Monthly Archives: April 2010

Couture Fashion Week Producer Andres Aquino Receives Style Fashion Leader & Inspiration Award

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Andres Aquino receiving award

Couture Fashion Week founder and producer Andres Aquino received the “Style Fashion Leader & Inspiration Award” from SUNY Westchester Community College. In a special ceremony and reception held at the elegant La Panetiere restaurant in Rye, NY, the award was presented by Professor Phyllis Fein, Curriculum Chair Fashion Merchandising on April 16, 2010.

Over the last few years Mr. Aquino has developed a dynamic relationship with SUNY WCC. Each season many of the college’s fashion merchandising students volunteer at Couture Fashion Week sharpening their skills with hands-on experience at the prestigious fashion event with activities ranging from assisting designers backstage to technical and front-of-house assignments.

SUNY Westchester Community College is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its fashion program and is introducing The Fashion Technology & Production Degree. During summer 2010 SUNY WCC fashion students will be taking part in a special study abroad collaboration with the Scuola Leonardo Da Vinci in Milan.

“It is indeed an honor to receive this special award,” said Andres Aquino. “The experience of working with Professor Fein and the enthusiastic and energetic fashion students has been a very positive one for Couture Fashion Week. We look forward to continuing our partnership with this great fashion merchandising school, and wish the program much continued success as it grows.”

In addition his role as producer of Couture Fashion Week, Andres Aquino is also an accomplished fashion designer. He has presented his designs at fashion events worldwide, including Romania, India, Dubai, and the Dominican Republic as well as Palm Beach and New York City, and his fashion accomplishments have been covered by press around the globe.

Upcoming shows by Mr. Aquino include a gala couture fashion show in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands in May 2010 as part of a literacy fundraiser, and a new collection to be featured at Couture Fashion Week at 8:00 p.m. on September 11, 2010 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.

More about Andres Aquino

Andres Aquino Fashion Collection at Dubai Fashion Week

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Andres Aquino fashion designer in dubai fashion week

New York-based fashion show producer and designer Andres Aquino continues to build his international brand worldwide. His recent fashion show at Dubai Fashion Week was a well-received dramatic experience for a market is that heavily inclined to more conservative and traditional fashion collections and presentation styles.

Held on April 3, 2010 in the Godolphin Ballroom of the luxurious Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Mr. Aquino’s fashion show at Dubai Fashion Week featured his trademark theatrical elements enhancing the stunning ensembles shown on the runway. The show opened with a performance by  Italian singer/dancer Cecilia Herrera Frioni wearing a tropical dress by Andres Aquino, and continued with vignettes and tableaux of models showcasing a range of gowns in different colors and styles. Artistic hair styles were beautifully executed by the Juice team and the creative makeup was done by the L’Oreal team. The overall style of the fashion designs was sophisticated, elegant and bright. Many gowns were enhanced by custom made oversized necklaces by Toronto-based jewelry designer Lek Nasuwan of Siam Gallery.

“My theater background played a lot into my designs”, notes Mr. Aquino. “I think women are dramatic in the way they walk, speak, and express themselves. I create clothes for many different types of women because every woman is different. No two women are the same, so the clothing should reflect their personality, like a character on stage.”

Andres Aquino’s worldwide fashion journey has seen him showing his collections in New York, Palm Beach, the Dominican Republic, Romania, Mexico, India, Dubai and soon in St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. In each destination he leaves an impression of fashion as fun and entertaining by incorporating theatrical elements, dance, songs and drama into his runway shows. “I am flattered to see that other designers are starting to copy some of my stage presentation formula,” says Mr. Aquino. “It certainly makes fashion shows more exciting.” Andres Aquino is also the founder and producer of Couture Fashion Week.

“Aquino did his bit to inject a bit of drama and theatrics onto the catwalk. Kicking off with a live rendition of a love song, the models strutted down in a string of vintage gowns made in satin and lace and pleated dresses…Models who doubled up as celebrities trying to ward off paparazzi and women who shrugged off their suitors added much-needed drama… The accessories — the chunky pearls and metallic chokers (by Lek Nasuwan) — added a zany touch.” – Gulf News by Manjusha Radhakrishnan, staff reporter; April 5, 2010.

Lek Nasuwan Jewelry in Dubai Fashion Week

Jewelry by Lek Nasuwan

“Andres Aquino, based in New York, is a tireless fashion industry producer and designer. He has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers and TV channels worldwide including Fashion TV, Collezioni, Book Moda and Moda Style International. His artistic endeavors have taken him from theater directing and writing to fashion design, whilst his designs have graced Couture Fashion Week runways for several years. The object of his Autumn/Winter 2010 collection is to bring out the inner divinity in every woman.”  – SheClick.com; April 08, 2010

In a TV interview with Arabian Business, Mr. Aquino noted that he is known as the “Collaborator” because he welcomes other creative artists to his platform to share their creativity. The interview can be seen on line at http://www.arabianbusiness.com/585505-dubai-fashion-week-video-latest

“Beautiful colors and exquisite pleating, added detail and drama to this New York-based designer’s collection. I fell head over heels for this gown, which I call the “Layer Cake Dress.” — DubaisItGirl.com