Category: Against the Grain Productions

October 15, 2014

6th Annual Fashion for a Passion Refreshed to Showcase New and Emerging Talent

Dallas, TX – Dallas-based nonprofit Against The Grain Productions is proud to announce new elements and several exciting firsts for its 6th Annual Fashion for a Passion charity event, taking place appropriately on Saturday, November 1st, at Three Three Three First Avenue. One of Dallas’ hottest must-have fashion tickets and charity events of the fall season, Fashion for a Passion showcases the talents of emerging Asian American fashion designers, artists and performers in one unforgettable night. All proceeds from the event benefit Against The Grain’s supported orphanages in Asia, artistic/leadership scholarship fund and community outreach programs.

What’s New

An Against The Grain year-round sponsor and auction donor for the past three years, Vatana Watters of acclaimed bridal house Watters Bridal, joins Fashion for a Passion as the event’s first-ever bridal wear presenting designer who will show a mix of bridal, bridesmaid and even flower girl attire. Also new to the event is Brandy Pham of Brandy Pham Jewels (formerly based in New York), who will introduce her line of classic contemporary jewelry to the Dallas Market. Guests will have an intimate opportunity to see her unique pieces up-close-and-personal on live models during the reception.

In addition to this year’s three musical performers, the entertainment line-up includes a first-time ever dance performance by 2014 Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship Winner Lizzy Tan, who is an incoming freshman dance major at UT Austin. Also, instead of being on display, the Project Runway inspired one-of-a-kind ATG T-Shirt Challenge pieces creatively and thoughtfully re-designed by each Presenting Designer will, for the first time, be modeled and come down the runway for guests to enjoy and bid on.

“We are excited to deliver many firsts to make this year’s event even more unique and exciting,” says Against The Grain President and Co-Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee. “It’s a testament to the show and our own evolution. We challenge ourselves to keep things fresh for our loyal audience, and it’s in keeping with the spirit of ‘Going Against The Grain’.”

The Fashion for a Passion talent line-up includes:

Presenting Designers: Becky Hollands, Jerry Matthews of Nine Muses, Brandy Pham of Brandy Pham Jewels, Mai Pham, Hue Tran of Lizzi London, Vatana Watters of Watters Bridal and Dora Yim of d.p.c. by Dora Yim
Exhibiting Artists: art by Kelly Jackson Brownlee, Tam Nguyen, LeUyen Pham, Elaine Wang, Catherine Mai and Sarah Sullivan; short films by Calvin Tran and Dalena Tran
Musical Performers/Entertainment: Heart & Hero, Jonavi, Andrew Yun and Lizzy Tan

Actress and spokesmodel LeeAnne Locken and CBS 11 Morning News Reporter Elizabeth Dinh team up once again to emcee the evening, with additional voice-over talent by Sam Liu.

During the event, guests can enjoy tasty bites from Royal Catering, beer/wine from Ben E. Keith, ATG’s signature Pink Lotus cocktail, a gourmet popcorn from HotPoppin’; create fun memories at a photobooth courtesy of Shutterqube; bid on exclusive art and high-ticket items during the live and silent auctions; and check out the latest Audi models from Audi Dallas. Raffle tickets for great prizes will also be available for $10 each. There will be an after-party from 10 pm to 2 am at SISU in Uptown, where FFAP guests with wristbands can enjoy celebrating in a private area with drink/food specials.

A limited number of VIP seats and general admission tickets are for sale online through October 31st or at the door for an additional fee. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com/events.

About ATG Against The Grain Productions, Inc.

ATG Against The Grain Productions, Inc., a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is an innovative resource that creates educational, cultural and artistic opportunities for Asians and Asian Americans through films, media, programs and events; promotes awareness and unity of Asian American culture, artistry and identity; and gives voice to significant, relevant and untold stories in our community. Inspired by the stories from producing and directing her award-winning feature documentary Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, President Tammy Nguyen Lee co-founded ATG in 2008 to help raise funds for orphanages in Asia. Continually reaching out and helping those in need, ATG soon after expanded its philanthropy to include scholarships for impressive Asian American high school, college and graduate artists and leaders; awards to help Asian American adoptees attend heritage and culture camps across the U.S.; and hosts events that provide mentorship and leadership to the community. ATG is made up 100% of volunteers – no one is paid, except in hugs and smiles. Administration and marketing costs are kept to an absolute minimum so nearly 100% of donations can be given away.

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October 12, 2014

Going Against The Grain: Vatana Watters

Vatana Watters, bridal designer and CEO of Watters Bridal and first-time bridal presenting designer at Fashion for a Passion

We are proud to highlight Vatana Watters of Watters Bridal for this month’s Going Against The Grain feature. For the past three years, Watters has been a generous supporter of ATG and Fashion for a Passion, donating gorgeous dresses for auction to the delight of brides-to-be. In addition to providing new looks for auction, audiences at FFAP will get to see highlights from Watters’ bridal, bridesmaid and even flower girl collections float down the runway for the first time ever in her debut as an FFAP (and our first-ever bridal!) presenting designer.

Check out one of our wonderful FFAP media sponsors DFW Style Daily‘s feature on Watters Bridal, too!

Full Name: Vatana Watters
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Current City: Dallas, Texas
Ethnicity: Thai

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

When I started making bridesmaids gowns in the mid ’80’s, I offered an alternative solution to the big puffy sleeves and bows. I decided to ‘go Against The Grain,’ and it paid off in a great way, due to hard work, determination and staying true to my vision.

