What an incredible line-up of designers for Couve Couture Fashion Show April 13, 2019

Couve Couture has become such a great forum for Washington State designers. This year we will be showcasing their talents featuring six designers from age 14 years to 67 years!
Shows (matinee and evening) will  be held at the Historic Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks. Standing (general admission), secondary seating and front row seats ($15-$45) available on-line at Ticket Tomato. Just type in Couve Couture.

Meet our Alumni Designers~

Kate Beeman
Kate Beeman designer of Origin clothing label
I became a fashion designer overnight and totally on accident. In the summer of 2013, a musician friend of mine hired me to be her traveling nanny for an arena tour across America. I happened across a unique piece of lace and thought it would be great stage wear for my friend, cut a hole in it for a head and she daunted it on stage atop a boho leotard. Her fans began asking her who her designer was and she jokingly handed out my name to everyone. From there my friend bought about $100 worth of dollar bin fabric from the Wal-Marts we were camping at on tour and I was designing some seriously Stevie Nicks inspired clothing for her.
I was posting my progress online and a couple weeks into my first attempts at clothing construction I got a message from a contestant of Portland RAW Artists asking if I would collaborate on the runway with them. Three months after I cut a hole in lace I had taught myself to make two collections of clothing and had my first runway show. If I hadn’t tried it I would have never known I had it in me.
For the first few years I participated in a steady flow of runway shows, from Paul Mitchell’s Portland Fashion Expo, Portland RAW Artists, and Film Meets Fashion, but my favorite runway by far is right here at Couve Couture. Couve was my first runway show that I officially applied for, and I was shocked to have been accepted. I love it so much that this year’s show pulled me away from a two-year hiatus from design. If anyone could get me back into the fashion world, it was always going to be Couve Couture.
My clothing label Origin is based around a certain style and comfort. My goal is to drape each piece so it’s wearable, and that many body shapes can work the look. As much as I can, I want to “one size fits all” it.
My process is to listen to the fabric and try to give it what it wants. If you can imagine something comfortable that still expresses some glamour, that’s what I’m going for.
I’m very grateful to all those in the fashion community that has supported me, collaborated with me, walked for me, and especially to Alisa Ann and Brett Allred for giving me a chance the first time I applied for Couve. I would not have gotten my start without you.
You can find out more about Kate’s work at:
Instagram.com/be_origin
Facebook.com/origindesign

Carlie Bailes
“I received my B.A. in Apparel Merchandising, Design and Textiles in 2012. Designing clothing has always been a passion of mine, while selling my designs within my own business has been my dream. The style I choose to create tends to have a “rock n’ roll” vibe by mixing materials such as leather and chiffon, lace and studs. I design clothing that brings out a woman’s natural confidence. Creating a style that has masculine detail yet stays very feminine, generates a look for a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to stand out.

For my Icelandic Collection I was inspired by the colors and textures that Iceland has to offer. Much of the details in my work were influenced by the Vikings who settled there. I was able to create different textures and contrasting moods with the use of faux leathers, stitching, studs, grommets and lace-up details.”

You can find my designs at www.CaliberClothingDesign.com,

Follow me on Instagram @Caliber__Design, or contact me via email: CaliberClothingDesign@gmail.com

This will be Carlie’s second Couve Couture Fashion Show.

Shelley Beauchaine of  Shell Bell Vanity ~
“For me, fashion is about having a conversation with the past and a visionary eye on the future. In the future of fashion I see women wanting to have a more emotional and spiritual connection to the clothing and accessories they wear. They will probably have less in their closets but be able to connect more to what they put into their wardrobes and on their bodies. I am hoping to speak into women lives through my passion in fashion. My designs have recently been labeled signature one-of-a-kind masterpieces. The true ‘masterpiece’ is YOU… the beautifully created one-of-a-kind woman.”
“I put my heart and soul into each creation. When you wear an original SHELL BELL VANITY, stay mindful to not lose sight that you are a beautiful and uniquely created.”
For this years Couve Couture Spring Fashion Show, the runway will showcase pieces from her European inspired collection: ‘The Royals, Illumination (from the Great Cathedrals of Europe), ‘Byzantine’ and ‘Renaissance.’

