Sweet Depression - Alternative Fashion

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Throughout the 1980s, punk was a style of its own.  It made people uneasy, it made the person stand out but it was generation X’s way to express themselves and revolt as the hippie generation did throughout the 1960s and 70s.  As the 80s moved into the 90s, and a new style of music came out, commonly known as “death metal” and with it brought the punk movement to its demise which made way for a more Gothic trend.  One of the biggest bands that led that movement was Marilyn Manson.

Joleane Santiago was a punk rocker in the 1980s who moved into this Gothic stage but it was not influenced with her music choice per se, but more so an expression of her surroundings.  Joleane was an artist who expressed her emotions on canvas, but preferred to express herself through fashion, she calls it “Sweet Depression.”

She is currently attending a fashion school here in the Tampa Bay area called the International Academy Of Design and Technology. Despite Joleane’s Gothic style of clothing, her designs are exquisite and artistic.  When she designs an article of clothing, its a unique piece, there will never be another one like it.  Her designs incorporate hard and soft objects; which would be the silk or rayon for the fabric mixed with buttons or zippers.  She loves the metallic look with her loose flowing garments.  Joleane also incorporates a Victorian or early 1900s style of clothing into her designs which I just love.

Joleane’s work has been on some runway models but her line is mostly private.  She can now add to her resume that her work will appear in an independent movie coming out in October or November debuting in Tampa called “Falling Unfaithful”  and her work is sported by the rock band Still Life out of Tampa.  She makes gowns for any occasion and loves to make costumes for film and the music industry.

Her designs are not your typical ball gowns or street clothes, they are designed for expression and have a magnificent beauty behind it.  Joleane’s line “Sweet Depression” has made the Gothic look, oh so beautiful and her talent flows when any woman walks down the street with her art.  If you want to see her work, or have her customize you a specific piece go to her Model Mayhem site www.modelmayhem.com/acidbull.

Nora Gonzalez - Customized Clothing

Have you ever worked in the clothing design industry before setting out on your own?

Yes, I did work for a fashion designer from Dominican Republic. She had a brand new Fashion company in Boca Raton, Florida and I was in charge of sketching and designing her whole fall collection for the Montreal Runway, Canada in 2001.

What gave you the idea to make clothing like you do?

While working for the above mentioned brand, I was hired to design a commemorative items for the events of September 11th. We discussed the possibility of translating those images to jeans, that is when I started hand painting on denim. After this event I fell in love with denim and the hand painting technique, and right away focused on clothing in this new area of expertise.
 
How long have you been doing this art?

I have been a designer/painter/graphic designer since 1990 but I gave impulse to hand painting after 2001
 
Has it been a rewarding journey thus far?  If so what’s one of your fondest memories on the journey?

It has been a very rewarding experience in terms of creation and new techniques; and also it was very exciting having the chance to meet artists and designers from all over the world. My fondest memory and more recent, has been a trip that I made with my pregnant sister to a show hosted in Tampa. We drove for four hours at night, crossing Florida from east to west, sharing all kinds of experiences, and enjoying the landscape, fauna, birds and wildlife so attractive and typical of our state. I had one of the best weekends ever full of fun, sun and new people, with a touch of support given by my sister that made it a perfect weekend.
 
What kind of clothes do you do the art on?  Is it just for women?In the beginning I worked only on women’s clothes, mostly youth and teen styles; jeans and jackets are my first chosen products. After a while I incorporated graphic tees for woman and men. I then turned to baby clothing, printed and painted onesies, toddlers shirts; today I’m featuring my new line of bigger and plus sizes. I also work on accesories such as purses, wrist-lets and canvas tote bags, I also paint denim earrings with paisley adornments. I have a small art gallery using the same technique on fabric for canvas.
 
What is your take on art today, how has it impacted your life.Art is in my daily routine. Sometimes we categorize art as an expression of the artist translated on paper, canvas or clothes, but I believe art is in all we do and there are times when managing certain situations requires a lot of art.
 
How do you keep up with the trends to keep your art fresh and stylish for those who love your work.

