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Junda Morris-Kennedy

Introducing The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI)

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A little over a year ago, I had the honor of serving as the Director of Operations for the first ever Fashion Week in the City of Dayton; like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland have been doing for years…it was now the Gem City’s turn to take its position in the International Fashion Spotlight.  From day one it was an uphill battle getting Dayton Fashion Week off of the ground, the Founder and owner of DFW Junda Morris-Kennedy of JMK Production was new to the area,  she didn’t have any local connections, and the idea of a fashion week was a completely new concept to the Miami Valley area.

As someone who was familiar with the fashion industry from a modeling perspective and a cheerleader for the City of Dayton, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this ground breaking and I reached out to the founder and after a brief meeting with her, I jumped in with both feet and started spreading the word within my various community based circles that fashion finally had a platform in Dayton. And soon after an entire new community emerged, the area in general began to recognize the talent that was here, and individual success stories began to surface.

However, in the days and weeks leading up to and immediately following the first DFW, questions started being raised and cracks began to show all surrounding DFW’s Founder.   I along with others associated with DFW attempted to address our concerns with the owner and seek out answers from her as well but our concerns were ignored and our questions went unanswered.  Never one to compromise my ethics, in September I resigned as the Director of Operations for Dayton Fashion Week–and soon after, so did others.  I initially kept my departure quiet not wanting to cast any dark clouds over the local fashion community; but as sponsors, media, models, photographers, and designers continued to reach out to me for answers regarding DFW  and  sought my support it became apparent that not only did I need to make my departure public but it was also clear that the demand for a fashion outlet and venue in the area was still present.

After meeting with others who were associated with DFW last year, I was urged to create a new fashion based organization and soon the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) was born!  Consisting of over 30 local and national media personalities, business owners, fashion experts, and those who just want to be a part of a positive, transparent, and professional organization; and we’re excited about the opportunity to bring a new fashion outlet to the city of Dayton!!!  The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator also known as (DE-FI)’s main goal is to build a solid foundation for the fashion industry to grow on building a viable and economically successful market in the Miami Valley.  Modeled after the Fashion Incubators in Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, (DE-FI) is partnering with TIME Magazine recognized Midwest Fashion Week, Dayton Most Metro, Joli Boutique, Sew Dayton, Shuttereye Photography, Studio Dayton, and UnZip the Runway Designer Competition.

(DE-FI) launched in February 2013 and is planning to host 2 intimate fashion events this year starting with an Official Launch Party July 13, 2013 at SunWatch Indian Village.  This event will serve as an opportunity to mix, mingle, and network with some of the area’s top professionals, community leaders, and fashion lovers from all over.  Complete with an official introduction of the DE-FI team and designers that have been selected into the Incubator; the Launch Party will also feature a fashion show featuring local and nationally known established designers who will be prepared to take special orders on all of their designs.

In preparation for the Launch Party, the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) will be hosting 2 Casting Calls for models on Saturday March 23 and April 20 from 2p-4p at Studio Dayton located at 1001 E. 2nd St., Dayton, OH 45402 in Bldg 100, Entrance B-C in Suite 3220.   The Casting Call is open to male and female models ages 4 and up. (NOTE: Models under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.)  All applicants must bring (2) images (1) Head shot and (1) full body shot; photos DO NOT need to be professional.  All models must bring with them an application which can be found on the website Adult models should come dressed in fitted attire flattering for your body type. Female models must bring a pair of 3″ heels to walk the runway in.  Models under the age of 18 should wear age appropriate attire.  There will also be scouts from UnZip the Runway in attendance as well.  For more information on (DE-FI)  and to download your application please visit our website.

