17 May Deborah Main Designs weighs in on Austin Fashion Week: Black & Tan Challenge

Wow, we at Deborah Main Designs are dizzy from all the flurry during Austin Fashion week, but like many, are glad its wrapped up so we can catch up on a few zzz’s.

We attended two fabulous shows: the Black & Tan Challenge (to see 24 designers’ design with only two fabrics!) and the Austin Fashion Week awards (to drool over fabulous designs by The Boudoir Queen, Gail Chovan, Kendra Scott, and the infamous Stephen Macmillan Moser of Made in Heaven …we LOVE his gowns!!).

Today we’re featuring the B & T show, which was as unique as they come. But there was a whole week of  fashion events, so please check out event recaps, the Golden Boot winners, and see photos at Austin Fashion Week 2013.  Congratulations to all the winners, participants and mash up teams!!!

I had the honor of attending the Black & Tan Challenge Friday, May 3, 2013 at an Austin club called Haven.  This Challenge was one of the first Austin Fashion Week events and was extremely unique thanks to the brilliant producer, Megan Summerville.  Megan, winner of 2009 Texas Next Top Designer, has sewn gorgeous bustiers and lingerie for years and she is giving back to the community in more ways than you can imagine.   She put out this challenge to any designer (established or emerging)  in Austin to take15 yards of combined fabric (tan lace and black fabric that she provided) to design a runway look to be worn by a professional model from Butterfly Entertainment Austin. (Full disclosure here: my 17 year old daughter entered the challenge, her very first).

What was great about the show is that anyone could enter and there were no fees for fabric or with Austin Fashion Week, so for many aspiring designers (like my daughter), this was an excellent non-pressure way to show Austin your style in a very supportive community. But once they announced the competition and had 24 designers sign up, they decided to make it a contest and crown a winner.

There were SO many gorgeous designs!!! And it was fascinating to see how these designers interpreted the tan lace and black fabric, some even pulling the tulle backing off the black fabric to use separately. But two stood out and the winner and honorable mention were announced last week.  Drum roll please….

Congratulations goes to the WINNER, Amanda Yilmaz, for her gorgeous black beauty gown and the Honorable Mention, Qin Latimer, for her fashionable lace evening gown. So please scroll down and take a peek. To see even more photos visit these Austin fashion heavy hitters: Austin 360, The Chronicle, Fashionably Austin, and Keep Austin Stylish.

Photos courtesy of Juan Macias and Award-winning photographer, Gregg Cestaro.

Winner of the 2013 “Black and Tan Design Challenge.” 

Congratulations to the winner, Amanda Yilmaz of Austin Texas, who designed a gorgeous black dress with incredible detail.  Modeled by Dagny Paige Hines.

Stunning detail of the collar made by sewing pin tucks in what the designer likes to call a “sun formation”.

Modeled by Dagny Paige Hines,  handbag designed by Anne Marie Beard, and bracelet designed by Nancy Ferrell of Ferrell Designs.

And now for the Honorable Mention, Qin Latimer, who just happens to be my amazing daughter!!  As Megan said on her post: “I’m also proud to announce the honorable mention from Black and Tan, Qin Latimer. She is an amazing talent at 17, and has a bright future in fashion!”

Honorable Mention of the 2013 “Black and Tan Design Challenge.” 

Detail of lace gown and earrings designed by Qin Latimer of Austin, Texas.  Modeled by Dominique Bedford of Butterfly Entertainment Austin.

We love the criss-cross styling detail in the front and back.

And this beautiful large long bow that follows the train of the dress.

All models walked with their designer at the very end. Great fun seeing Qin Latimer and Dominique Bedford with their big smiles!

Winner: Amanda Yilmaz; Honorable Mention: Qin Latimer

The Black and Tan Challenge was an amazing show and kudos to Megan Summerville for the brilliant idea.  It was super cool too that we just happened to run into Amanda at the Austin Fashion Week awards show and were able to snap a wonderful photo of the two. What an honor it was to meet you Amanda!!Congratulations to you both!!!

As you can see, Deborah Main Designs had enormous fun, proud “Mom” moments, and quite the fashionable experience. I will be sharing more on Austin Fashion Week coming next week!  All of us at Deborah Main Designs are tossing up our luxury decorative pillows and wishing you a terrific week. XO PG

P.S. Be sure to LIKE us on Facebook  where we will continue to share our beautiful photos.

Note: All professional photography by, and with permission from, J. Macias.