FEATURED DESIGNERS
AKI CHOKLAT
Aki Choklat is a designer, author and educator currently based in Detroit.
The Aki Choklat Privé collection is based on a historic Antarctic expedition. The huts of Scott and Shackleton were found untouched for nearly a century, with many objects still in situ. Among the items found were Edwardian slippers, cufflinks, finnesko boots, as well as species collected for study, including penguins.
Aki Choklat shoes and accessories are founded on classic elegance with a contemporary twist and wit. Aki designs his own eponymous label, in addition to ongoing design collaborations, as well as a high-end, made-to-order Privé collection that is based on his research. Aki Choklat shoes and bags have been sold in the US, UK, Japan, Canada and Europe, including retailers such as Barneys New York, Takashimaya, Harvey Nichols, Nano Universe in Tokyo, and Dover Street Market in London.
BOSWELL HARDWICK
Boswell is an internationally recognized photographer specializing in fashion, cityscapes, beauty and portraiture. With a background in the fine arts and beauty, he approaches his subjects with a thoughtful and unique eye. He attended Center for Creative Studies as a painting major. This served as a jumping off point for all sorts of creative endeavors including a critically successful stint as a hat designer. His playful hats were featured in Mirabella and W magazines. Always obsessed with fashion and beauty, photography became the next natural step in the artists evolution. He brings his signature style to each project. Boswell resides in the Detroit area where he has a studio. He spends several weeks each year living and working in Paris . His work continues to evolve as he pushes boundaries and experiments with new techniques.
DONOVAN DEWBERRY
Donovan Dewberry was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and proud to be a graduate of the College for Creative Studies.
Starting out as an Illustration major, I spent the beginning years of my studies embarking on my first love, fashion illustration. Fashion has always been my leading inspiration and expressing that with drawing and painting will always be significant in my career endeavors. Fashion Illustration pushed me to bring my illustrations to life, which lead me to picking up a minor in Fiber and Textile Design. I was able to take my own fiber and textiles designs and translate them into actually garments that reflect me as a fashion illustrator and designer. I have been able to apply the knowledge and skills I have acquired from Illustration and Fibers to Fashion Accessories. This allowed me to develop creatively by designing accessories that support my garment portfolio. Finding the marriage between my illustrations and my garments is definitely most exciting me. And I can't wait to share that excitement with you!
ERIC BEAMON
Eric Beamon is a jewelry Designer who was self taught. His career set into a full swing in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The extraordinary works he produces one piece at a time are described as over-the-top cascade of crystals, semi-precious gems and found elements. Each detail is wrapped and linked with wire and embellished will an
opulence which reflex an era gone by.
The native Detroiter lived in New York and traveled the world attracting celebrity’s like Madonna, and etc.
After years of adventures, Eric ventured home to Detroit.
Currently Eric is designing jewelry and Decorative Art Wall-hung sculptures.
TINA TOMICIC
TOMICIC, is a Detroit based accessories brand founded by Tina Tomicic in 2018. Rooted in form and function each piece is created with attention to process and detail. Crafted in Michigan, utilizing American leather, the bags are made in small quantities.
Tina graduated from the College for Creative Studies with a degree in textiles. She has held positions at Proenza Schouler in New York City and Z Ballerini in Detroit.
TOM CARBONE
Tom Carbone
Tom received his BFA Crafts from The College for Creative Studies in 2002 while employed full time at Chrysler Corp.
He retired from Chrysler in 2014 after 32 years in Advanced Vehicle Engineering.
Tom is a self-described "development guy" everything can be improved and everything is an experiment.
"I am very interested in both the aesthetic and technical aspects of everything that surrounds us.” "I began my self-directed shoe making apprenticeship in 2006 and have completed six workshops in the Craft of Shoe Making." His works combine traditional and modern techniques. Early on Tom concentrated on more Theatrical women's shoes but has more recently taken to the challenge men's shoes and sandals. In addition to shoes Tom is also making Hand Tools for traditional shoe & boot makers. He is making several tools of his own design that are made by no one else. Shoes are both an esthetic and an engineering challenge; Tom's unique background suits the task with his many years spent in the Product Design, Product Development, and Advanced Engineering, at Chrysler. “It’s about taking the goals of the Designer and turning them into reality.”
Title of collection
Fairy Fields High Heel
The Fairy Fields references the English Garden; the English Garden is a free form “idealized” view of Nature.
With great development each element of these High Heels was meticulously formed and placed to create the look and feel of walking in the Garden Fairy Fields are size 8. (POR)
Bubble Gum High Heel
The Bubble Gum High Heel is part of a series of works that were made from machined molds. Each of the High Heels in this series were created from a 3-piece mold using the hand lay-up fiber-glass technique. Bubble Gum is size 8, (POR)
WHAT IS COUTURE?
The Culture of Couture Fashion is many times referred to as Haute Couture which is French for “ High-Sewing
is the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing or accessories. Haute couture is high-end fashion that is constructed by hand from start to finish, made from high-quality, expensive, often unusual fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable sewers—often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques.[ Couture translates literally from French as "dressmaking", sewing, or needlework[3] and is also used as a common abbreviation of haute couture and refers to the same thing in spirit. A garment is always made for an individual client, tailored specifically for the wearer's measurements and body stance. Considering the amount of time, money, and skill allotted to each completed piece, haute couture garments are also described as having no price tag: budget is not relevant. In modern France, haute couture is a protected name that may not be used except by firms that meet certain well-defined standards.
Current conversations of Couture or Haute Couture is a more relaxed and varies from continuing the authentic messaging or the application of a newer set of gold-standards.