 

The Anatomy of Dayton Fashion Week: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Part 1)

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Lawd a mercy…where do I even start??  When I first heard that someone was trying to bring a Fashion Week to Dayton in September of 2011, I immediately got excited and went to work on trying to find out who this Junda Morris-Kennedy person was, I called, I wrote, I googled, I Facebooked, pretty much I stalked her until she finally responded!!  I offered my assistance thinking that this Dayton Fashion Week thing was just going to be a cute little fashion show—BOY WAS I WRONG because This “Dayton Fashion Week Thing” turned out to be an International Fashion Spectacular that can only be summed up into three categories:  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly…of course there was more Good than anything else.(que Ennio Morricone please)

The Good

The Friendships: Excuse me while I get a little teary eye’d  and sappy but in the course of the past 10 months I had the opportunity to meet some of the most wonderful people and even better we became more than friends we became a family.

To the models, I want you to know how much I love and respect each and every one of you! As a former model myself, I set out to do for all of you the things that I wish I had accomplished in my career!  Modeling isn’t an easy career to break into and all too often your hard work, passion, and dedication are dismissed and go unappreciated because you are “just a blank slate” and I want you to know that you are more than that. From the very first calls that we made to you after the casting calls and hearing your excitement and even tears of joy made me feel like a Fairy Godmother making a dream come true. And every event thereafter you went out and represented Dayton Fashion Week and let the whole world know that we had officially arrived on the Fashion Scene.

To the designers, WOW is all that I know to say!!  Actually Wow and Thank You!  It wasn’t an easy process finding designers to be a part of the first year of Dayton Fashion Week.  I remember sitting at Junda’s house going over plans for the casting call and being really worried about the lack of commitments that we had from designers and doubting whether or not we could go on as planned with DFW.  But in true DFW style we continued to reach out and slowly but surely you all answered the call, stepping out on Faith and risking your names and reputations to be a part of this Inaugural event.  To say that I was  blown away by your presentations throughout the week would be the understatement of the century!  Your drive and push to make this event the success that it was will never be forgotten.  I’ll be hitting some of you up soon for my custom orders!!

To the Photography team, Lamar Pacely, Robert Coyle, Pete Bradow, Krissy Mills, Cj Kim, and Cliff Fennell, I don’t know very many if any photographers let alone photographers as talented as you all are, who are willing to give up so much of their time voluntarily. You rose to the occasion with each phone call and yes even the last minute cover shoot calls!! If a picture tells a thousand words then your efforts made it a thousand and one!

To the Hair and Makeup Team— Great job Angelica Ross DFW’s Creative Director of Cosmetics, Elite Hair Academy, Stacia McVey, and The Hair Gallery.  McKinnley Pierre of Inside Couture said it best, “Dayton Fashion Week’s Hair and Makeup team was better than any such teams that I’ve seen in Miami Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and L.A. Fashion Week, so my hat’s off to them.”  What more can I say?

To Maha Kashani—thank you so much for welcoming me to your hood!! lol   From the very moment that I contacted you about DFW. You jumped on board and worked your butt off to make sure that this event was a success. You are Dayton, you are the bomb, you are the best, you are amazing, you are fabulous, and all of the positive adjectives that you can name but most importantly you are my friend.  Without you and your work there wouldn’t be a Dayton Fashion Week.

To Junda Morris-Kennedy—We did it!!  This was not an easy journey, we climbed up the rough side of the mountain together and I’m honored to call you more than a friend you are my sister.  We put in countless hours in planning, we worked together, cried together, we even disagreed a couple of times, and when push came to shove…we always had each others back and like real sisters we toughed it out, stepped out on faith, kept God first, and kept on climbing to the top of that mountain.  Thank you so much for taking me under your wing and teaching me another side of the industry, for believing in me, and allowing me to be a part of a positive event for the city I love!  I love you from the bottom of my heart.

The Bad

In the days and weeks leading up to Dayton Fashion Week we were rocked by a series of tragedies that shook us to the core.  Junda suffered the loss of several family members back to back and 6 days before the Kickoff to Dayton Fashion Week on July 18 at the age of 37, Junda suffered a stroke.  I was thrown into the leadership position and was faced with answering a challenging question…Will DFW continue? Not knowing all of the details of the business end of things, I called a last minute emergency meeting that was opened with prayer led by DFW Event Manager Cindy Gaboury and the number of people that showed up and the outpouring of support I received gave me the strength to go on and reaffirmed that cancellation WAS NOT AN OPTION!!