Shelly is now officially age 67, living in Battle Ground and retired doing full-time design in hopes of creating fashion relationships with the bridal, film, costume and avant-garde industry.
Shell Bell Vanity will be seeking partners in hopes of becoming a global label that supports a non-profit for women stepping out of oppressive and abusive marriages and relationships. The non-profit would assist and partner with women as they evolve into healthy, fulfilling new lives.
You can follow Shell Bell Vanity on Facebook

Brett Allred – Owner of Beigeblond Salon and Co-Producer of Couve Couture
Hello My name is Brett Allred. Proud owner of Beigeblond Salon. 30 plus years in the hair industry, salon proprietor for 24 years and a business resident Downtown Vancouver for 14 years. I love the hair industry, Downtown and the spirit of community they create including codirecting the Couve Couture Fashion Show. Couve Couture has been a creative outlet to encourage local artists and business’ come together and showcase what our town has to offer. I have worked with Seth Aaron creating head toppers to enhance his runway designs in Vancouver’s Couve Couture, Portland’s Fashion NXT, Portland’s wedding showcase, Palm Desert’s El Paseo fashion shows. Eclectic and diverse are the looks of these head pieces harkening back to my art, construction, industrial and a whimsy background Thank you.

Headpiece: Brett Allred
Photo taken by Mike Helms
Dress design by Niki Pappas
Model: Morgan Larmouth
Hair and Makeup: Sarah Jurgens Swartout – Red Chair Salon

Alisa – Owner of Most Everything Vintage and Co-Producer of Couve Couture
I am truly, so excited for this show! For three of the four shows I have created a collection for, I have modified vintage pieces from my shop to fit a theme or decade. Knowing that 2020 is coming right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to take pieces that have been sitting in the shop for years and give them a 20’s ‘look.’ It’s fun to stare at a garment and work within it to create and entirely new look. Being a vintage shop, 20’s is a very popular theme for holiday parties, birthdays, wedding and special events. I love the style and look from this decade, especially the headpieces! You will see many of these (made from up-cycled jewelry pieces) in my collection.
I grew up in a home of creating and re-creating which is the best education ever! For this I am forever grateful for the skills I have been given.

Model: Bailey O’Bar
Hair: Ashley Gore – Union Hair Lounge
Make-up: Sarah Adams
Photography: Mark Daniel Muzzy

Meet our new Couve Couture Designer~

Kian Mirfathali 
“Hi, my name is Kian. I am 14 years old and a freshman at Mountain View High School in Vancouver WA.
It is very satisfying to transform a beautiful fabric into wearable art.
I am compelled by fashion in its many different forms. Growing up in Vancouver WA and hanging out in my Mums Hair Salon, I was inspired by the beauty and creativity around me.
Over the last five years my fascination with design lead me to sew my own Halloween costume. I was 9 years old.
Self taught and with a passion for sewing, I love transforming fabric into an art form. I was an emerging designer at Paint the Runway Purple in June 2018 where I debuted my first collection. It was incredible to finally see my creations on the runway.
I am constantly exploring and developing new visions for my work in the fashion industry and am excited to be showcasing my second collection at Couve Couture Spring Fashion Show April 2019.”

You can follow Kian’s creativity on Instagram @kian_b_
Email: kian.m.fashions@gmail.com
Special photo thanks to model Emma Villaluz
Photographer Hue Harshaw on Instagram @hueharshaw

Special Guest Designers~
We are thrilled to announce that The Fort Vancouver Historical Costume Department will be gracing our runway with some of their historical creations during both shows.

Future Couve Couture Designers…. Auditions for our April 2020 show will be September 2019!
Are you a SW Washington Apparel Designer? If you know someone who is, please share us! Each year we hold auditions for up-and-coming, local, high-fashion apparel designers.
Designer Auditions are held late summer, early fall for the upcoming show. Time and location will be given to approved submissions.
For clothing designers looking to submit an entry for Couve Couture 2020, please e-mail a promo picture of yourself, brief bio and a picture of a model/dress form wearing one of your designs. If your entry is chosen for auditions, you will need to show your collection of at least three articles of clothing. One outfit should be worn on a model keeping in mind the complete look with hair, make-up and accessories.

Please e-mail entry to: brett@beigeblond.com AND info@mosteverything.us