October 4, 2014

DFW Style Daily: Watters Bridal Preps Romantic Runway for Fashion For A Passion 2014

by Leah Frazier | DFWStyleDaily.com | Published September 26, 2014 | As the first week of fall concludes, excitement builds for one of the leading events of our social season: Fashion For A Passion. Produced by Dallas-based Against The Grain Productions, this annual fundraiser has garnered widespread attention and continues to gain support for its extraordinary efforts in raising awareness of the Asian American art community. Read more

September 8, 2014

#FFAP2014: Introducing Our Exhibiting Artist Line-up

DALLAS, TX – Dallas non-profit Against The Grain Productions proudly announces the Exhibiting Artists for its much-anticipated 2014 6th Annual Fashion for a Passion charity event on Saturday, November 1st at Three Three Three First Avenue in Downtown Dallas. Event guests will enjoy each artist’s work in an exciting display of varying media, including film, digital prints, paintings and drawings, and can even take home their favorite pieces during the silent auction portion of the evening. Proceeds from the auction will go to Against The Grain’s supported orphanages in Asia, artistic and leadership scholarship fund and community outreach programs. This year’s artist line-up includes emerging and established Asian American artists, as well as four 2014 Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship Winners.

September 8, 2014

Going Against The Grain: Jeannie Mai

Jeannie Mai, Style Expert and co-hose of the nationally syndicated daytime show The Real

Aside from her well-known hosting duties at Style Network, Jeannie Mai is also engaged in several philanthropic causes around the world. Jeannie frequently travels to Asia to volunteer with organizations, such as Heartbeat Vietnam – a nonprofit devoted to improving health care for impoverished children, and NightLight International – an organization committed to rescuing women and children from trafficking by providing employment and vocational opportunities. Jeannie Mai definitely exemplifies all the passions we embrace at ATG and is the perfect spotlight to tie together our love for fashion and providing support and aid to orphanages in Asia.

Full Name: Jeannie Camtu Mai
Hometown: San Jose CA
Current City: LA
Ethnicity: Vietnamese/ Chinese

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

Going Against The Grain is to continuously have a “can do” attitude. It’s optimism, positivity, wisdom, humility, a spiritual and mental combination to propel you forward to face fears and conquer dreams. Read more

August 12, 2014

#FFAP2014: Introducing Our Musical and Now Dance Performers!

DALLAS, TX – Dallas non-profit Against The Grain Productions proudly announces the performing artists for its much-anticipated Fashion for a Passion charity event. The celebration of Asian American talent, ranging from Filipino to Korean and Singaporean to Thai Americans, will kick off with musical performances by three Kollaboration Dallas artists and, for the first time, a dance performance by a 2014 Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship winner.

The 2014 Fashion for a Passion Featured Performers include:

Heart & Hero
Jonavi
Andrew Yun
- Lizzy Tan

August 11, 2014

Going Against The Grain: 2014 Artistic & Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship Winners

The ATG Scholarship Committee is proud to announce the 2014 Scholarship Winners. Scored based on strength of GPA, leadership/community involvement, portfolio/video submission, essays, letters of recommendation and a final phone interview, we chose a record TEN students who are brilliant, shining examples of what it means to go Against The Grain means to receive scholarships this year. We are truly proud of this exceptional group and all that we know they will accomplish for their vocation and for the Asian American community in the future. We are also grateful to Dr. & Mrs. Paul Cho and Bruce & Pat McRae for generously donating so that we could give two additional scholarships this year! Read more

August 11, 2014

ATG Presents at 2014 Vietnamese Heritage Camp – “We Are Family”

The ATG Family was exceptionally proud be a able to participate in the 2014 Vietnamese Heritage Camp. Our team flew from Dallas to Denver, then drove to the YMCA of the Rockies in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado. In following this year’s camp theme, “We Are Family,” ATG presented a workshop called “F.A.M.I.L.Y Redefined.” Using interactive games, group discussion and visual art, our team helped VHC campers from 6th grade through 12 grade find new ways to think about family and create relationships with their VHC family. Campers got to create their own souvenir – a tree with fingerprint leaves of every person in their group to remind them of the “family” they have at VHC. Read more

August 8, 2014

Congratulations to 2014 ATG Heritage/Culture Camp Scholarship Contest Winners

ATG is proud to announce the winners of the 2013 ATG Heritage/Culture Camp Scholarship Contest. Many thanks to all of our campers who submitted this year. Check out how our winners go ‘Against The Grain’ and what going ‘Against The Grain’ means to them. Congratulations to our winners!

Avery Popelka

What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to you?
You pick something different than the other kids want to do.

How do you go ‘Against The Grain?’
I go against the grain by picking different foods to eat than others. I like to listen to different songs than my friends. I like to wear mismatched clothes.

Burk Popelka

What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to you?
It means going opposite.

How do you go ‘Against The Grain?’
At school, I play with the girls instead of the boys.

Teresa Kremer

What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to you?
Being different, having fun, being happy

How do you go ‘Against The Grain?’
I have blonde hair and there are not many kids at Vietnam Camp who have blond hair. I like to be silly and use a squeaky voice.

Elizabeth Thompson

What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to you?

To me it means being different and not doing things the same as otherpeople. It sometimes makes me feel good. It also makes me feel unique and special in different ways.

How do you go ‘Against The Grain?’
Unlike other girls I actually play with boys and learn from them a teeny bit. I also have fun with them sometimes. I also am the only one who likes around the world, it’s a game about math. This is how I go against the grain.

Lia Kelly

What does ‘Against The Grain’ mean to you?
Going against the grain means you are not afraid to come out with who you are and you’re brave enough to stand against society.