Designers use their fashion pieces to create a message, and hopefully, one that leaves an impact on people. At just the age of fifteen, designer Brenna Livingston understands the importance of using her work to carry on the message of sustainability and being environmentally friendly. Upcycling, a now popular trend, is used by Livingston in her designs to portray the importance of wearing sustainable clothing while also looking fashionable. She wants to use her designs to inspire people to take responsibility for the role they play in recycling for the benefit of our Earth.
At the Modello Nuovo fashion show, Livingston’s jewelry pieces were highlighted for her creativity in taking something old and turning it into something new and fashionable. I had the pleasure of interviewing Livingston to get some insight of how she brings her pieces to life.
Interview:
Where did you grow up as a kid and what was your childhood like?
I grew up in Denver. I started dancing and modeling very young. And attended a performing arts school for middle school. I’m almost 15 so still growing.
How would you describe the style of your designs?
My primary focus is jewelry design..my … Read more!
“Notice what you like and what you dislike to start developing your style…You can always acquire skills such as sewing later, it is not important, the most important thing is to find your style.” – Miceala Giulianelli
By Maya Fuentes
Inspired by nature around her, Miceala Giulianelli created a collection of chic and contemporary designs that were shown as a part of Modello Nuovo’s first semi annual fashion show. Giulianelli enjoys giving a new perspective to classic shapes by reimagining them with modern fabrics like leather, offering her audience designs they are sure to remember. She defines her style as unique, modern, and eye-catching, traits that are obvious to those captivated by Giulianelli’s designs on the runway. While she hopes everyone is inspired by her designs, Giulianelli explains, “My target audience is women who want to feel powerful and confident in what they wear.”
At just 17, her personal style follows normal teen trends varying heavily from what she creates. Giulianelli envisions her contemporary and sophisticated pieces being worn at the office or as a statement for a special occasion.
A word of advice she’d give to other teens looking to start designing at her age, “Notice what you … Read more!
“We are not guaranteed another day, another smile, another dance, another tight hug, another I love you, and another goodbye. Cherish every moment and live it to the fullest.”- Armina Jusufagic
It’s so cool how a meeting over coffee can open doors into a whole new world that you could never imagine! I sat down with Armina a couple of weeks ago, connecting on some fashion things, but when the meeting was over, my mind was blown at all of the things that she has experienced in her life. I wanted to learn more! So, I did!
Where were you born and what was life like as a child?
I was born in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. My family and I fled to Germany in 1990 as refugees during the Yugoslavian civil war. My mother is Serbian, Orthodox and my father is Bosnian, Muslim. After the war was over we didn’t have a country to return to. We then became refugees again and came over to San Francisco in 1996. Once we settled into San Francisco I was able to pursue basketball. My focus and determination as an athlete took me to the collegiate and professional level. I played … Read more!
“I like to think I slid outta the womb creating…. “-Katie Wells designer behind Giddyup
Fashion is such a statement. Oftentimes, fashion can be taken too seriously. You must look like a professional. You must dress to impress. There can be expectations and pressure to follow fashion trends. Well, thank goodness there’s Katie Wells of GIDDYUP! Katie knows how to keep fashion fun.
I met Katie over a decade ago. The first time I fell in love with Katie’s designs was when I was in a fashion show and I got to model her dress, covered in pompoms!
I fell so head over heels in love with her fashions that I had her put together a look for me for my band performance at the Hi-Dive. She knew exactly to capture my whimsical playfulness.
Then, I became addicted to her headbands… headbands like you will NEVER find!
And then, I was lucky enough to get to carry GIDDYUP in our boutique (when we had a boutique (2008-2011).
Le sigh…. I can go on and on and on about how happy Katie’s designs make me. You can take a frown and turn it into perma-smile with her whimsical, unique and always … Read more!
“It wasn’t until I became a makeup artist and model that I truly began to find my niche, and I think it’s because neither of those disciplines allows for the destructive perfectionism or self doubt that have held me back most of my life.”
– Quille Palan
I sat down with Quille Palan at Denver Fashion Week, Fall of 2019. It was my first time modeling in Denver Fashion Week (not just emceeing or attending) and I was so excited for the opportunity to be a model and be on the other side of the show than I usually am. I was a little bit nervous, but when I sat down with Quille, my nerves melted away. After learning that we had met over a decade before and in a completely different lifetime ago, I knew I wanted to get to know more about this amazingly beautiful person!
One thing that I love about this interview with Quille is the honesty. It’s so hard for us to admit what we might not be cut out to do. But oh how inspiring it is to share life’s REAL journey into discovering what we ARE meant to do!
Inspired by nature around her, Miceala Giulianelli created a collection of chic and contemporary designs that were shown as a part of Modello Nuovo’s first semi annual fashion show. Giulianelli enjoys giving a new perspective to classic shapes by reimagining them with modern fabrics like leather, offering her audience designs they are sure to remember. She defines her style as unique, modern, and eye-catching, traits that are obvious to those captivated by Giulianelli’s designs on the runway. While she hopes everyone is inspired by her designs, Giulianelli explains, “
I was born in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina. My family and I fled to Germany in 1990 as refugees during the Yugoslavian civil war. My mother is Serbian, Orthodox and my father is Bosnian, Muslim. After the war was over we didn’t have a country to return to. We then became refugees again and came over to San Francisco in 1996. Once we settled into San Francisco I was able to pursue basketball. My focus and determination as an athlete took me to the collegiate and professional level. I played … 