I spend hours getting feedback and information of todays fashion trends from online websites, magazines, shows and conventions. I keep my eyes open on other designers who inspire me and I learn everyday a little bit more.
 
Knowing where you are now, and how you got here, would you change anything or do anything different?I have more than I expected, I learned more than I expected, and I suffered more too; but I say it with a lot of enthusiasm and thankful for all that I received and done. I wish I had chosen to study fashion design first, before graphic design, because it took me longer to do what I love doing now. Honestly though, I really didn’t know what I wanted to do for sometime after graduating.
 
What is the most satisfying thing for you when you finish a piece of clothing?

When I look at my creations after finishing my pieces I feel proud; mostly I love what I see, and I dream of the person wearing it. Another feeling that blows my mind is knowing that the new owner of my piece could be in any other part of the globe. I felt that with the first t-shirt I sold to a customer in Greece and still gives me the chills! Another interesting story, when I designed a peacock dress for a girl who intended to wear it at her Bridal Shower.  She bought a skirt too with the same motif because she loved the design; to me this was a wonderful feeling, knowing that my dress was going to be in that very important day of her life.
 
What has been your biggest challenge to date?

My biggest challenge has two sides: Budgeting and re-investing money in one side and the distribution of time in the other side.
 
Advertising and marketing, how important are they to your line of work?

Very important topic. Since January 2008 I spent many hours and resources getting my name out there and I mean through cyber-space. I advertise in at least 10 websites, forums, fashion pages, shows and events.
 
What’s your view on the appreciation people have with art today, as opposed to when you were younger?

 

 

 

When I was younger I lived in South America, more specifically Argentina, where people love art. Besides the timing, location also makes a big difference. Globally speaking, art after the 70s legacy was very strong in our minds and cultures and now I see it more relaxed, like a light culture of art. On the good side, art now is everywhere, thanks to the Internet; but also due to new disciplines, like art painted or printed on clothing. One of my favorite designers, Roberto Cavalli, makes a piece of art in every outfit. That wasn’t  seen in my youngest years, not that I can remember.
 
Your clothing can be done 1 time, for 1 person, that’s it…. who would you choose to have it…. can be anyone?

This is a good question. In our culture today we have many stereo-types, like you have to be a supermodel to wear this or that.  Happily that doesn’t happen with my clothes, you can have any type of body or any measurement as long as you want to wear my pieces. Another good reason is that I work on custom orders too so you will have what you want, no impositions, just the way you like it.
 
Who inspires you do to what you do?
God is my inspiration. He is the first and best designer ever.

If you would like to see Nora’s work, please see any of the links listed below, and feel free to contact her with any idea you would like for a custom piece of clothing.

You can check more pictures of my collection at
www.norakaren.etsy.com
www.nora-handpainted.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24119923@N04/

Art of Hair Styling - J.Joseph Salon

If you want to see what it feels like for Paris Hilton to have her hair done, then J. Joseph Salon is the place for you. Good news is you don’t have to travel to Los Angeles, this salon is right here nestled in downtown Land O Lakes.

Roy Naccor, the owner, studied in Sweden for 3 years to get his hair styling license; and also studied in countries like France and Italy. Hair is something he’s been passionate about since high school.  Roy has styled hair across Europe and has been doing what he loves for 8 years. A key to his success is that he keeps a constant watch on the fashion industry, to keep up on the trends.  One way he does this is traveling once a year to Paris for a hair show, which is coming up September 9th. This show will display some of the new trends in the hair styling industry that he will utilize upon his return to the salon.

Today, Roy owns one of the best salons in the Tampa Bay area.  He accomplished this dream before his 27^th birthday. Roy credits his “don’t give up” attitude to his success and never let his age stand in the way of his dreams.  “My salon is a success because it’s not just a hair cut it’s an experience.  From the moment you walk in the door you will see why.”