On Friday July 20, DFW’s Executive Producer and MTV’s Made Coach Kyle Haggerty, called his best friend to pick him up to take him to the airport to fly into Dayton and help with Dayton Fashion Week’s preparations. The weather was bad that day and his friend never arrived because he had been killed in a car accident on his way to pick up Kyle leaving him completely devastated and cancelling his trip to be a aprt of DFW.

On Sunday July 22, our Director of Public Relations Tamieka Kent had to step down from her DFW duties when she received a phone call requiring her to leave town to be at her mother’s side who had emergency open heart surgery.

The Ugly

I’ll keep this short,in the days leading up to DFW and when Dayton Fashion Week was struggling to survive after being rocked by back to back to back tragedies there were attempts made to kick us when we were down by those who we bent over backwards for the most to help and accommodate.  Did I mention those were FAILED ATTEMPTS??

Back To The Good

Surely you didn’t think that I was going to let the ugly outshine the good right?  As McKinnely Pierre the Executive Producer of Inside Couture told me when he called to check on me the other day.  “Don’t let a couple of barking dogs steal your joy, especially when you have hundreds of silent ones standing behind you who have your back”. This is only the beginning  and you know my motto Dayton Fashion Week #ItJustKeepsGettinBetter 2013 here we come!!  News Flash WE ALREADY HAVE DESIGNERS FROM BRAZIL, LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA, INDIA, JAMAICA, AND YES DAYTON GETTING READY FOR 2013

Stay tuned for Part 2 and be sure to check out our Facebook Page to see all of the wonderful images captured by Dayton Fashion Weeks Photographers at Facebook.com/daytonfashion.

Dayton Fashion Week’s Salute To The Troops!

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Dayton Fashion Week will be debuting a fashion/lifestyle magazine magazine in July–though it will be geared and promoted towards a national audience the first edition will be dedicated to the people of Dayton because we wouldn’t be where we are today without you all!! We will be highlighting, local models, designers, artist, entertainers, business owners, community leaders, and etc.
For those of you who don’t know Junda Morris-Kennedy, the Founder of Dayton Fashion Week  recently relocated to the Dayton Area when her husband who is in the U.S. Air Force received new orders to be stationed at Wright-Patt Air Force Base, we have several models who have served our country including William Willet who was in the Marine Corp., Nakiesha Maroney who is currently stationed at WPAFB, our  makeup artist ShaTerra Mills served in the Army, and I personally come from a military family as well, my dad was a Drill Sergeant in the Marines, my oldest brother was in the Army and served in the first Gulf War, my oldest sister was in the Navy, and my older brother is currently a Master Sergeant in the Marines and is serving in Afghanistan. So as you can see we have nothing but love and respect for our service men and women.
One of the highlights of the  first edition of Dayton Fashion Weeks magazine(whose name will be revealed in June) will be a salute to our troops and a feature story on how WPAFB has played a vital role to the Miami Valley’s growth!  We are looking to profile several active duty members of the U.S. Air Force who are currently stationed at WPAFB along with other local service men and women! If you or someone you know would like to be a part of DFW’s Salute To The Troops feature story please send an email to Caressa.L.Brown@gmail.com. Please include your contact information and a brief bio.  We look forward to hearing from you!!

Dayton Fashion Week Introduces Marlene Haute Couture

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Marlene Thomas Designer of Marlene Haute Couture

The very first time that I saw a design by Marlene Haute Couture, I was ready to run out, grab the first guy that I saw, and marry him just so that I could wear one of her wedding dresses.  There are no words that come to mind that can describe the amount of detail and creativity that she puts into every piece.  Originally from South Africa Marlene Thomas affectionately called Marli has traveled the world living in various places from Australia to Italy, and she describes her designs as “very feminine and soft with intricate detailing”.

