Couture Press of Sacramento put together another memorable show on July 1 at Roseville’s The Station Bistro and Lounge.

The Perfect Summer 2012 fashion show featured an array of designs by local and Bay area designers. Models from the northern California region were able to showcase their talents as well.

Eddie Clark, Hairstylist and Makeup Artists, provided a staff to provide their specialty services for models at hand. Following designer requirements the Clark team created pieces of art showcased on models as they paraded down the runway.

Back stage at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

Several vendors occupied stations in the back patio. On this hot day the vendors were able find shady spots to display their merchandise.

Leticia Vincent, Independent Passion Consultant, from Passion Parties returned as a vendor for the event. Vincent also offered readers of this article a 10% discount during July on products purchased by mentioning “Couture” when they order.

Passion Parties at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

Yah Baby designers of sport tote bags had a display area with an assortment of bags in different styles, sizes and designs. Information requests about the individually made bags can be made by sending an email to mmspmc@pacbell.com.

Yah Baby reps at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

Another station belonged to BeautiControl (BC) Spas with Mo. BeautiControl is a beauty company that specializes in Spa treatments, Personalized skin care and Advanced Anti-aging products (SPA).

BC Spas with Mo at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

Crystal Marie is a singer in the Sacramento area who recently branched out to create an accessories line crafted out of bottle caps. A table full of Cap’d Out 227 creations were exhibited and appeared to be quite popular.

Cap'd Out 227 at www.bcspasbymaureen.com/ (Image by: David Alvarez)

Inside the lounge television sets ran video from the last Couture Press event.

Entertainment was provided for guests. Comedian Janelle Murphey spent some time doing stand up and entertained the audience before the fashion show began.

Comedian Jaanelle Murphey at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Perfect Summer 2012 show began with Saul Ramirez Latvanen’s Goddess Warrior collection. His collection paid homage to strong women who evoke a hard work ethic.

Latvanen sited his mother as the inspiration for his remarkable collection.

The Goddess Warrior collection included several colorful outfits that made it look as if a mythical goddess walked down the runway.

Latvanen’s dramatic collection included footwear that looked as if wings ala Hermes were part of the shoes making for a theatrical look that had guests admiring the models from head to toe.

Saul Latvanen designs at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

I talked to Latvanen and asked him several questions about his collection.

When asked if Latvanen was attending design school he noted that he was currently attending American River College. ARC has a fashion design department and Latvanen was able to participate in a recent fashion show at the school.

Latvanen indicated the Goddess Warrior was a recent collection saying, “This is my latest collection but my first collection was the one I designed for Sacramento Fashion Week.”

I asked Latvanen what other shows he had coming up and he indicated he was thinking about his next step. “I’m trying to figure out if I want to do men’s wear. I’m thinking about trying to showcase a men’s wear collection perhaps in spring of next year. I might show a small preview in a couple of months” said Latvanen."

Goddes Warrior collection by Saul Latvanen at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Goddess Warrior designer has attended ARC for a year and a half and will be earning a Fashion Design degree. When asked if he was planning on continuing his education after that Latvanen said, “I don’t know yet. I’m debating whether to move to L.A. and maybe go to design school there or move to New York I haven’t yet decided.”

Asked about his inspiration for fashion Latvanen said, “I’ve always seen my mom working in sewing but I wasn’t very interested in it until later when I wanted to help her out. I then fell in love with fashion. This collection is inspired by powerful women like goddess warriors so that’s my main inspiration.”

Latvanen shared some advice for new designers saying, “Apply yourself and go after something you want to do. If fashion design is calling, then they should just go straight into fashion design. That’s what I’m doing right now. I actually wanted to be a hairstylist. However once I started designing I fell in love with the process. Follow your passion and do your best.”

After Latvanen’s collection the audience saw designs by Crafty Creationz who create children’s clothing, accessories and customized wear.

Colorful dresses with matching shoes were also accessorized with beautiful bows on the models’ hair. The little models were not shy and it was obvious they had taken their training seriously as they posed while walking down the runway.

Crafty Creationz at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Ajiale Couture followed showcasing all that is summer fashion.

Starting off by showing one and two piece crochet swimwear Ajiale Couture made a grand entrance.

Ajiale Couture collection at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

The cutting edge collections also showed contemporary clothing meant for women from all walks of life and all sizes.

One and two piece outfits also paraded down the runway displaying various custom one of a kind outfits.

Ajiale’s collection showed the intricate handwork required to create this extensive collection.

Dericka Porter, Couture Press CEO and President, introduced Crystal Blue who performed a series of songs. Their set began with a great rendition of “Valerie.” Crystal Blue followed with “The House That Built Me” and continued to entertain the audience.

Crystal Blue performing at intermission at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

As visitors mingled they also were invited to visit the vendors in the back patio.

Crystal Blue continued to play other cover songs like “Ain’t no Sunshine” and “Free Falling.”

A raffle also gave guests the opportunity to go home with some prizes. One lucky lady kept going up to the stage as her numbers kept being selected.

Raffle prize winner at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

As the show resumed guests were treated to Joycelynn Brown’s collection. The Kennie’s Doll collection featured colorful spring and summer outfits.

Kennie's Doll collection at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

Several skirts and other outfits had floral prints and also include a 70s look.

