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2015 Fall/Winter Fashion Show - By Invitation Only

Fashion Show

About The Book

The Journey Through a Collection
Etelvina Collection Fall/Winter 2008
Jorge Manuel's exquisitely designed and handcrafted couture gowns have been worn by artists, actresses and Emmy winning reporters. Driven by his passion and love of fashion, he has developed a keen eye for design, especially wedding gowns. Also, with his talent as a wedding planner, he has “married” his designs with his artistic talent to produce spectacular and elaborate celebrations. Jorge Manuel designed his first wedding gown at the age of 17, sparking the beginnings of a journey that would take him all way to the creation of his first collection, “The Etelvina Collection.” In 2008, the young designer unveils this collection comprised of haute couture and prêt-a-porter wedding gowns inspired by the special women that have deeply influenced him. Each woman has served an important role in his life and it is their individual qualities that inspired the unique dresses he designed and named after them. In this book, “The Journey through a Collection,” relive the steps he has taken to turn his vision into a reality and learn from his experiences to create your own dream wedding.

To purchase or for more information on the book please visit www.blurb.com

 


La Novia del 23 - The search is on!

If you or a person you know is getting married and cannot afford a wedding dress, because of medical or treatment costs due to Breast Cancer; then please contact univision at lanoviadel23@univision.com and let them know about your case. Jorge Manuel is donating up to a $6000 dress for the lucky bride. Please submit via E-mail to lanoviadel23@univision.com with your pictures and story to be considered.

Si usted o alguien que usted conoce se casa y no puede comprarse el vestido de novia con que siempre a sonado, por razones de costos de salud, al enfrentarse al cancer de ceno; entonces por favor comuniquese con Univision para que tenga el chance de ganarse un vestido de novia de sus suenos valorado en $6000 del disenador Jorge Manuel. Escriba a lanoviadel23@univision.com con sus fotos y historias para ser considerada.


Charity Fashion Show 2008

Jorge Manuel's Bridal Collection is coming soon to life in the month of October. The night is sure to behold a revolution in the bridal industry, just as in the time of the gilded age when revolution was inevitable. This four-year-in-the-making collection will send you back in time to the era of the newsies, the battle between the wealthy and the unlucky, and the beauty hidden among the conservative and the liberal. In an interview this is what Jorge Manuel had to say about his latest project:

*Why has it taken you four years to create this collection?*

I didn't feel it was the time for me to unveil it, and neither did I feel that it was genuinely completed.

*What inspired you to design these outfits?*

The women in my life! The interaction that these women and me had opened up a world of creativity and imagination. I am designing for women because i was inspired to do so by women. I carried a notebook and a pencil with me at all times. Anything was a possibility! For example, Their reactions to situations in life could spark an idea or the genuine caring they felt for me, compelled me to design a gown based on their unconditional love. Time has been the best inspiration for me and this collection. To put it in a nut shell, Jorge Manuel's first fashion show will be a recollection of memories about women being women intertwined in an intricate and detailed form of design.

*What is to be expected about the shows theme?*

The theme of the show revolves around the time when emotions where high and hope was low - The gilded age. The need for a change and a revolution then, has inspired me to venture out into the bridal industry and bring back the magic that's been lost and lies within the timeless Wedding Dress.

*You are working with charity on this event?*

I am. The women in my life have all been very special to me and crucial to the success of my business. I am honored to design and be a part of the most important day in a woman's life. That is why its an obligation and honor for me to give back to women. We are working with a local TV station and donating one of our dresses to a person facing adversity with breast cancer whom is getting married and cannot afford a wedding dress. Donation boxes will be placed around the show and all proceeds will go to the (NBCF) National Breast Cancer Foundation - ww.nationalbreastcancer.org. Cancer has been a delicate and close theme in my family. This is the main reason why I decided to make my fashion show a charity fashion show. I am a true believer of paying it forward!


