Aidah Collection News

On November 9, 2011, Merin Guthrie and Emma Fischer of Birds of...

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 22:52:51 -0500

On November 9, 2011, Merin Guthrie and Emma Fischer of Birds of a Pleather brought together 9 panelists who are catalysts for a bigger and better DC fashion community (read more about The Future of DC Fashion panel). I was lucky enough to be chosen as a panelist. Here are my post-panel thoughts on where the industry is going and what we can do to help grow it.

Let me start by saying how excited I was to participate! I love what Washington DC has to offer, we house so much local talent and wealthiest counties in the nation. So why aren’t we a fashion capitol? I didn’t know exactly what to expect from the other panelists, but knew I wanted make the voice of local designers heard as best I could.

My perspective: I love the glamour of fashion. The shows, photo shoots and press coverage are all so much fun and fulfilling. It is a completely image driven (and somewhat vain) industry in which aesthetics are most important. So, I understandably put great effort into building an image for my brand. But ultimately there will be no brand if there’s not enough sales to fund it.

A panelist mentioned that designers tend to get stuck in a creative bubble and lose site of business. I agree, however, that bubble is necessary, we have to be inspired and focused in order to create. So how do I find balance?

Reality check, head out of the clouds, bubble burst, etc…

I wear many hats, as do all entrepreneurs, and it can be hard to accept that some things slip between the cracks. It took a certain amount of humility to publicly air my weaknesses, but I decided to “get real” and take advantage of the resources present. So on behalf of local designers, I shared some of my frustrations, like manufacturing and sales support.

Briefly I became discouraged at the reminder of just how hard this business is (sigh). But was uplifted by Christine Brooks-Cropper’s (of the GWFCC) recognition that what we need most is the infrastructure to support an industry and great programs like the Fashion Incubator is making that happen. (Yay!)

It was nice to put faces to familiar names, I learned so much from each of the panelists. There was a genuine sense of camaraderie, we all had suggestions on how to keep our network connected. I left feeling motivated, but keeping in mind that in order to continue our forward motion we must stay connected and in the collaborative spirit.

This post appears on Birds of a Pleather

#dcfashion @dcweek @DCRESIDENCE @ejfass @AlisonBeshai @jaculberson @xoDVF @refinery29 @CapFABB @LacePerspective @gwfcc @hollyt81 s @jaculberson @CapFABB @marquisperkins

Aidah at SHIFT: The Future of #DCFashion with Christine...

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:46:05 -0500

Aidah at SHIFT: The Future of #DCFashion with Christine Brooks-Cropper, President of Greater Washington Chamber of Commerce and Desiree Von Frederic of Fashion Empowering Women

Model wearing the Debra Dress from the #Fall2011 Collection

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:20:05 -0500

Model wearing the Debra Dress from the #Fall2011 Collection

Aidah Fontenot makes a few adjustments behind the scenes at...

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:31:05 -0500

Aidah Fontenot makes a few adjustments behind the scenes at Aidah Collection photo shoot. April 2011

Designer Aidah Fontenot of Aidah Collection with designers ...

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:31:06 -0500

Designer Aidah Fontenot of Aidah Collection with designers Tashia Senn-Jones and Afua Sam at Pink Rocks the Runway on October 21st.

@pinkrocksrunway

MUA Felicia prepping model @ZiggyMonstaa for a shoot with ...

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:20:06 -0500

MUA Felicia prepping model @ZiggyMonstaa for a shoot with @jatiphoto and Charlene Brown Hair

Swimsuits by Aidah Collection featured in @360Magazine Fall...

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:20:06 -0500

Swimsuits by Aidah Collection featured in @360Magazine Fall 2011 Fashion Issue. Styled by @Apuje

Designer Aidah Fontenot with Kate Michael and Kate-Marie...

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:05:05 -0500

Designer Aidah Fontenot with Kate Michael and Kate-Marie Grinold at Pink Rocks the Runway. Photo by Vithaya Phongsaven

@pinkjamsdc @pinkrockstherunway @kstreetkate @KMGrinold

Model Monica Scott Hayes in Aidah Collection maternity wear...

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:06:05 -0500

Model Monica Scott Hayes in Aidah Collection maternity wear together with designer Aidah Fontenot at Baby Bash & Bling Expo on October 22.

