Fashion, Say Hello to Art

Exhibit Ambush: The First Multi-Sensory Fashion Show • August 22, 2011 • Horton Plaza, San Diego, Ca

If you die for fashion, the Exhibit Ambush is where

you would want to be buried. With no shortage of

statement pieces and drag queens to boot, Antoinette

Ransom outdid herself with this fashion and art

showcase that’s been in the making for the last two

years. Hosted by Yara Sofia, from RuPaul’s “Drag Race”,

the fashion show was probably one of the longest I have

ever seen. The show opened with Andre Soriano from

Project Runway whose line was inspired by old

Hollywood and glamour. He was a ball of nerves and tears backstage, but the

intentions of his line were fluid, clear, and concise. People expected a show and

his kick-off was explosive, setting the performance meter all the way up to

FABULOUS!

Most designers were not announced but a few

fashion lines stood out. Attention grabbers included:

Antoinette Love Ransom’s collection made of recycled

fabrics and a portion of her line reintroduced corduroy in

a sexy corporate kind of way. Crivette Clothing was

intriguing, well put together, and stood out during the

show, taking us to Japan for a futuristic anime

experience. AnnaLynn Luu delivered a healthy dose of

fashion with her avant garde statement pieces:

Captivating and impractical yet somehow functional.

Plastic never looked so sexy and ‘being in a bubble’ never

seemed so appealing. Each of the aforementioned lines told an interesting story,

showcased pieces that were unique, fashion-forward, and in some cases, still

wearable. They made the show worthwhile.

The headliner: Haus of Estrada had a strong fashion showcase and closed

the show with a hand-stitched rose petal gown worn by Yara Sofia, herself. From

the seven-inch heels, all the way to the winged out eye make-up and braided

faux-hawks, there couldn’t have been a better way to bookend the Exhibit

Ambush Fashion showcase. Dot Magazine representatives spoke with Haus of

Estrada’s make-up team, Glam Squad City while they enhanced their model’s

heights to New York skyscraper status, in preparation for their moment on the

runway.

“This evening’s theme is fierceness,” stated Glam

Squad City’s founder and CEO, Chastity Cordova. “It’s all

about being fabulous and I’m really excited to be a part of

this event. My team and I are dedicated to one designer

and it hasn’t been stressful. It’s just about being fabulous,”

she concluded. Ms. Cordova’s cohort Jasmin G. glanced up

and added, “Go big or go home! I love to do high fashion

that’s bold and colorful.” She pointed to her model with

her chin and dried lashes in one hand while holding a blush

brush in the other, “and I plan to make the world beautiful one smoky eye at a

time.”

Between putting the final touches on the rose petal dress or pinning and

tucking the final garments on the models, Dot Magazine reps spoke to the 23-

year-old twins, Jesus and Antonio Estrada backstage. Both seemed to revel in

their element and were ready to rock it out. “The line was

inspired by birds,” Antonio gushed and our previous line was

inspired by mermaids.” He bubbled over with excitement for

the show. He was happy to participate in his brother’s

company for the last two years as a self taught fashion

designer. “Wait till you hear the music, it’s going to be a

party,” he added.

You may remember Jesus Estrada from Project

Runway. After his elimination from the contest, he

persevered and continued his pursuits in the fashion world. “With a show like

Project Runway, you take advantage of [it] and all [the] doors that open as a

result. It gave me a lot of confidence in my designing. And

it’s just crazy how my designs come to me. It could be in a dream, from a fight

[with my brother], from everywhere.” The quiet composure exuded by these two

brothers as they worked quickly to put final touches on their line was impressive.

“Our designs are for the woman who can admire talent and afford designs. When

you’re unique and different, it shows in your designs,” he finished off as he

completed an ensemble for six-foot model Traelee C. who only had one week

notice but jumped at the chance to walk in the show.

Sensory overload all in the name of fashion! Gaze to y our

left or gaze to your right and FASHION will be by your side. The

event was well done with only a few minor snags here and

there. Some of the art displays were a little crowded and the

DJ did not pull it together at times. Many attendees agreed

the fashion show should have been a little shorter or included

an intermission. But overall the show was a hit. The lines truly

exuded the essence of fashion and the comedic hostess was

fantastic and the creator’s passion and dedication shined

throughout. It was impossible to not feel her excitement

when her eyes pridefully glistened above a constant smile that

stretched from ear to ear. Kudos and a hand-clap to Antoinette Ransom, the long

sleepless nights paid off and the event was a success. We look forward to the next

multi-sensory fashion show scheduled for 2013.