Je’von Terance Fashion Show comes to Lorain Arts Council

By Ingrid Marie Rivera, La Prensa Correspondent

Glamour and fashion will arrive in downtown Lorain this summer.

Two Lorainites have partnered with the Lorain Arts Council to bring the city a fairly new experience – a fashion show, July 29, 2011.

Je’von Terance with female models

The fashion line is Je'von Terance and its creator Aaron Simmons, 25, of Lorain, said he's excited to bring back his line to Lorain for the second consecutive summer.

Roughly 15 to 20 models are expected to walk the runway showcasing exclusively his line of work behind the Lorain Arts Council, 737 Broadway Avenue.

The fashion show titled “From Broadway to the Runway,” will feature a summer and Fall collection that will include ensembles for everyday wear and high fashion.

In fact, Simmons said he has organized the fashion show this year to begin with a more playful, summer, daytime and everyday wear theme, and finish with a more elegant, nighttime and even Autumn theme.

“This year will be more structured with one set collection, a tropical flight,” Simmons said “The pieces will go from daytime beach party to flow into nighttime yacht party. You'll see the transition,” he said.

Expect a more elegant feel this year as he adds more satin and sequin fabric to his creations.

“The show is more upscale this year,” Simmons said “You'll see more elegant fabric. I have my own fabric. I will bring in fabric from New York. I have a good eye for fabric,” he said.
 

His girlfriend Mia Arredondo, of Lorain, has also helped to organize his fashion show that will include his new collection. Simmons has showcased his work in Cleveland and Elyria but wanted to bring his line to his hometown, she said. Arredondo said by hosting it this year at the art gallery, the fashion show will have a more elegant feel – the mood they wanted.

“We want to bring something new to Lorain,” Arredondo said “These types of events are not common in Lorain. They are more normal in Cleveland. It's important to help your community. We want to get that support from our community and work with models from Lorain County. This is a great way to do something new in Lorain,” she said.

Last year, roughly 300 people attended the show including Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko. This year, they expect roughly 200 people because that is the building's capacity, she said. 

New to the show this year: the audience will witness the design process. With posters near the stage, the audience will see the design process of a specific piece of attire before the model flaunts it on the runway. 

The design process, that can take up to many months to complete, is all done by Simmons himself.

Simmons attended Lorain County Community College for Arts but he is a self-taught designer. He taught himself how to use a sewing machine, and makes his own fabrics, like the denim he bleached for an acid-wash look.
 

For the first time in his fashion show, he hopes to add a briefcase, that besides the box frame, he will have completely designed and constructed it from scratch. He has created the briefcase's fabric design and has ordered it from an online North Carolina based-company, Spoonflower.com.

Inspired by Dolce and Gabbana, Betsey Johnson's fun, playful style, and John Galliano's “pushing the limit” style at fashion shows, and the H&M store, Simmons is constantly trying to reinvent himself. He said he's always challenging himself to do something new for every fashion show. Simmons' clothing line are for both men and women, and are mostly for everyday wear but he is expanding his high fashion and more elegant collection. His line includes business wear and swimsuits. Plus, he plans to launch a children's line in the future. But he said some pieces from the smaller sized womens' collection may fit girls about 9 years old and older. He said his clothing line also features pieces for petite and plus sizes. The audience can expect models from all categories at his fashion show.

“Lorain, It's an international city with international models,” Simmons said “We're trying to bring in models from different races, plus size models and petites. We're not trying to single any body out or leave any body out,” he said.

As a fashion designer, Simmons cannot help in noticing fashion faux pas.

He said his pet peeves include women that wear tight-fitted shirts with white leggings where underwear  is visible, and for men, clothes that are too big for them.

“Real baggy clothes are not in,” Simmons said “it was in during the 90s. Some men wear clothes that are three times bigger than their size. Clothes are fitted now. You should present yourself in a fitted and tailored way,” he said.

Antonio Barrios, president of the Lorain Arts Council, said he attended Simmons' fashion show last summer and enjoyed it so much he decided to offer his venue for this year's show.
 

“I wanted to bring fashion as one of the arts to the Lorain Arts Council,” Barrios said “It's a whole different category doing the fashion show in an art gallery. So it's a win-win situation,” he said.

The show will be held outside behind the council’s building but in case of rain, it will be moved inside.

In the future, Simmons hopes to complete his web site where customers can order his clothing; plans to open a store; and become a cast member of the 2012 season of Project Runway, a reality show for aspiring fashion designers.
 

Je’von Terance with male models

Simmons is planning to work with Lorain city schools for another fashion show this Autumn, and will host a fashion show in Elyria in the summer of 2012 to celebrate his 5-year clothing line anniversary.

But first he plans to take his own advice and go back to school.  At Berea Children's Home and Family Services, Simmons has been a treatment specialist and mentor for many teenagers, and has advised them to go to college. Simmons plans to go to Virginia Marti College of art and design, in Lakewood, this Fall. Simmons advises other aspiring fashion designers that being self-taught is fine but if possible also “do whatever you can to go to school.”

Simmons added “I'm working toward my goal to inspire the youth. To inspire them, it makes me feel good,” he said.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The show will include a live band and prizes, beverages, wine and hors d'oeuvre before and after show. Anyone attending will be able to order items and receive a 15 percent discount on orders. Attendees must be 21 years or older, and casual formal attire will be required. Tickets also allow entry to the after-party at Club Copa, 939 Broadway. For tickets call (440) 371-2554 or (440) 320-9337. Simmons is still looking for local models to participate in his show; contact them for more information.

Sponsors include: Three Star Restaurant, K Cream Corner, Zelek Flower Shop, Inc., Mexican Mutual Society, Club Copa, and more.

Look for Simmons on Facebook or his web site: Http://www.jevonterance.com

See Lorain Arts Council on Facebook or online: http://www.lorainartscouncil.com/ Call the art gallery at (440) 320-0295.

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