To RSVP for Jorge Manuel's 2008 fashion show please do so by filling out the form on the rsvp link or sending an E-mail to:
RSVP@jorgemanuelweddings.com.
You will receive a confirmation E-mail with specifics on show date, place and time shortly after.


READ JORGE MANUEL'S INTERVIEW ON HIS LIFE, GOALS AND CURRENT COLLECTION.

How much of an inspiration has this collection been to you because of your grandmother?
Honestly, it is the reason why I decided to do bridal. Etelvina, or Nina, like we called her, always dreamed of opening up a bridal atelier. Due to the sad circumstances in her life, I grew up watching her struggle with her dreams and see them suffer because of the situation she was in. She had the wants and the passion in her heart and soul, but dead ends and no means of making them reality. As she got older and sick I realized that I wanted this as much for her as I wanted it for me. Now that she is no longer with me I desire to pick up where she left off. There have been times where I've wanted to give-in or give-up on my dream, but then I remember how much she loved bridal and sewing and it moves me to try even harder, pick myself up again and try over and over, till I get it right! She is my everyday inspiration; which is why I decided to name my first collection after her -- The Etelvina Collection 2008. In the midst of this I have grown an immense passion for it! I truly love designing bridal! I want to fulfill that wish for her and now, more
than ever, for me.

How did you make the jump from designing weddings to designing wedding gowns?

It wasn't a jump. Honestly, I always loved designing dresses! I grew up watching my grandmother sew. It was intoxicating to see her passion for it. She would get lost sewing for hours and hours on end. I guess it inevitably brushed off on me.

How difficult was it for you to do bridal when the only training you've had in fashion is that of observing your grandmother sew?

Well it was difficult, but not impossible. I was convinced that I could do it because I had a tremendous passion for it. That's all I really needed. Oh! and Im also a fast learner!

How did you learn how to sketch and draw?

I took many classes of design and graphics at school for architecture. On one hand, the basics transfer when applying it to fashion. On the other hand, I learned structure and form from my design and graphics classes' a dress is not a dress without these elements. Sketching wasn't difficult; I already had a natural disposition for drawing. Either way I spent about 2 days in a book store looking at how-to-sketch books. You can say I pretty much learned to sketch in a 48 hour period!

When did you design, sketch, and confect your first wedding dress?

I was 17. It was a truly spectacular dress. My client trusted me with the most important element of her wedding and to this day I will always be grateful. It was the stepping stone I needed to confirm that my passion for bridal was only a little hard work away.

What can you tell us about your collection?

The Etelvina collection is a collection four years in the making. I began sketching and designing because of women I had come across. Each woman kept hinting design ideas based on their personalities, physical beauty, life changing situations, adversities or even recently born into this world. Because it did so I carried around a sketch book and began designing dress putting their names respectively to each finished sketched gown. Once I compiled them I decided to make my first collection and launch my label. I have dedicated the collection to my grandmother Etelvina because of her inspiration; and titled the collection "Celebrating Women."

What should we expect from your collection? Show?

Simple, feminine and chic! Honestly, there is no specific theme to my collection other than the women that inspired me to design the gowns. Expect the unexpected as we really though outside the box with these gowns. There will be a lot of color, other than white! I don't have any white dress on this collection. It is truly a beautiful four year in the making collection of wedding gowns.

How do you see yourself as a designer?

I don't want to become a designer that hides behind a desk sketching, but rather a designer that plays a significant role in the lives of women as well. I'm a true believer that giving is receiving. The women in my life – Grandmother, Mother, Sister and nieces have given me so much that I want to give back; which is why my first fashion show will revolve around breast cancer awareness. All proceeds will go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF). My company is also donating a gown, by means of media, to a woman who has either won adversity with cancer or finds herself still at war with breast cancer and simply can't afford buying a wedding dress.

What are your future plans for your company?

I want to continue doing what I love. Everything else will fall into place after that.

Random question, what is your favorite color?

Bridal! I know it's not a color!….but it is my favorite thing in the world!...by the way, you are right, that was random!