After a year of studying fashion design at Accademia Italiana, Tawn had his first fashion show Saturday night.  Here’s a look at this exciting evening.

Some of our friends who made it to the show.  (From left: Per, Ko, Linda, Tawn, Fluck, and Bim)  We were blessed to have more than a dozen friends show up to lend their support, with many others who sent their regards and best wishes.

Here’s a 3-minute video summarizing the evening.

The Collection

The assignment for the students was to take their inspiration from Italy, a fitting assignment given the Italian roots of the school.  Tawn thought about his last visit to Italy and a trip he took to Siena.  Inspired by the city and the Piazza del Campo, the fan-shaped public plaza at the heart of Siena, Tawn interpreted this shape into the skirt and the pleats which appear throughout his collection.

He used body suits with all the outfits, interpreted for women and covered in different ways to transform the looks while maintaining a cohesive theme.  This being a spring/summer collection, Tawn chose lighter fabrics, primarily grey, black, and nude color silk chiffon for the outer garments with black crepe for the body suits. There is significant bead work on many pieces which give the appearance of a subtle pattern.

The story behind Tawn’s collection is of women gardening.  Each model carries props that convey this story.

Look #1: Tawn’s first look is a one-shoulder body suit covered with a gauzy silk chiffon long skirt.  The hem of the skirt is cut in a train with the back longer than the front.

Look #2: The body suit from the first look evolves into short pants evocative of 1950s swim wear.  The blouse features a sophisticated bow and detailed hand-sewn bead work as well as black piping on the cuffs and the bow.  All four models wore these custom-designed pleated ankle cuffs with black velvet ribbon.

Look #3: An elegant hybrid of evening gown and night gown featuring pleated multi-tier skirt with black piping worn with a simple black corset body suit.

Look #4: This final look (which the picture does not do justice to) is a sleeveless nude color body suit with a rear black chiffon bow and an accompanying pencil skirt.  The detailed hand-sewn bead work subtly decorates the skirt.

Tawn, fellow students, and their models pose with the director of the school for a group photo.

After the show, Tawn with his proud husband.

We returned home to a low key evening, letting all our friends head their own way and declining invitations to celebrate.  Dinner was Homemade chicken and garbanzo bean enchiladas with a mole poblano sauce and a bottle of Moet Chandon champagne.

After a very long past few weeks as The Annex (as we call the adjacent condo unit which we use as an office and work room) has turned into a whirlwind of fabric, thread, accessories, and needles, the post-show stillness is eerie.  The sudden lack of adrenaline coursing through our veins is like going over a cliff.  Nice to have a calm and quiet Sunday afterwards with nothing to worry about.

Oh, and in case you are interested, here are some of the outfits shown by Tawn’s classmates: