenging to find anything becoming for her type of figure.”

“I never thought I would be able to make pieces like crazy complex motorcycle jackets and custom garments to bring out the unique beauty in all. The techniques at Academy of Couture Art are so easy and so elegant. This is awesome! To the students, take lots of notes; this is your bread and butter.”

Academy of Couture Art Advanced Moulage receives special Parisian Haute Couture guest mentor: Guillaume Cardoso de Sousa

Academy of Couture Art – Pattern Designers (aka Pattern Makers and Custom Dressmakers) at Academy of Couture Art specialize in the modern techniques of construction from haute couture to mass market. Last Wednesday, January 5, 2011, Advanced Moulage (Draping) students received a special surprise for the start of their quarter. ACA Honorary Member, Guillaume Cardoso de Sousa, announces to the group that he will be mentor to the class.

Guillaume Cardoso de Sousa brings an exceptional background in Parisian haute couture. As a specialized graduate of draping from Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne he is an inspiration to those who pursue a similar journey at the U.S. Fashion Institute of Haute Couture, Academy of Couture Art. Guillaume has worked for Dior Haute Couture, Balenciaga, Kenzo and other great designers. He is currently aligned with fashion designer to the stars, Kevan Hall.

His greeting last Wednesday briefly touched on the collaborations and lectures to come with discussion on the various ways to approach pattern designing on a fitted body and the differences between fashion industries in the U.S. and Paris.

Last February 2010, Guillaume made a formal presentation to the Academy of Couture Art community about what it takes to perform with the greats as well as the difference in pursuing fashion design education in Paris where it is necessary to find a design entity sponsor for whom he could work as an apprentice for his education.

A key message, that he imparts to all aspiring and emerging designers, is displayed through his modest and respectful demeanor; to be a professional success requires dedication, punctuality, hours beyond the clock in clock out to ensure that work is done at its best, not getting involved with ego clashes, having eyes in the back of your head to learn from all, and the ability to solve problems and innovate solutions quickly.

Guillaume’s encouragement and positivity left all present full of knowledge towards a better way to think of apparel creation. Look forward to the collaborations to come.
For more information contact Academy of Couture Art at (310) 360-8888 or online at http://www.academyofcoutureart.edu/.

Haute Couture Celebrated by Royals & Celebrities: Los Angeles

In a stunning display of fine Haute Couture collections, the Academy of Couture Art hosted a première Haute Couture fashion show last Saturday July 24th at the Sofitel Los Angeles. With one-of-a-kind garments expressing creative sophistication, refinement and elegance, designers amazed the celebrity filled ballroom at the grand gala.

Hosted by Viviana Vigil of NBC’s 1st look, the extravagant evening included a performance from the Red Violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn as well as celebrity attendees including: Max Ryan, Scott Elrod, "Bachelorette" Ali Fedotowsky, "Bachelorette" producer Cassie Lambert, world renowned pianist Carter Larsten, Jake Collins, Mason Canter, Marc Chamberlain, ABC's "On The Red Carpet" Bruce Reynolds, NYPD Blue's Charlotte Ross, former supermodel Elizabeth TenHouten, Baronesse Bettina von Schimmelmann, Consul General Daniel Kumermann of the Czech Republic; Deputy Consul General Iris Valverde of Peru.

This was also a royal occasion honoring Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark. Princess Dalal Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia was also in attendance. Baroness Kimberly Moore, stunning in her Roberto Cavalli original, presented the award for Miss Teen Couture to one young aspiring designer. The stunning PK Applegate looked ravishing in her slate grey silk J. Mendel original gown sat next to the irrepressible stylist to the stars and Editor at Large for GenLux Magazine George Blodwell .It was truly an amazing audience as Countess Michelle Czernin Von Chudenitz remarked, “I believe this is one of the first events where every single "celebrity" on the tip sheet attended!”

The show was as remarkable as the audience. Phenomenal garments graced the runway in collections that highlighted the talent of Academy of Couture Art graduates and members of the pre-college Teen Couture Club. Conveying the essence, principles, and concepts of Haute Couture, Academy of Couture Art designers’ collections exuded beauty, elegance, perfection, and uniqueness.The couture show all but started concurrent with the arrival of leading Couturier Lloyd Klein and John Arguelles, and the collections gained much applause and attention from the high-profile audience.

The models looked remarkable with hair by celebrity stylist Sean James; and the make-up by Madonna and Gisele Bunchen's celebrity artists Tiffany Saxby and Gina Brooke.


The event, produced by Eva Di Shanni of Fabulous, was a grand success. The talented designers of the Academy of Couture Art impressed the high-profile audience in a show that paves the way for making waves in fashion.

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