Hot Couture 2017 artist submission

Hello my name is Rebecca Roman and I am Oakland-based artist and designer. I create feather costume bras and artwork. My line is called My Dirty Dishes.

Brought up in a house of 7 women, 36 Barbie dolls and an eternal subscription to Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Bazaar magazines, it was impossible for me not to develop an obsession with fashion and the female alter ego. My style is loose, lively and expressive. I love color. Lots and lots of bright, vibrant colors. With my many older sisters, there was a lot of Prince on the stereo growing up and his aesthetic is undeniably an influence in my fashion design and artwork – lots of lace, garters and sexiness.

I have participated in several runway & fashion shows in the Bay Area fashion & art scene including Lovesick Fashion show, Visage fashion show and Chillin’ Art & fashion show. I have showcased up to 8 looks at a time and worked in very grass-roots situations, coordinating models, hair, make-up and assistants on a volunteer basis. I really enjoy the process of all the hard work and coordination and how it all comes together to create a fun, beautiful sexy aesthetic on the runway.

For my Crucible 2017 show, I want to showcase 7 looks that exemplify the joy, beauty and royal vibe that is Prince.  I want this show to embody the originality that Prince exuded in his live performances and music, especially the notion to celebrate being and loving oneself.

I envision having 1-2 dancers using fire. The first model would introduce my show using fire fingers and dancing to the music. I want to also incorporate LED or glowing into their outfits. I envision my models strutting to the music and dancing to it while modeling their outfit. The last model would play the guitar (wireless) and have some sparks or fire coming out of the guitar or feature a magnificent light piece on the guitar, some sort of illumination. I want the models to do a choreographed dance where they form a circle around the guitar player and dance around him and disperse. He then plays a live guitar solo as the finale. This would be at the end of a pre-recorded song (not a full-live band). I have a few Prince songs picked out and am still deciding: The Love We Make, The Word, Style, We Gets Up + Let's Go Crazy Medley

For my looks, I want each look to give a nod to something about Prince – his guitars, a song, an albums, a tours, his style. Finished, dramatic, lively, feminine, colorful, sexy. Hair & make-up will be bold, edgy and beautiful. 

Look 1: Blue Cloud

Electric blue feather bra using lots of brilliant blue feathers. Electric blue vinyl/rubber shorts, sexy hosiery. Include some gold & yellow accents. Model has blue-hair.

Look 2: Purple Rain

Feather bra incorporating lots of purple, black lace. Long lace gloves. Lacy or leather shorts, sexy hosiery, possibly garters. Gold, green and flowery accents. Lace face mask. Classic black high heels or thigh boots.

Look 3: Red Corvette

Red feather bra, lacy underwear or red vinyl/rubber boy-shorts. Red lace over face. Red gloves, hosiery. Shoulder fringe piece. Choker. Red LED lights adorned on bra. Classic red high heels or thigh boots.

Look 4: Diamond and Pearls

White lace feather bra adorned with pearls. High-wasted leather/vinyl skirt or white lace leggings. Lots of pearl strands, including LED pearls, wrapped around model, oozing with lace and pearls. Purple accents in the feathers and pearls. White long gloves. Big faux fake diamond ring.

Look 5: Love Sexy

Black bra embellished with lots of deep blue, deep purple and black feathers. Orchids. Black vest with glowing polka dots. Captains hat. Gold chains. Black long gloves. One-legged black leggings with the words "HOT" printed on the. Blue or black high heels.

Look 6 Leopard:  Black feather bra with lots of brown, beige, yellow feathers resembling leopard print colors. White or black sheer leggings with ruffles on the bottom with buttons down the side. Gold and purple accents. Hooded black (lace or velvet) cape.

Look 7: Style

Male model in pin-striped vest and pants. Flower in pocket. Chain necklaces. Red Jazz hat with feathers. Prince’s leopard telecaster guitar replica.

My process for fashion shows & shoots

I create wearable bras using a pre-made base bra and adorn them will hundreds of feathers, much like flower arranging. I have previously created choker necklaces out of recycled leather and vinyl. I like to incorporate accessories created from recycled or donated fabrics or antique items, such as jewelry or a wire mask.  I plan to design and collaborate with local seamstresses Ava Childs and Claire Roman to create the leggings, bottoms and other pieces. 

I have a network of models, hair stylists, makeup artists and assistants I plan to work with based on availability. Cheri Ortega will be my main assistant and dresser. My male model is Roger Rocha, a Bay Area-based guitar player who has played with 4 Non Blondes, Violent Femmes, The Goldenhearts, The Purple Ones (Prince tribute band) and many more.

I am truly excited about participating in this show. I have attended 2 past Hot Couture shows and absolutely loved them. I took a fire-dancing class many years ago. I have always wanted to be a part of this show and was especially interested when a friend informed me that Prince was the inspiration. I have seen Prince perform over 20 times and his shows were like a religious experience celebrating the divinity of art and his message to us all to channel this divine spirit into whatever inspires you whether it’s music, artwork, dance, cooking...to take what it is your heart and make something beautiful. I hope you will consider my concepts to be one the participating artists to be in this incredible upcoming show.

CONTACT INFO: 

cell: 415-987-3677

email: rebootica@yahoo.com

retail site: www.mydirtydishes