PERONI Nastro Azzurro Introduces the Top Four Finalists of PERONI Style Atlanta: Emerging Designers Competition
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The Emerging Designers Competition will feature the spring/summer 2013 collections of the top four finalists and over 300 impeccably dressed guests from Atlanta's fashion and entertainment community.
- (1888PressRelease) August 14, 2012 - ATLANTA - PERONI Nastro Azzurro, the Italian beer synonymous with style and fashion, has discovered new talents in the fashion industry internationally for years. PERONI Nastro Azzurro is launching its first emerging designers competition in the USA starting with the breakthrough fashion city of Atlanta on Thursday, August 16, 2012 at a private location at 8pm. The talented four finalists - menswear designer Afriyie Poku and womenswear designers Megan Huntz, Olivia Prance and Sarah Pankiewicz, will showcase their spring/summer 2013 collections to fashion industry experts, top media and tastemakers.
Emerging menswear designer Afriyie Poku's collection Oberema Afriyie, which means, "the man to be at the right place at the right time", describes the designer's journey to the fashion industry. In Ghana as a child Afriyie watched his mom sew, but was not allowed to use the sewing machine. "I would take a coat from the thrift store, take it apart and put it back together again," said Afriyie. The self-taught designer is inspired by 18th and 19th Century menswear, while adding on his own modern twist. Afriyie says he is more than excited to be one of the finalists chosen out of 47 designers for next week's PERONI Style Atlanta: Emerging Designer Competition. "Being a part of it is amazing enough, whatever comes after it I accept," he said.
Atlanta native Megan Huntz' dress collection of botanical extractions is inspired by the color combinations found in nature. Her collection focuses on the enrichment and color of fabric. "I dye everything by hand to create unique prints and use rust to create prints for fabric," said Megan. "All are one of a kind I can repeat the technique but it will never come out twice." Megan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute, then graduated from Domus Academy in Milan with a Master's in Fashion. She hopes to gain exposure and communicate her vision to the Atlanta fashion community.
A Sunlite Affliction, the collection created by breakthrough designer Olivia Prance is dedicated to and inspired by her father's fight against melanoma skin cancer. The prints and embroidery are created from images of melanoma and rays of the sun. "With the leather and beading I wanted it to be a celebration of my father's life," Olivia said. The SCAD graduate always knew she wanted to create and fell into fashion. Olivia hopes the recognition from the competition leads to a job at a fashion house. "I'm anxious to get in the industry and start learning," said Olivia.
The 1960s mod movement and the artist Rex Ray are behind the inspiration of Sarah Pankiewicz' collection. At first glance, her prints appear to be stripes and polka dots but up close there are faces of popular 1960's Mod Supermodel - Peggy Moffitt. Sarah likes to take old pieces and put a modern spin on them. The Mississipi native earned a degree in Fashion Merchandising from the University of Southern Missisipi then went to SCAD for a degree in Fashion Design in order to learn all the basics to pursue her dream of being a fashion designer. "I want to get my name out there and start my own line," Sarah said. "I would be really excited to win and go to New York Fashion Week. It's a once in a lifetime experience."
One of these talented emerging designers will win national exposure and an exciting prize package from PERONI Nastro Azzuro, including a trip to New York Fashion Week. Held Thursday August 16th from 8pm-11pm at an exclusive Atlanta location, the PERONI Style Atlanta: Emerging Designers Competition will feature the spring/summer 2013 collections of the top four finalists and over 300 impeccably dressed guests from Atlanta's fashion and entertainment community.
For additional information regarding the PERONI Style Atlanta: Emerging Designer Competition, please contact media and event organizers:
Christal Jordan | Enchanted PR | christal ( @ ) enchantedpr dot net | 678-499-0297
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Angela Watts | AW Media Group | angela ( @ ) awmediagroup dot com | 678-637-0982
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