J. Joseph Salon in itself is a work of art and part of the “experience”, decorated with the dark wood tables and sofas, flat screen televisions, elaborate mirrors and beautiful hard wood workstations. It’s pleasing to the eye and very relaxing. After the beauty of the place sinks in, the next step of the “experience” starts.  Like a doctor you fill out an application, which is reviewed by your technician.  You’re taken to the technician’s station where you can have a drink of wine, beer or soda and privately discuss your hair likes and dislikes.  The technician will see what works best with your features, based upon the situation and the changes you want to make; mapping out a hair plan that’s right for you.  The technician will make the plan a reality and create a work of art designed especially for you.  Once your hair style is complete, they train you to maintain the same style and quality you received at the salon. “If I see you in Publix a few days or weeks later and your hair is not the same or close when you walked out my door, then I have not done my job” Roy said, “it’s up to me to teach you about how to maintain that salon styled hair you dreamed about.”

This salon is a gallery to the art of hair styling.  Each head of hair is a masterpiece designed by a skilled hair stylist to compliment your facial features and body structure. If you’re a man or woman, young or old this salon will accommodate you and make you feel like a new person with a fresh start on life.  If your tired of the old you, come have an artist rebuild your look and create the “new” you at J. Joseph Salon.

www.jjosephsalon.com

PorkChop BubbleGum… What!?

One thing that sets your look apart from others is your hat, be it a sports team, a driving cap, beret, or a clothing logo. If you go to Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, you might see Lindsey Walden’s hats getting walked around atop a bunch of twenty-somethings’ heads, and you can’t miss them. We sat down for a chat with her to get the scoop on her company, designs, and passion for making hats for everyone who wants their own look.

How did you come up with the name “Pork Chop Bubble Gum?”
That is the first question anyone always asks me, truthfully. My sister, her husband, and I were sitting around one night, and its when I first decided to start my own company and we were just brainstorming thinking of names and her husband blurted out, “pork chop,” and I blurted out, “bubble gum,” and we both looked at each other and I said, “that kind of goes weird together,” so since then it kind of stuck.

Are the hats you design unisex?
They are unisex, but I do have hats more geared towards guys and some geared more towards women. But I find guys tend to choose the hats that I designed for girls; it just matters if they are more comfortable wearing bright colors like pink and green, chains, and rhinestones, but yeah every hat can be unisex. Anyone can wear them.

How many specific lines do you have? Is there any specific line that seems to be selling more than other ones?
No, not really, I try to go with lines but each one of my hats are different, there really aren’t two hats the same. So I can do like the same print on a hat or put the same netting on a hat but it isn’t going to come out exactly the same, so line-wise I would have to go with “no.” I pretty much make what people are in the mood for, and people can come back later and say, “I like this, gimme this, gimme this and give me this color,” and I can make it happen.

They are basically all custom hats?
Exactly yes.

I know you live in Miami, and it’s filled with stars, have you sold any of your hats to any celebrities or stars of any kind?
Nope not yet. [C'mon, celebs! -ed.]

Have you done any fashion shows? How did it go?
I did a fashion show at Nocturnal in Miami. It went really, really well, the feedback was amazing. I also had a booth at Ultra Music Fest in Miami. I had a booth at Gemini Music Fest in Ft. Lauderdale. And July 3rd, I have space in Miami; and I have two other shows in July: I have Heaven Music Fest (I believe is the 26th), and another in Port St. Lucie, it’s a big house and stuff.

Have you ever decided in the future you may want to do shirts or pants?
Yes, yes, yes! Shirts: this is my next move. I am actually in the process of learning Photoshop and getting a screen printing machine. So yeah, shirts are definitely my next step.

Do you do hats with custom graphics at all, like heat transfers containing drawings you designed?
No, not till I get a screen printing machine. For now it’s just free abstract work. Whatever falls on the hat falls on the hat.

If someone wanted to get a hold of you to buy one of your hats, how would they go about that? What is the pricing on your hats?
Right now I just have MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/porkchopbubblegum) but my website should be done like any day now. The cost of my hats, depending what they are, usually run $24.00 plus $6.00 s/h.

Do you have anything you want to add?
I just hope that everyone can support me; I’m new. I started my business in 2006 when I graduated college. Just now I started to get serious and want to take off with this. Just want to get my name off and I’ll be happy!

If you like what you see here and want to help an aspiring local artist out, head over to her MySpace page and get yourself a new lid. We will update this interview when her website is done and help her out any way we can.