Over the past couple of months Marli and I have become good friends, we’ll call each other up and talk for hours from fashion to just life in general.  She’s been one of our biggest supporters, cheerleaders, and motivators. She’s even shared with me several of her confidential sketches—which I’m going to go ahead and say are Oscar Red Carpet worthy.  There’s not a week that hasn’t gone by that she has not called either myself or Junda to share some big news about her work and her appearances.  In recent months Marli has been highly sought after by the Sundance Channel, her designs have been recruited for the Grammy’s, most recently she’s been approached by the PR Staff of Vogue Magazine, and in July she will be the headlining designer for Dayton Fashion Week.

Model: Kendra Leigh Designs by Marlene Haute Couture

Since a child Marli has been a fan of fashion and upon enrolling in Linea Fashion Academy in South Africa she was advised that her designs and work were too advanced, she had natural skills and was told that she should go to Italy to study fashion design.  According to Marli, she does sketch but very rarely will she find it necessary to sketch out a final look.  “I usually have an idea which fabrics to use, then when I start working with the fabrics I make additions to the base design… It’s all about the fabric, especially the soft fabrics like chiffons, voiles, and silks”

Marli and I at the Dayton Fashion Week Pre- Launch Soiree. I'm so glad that I averted the Animal print "no no"

If I had to describe Marli style of design in one word, it would be impossible because her style ranges from business professional to avant-garde. She doesn’t follow style trends she believes that every person has their own style and they should follow it.  She does have some fashion pet peeves—a big no no for Marli is people who wear animal prints from head to toe—“if you’re going to wear an animal print, please don’t wear animal print shoes.”  Another fashion no no according to Marli is over accessorizing, “I always say LESS IS MORE” so don’t wear huge earrings with a huge necklace and finally a big no no for Marli is clothing that clings to all of the wrong areas!

The Marlene Haute Couture line has been on the rise and one of Marli’s major goals is to have a ready to wear production line.  “I would love to see my designs at a very high end fashion boutique and of course land a major celebrity to wear my designs”

The thing that I love and respect most about Marli is the fact that she uses models of all sizes and in fact she will have a size 18 model in her show for Dayton Fashion Week.  “We all love fashion, big, small, tall and petite.  Women of all sizes want to wear beautiful fashions and designs.  Although thin models are often used on the runway, it is also good to have plus sized models, and for me to see them on the runway, is almost a “must”!  It is important for me to know that a model is healthy and has never had an eating disorder or losing weight just because they want to be that perfect fit on a runway.  I do not like to use model at all who are sizes 0 – 4 anymore because the facts are the ones wearing my designs in the end are sizes 6 – 10.”

Marli also has some advice for those seeking to enter the fashion industry—“It’s hard work– nothing happen instantly.  You have to develop the business side for it to be a viable company.  You always hear people say “That is my passion” but I go a step further by saying put effort into your passion to become successful.   And forget being a copycat of someone else’s designs, do your own thing, use your creativity!”

Marli, has also let me in on a few secrets and a surprise for her appearance during Dayton Fashion Week  including a one of a kind design to be auctioned off during DFW’s Silent Auction for Hospice of Dayton and Clothes That Work.  As far as the other surprises are concerned– my lips are sealed and you’ll have to be in attendance to find out!! “This will be my highest couture line ever!  I am very grateful that Dayton Fashion Week has given me this opportunity to design “out of the box” which of course I love.”  Marlene Haute Couture is well known for the one of a kind, very high fashion, avant-garde pieces for the person who wants to make a fashion statement. “Those in attendance during Dayton Fashion Week will not be disappointed!!”  For more information about Marlene Haute Couture please visit http://marlenehautecouture.com.