Brown also walked down the runway with model Amara Carey wearing a stylish breathtaking sleeveless, floral summer outfit.

Philip Noynosoudachanh had a simple yet astonishing elegant collection. Several sleeveless dresses with exquisite lines varied in length including above the knee, at the knee as well as below.

Philip Noynosoudachanh at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

Noynosoudachanh’s designs have already graced the pages of Sacramento News and Review, Submerge Magazine, ARC Arts Catalog and Helium Magazine.

Lacey Bannister’s Straight-Laced Boutique creations were the last set of outfits paraded down the runway.

Stunning headdresses created a theatrical showing. No less stunning were the outfits themselves.

Visions of futuristic tribal costumes paraded down the runway. The primary color for most of the collection was black. Another outfit brought a vision of a Brazilian Carnaval dancer and two beautiful white outfits completed the collection.

Straight Laced Boutique at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

With a flair for the dramatic the Straight Laced Boutique made quite an impression.

Guests at www.facebook.com/WeakySauce (Image by: David Alvarez)

Once the show ended I spent a few minutes with model Vanessa Briseño. At most of these fashion events, if time permits, I try to interview a model and designer to get some thoughts about the work they do.

I have seen Briseño at various venues and asked her about the event and about herself. The pleasantly enthusiastic model shared some thoughts.

Briseño stated that she walked the runway for Ajiale Couture and Joycelynn Brown. The model also shared how long she’s modeled saying, “I’ve modeled for two years now, still a newbie.”

Briseño was also the cover model for the flyer advertising the event. I asked about her association with Couture Press. “When I first started modeling they picked me up from a show I was doing for a vintage fashion line and I’ve been with them ever since. That happened within the first two months after I started modeling so I’ve been with them for almost two years.”

When asked about how many signed models Couture Press has Briseño answered, “I think we’re up to four or five models and I believe we have makeup artists now. I think that’s all so far, we’re still growing.”

Briseño also shared how she became interested in fashion. “I always wanted to do it. I’ve always been interested in fashion. I’m the one that everyone gets their outfits approved by in my household. My dad can’t even go out on a trip without me picking out all his outfits for his trips.”

Briseño indicated that she will be enrolled in school full time in the fall. She is hoping to enroll in Fire Technology and an EMT course. “I want to be a firefighter” she stated.

At the moment Briseño hopes to keep up with modeling even after becoming a firefighter saying, “I would definitely keep it up as long as I’m doing what I love and hope modeling will be a part of that.”

The Sacramento model keeps busy working two other jobs and will be doing another Couture Press show in October. Briseño’s future photo shoots for a boutique opening in Paris and New York will also keep her busy.

Hair and makeup students at The Perfect Summer 2012 Fashion Show (Image by: David Alvarez)

At the last Couture Press show I met model Noelle Staggers who had participated in Cycle 4 of America’s Top Model.

Since I last spoke with Staggers she related that she’s done a couple of artistic shoots in Reno. Staggers has also booked some photos hoots for a couple of lines that were shown and is looking forward to working with those designers.

Staggers shared that she’s slowly getting back into modeling. “I’m feeling comfortable with the designers I’ve been working with lately who make me want to model,” she said.

When asked about doing acting Staggers said, “I love acting I did a lot of improv stuff in theater when I was in school. Do I look like a theater geek? I’m a total drama geek. I love to do it and I’m very much an opportunist and feel you have to keep all your options open and as things approach you, you have to consider them.” Staggers noted that if an acting opportunity came her way she might just take it.

Staggers is a positive influence on other models and the younger ones really look up to her. Talking about model Alexis Pinkney and how she looks up to her Staggers said, “You know she’s very sweet. She’s been calling me her big sister a lot. The other day she was sick and she had to miss a show. I told her health is very important and you can’t be a good model if you’re throwing up on the runway; it’s not too cute. I have to remind young models, and others, not to forget to love yourself.”

When asked what advice she would give people wanting to become models Staggers stated, “I think I told you this the last time we talked but you have to love yourself. In addition to that, do it because you love it not just to feel pretty. A lot of young women think you have to be a model to be pretty. If you enjoy it and like being in front of the camera enjoy it but the second you stop enjoying it run in the other direction as fast as you can.”

Staggers revealed that during her stint at America’s Next Top Model she learned a lot and appreciated the feedback that kept her going. “An important thing I really learned from the show was networking. Everybody you meet you should be sweet to them, be endearing to them and keep their name because you never know when you might meet that person again.”

Staggers ended by saying, “I want to thank everyone for supporting me. I’ve had a lot of good fans who’ve stopped by to say hi. I want to thank people for looking out for me and wanting to come and see me. I appreciate all their support.”

Staggers’ charm and positive personality serve as a great example for other models. Her confidence on and off the runway is admirable and shows how much she enjoys what she does.

Models receive last minute instructions from Couture Press CEO Dericka Porter (Image by: David Alvarez)

The Perfect Summer 2012 fashion show once again showcased some of northern California’s leading designers.

Couture Press continues to provide a platform for designers, models, hair and makeup artists to promote their work and style.

Independent talent in fashion is represented by Couture Press and during the fashion show their coordinated efforts were in top form. It took a lot of time and effort to coordinate the Perfect Summer 2012 show but the whole production flowed flawlessly.