Aidah Fontenot of Aidah Collection poses with Lauren Tenney, Sue...

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 14:06:05 -0400

Aidah Fontenot of Aidah Collection poses with Lauren Tenney, Sue T. Lawhorn, Souny West, Aidah Fontenot and Deejay Neekola of INK Cosmetics and W Salon at the Aidah Collection 3rd Annual Fashion Show May 2011.

wsalonva.com http://www.inkcosmetics.com

Designer Aidah Fontenot at event sponsored by Capitol File...

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:56:13 -0400

Designer Aidah Fontenot at event sponsored by Capitol File Magazine. May 2011

Photo by Vithaya Phongsaven

October 21, 2011 - Designer Aidah Fontenot with model Nora...

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:05:06 -0400

October 21, 2011 - Designer Aidah Fontenot with model Nora Sommerkamp and designer Afua Sam at Pink Rocks the Runway. @aidahcollection @dmaxsi @pinkjamsdc @pinkrockstherunway @NoraSo

Aidah Collection Maternity featured in Bellyitch Blog

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 12:05:05 -0400

Designer Aidah Fontenot (r) with a model in one of her maternity designs for Aidah’s Collection
I discovered Aidah Fontenot showing off her versatile collection of eco-friendly designs made up of 95% all natural materials during the “Bump the Runway” show at the Baby Bash & Bling Expo and Show in the DC area last weekend.
Fontenot, who has been sewing her own clothes since junior high, started her line in 2008. What unifies it is her designer signature emblem that appears on each piece. The DC-area based designer said she decided to make maternity clothes out of necessity.
“It started out of a personal need,” Fontenot told Bellyitch. “I had a son about 16 months ago and I was wearing my collection as I always do and as my belly grew, I was able to keep wearing my collection.
“The designs are loose fitting and wrap around with a belt or tie and some of the material folds.”
Gabrielle Union in an Aidah gown After the models paraded her designs on the runway, Aidah explained that the clothes are met to grow with you as your belly grows and can be worn after the pregnancy. Now that is versatility. She said eventually her collection will be 100% organic.
“Aidah Collection’s ethical mission is to empower women and protect the environment through the support of charitable organizations and artists,” Fontenot writes on her site.
Since launch, Fontenot has gotten tremendous amount of positive feedback including from actress Gabrielle Union who chose to wear one of Fontenot’s dresses to a red carpet event benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation in 2010.
The clothes are made to order and can be found on the Aidah website: www.aidah.com

"Aidah represents something that we really need here in the District of Columbia: Local fashion..."

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:48:30 -0400

““Aidah represents something that we really need here in the District of Columbia: Local fashion designers that really want to put this city on the map for fashion and sophistication. Something that I really enjoy seeing and something I hope we see more of in the future” . Kate Michael, Aidah Collection Brand Ambassador”

Aidah Collection Spring 2012 Runway Preview at DC FASHION WEEK...

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:52:55 -0400

Aidah Collection Spring 2012 Runway Preview
at DC FASHION WEEK Eco Fashion Show & Official Kickoff Reception

Monday September 19
… 6:00pm (runway at 7pm)
Perkins + Will Building
1250 24th Street NW DC (Foggy Bottom)

Free Admission - RSVP Required to rsvp@aidah.com

Aidah Collection is an ethical, eco-chic line inspired by the beauty of nature within urban existence. Each handmade garment is brushed in Aidah’s signature gold emblem, creating a limited couture collection. The style is versatile and unique, with designs that fit by wrapping or tying.

The Spring 2012 Collection, in shades of mauve, taupe and turquoise, is inspired by the desert hills of the Aidah’s native San Diego. The style is bohemian chic with dresses, shorts, blouses and accessories in richly colored cotton.

Aidah Collection’s ethical green mission is to empower women and protect the environment through the support of charitable organizations and artists. The collection is handmade with 100% natural or recycled materials.

Since it’s launch in Spring 2008, Aidah Collection has become one of Washington DC’s premier fashion designers & a red carpet choice of actress Gabrielle Union. National & local press includes: Essence Magazine, Media Take Out, Washington Post, Life Magazine, The Examiner, Georgetowner, WUSA9, CW Network, Washingtonian, Council Magazine, MetroMix, NBC, On Tap Magazine, The Scene Bisnow.