 

Dayton Fashion Week Lands Major Endorsements

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The Gucci Fiat will be arriving in Dayton just in time for Dayton Fashion Week

Things just keep getting bigger AND better for Dayton Fashion Week so much so that I don’t even know where to start!! Wait–Scratch that– I do know where to start! I am VERY EXCITED to announce that luxury car brand Bob Ross Fiat has come on board as the Presenting Sponsor! “We welcome the Fiat Brand into the Dayton fashion world. As an elegant, sophisticated brand, it is the perfect fit with Dayton Fashion Week in terms of leveraging the profile of Dayton designer’s internationally.” says Junda Morris-Kennedy the founder of Dayton Fashion Week. The Fiat brand is regarded as the pre-eminent brand associated with international fashion events – including New York and Milan Fashion Weeks and the attendees of Dayton Fashion Week will have the opportunity to preview the most fashionable style of the Fiat Brand the 500C by Italian Fashion Label Gucci which is currently being endorsed by Jennifer Lopez! Special thanks to Janelle Ross of Bob Ross Fiat of Centerville for all of her hard work and dedication to the Miami Valley area and her support of Dayton Fashion Week.

Though Dayton Fashion Week isn’t taking place until July, we are officially kicking off our celebration on March 31 with a Pre-Launch Party and Soiree taking place at the Twin Base Golf Club at Wright Patterson Air Force Base located at Bldg 893 Area A Wright Patterson Afb, OH 45433. This event will be hosted by journalist, 2011 CW Star Contestant, business woman, and Queen of Dayton’s Social Scene Maha Kashani and 2011 CW Star Contestant, singer/song writer, and celebrity party host Donald Stamper. The Pre-Launch Party will also feature DJ Adam Spangler and performances by Spoken Word Artist Miss Purity and singer Erin Manderchied. Those in attendance will have the exclusive opportunity to meet the models of Dayton Fashion Week! Along with some great door prizes from our sponsors Milani Cosmetics and Coins 4 Me, there will be light hors d’oeuvres served, and a cash prize for the person wearing the most Fashionable outfit! Buy your tickets today.

Of course we already know that Inside Couture Television based out of Miami, FL is looking for 4 Host to Cover DFW, the Casting Call for this is April 7 from 10a-1p at SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park located at 2301 West River Rd, Dayton, OH 45418. But did you know that Dayton Fashion Week also made international headlines a couple of weeks ago when London based Fashion Magazine Fashion Politique named us one of the must see fashion events of the year and listed us as a partner! We also have the national media all a buzz and we welcome Atlanta, New York, and Miami based radio station 106.5 FM COLLABO who will be broadcasting live from Dayton Fashion Week. Last but certainly not least New York City based fashion magazine Just Off 7th Ave. will also be in town to cover DFW!
We’re 2 weeks into our Cover Model Contest and the competition has been stiff since day one! There have been over 5,000 votes cast so far and daily changes in the Top 5! If you haven’t voted yet you can do so by visiting our fan page at http://www.facebook.com/daytonfashion click on “photos” then go to the album labeled 2012 Cover Model Competition, “Like” your favorite photo(s) and it counts as a vote! The winner of this contest will grace the cover of the first Dayton Fashion Week Magazine. Now of course with all of this going on with DFW we are growing our staff as well! We are looking for photographers, makeup artist, and wardrobe stylist to add to our team! If you would like to join our team please contact us at info@daytonfashionweek.com.

Casting Call for Dayton Fashion Week to be held at De’Lish Cafe

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Kyle Haggerty

“I know talent when I see it. You either have it or you don’t. It’s that simple.” Those are the words of MTV’s Made coach, runway coach extraordinaire and Executive Producer of Dayton Fashion Week Kyle Haggerty—and on February 25, 2012 you will get your chance to prove if you have what it takes to rip the runway at the official Casting Call for DFW! It will take place at De’Lish Cafe –located at 139 N. Main Street in Downtown Dayton from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Models must arrive by 10:00 a.m. and have two recent photos; one full body shot and one head shot with your measurements and contact information on the back of each. Models with previous experience should bring your current portfolio.

