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PrintFashion Forward: Local Designers
Reported by:
Producer:
Ivonne Amor
Contact:
Archived Reports:
Forget the runways of Paris and Milan. Tonight, we'll introducing you to three talented local designers... who are working their way up the fashion ladder.
To hand-made knit tops...
To beautiful couture gowns...
They look like designer duds.
But they're made made by some of South Florida's most talented fashionistas.
Julian Chang is among them.
This 25 year-old has loved designing as long as he can remember.
Fashion Designer, Julian Chang says, "I worked at a sportswear company for 3 years and then finally I decided to open my own business a few years ago."
And it's paid off.
Julian started with bridal designs and now has his own line of couture clothing... cut and made right here in Miami.
Gloria Estefan is among his clients.
Julian says, "We're dressing a lot of people, we want to dress the girl, the woman of today."
"Original, unique, sexy, hot."
That's how Heidi Hess describes her new clothing line.
This former DJ changed careers recently when people kept asking her about her clothes.
Fashion Designer, Heidi Hess says, "A couple people made a couple comments and I, it went ding! and um, I created this. I made the tank top."
From bright tank tops, to fluffy scarfs, multi-colored shawls, and mini skirts -- all of Heidi's fashions are hand knit or loomed.
Heidi says, "I keep making something every day, I can't stop."
She adds, "I wake up with a new idea every day."
Her designs are bright, sexy and very original.
"That's ready to go out?"
Speaking of original... Ash Rana is a South Florida guy with a flair for fashion.
His designs are a reflection of his personality.
Fashion Designer, Ash Rana says, "I always laugh when I am making clothes, when I'm sketching them, or when I'm painting them and printing them."
Ash has his own studio, but he also sells his designs at boutiques like Merenda in Miami.
He says, "It's rock n' roll, it's fun, it's funky, and you can't find it everywhere."
Ash has traveled the world looking for inspiration, but always returns home to South Florida... which he says is a hotbed for fashion.
He says, "It is competetive but I don't let it be that way. I just enjoy what I'm doing."
So fabulous!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact: bnerey@wsvn.com
WEB LINKS:
JULIAN CHANG COUTURE
305-299-4399
1071 NE 79th Street
Miami, FL 33138
HEIDI HESS DESIGNS
954-778-3222 Miami
310-753-3500 LA
ASH RANA INC.
305-572-9088
4590 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33137
MERENDA
305-754-3545
1071 NE 79th Street
Miami, FL 33138