fusioning. pre-show interwiew with Jimmy

(backstage at "the TRESSEMME" hair salon room")



Well, I am Zaida Adriana Goveo Balmaseda (yeah, all that!) and I participated in the Fusion Fashion Show Design Competition between FIT and Parsons on 2008.
I just thought I'd share my experience with you because it was AMAZING! It was a LOT of hard work and hours of dedication, but being passionate about it made it all so much fun.

This is my pre-show interview with JIMMY(the show organizer):

School and Year:

Fashion Institute of Technology! Second Semester, freshman

Hometown:
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Age: 18

What is fashion to you?
Fashion is art, wearable art. Fashion to me has a special significance-Its what allows me to create pieces that can make other people feel like I felt when my mom dressed me up as a princess. Sometimes the way you dress expresses a mood. It’s the expressive creation of the designer, a shout of intellect! A dress is a decoration, and a ploy to gracious seduction, a tease towards creative talent. It is ART, a madness that illuminates the significance of being a lady. It is a study and a trace of history; it’s a celebration of family heirlooms and traditions. Fashion is part of Culture; it is part of you and me!

Describe your collection:
My collection is called zephyr! It is a light, gentle wind... its origin comes from a personification of Greek God of the west wind zephuros...I was inspired by the WIND.
The wind that dances around us has a little bit of everything, and everyone, and the Elements of nature inspirit me every day. There is a lovely song called “colors of the wind” by Stephen Shwarts that talks about how we should treasure, love and respect the world around us and embrace that we are one with it.

“… I know every rock and tree and creature
Has a life, has a spirit, has a name

-And we are all connected to each other
In a circle, in a hoop that never ends

-For whether we are white or copper skinned
We need to sing with all the voices of the mountains
We need to paint with all the colors of the wind

-Come roll in all the riches all around you
And for once, never wonder what they're worth…

-You can own the Earth and still
All you'll own is Earth until
You can paint with all the colors of the wind”

Every dress has incredible luminosity; giving us a sense of enchantment with multicolored hand dyed silk satin bodices, while Nude, flowing, weightless skirts celebrate different skin tones. I tried to experiment with shapes and volume to create ethereal, organic and delicate (almost couture, one of a kind-pieces) that have a personality of their own, just like we all do.

What about Fusion are you most excited about?
Everything, everything absolutely everything! I am excited because I’ve been making new friends that share this fascination (and that are passionate enough to spend their whole winter break SEWING), seeing how your vision comes together and you create amazing works of art, THE CHALLENGE…and of course… the moment of truth; when you FINALLY see all your models walking on the runway. WHOA! I am so happy that we get to expose what we have without boundaries, without labels… being genuine, ourselves, wholly! ....


Watch out for more fusion posts... cause' they will be here!