HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--When emerging Houston-based fashion designer Jonathan Blake promised that his Fall/Winter 2014 runway fashion show last week would surprise and excite his clients and supporters, he held true to his word.
With Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” energizing the audience, Jonathan treated fashion buyers, clients, special guests and media to a runway “walk on the wild side” on Wednesday, April 2, that ended with Miss Texas 2013 Ali Nugent and her escort -- a trained wolf from Oklahoma named Scout. Anything but wild or hungry, Scout displayed fearless, gentle and affectionate tendencies with front row guests. With Nugent as his beautiful handler (clad in mink and Nappa leather bolero jacket and a black cotton satin Jonathan Blake evening gown with Nappa leather inserts and trim), Scout garnered huge applause from the crowd of 350-plus and became an immediate Jonathan Blake social media super star.
The invitation-only runway fashion show last week at The Omni Hotel in Houston at Riverway marked the fourth for this up-and-coming designer in his hometown. The show featured 29 looks and 55 pieces, including a new line of Jonathan Blake handbags. Sharron Melton, KTRK-TV/ABC 13 morning news anchor, served as the emcee for the runway fashion show and reception at the Omni Houston Hotel near the Houston Galleria. Page Parkes provided models. BLINC by Bambi Linn produced the runway show. Valobra provided jewelry. Urban Retreat provided hair and makeup. Maserati of Houston provided valet services. (Additional acknowledgements and sponsors are listed at the end of this news release.)
“Women who have a ‘secret’ side, who are refined and restrained by day and uninhibited and fun-loving by night, are the muses for my new Fall/Winter collection. I have introduced luxurious furs and intricate embroidery into my Jonathan Blake line. I also expanded my use of fine leathers and exotic skins, silk and wool. With regard to my new handbags, women who travel stylishly served as my inspiration. Each handbag is handmade in the United States and is available in a unique color of fine leather or exotic skin,” Jonathan explained.
The color palette for the new Jonathan Blake Fall/Winter collection includes forest green, navy, red, burgundy, winter white, brown, black and hounds tooth. The collection features jackets, coats, dresses, skirts, blouses and slacks made from wool, leather, sable, mink, ermine, fox, hair hide, and long haired goat sourced from the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland and Russia. For Jonathan Blake’s handbags, the official tannery of Hermes supplied crocodile, alligator, lizard and ostrich to ensure the highest quality and luxury that the Jonathan Blake brand represents. All clothing and handbags in the Jonathan Blake collections are made in the U.S. Prices for handbags range from $1,600 to $18,000. Prices for items in the Fall/Winter couture collection range from $285 to $8,000.
Naomi Smart, a London-based fashion features assistant with British Vogue who attended the Jonathan Blake trunk show last week, commented: “I loved the green leather dress with the mink shrug. It was luxurious with a cool vibe and was appropriate for any age. Jonathan was able to appeal to a chic, uptown girl while also conveying a slightly edgier tone. I also thought Jonathan’s use of exotic furs was brilliant and his placement of furs was very interesting.”
Libby Ingrassia, managing editor of Houston-based Bayou City Magazine, was impressed with the classic rock soundtrack for the fashion show (which featured songs by Duran Duran, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and others) and “luxurious fabrics.”
“What stood out for me was the detailing in Jonathan’s collection. I loved the rich colors and the winter white. I also loved the Katherine Hepburn elegant, tailored look and the flattering draping of the fabrics Jonathan used.”
“My favorite pieces were the cashmere cropped jacket, the diamond stitched leather gown, and the fox shrug. I loved the leather dresses and the evening gowns that were very formal with an edge. The wolf added a WOW factor!” said Ruchi Mukherjee, founder and editor, Lights Camera Action - Houston Society News.
Roz Pactor, fashion consultant and founder of the “My Red Glasses” fashion blog, added: “I loved the black bolero with the mink. It is a great alternative for a cover up and I am anti-pashmina these days. I loved the grey cropped cashmere jacket. I loved the flattering shapes on the long evening dresses. I loved and can appreciate the beautiful lace mixed with the mink!”
With the introduction of his 2014 Fall/Winter collection, Jonathan Blake demonstrated that he is evolving and maturing as a fashion designer: he is pursuing an international, cosmopolitan audience of upscale buyers who are willing to let their hair down and “walk on the wild side.” As part of his expansion plans, Jonathan Blake will be hosting a series of trunk shows and gala fashion shows in Aspen, Dallas, Houston, New York, Los Angeles, London and other fashion centers throughout 2014 and 2015. He is also in discussions with several high-end boutiques and department stores about carrying the Jonathan Blake line.
Clients have already purchased items from the Fall/Winter collection at Jonathan Blake trunk shows in Houston on April 3 and April 4 following the runway show. Jonathan Blake sales manager Holly Thompson is available to assist clients with scheduling private appointments at the Jonathan Blake Atelier in Houston. Thompson can be reached at 713-960-1514 or holly@jonathanblake.net.
More About Jonathan Blake
In October 2012, when he was only 21, Jonathan Blake introduced his first collection – the Bella Donna Spring/Summer 2013 Couture Collection. The Jonathan Blake line has been well received among new clients, potential buyers, fashion media and bloggers.
The Jonathan Blake Atelier opened in Houston in July. Jonathan Blake offers private complimentary consultations at the atelier and by appointment. For photos and additional information, please visit www.jonathanblake.net. The Jonathan Blake Atelier is located at 4544 Post Oak Place Drive, Suite, 220, Houston, Texas 77027. Consultations can be scheduled with Jonathan Blake and members of his staff by emailing contact@jonathanblake.net or calling 713-960-1514.
| Credits | ||||||
| Fashions: | Jonathan Blake LLC | |||||
| Models: | Page Parkes | |||||
| Guest Model: | Ali Nugent, Miss Texas 2013, resident of Dallas | |||||
| Wolf: | Scout | |||||
| Wolf Trainer: | Doug Terranova | |||||
| Hair and Makeup: | Urban Retreat | |||||
| Jewelry: | Valobra Jewelry | |||||
| Perfume: | Clive Christian Fragrances | |||||
| Valet Parking: | Maserati of Houston | |||||
| Emcee: | Sharron Melton, KTRK TV, ABC 13 Morning News Anchor | |||||
| Entertainment: | Virtuosi of Houston Youth Chamber Orchestra Ensemble | |||||
| Flowers: | Flowers by Nino | |||||
| Décor: | The Perfect Touch | |||||
| Chocolates: | Araya | |||||
| Show Producer: | BLINC by Bambi Lynn | |||||
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Show Photographers: |
Arthur Garcia/Select Studios (Runway), Daniel Ortiz (social) and Roswitha Vogler |
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| Videographer: | Reel Connection Media | |||||
| Public Relations: | Pennino and Partners | |||||
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Invitations and Program: |
Meagan Adair Designs | |||||
| Web site designer: | Culture Pilot | |||||
| Venue: | The Omni Hotel in Houston at Riverway | |||||
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“Inner Circle”: |
Jonathan Blake’s parents John and Mandy Tinkle, sister Amanda Rose Tinkle, maternal grandmother Rose McCreery, partner Cody Soutar, and sales manager Holly Thompson |
