Aidah Collection News // fashion

Aidah Collection News & Press
Get to know us through these insightful videos, photos & articles - media@aidah.com

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.

Posted 1 year ago

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

(Source: aidahstyle.blogspot.com)

Posted 1 year ago

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

(Source: the360mag.com)

Posted 1 year ago

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

Posted 1 year ago

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

Posted 1 year ago

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

Posted 1 year ago

Aidah Collection Maternity featured in Bellyitch Blog

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

(Source: bellyitchblog.com)

Posted 1 year ago

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

Like Us / Follow Us / Watch Us!
Facebook.com/aidahcollection
Twitter.com/aidahcollection
YouTube.com/aidahcollection