Female models must be at least 5’8 without heels and wear a women’s size 0-4. Male models must be at least 5’10 and wear a suite size 40-44. Few exceptions will be made. Models must be at least 15 years of age–participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present–Mature models are welcomed. If you don’t fit into the height and size restrictions fret not because you still have two other opportunities to participate in DFW via the Dayton Fashion Week Magazine Cover Model Search and you can audition to be one of the local hosts to cover DFW for Inside Couture Television which airs in Miami Florida for NBC affiliate Channel 6. Information regarding these two casting calls will be announced at a later date.

If you’re wondering what to expect during this casting call, it’s simple–for starters, you will be auditioning in front of me, along with the CEO and Founder of Dayton Fashion Week Junda Morris-Kennedy, the Director of Makeup Angelica Ross, and there may be a surprise judge in the building (but you didn’t hear that from me). Be prepared to walk the runway and answer a few questions about yourself. Our job is to pick the best models and send their information to the designers who will make the final decision on who gets to walk for them.

As far as preparation for casting calls is concerned, I can honestly say that in my 20 years in the industry I’ve seen it all and I’ve made a lot of mistakes in preparing for them. However, I’ve learned from my mistakes and I’m going to share a few pointers with you so that you will arrive ready to shine!

(photo by Blush Boudoir)

Tip #1 Your Pictures

I CAN NOT EMPHASIS THIS ENOUGH–PROFESSIONAL PICTURES ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR THIS CASTING CALL–or any casting calls for that matter! Your pictures should be simple–ladies you should be wearing little to no makeup, your hair should be pulled back. Men you should be clean shaven.

Your head shot should be a close up photo of your face. Smiling is optional but if you choose not to smile in your photo please take the advice of Tyra and smile with your eyes–we don’t want to see any mug shots! This pic should also be taken with you looking straight into the camera.

The full body shot should include a head to toe view of you. Do not go out and buy a new outfit–your clothing should be simple no logos, bright colors, or wild and crazy prints; this applies to both male and female models. Your outfit should be fitted but flattering to your body type. Shoes are optional. You should be standing. Its ok to be a little creative for this shot; by this I mean you can have your hands to your side, one or both hands on your hips, you can tilt your head for a profile shot of your face, and etc…but no over the top posing. The same rules for your appearance in your photos should be applied during the casting call as well.

Tip #2 Be Prepared To Stand

Ladies please BRING a pair of 3” heels to walk in—emphasis on BRING! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown up to casting calls or Go-See’s wearing heels and ended up having to stand for hours. By the time it was my turn to be seen by the casting agent—I could barely walk and let me tell you– hobbling down the runway with a grimaced look on your face is not a good look on anyone and it’s not going to land you any jobs! So it’s ok to arrive in some flat comfortable shoes. If you’ve never worn heels before practice makes perfect–start practicing your catwalk in the shoes that you plan on wearing for the casting call now. Guys, you have no clue just how good you have it; the only thing that we ask of you is to not wear gym shoes when it’s your turn to walk!

Tip #3 Diva’s and Divo’s Need Not Apply

Attractive and talented models get turned down for jobs every day because they have poor attitudes or they’re not coachable. I’ve attended casting calls where the client or casting agent was right in the waiting room with the other models and never said a word to anyone about whom they were; they mingled, sat back and observed. Sadly, I’ve seen some models be really rude and unaware of whom they were speaking too–needless to say they weren’t cast. Please don’t be this person!

Tip #4 Be Yourself

We can tell the real from the fake–and we want to see your real personality. You might not be right for the runway but you never know what opportunities may come your way as a result of this casting call. Finally, don’t worry about the next person, February 25, 2012 is all about you and we can’t wait to meet you! If you have any questions, please email me at caressab@daytonfashionweek.com.