Current mood:
ecstatic
Passion for fashion
By Natalia Montemayor
Issue date: 2/9/07 Section: Back Page
Originally published: 2/8/07 at 12:46 PM CST
Last update: 2/8/07 at 4:07 PM CST
Aspiring fashion designer and liberal arts sophomore Jane Valadez is so passionate about her work, she literally loses sleep over it.
"Everybody freaks out when they see my room because it is also where I make my clothing," Valadez said. "I am sleeping on piles of fabrics."
The 23-year-old graduate of John F. Kennedy High School is in the process of building a portfolio to submit to the University of North Texas, which offers a program in fashion design.
"I want to be able to earn my degree in fashion design and bring my knowledge back to the San Antonio scene, get something started here," Valadez said.
The scene was lively on the evening of Jan. 28, as an audience of nearly 100 waited for Valadez to bring her portfolio to life in a fashion show.
The show was at the popular Ruta Maya Riverwalk Coffee House, part of the Sun Arts Sunday Series.
Rod C. Stryker is the chairman of the Sun Arts Foundation, which was established in 1994 and sponsored the fashion show.
"When Ruta Maya opened up, they wanted to hold various art events and asked if I would bring in different artists," Stryker said.
"That is how Sun Arts Sunday began; every last Sunday of the month a different event related to the arts is held here at Ruta Maya," Stryker added.
Stryker, a native of Long Island, N.Y., said that Sun Arts Sunday has featured everything from art exhibits to poetry readings, but never a fashion show.
"When Jane approached me about holding a fashion show, I was excited and saw that she was determined to display her creativity," Stryker said.
"I believe San Antonio has untapped talent, and I want to help these individuals gain exposure," Stryker added.
As the show began, Stryker introduced Valadez and her label, 1983 Baby Jane, named after the designer's year of birth and childhood nickname.
The fashion show featured 18 retro-inspired dresses, ranging from the classic little black dress to a psychedelic patterned cocktail number.
"I like to mix different eras, the ladylike styles of the 1950s and the flash of the 1980s," Valadez said.
This fusion of two distinctly different styles is what Valadez calls "sophistafunk."
"I really like funky styles, but I also like to see femininity in my designs," Valadez added.
The audience cheered as the models proudly strutted their stuff, not aware of the backstage chaos that is typical in fashion shows.
"There were tears, yelling and attitude," Valadez said.
"The entire weekend, I was unable to go to sleep because there was so much that had to be done," she added.
Valadez said that there were a couple of last-minute outfits made in the bathroom by Nelda Hyde, another designer.
"Putting on any kind of show would be hectic, but we tried not to let the anxiety get to us by working as a team to get the pieces shown," Hyde said in an e-mail.
"Before the show, I really didn't know Nelda, but she ended up being my biggest help," Valadez said.
Valadez added that one of her models was involved in a car accident the day before the show and that a couple of outfits were not used.
"We had to compromise everything, and the entire day, I was running around in my gold heels like a track star," Valadez said.
Despite all of the setbacks Valadez encountered, she learned that her work was appreciated.
"The feedback I got was ridiculous," she said. "I already have 12 orders lined up, and guys are asking me if I make clothes for them."
Valadez said she plans to make a men's line in the future, after she catches up on some much-needed sleep
"Everybody freaks out when they see my room because it is also where I make my clothing," Valadez said. "I am sleeping on piles of fabrics."
The 23-year-old graduate of John F. Kennedy High School is in the process of building a portfolio to submit to the University of North Texas, which offers a program in fashion design.
"I want to be able to earn my degree in fashion design and bring my knowledge back to the San Antonio scene, get something started here," Valadez said.
The scene was lively on the evening of Jan. 28, as an audience of nearly 100 waited for Valadez to bring her portfolio to life in a fashion show.
The show was at the popular Ruta Maya Riverwalk Coffee House, part of the Sun Arts Sunday Series.
Rod C. Stryker is the chairman of the Sun Arts Foundation, which was established in 1994 and sponsored the fashion show.
"When Ruta Maya opened up, they wanted to hold various art events and asked if I would bring in different artists," Stryker said.
"That is how Sun Arts Sunday began; every last Sunday of the month a different event related to the arts is held here at Ruta Maya," Stryker added.
Stryker, a native of Long Island, N.Y., said that Sun Arts Sunday has featured everything from art exhibits to poetry readings, but never a fashion show.
"When Jane approached me about holding a fashion show, I was excited and saw that she was determined to display her creativity," Stryker said.
"I believe San Antonio has untapped talent, and I want to help these individuals gain exposure," Stryker added.
As the show began, Stryker introduced Valadez and her label, 1983 Baby Jane, named after the designer's year of birth and childhood nickname.
The fashion show featured 18 retro-inspired dresses, ranging from the classic little black dress to a psychedelic patterned cocktail number.
"I like to mix different eras, the ladylike styles of the 1950s and the flash of the 1980s," Valadez said.
This fusion of two distinctly different styles is what Valadez calls "sophistafunk."
"I really like funky styles, but I also like to see femininity in my designs," Valadez added.
The audience cheered as the models proudly strutted their stuff, not aware of the backstage chaos that is typical in fashion shows.
"There were tears, yelling and attitude," Valadez said.
"The entire weekend, I was unable to go to sleep because there was so much that had to be done," she added.
Valadez said that there were a couple of last-minute outfits made in the bathroom by Nelda Hyde, another designer.
"Putting on any kind of show would be hectic, but we tried not to let the anxiety get to us by working as a team to get the pieces shown," Hyde said in an e-mail.
"Before the show, I really didn't know Nelda, but she ended up being my biggest help," Valadez said.
Valadez added that one of her models was involved in a car accident the day before the show and that a couple of outfits were not used.
"We had to compromise everything, and the entire day, I was running around in my gold heels like a track star," Valadez said.
Despite all of the setbacks Valadez encountered, she learned that her work was appreciated.
"The feedback I got was ridiculous," she said. "I already have 12 orders lined up, and guys are asking me if I make clothes for them."
Valadez said she plans to make a men's line in the future, after she catches up on some much-needed sleep