by Noella Noelophile®
One month remained, and the clock was ticking.
A sunny Saturday afternoon in Torrance was filled with activity, as nonprofit yes4arts prepared for its second annual “Spring Fashion Show”.
Designers were choosing models for their creations. Models were rehearsing their “effortless” walk for the runway–in heels.
“Take your time, enjoy (the walk),” directed model manager Daniel Lazareno De Dios, as he taught the young women three different patterns.
In a matter of four weeks, four gifted designers would exhibit their handcrafted work, in a fashion show unlike any other. What people would see, on April 30th, would not only empower artists, but help to keep the fiber arts alive.
Yes4arts hosts its second annual “Spring Fashion Show” fundraiser on Saturday, April 30th in Torrance. Expect the show to change the way you look at knitting, crochet and sewing–quite possibly forever.
“The wedding dresses are going to be amazing, because it’s all crochet-made, and knitting,” said designer and Yes4arts founder Paula Bennett. “We have six (wedding dresses): white, and…black.”
Black wedding dresses? That’s a perfect example of the creativity and fun with which Paula, of Paula Crochet Fashions, passes on her expertise in fiber arts to the next generation of makers. Paula teaches free knitting, crochet and sewing classes through yes4arts, which became a nonprofit 501c3 in 2015. In return, all she asks is that her students share what they’ve learned, by teaching these arts to others.
Paula says the upcoming 2016 yes4arts Spring show will feature three young student designers’ work, in addition to her own creations.
And while those three designers all had a very different style, they shared one common denominator: excitement about the upcoming show.
“I’ve been designing since I was six years old, but I started my business when I was eight,” said student designer Armani Dolby. “I’m now fifteen, so that’s a long time.”
Armani’s business, Armani Nejor Designs, offers elegant and dramatic custom evening and bridal wear.
“I am a couture evening wear designer, and that’s not what a lot of people my age do,” Armani said. “I design for what I see my future self wearing.”
Her future self will look fantastic in this! When we spoke, Armani had just completed this dress, inspired by “The Great Gatsby”. By the time yes4arts’ show happens, Armani will have entered her glamorous creation in a competition in New York.
Meanwhile, designer Erika Acuna was selecting models to wear her colorful spring dresses. “I haven’t done anything like this (show) before,” said Erika. “I wanted to improve my skills, and also…challenge myself.”
Erika, who has been sewing since she was five, said she’d started by making doll dresses, but her skills really developed later on. “I started sewing again when I was, like, twenty,” she explained. “I just got kind of obsessed with it, was making costumes.”
We talked about the ways the show had helped Erika’ develop her sewing and design skills. “I never learned, exactly, how the professionals do it,” she said. “I was kind of watching YouTube videos and going online a lot, to figure out how different things are done.”
For yes4arts’ upcoming show, Erika’s designs are all dresses–mostly florals. . “Mostly, it’s just very bright, popping colors that caught my eye when I was looking for fabrics.”
While Erika says she’s having fun creating her designs, she isn’t sure yet if she wants to go professional. “I’ll just keep doing (this) and see where it takes me.”
Designer Cherokee Cooper said the Spring fashion show will be her first experience with yes4arts. “I’m really excited,” she said. “I know there’s going to be so much opportunity here, and I’m just willing to learn and continue on to grow….just help and participate.”
Cherokee, who wants to get into the fashion business, found yes4arts through a friend. She described her creations as an “urban Afro look”. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always been into the African-type theme designs,” she explained. “Now that I’m of age, I’m excited to come up with my own designs and make things my own.”
Among those designs she’s created for the yes4 arts show are “a dress, and a couple of shorts and top outfits, and one little jump suit. A lot of bright colors, so I’m really excited.”
Cherokee talked about the ways in which she’s grown, as an artist, since getting to work with yes4arts. “Because of Paula, I’m here. I’m a little anxious, a little nervous, but I’m just excited to be in the show. This is my first step, putting my work out there for people to see.”
Model manager Daniel Lazareno De Dios echoed that enthusiasm.
“This is actually my first year (volunteering for yes4arts), and I’m really excited to work with (Paula),” he said.
Daniel, who has an extensive background in dance, said he’d taught modeling for the past four years, and currently teaches in both Downey and Los Angeles.
“I’ve been teaching (modeling) since I was fifteen,” he explained. “I teach them how to pose (for) runway, I coach them how to pose on camera.”
His expertise had been evident, earlier that afternoon, as he patiently guided the models through various runway moves,
“My goal is, here, to open doors for myself and for others, and for my models too,” he said. “To promote the models and help them reach their dreams,…and help Paula too,…in anything I can.”
Yes4arts’ 2016 Spring Fashion Show fundraiser happens Saturday, April 30th, 2016 at Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Drive at Madrona, in Torrance. Doors open at 5 pm, with showtime at 6:30, and proceeds benefit yes4arts free art classes. Advance ticket prices are $20; here’s the link for information.