Alina and Megan were nice enough to provide me with an interview explaining the intricate details needed to pull off such a wonderful event. Without further adieu, allow me to first introduce you to Alina, LAL Couture, Fashion Designer for LAL Couture.
ME: Good evening Alina and welcome to the MET Fashion Photo Show blog.
ALINA: Thank you and good evening.
ME: Alina, I want to start off by saying that you and Megan are doing a phenomenal job in raising awareness for leukemia and lymphoma. Please tell the audience about Fashion for a Cause; and how and why you are working with this project.
ALINA: I was approached by Megan Quail who explained the project to me. We would create a fashion show in an attempt to raise funds through fashion. I would showcase pieces from my fashion line and we would have models walk the runway in an effort to raise money. As a designer I am in the business to make money and advertise my creations. Today this is something different. I am showcasing my designs to raise money for people who I have never met, but who are in desperate need of assistance. We have to find a cure for anyone who is affected by leukemia or lymphoma. Today, it is not about taking, but giving back. We are donating our time and resources for something that is much greater than all of us. We are collaborating on this show with several models. We asked the photographers to document this for us by taking plenty of photographs. We want to use the photographs to increase awareness.
ME: It sounds like you would need a lot of volunteers for this event.
ALINA: We did. I was very surprised at the amount of people that said that they would help us. They volunteered their time for the show. We really appreciated it. I want to take this time to personally thank my assistant, Iryna Gorb. I couldn’t have done this without her help.
ME: That’s great! What can you tell us about the fashions that we will see tonight.
ALINA: The clothing featured this evening is from my spring/summer 2013 collection. I had a show about two weeks ago. Because of time constraints, I used a few of the pieces as well as a couple of new ones. I am using “whites” and “blues” in my collection. I am also using “floral prints” with “hot pink.” I am also using some “oranges.”
ME: Do these colors have specific significance for your collection?
ALINA: Yes. The color “blue” is the deepest and most calming color of the color spectrum. I believe that we really need to utilize the calmness that blue produces. We are applying the color blue for the cause as well. It is also important to reflect the color blue in our own lives.
One has to understand that there are things and experiences in our lives that are good and bad. We have to accept them and try to improve upon them. In addition, we also have to look at other peoples lives and see how we can help them as well. This is what this show is all about, helping others. My spring collection is called; “Vena Tua”, it is Latin for “Your Spring.”
I have so many feelings about what I create. Because of this, I have so many different pieces. Everyone has to experience their own style and I want my designs to be a part of their lives.
ME: Where does your insight for your creations come from?
ALINA: My insight comes from me personally. I do not focus on fashion magazines, trendy styles, or styles in general. I don’t want to look like everyone else.
ME: With that being said, do you personally see problems with the fashion industry?
ALINA: Yes. I believe that in this industry, everything is “set”. Models are supposed to be one size. (A size 0, 2, nothing over a 4) There is not enough differential. I want to find different size models. I want models that reflect society as a whole. I am looking for models that wear size 6 and 8. My clothing is for everyone. I want my clothing to fit women of different sizes and ethnicities. My clients will be able to see what’s best for them. Too many women feel that they do not have the typical “model criterial”. I want part of my clothing line to focus on “plus size” women. This is a personal goal of mine.
ME: Thank you Alina. I’m sure that there are a lot of readers in my audience that will applaud your efforts to include women of all sizes, not just the traditional ones. This is the portion of my blog where I ask my guests what are three must have items for the spring season.
ALINA: I believe that three must have items are;
Items of clothing that fit you well. Trendy clothes may not look good on you. Don’t try to follow today’s trends all of the time.
Long skirts and long dresses. Women should look feminine and classy. (We will see this today though LAL Couture)
Accessories are a must, especially “hats”. You can switch them up often. Scarves are another part of “must have” accessories. I have beautiful lace scarves in my collection. (Visit etsy.com/shop/LALCouture)
ME: LAL Couture, where did the name come from?
ALINA: LAL Couture stands for Love, Attractive, Life Style. You have to be attractive to yourself so that you can be attractive to others. You have to create this on your own. I came up with this concept by using my name and I switched it up to represent my clothing line, not the designers. There is also one other person associated with LAL Couture by the name of Mr. Beautiful, aka “Vegas.” (Vegas is the behind the scenes partner. Alina & Vegas both founded LAL Couture together. Alina is just responsible for the designs.)
ME: Thank you Alina, I know that you have to run so that you can put the final touches on today’s show.
ALINA: Thank you for having me.
ME: Next I would like to introduce you to Ms. Megan Quail, the other have of this wonderful team putting together tonight’s event. In addition to everything that she has done so far, she has also been awarded “Woman of the Year”. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Ms. Megan Quail. Good evening and congratulations Megan.
MEGAN: Thank you, and good evening to you too.
ME: Tonight’s event is really special. Because of all of your efforts, we are now one step closer to hopefully finding a cure for leukemia and lymphoma. Please tell the audience about “Fashion for a Cause” and what it means for you.
MEGAN: This is personal for me because I have a family friend who was diagnosed with leukemia. This show represents hope for cancer patients. It is uplifting. Everyone is coming together for the same cause. Everyone wants to help. Alina has been great! She jumped right into the cause and she has done so much to help put this all together.
ME: Beyond today, what can people do to help?
MEGAN: People can donate online by visiting the following website; www.leukin4cure.webs.com.
ME: That’s great, do you have any final thoughts for the audience?
MEGAN: It has been a lot of work but it has also been a lot of fun. Putting together an event like this allows you to meet many wonderful and caring people. An event like this is a great reminder that we must help others. Going through cancer is a lot for someone to experience and it should be a wake up call to help others and to do good things.
ME: Well, I want to once again say thank you for appearing in today’s blog and I want to personally wish you and Alina much success with today’s event.
MEGAN: You are very welcome and thank you for your support as well.
ME: Ladies and gentlemen this concludes the latest edition of the MET Photo Fashion Show blog. On behalf of everyone who participated in today’s event I would like to say “thank you.” I am including a list of the models, hair stylists and make up artists who participated in today’s event.
Models:
Karla Choko
Elena Fonteyn (Marie)
Dee Dot (Diana)
Anika Tifft
Arliz Gomes
Jahnna Salazar
Christina Marie
Tai-doll Guzman (Taena)
Andrea Duncan
Natira Brown
Sim Simah
Cecilia Carlstrom
Rebecca Bielski
Jen Elson
Lauren Bryant
Stef Kovacic
Izzy Leggat (Isabelle)
Kristina Be
Makeup Artists:
Kriz Garcia
Shadia Pulido
Hair Stylist:
Athena Vargas
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