Bionic Blonds

I am finally fully rested from another crazed fashion week working with the mad science design duo, The Blonds. It has been an insane three weeks of very little sleep due to working all day and then rushing to The Blonds to lend my talents. I can't complain though since it's always the most fun!

This season was unlike the previous ones in one major way... it was MASSIVE both in scale and beauty. This was the fifth anniversary of The Blonds showing at New York Fashion Week and for their tenth show they blasted off to a whole different galaxy!

This season the collection was inspired by David and Phillipe's favorite blondes including Marie Antoinette, Tweety Bird and Barbarella. 

This collection was the teams' most mature and ambitious collection to date. David and Phillipe challenged themselves by using new couture techniques thus raising the  level of their artistry to new heights.  The collection contained their signature mix of glamour, sex appeal, and razor sharp wit. 

Phillipe opened the show by slowly emerging from a silver glitter space suit like a butterfly from a strange new world.  The body suit he wore was encrusted in oversized flesh toned jewels.  It was as if his skin was made of jewels.  Whether or not this Blond came in peace is arguable but, the spectacle was undeniable. This was the perfect harbinger for the show to follow. 

I hope you enjoy the photos below of some of my favorite looks on the runway and backstage.  These include the ones I got the chance to work on. 

 

 

I can't wait for next season. 

-Philip Estrada

Blonds Have More Fun

Fashion Week is descending upon us quickly and there is nothing we can do about it. The best thing to do is lay back and let the glamour wash over you. I am quite a lucky boy... I am once again lending my grubby mits to the glittery design duo The Blonds. Bringing all that glamour and drama to the runway is no small feat. It takes a village to make a Blond.

To get you excited for this season's collection here is the video from February's Horror Movie themed show plus some of my favorite looks. 

-Philip Estrada

The Blonds Ambition

Fashion week is over and life has calmed down long enough for me to finally be able to write this.  Usually I am fairly removed from fashion week, but this year was different.  This year I was lucky enough to lend my talents to the wonderful designing duo that is The Blonds.  Phillipe and David Blond have been creating couture confections for the likes of Katy Perry and Beyoncé for several years now showing no signs of stopping.  Phillipe and I initially got to talking via Twitter because of his admiration and my obsessive-compulsive love for Bob Mackie.  After seeing my craftsmanship on the blog, Phillipe asked if I would be interested in helping them build their Spring/Summer 2013 collection.  How could I turn down such a rad opportunity?!

The invite to The Blonds show - "Beach Blonds"

I was thrown head first into the sparkly mayhem from the moment I walked in their studio.  It was wonderful!  I was sewing beads, gluing rhinestones, and altering samples where needed.

I look forward to working with Team Blonds again… and again.

Here are some photographic highlights of the collection.

The pearl dress.

Phillipe on the runway in his Jaws corset

Phillipe exiting the runway.

Everyone backstage was cheering wildly for him!

A backstage look at Phillipe's corset.

A skinny-dipper look... I LOVE HER!

The plexiglass splashes are a stroke of genius.

A neon ribbon dress.

This dress was the first piece I worked on for The Blonds.

It was made for Phillipe to wear to a party a few days before the show.

Since it worked so nicely with the collection, they decided to put it in!

I was so excited to see her work this look on the runway!

The crystal encrusted finale.

This look was so labor intensive it was constantly being worked on by someone at all times.

It was worth it though, as the end result is amazing

Have to include one of the boys... for good measure.

Phillipe and David triumphantly walking the runway.

Nothing better to close a show with than a sweet sweet hair toss.

Here is the video of the whole show (sadly they had to replace the soundtrack).

Click HERE for a photo recap of each look.

-Philip Estrada