For more information about Aidah Collection visit www.aidah.com
For more information about DCFASHIONWEEK visit www.dcfashionweek.org

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Aidah Collection Fall 2011 Advertisement for Council...

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:00:05 -0400

Aidah Collection Fall 2011 Advertisement for Council Magazine.

Model Janine Clay wearing the Maison Dress

May 2011 Camelia Mazard with Aidah Fontenot at Aidah...

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:02:27 -0400

May 2011

Camelia Mazard with Aidah Fontenot at Aidah Collection’s 3rd Anniversary Runway Show & Benefit.

Photo by Yulia Mikhalchuk

Published by The Georgetowner

2010 - “Dirty Female” music video by DJ Neekola,...

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:07:05 -0400

2010 - “Dirty Female” music video by DJ Neekola, featuring dresses by Aidah Collection

Aidah Collection 2009 Feature in On Tap Magazine

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:17:00 -0400

2009
Confident, Unique, Sexy: Aidah Collection

Aidah Fontenot dishes on where her versatile collection and muse will take her

written by Kristina Hernandez

Transplanted California girl Aidah Fontenot imports the sunshine and bright colors from the West Coast into her beautiful and versatile collections. She’s been making her own clothes since grade school and now has her own D.C.-based fashion line. With her dazzling smile and engaging personality Aidah embodies her tagline: be unique, be confident, be sexy. She makes each piece individually to order and hand paints her signature design onto the clothes, giving her clients something different and beautiful every time.

On Tap: Describe the concept of your designs.
Aidah: I want every woman, no matter what her size or shape is - I make everything from petite to plus size - to feel confident and to feel sexy in what they are wearing. I want it to be effortless. I use stretch fabrics, my clothes are super comfortable, easy to dress up or dress down.

OT: What inspires you?
Aidah: Everything I do is inspired by nature and natural elements. When I moved here from San Diego it was kind of a culture shock for me since it’s so urban here, it’s not the beach, so my expression changed when I came here . It’s now a balance of the natural and the urban chic.

OT: What is unique about your collections?
Aidah: All of my patterns and designs are simple. I just pay attention to the way a woman is shaped. The woman makes the clothes rather than the clothes making the woman.

OT: Have your designs been influenced by the recession?
Aidah: It isn’t particularly because of the recession, but I think a lot of designers over-price their clothing, so my dresses and other clothes are very reasonably priced to stay competitive. To be able to dress the everyday woman is my philosophy.

OT: Favorite item in your own closet?
Aidah: The Brooke dress from my collection because it’s extremely versatile. I wear it around the house and then I can just put on a belt and heels and I’m out the door.

OT: Who would you want to dress if you had the chance?
Aidah: Michelle Obama! I thought since she’s the First Lady, she’d be conservative and not want to wear my stuff, but it would go so perfectly on her and fit her so perfectly.

OT: Where will your collections to be in the next few years?
Aidah: I’m now working on my men’s collection. It will be available in the fall and will be loungewear for men: turtlenecks, t-shirts, lounge pants.

Trunk Sale at Flash Market

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:41:50 -0400

Flash Market: A Pop-up Extravagana
hosted by Hillyer Art Space

Saturday August 13th :: 12pm-4pm
at Hillyer Art Space - 9 Hillyer Court NW DC (in the alley)
(Walk from Dupont Circle Metro)

Join Aidah Collection and other local fashion and jewelry designers for a fabulous Summer Trunk Sale with mimosas, cupcakes and a mini-runway show!

Here’s your chance to view and shop the new
Floral Accessories Collection
of handmade brooches and rings and tote bags

Aidah Collection’s floral accessories are the definition of eco-chic style. Remnant fabric is recycled and shaped into petals, handcrafted into a flower, and centered with a coordinating button. These brooches and rings are the perfect way to flaunt your beloved florals and feel unique, as no two can ever be made exactly alike!

RSVP on FACEBOOK

For more details about the event contact Samantha May, Director at Hillyer Art Space (202) 338-0680. Hillyer Art Space is a contemporary exhibition site dedicated to serving the public with quality exhibitions and programming. Established in April 2006, HAS is a program of International Arts & Artists, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally.