It’s been a year since the first Designing Dreams fashion show at the Memorial Auditorium  took place. This Saturday night, high fashion returned to Sacramento as over a thousand fashion aficionados arrived to view the work of 11 local and northern California designers.

The much anticipated event brought further acclaim to local designers, models and producers of the event. Many people involved in the fashion industry were brought together for a splendid evening of fashion, socializing and of course, to benefit the Sweet Dreams Foundation.

This year, Cassidy, a child diagnosed with an aggressive malignant brain tumor called Glioblastoma Multiforme 4 (GBM4) was selected to have her dream bedroom designed by the Sweet Dreams Foundation.

Cassidy and Jennifer Richards (Image by: David Alvarez)

On January 8, Cassidy had a craniotomy to help her condition and doctors removed as much of the tumor as they could. A pathology report came back with the same GBM4 diagnosis. Soon after, Cassidy endured six weeks of brain radiation and also went through three types of chemotherapy.

Treatment has remained constant for Cassidy. Besides having her blood drawn every two weeks, chemo treatments were done on a regular basis. Cassidy also had MRI's every two months to make sure the tumor is not growing. Through all of this her condition has remained stable. Chemotherapy treatments ended this past April.

Minutes before doors were opened to the general public, I spoke with Tiana Vega, producer of the show. Vega said that she was both excited and nervous for the event.

“I was just talking about how we made Cassidy, the beneficiary, a dress and now I’m scared it may not fit. Besides Cassidy's dress for some reason this show seems smoother than it was last year."

Last minute details were still being taken care of by designers and models. After hair and makeup were done, models waited for their outfits while designers continued to sew, stitch and make sure everything was complete.

I moved to Samuel Parkinson’s area where he was on his sewing machine working on final alterations. Parkinson indicated he was seventh in the fashion lineup. Things may have seemed in disorder, but for Parkinson and his models, this was organized chaos that created the right atmosphere for his urban apparel.

Image by: David Alvarez

Parkinson was the winner of a Design Vendetta held in June. Later, I ran into Rodrigo Trujillo, another contestant from that event that was on hand to support Yennie Zhou.

Ling Chan, who had done hair for the fashion flashmob, had a few minutes for me as well. Chan indicated she had done Vy Nguyen’s hair earlier and said that some people had been working since 9 o’clock that morning. Clement Charles Event Technology was one of the contributors to the event that had started their work early in the day to ensure things would be ready for rehearsals and the big event.

As guests began to arrive, radio personality Dave Thompson from MIX 96 and Bethany Crouch from FOX40 introduced themselves as emcees for the evening.

Image by: David Alvarez

As the fashion show was about to start, Bethany Crouch reminded the audience what the event was for.

“This is going to be a fantastic evening. It’s the biggest fashion show that Sacramento has and you are lucky enough to be a part of it. We are expecting a large crowd. This event will be benefitting 13 year old Cassidy as her dream bedroom is created by the Sweet Dreams Foundation.”

Something in the distance brought images of an angel singing nearby. I turned towards the sound and found it was coming from Sacramento Op era singer Carrie Hennessey, who sang a heavenly aria that captivated the audience.

Image by: David Alvarez

Hennessey’s singing showcased some of the best that Sacramento has to offer, the Sacramento Opera. The opera will kick off the 2011-2012 season with “Opera at the Cathedral” on October 6. Throughout the event, Rod Gideons, general director of the Sacramento Opera, was at a table distributing information about this year’s season.

Image by: David Alvarez

Thompson and Crouch took the stage and welcomed guests for the evening.

“I’ve never been to one of these things and I’m blown away,” said Crouch. “The designers and models are fantastic and look gorgeous. Let’s not forget that all this work that Designing Dreams has put together also benefits the Sweet Dreams Foundation.”

The much anticipated fashion show began with an array of marvelous outfits. The first designer to exhibit her designs was Tiana Vega. Vega’s collections have been a craze in Sacramento and have landed Vega and her team spots in both Boston Fashion Week and the prestigious New York Fashion Week.

Image by: David Alvarez

The Vega collection elicited sighs from spectators as her models donned one and two piece outfits. Several solid and checkered tops and bottoms were elegantly matched with accessories accenting Vega’s creations.

Besides being a top designer, Vega and her team did a great job coordinating and producing the event. The audience welcomed the new collection and showed their appreciation.

Yennie Zhou brought her Y Couture Dream Collection to the stage next. Zhou’s free flowing styles looked simple at first but upon closer observation, one could see the meticulous work put into many of her outfits.

Image by: David Alvarez

The collection was well received and elicited positive comments from audience members. Zhou’s belief that art exists in various forms and mediums was brought to the runway as models showed off her creations. Her models donned creative head gear and superb makeup.

Shirali Singh brought her very first collection under the label ShiRa to Sacramento. Singh’s elegant collection showcased rich fabrics and delicate hand work.

Image by: David Alvarez

Singh showcased her San Francisco contemporary, classy and chic designs and they were well received. Each colorful outfit was classic in its simple form yet elegant in its integrated fabric and hand work, creating outfits meant to be seen at upscale outings and events.

Melissa Kay’s designs are inspired by diverse cultures, different eras, music, art and everyday life. Her inspirations and uses of fabric for each of her pieces make each of her creations purely unique.

Image by: David Alvarez

Kay’s designs for the show varied from two piece outfits to elegant frills. The elegant and sexy outfit that started her collection seemed to be meant for an evening out on the town but with an undershirt, it could be worn to the office. The Kay collection also showcased other stylish dresses that could be worn to formal events.

As the show continued, a stunningly colorful outfit from the Vasily Vein collection was worn by a model with a colorful Mohawk that matched, in color, the outfits exhibited. The look gave the appearance of a rock star. Indeed, the collection created by the Russian born designer has rock star influences. 

The second outfit in particular showed his Russian heritage. The classic Russian heritage inspired dress was given a very contemporary look. The colorful rock-inspired attire was followed by several classic black and white garments. The collection also showed other stunning fashion and showcased Vasily Vein’s versatility and great talent.

Image by: David Alvarez

Janelle Cardenas’ inspiration comes from such fashion icons as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn and Twiggy. Cardenas is currently studying at IADT. The West Sacramento resident’s designs are meant to inspire you with classic lines combined with feminine fabrics, texture and contrast.

Cardenas continues to participate in fashion shows around Sacramento and her designs are being produced under the Love by Janelle Cardenas line. The collection began with a glamorous black outfit with a see-through sleeveless top and a collar adorned by black rose trim.

Image by: David Alvarez

Black was the primary color in Cardenas’ designs for the show that included several pieces adorned with heart embroidery and patterns suited for her “heartache” collection. Each model also had a red rose on their cheek to accent the Janelle Cardenas designs.

After a short breatk, this year’s Sweet Dreams Foundation beneficiary was introduced to the audience. Cassidy came out wearing a dress made especially for her by Tiana Vega.

Image by: David Alvarez

Richards and Cassidy did a short walk on the runway and both wore a large smile on their face. You could see the happiness in Cassidy’s face as she strolled down the runway hand in hand with Richards. This was one of those days in a child’s life that will remain with them. Being together with family and friends at the event made this a happy and memorable building day in Cassidy’s life. The healing process in this child’s life will be helped knowing how many people are behind her.

As Richards and Cassidy finished their short runway walk, Crouch commented.

“I think we have a future model in our hands.”

Cassidy’s smile spoke volumes as to how happy and excited she was. Presenting the child benefiting from the Designing Dreams show to the audience is a morale boost that works wonders. If the child and their parents could also walk, I believe, it would show how much people really care. 

Image by: David Alvarez

Cassidy’s dream is to have a glamorous teen lounge, black and white with splashes of bright colors. Cassidy has also asked for bright lighting for her dream room and her very own nail station. For this young girl who has already endured so much, it’s doubtful that she’s asking for too much.

The second round began with Design Vendetta winner Samuel Parkinson. Design Vendetta was a juried and time restricted competition that allowed the winning student designer to showcase their talents at Designing Dreams.

Image by: David Alvarez

The only designer to take his fashion to the Designing Dreams runway via competition, Parkinson showed that he belongs. His urban apparel designs included tops, pants, shorts, hoodies, jackets and duffel bags that can be combined with almost any outfit to bring fashion to the urban scene. His designs were the only ones exhibited for both men and women.

Parkinson’s urban designs are sure to make a statement in Sacramento’s fashion scene and beyond. Inspired by everyone and everything around him, his urban apparel designs in turn inspire the fashion scene. Sam Parkinson is a designer whose time has come; his designs are ready to become a trend.

Maisha Bahati creates eye catching designs with a 70’s flare. Her designs started off with a beautiful blue one piece outfit that covered the model from the top of her head to her feet. All models donned black hair extensions that went well with wraparound tops and long, colorful evening wear.

Image by: David Alvarez

Her MaishaDahati designs also showcased black outfits with a bare shoulder look that offered sophisticated designs for women of all sizes. Her designs are ready to wear with stylish and simplistic fabrics, giving an elegant look to many of her outfits.

Image by: David Alvarez

The Nelli Rosh collection showcased the creations of European stylist Nelli Rosh. Rosh is a graduate of IADT and currently works with the famous “Cool Style “design studio.

Rosh's elegant designs graced the runway. Guests were able to take advantage of the 90 foot runway to admire her elegant and elaborate designs. All eyes were fixed on her designs from the start of the runway to the end and stayed focused on the models as they returned to the curtain. Her selection of “Ave Maria” was a perfect musical choice for her designs.

Image by: David Alvarez

Bringing images of Marie Antoinette and French fashion, her designs were breathtaking and elaborate. Several of Rosh’s designs for the show could have inspired a quinceñera, an extreme sweet sixteen, an evening or a prom gown.

Image by: David Alvarez

Two designers collaborated to bring Far East Fashion to the runway. Hong Kong native Aya Yoruha’s designs fused Chinese and Japanese styles and mixed it with a Western feel. Diane O, an East Bay native, brought her passion for working in performance theatre art to capture a design that mixed different styles together.

Both designers brought a line of clothing that began with a short dress outfit. The two piece outfit consisted of a black mini-skirt with white trim on the bottom front of the skirt. The top partly showed the bare upper back of the model and it appeared that a tail was attached to the skirt. 

Image by: David Alvarez

The last collection of the evening belonged to Violetta Vieux. The Moldova born designer brought a bridal collection to the runway. Her elegant outfits were exquisitely made with much attention to detail.

Image by: David Alvarez

Vieux and her twin sister Viorikka learned crocheting from their grandmother. Since that time, Violetta has had a passion for fashion. Vieux studied at the ESMOD fashion school in Paris. She is currently an instructor at FIDM in San Francisco and is also ownsf the French Couture Design Studio. 

Ornate detail exuded Parisian influence in several of the VioGemini bridal designs. The long bridal gowns exhibited at the beginning of the Vieux collection were very elegant and one could admire the many details as the models walked slowly to the front of the runway and back. Short gowns were also showcased, their detail just as beautiful.

Image by: David Alvarez

A Sacramento Opera performance provided a fashionable ending to the 2011 Designing Dreams fashion show. Hennessey’s soprano voice carried an angelic range and her performance was nothing less than a spectacular and truly enjoyable performance.

Although the press room was full of designers, models and guests, I was able to talk to Violetta Vieux, whose designs closed the fashion show.

Vieux’s lovely demeanor and personality made it easy to ask her a few questions about her designs and how she became involved in the show.

“Two of the designers who participated in tonight’s event were my students at FIDM, one day I heard them talking about the show and since I was getting ready to have a show of my own, I said why not? I liked the idea of the charity as well and what it was trying to do for Cassidy. I jumped at the opportunity.”

Vieux talked a little about her home. She indicated she has lived in the U.S. for three years and lives in Fremont. She also talked a little about her design background.

“I lived in Paris where I studied fashion for five years and then I came to the United States. I have had a passion for design since childhood. At an early age, I enjoyed crochet and knitting. I was then lucky enough to go to Paris where I learned to draft and how to do draping and other sewing techniques. I have been involved in fashion from an early age.”

I asked about her inspiration for her Designing Dreams collection as well.

“For this collection it was winter. You can see the dresses are like snowflakes and you can see feathers that are like snow flurries and rhinestones that are like sparkles shining and you can also see snowflake shapes adorning many of the garments. In one outfit, if you look and study it, you can see the Eiffel Tower and how it was crocheted with each piece looking like a snowflake crystal.”

“I have a show tomorrow in San Francisco for their fashion week. Actually, the goal of all of this is that I’m launching a new commerce website where I will be selling outfits from my collection. Many of the outfits are customized and you can see some dresses can have removable segments where ladies can remove a piece and wear a shorter dress after the wedding ceremony for the party.”

Vieux ended by describing her collection.

“VioGemini comes from twins. I have a twin sister and we were born under the zodiac sign of Gemini. We work together and have come up with several ideas.”

An after party was scheduled after the show to celebrate the successful ending of the second annual Designing Dreams fashion show.