Written by: Heather Lettieri
On Saturday, October 13th, Against The Grain Productions (ATG) held its annual Fashion For A Passion fundraiser. For this completely sold-out event, a very stylish crowd packed the Dallas Contemporary in support of the organization’s fourth showcase.
A leader in representing, promoting, and providing educational opportunities for the Asian American community, ATG is a Dallas-based non-profit group. Every dollar raised by ATG funds outreach programs and scholarships, or goes to assisting orphanages in Asia. Fashion For A Passion is an all-volunteer effort.
The evening included fabulous food and cocktails, live music, a designer t-shirt raffle, and a silent art auction, but the real show-stoppers of the night were seen on the runway. Hosts LeeAnne Locken and Sam Liu presented a fashion show and live auction of seven designers, including a DFW Style Daily designer crush, Nha Khanh. Arriving fashionably early, we caught up with all of the designers, as well as Ms. Locken, for a little Q&A before the show.
LeeAnne Locken
DFW Style Daily: You’ve volunteered to host this event three years running. How did you get involved with ATG, and what do you love about the organization?
LL: “What I love about ATG is the fact that Tammy Nguyen Lee, who is such an amazing woman and a good friend of mine, decided she was going to pick up the cause and do something, and created this foundation all on her own.”
Why do you think it’s important to link charity and fashion?
“Oh my God, because fashion is universal. Fashion transcends all generations, languages, and ethnicities, and creates a melding of everyone. It allows us to share not only different opinions but similar ones, and it brings us together.”
What is your favorite element of fall fashion?
“Tights and miniskirts! What I really love about fall fashion, though, is the challenge of taking something that’s completely covered and making it look elegant and sexy at the same time.”
Joanne Hong of JOLYNN (designs pictured above)
Who is the woman you design for?
“The woman I design for is a confident, sophisticated, young professional. I like to create a lot of day-to-night looks that can transition from work to an evening or charity event.”
Describe your collection in three words.
“Sweet. Charming. Feminine.”
What was the last dream you had?
“Actually, I haven’t been sleeping well! So, my last dream-come-true would honestly be tonight and being here with my parents. Because of work and travel, this is the first event they can both be at to support me, and it’s an amazing feeling!”
Jerry Matthews (designs pictured above)
Who is the woman you design for?
“She’s a strong, confident woman who can be daring with her fashion sense. She’s a little edgy, but still feminine.”
Describe your collection in three words.
“Simple. Clean. Daring.”
What was the last dream you had?
“Oh my gosh, it was a really funny one! I was watching television prior, and the dream basically mimicked what happened. In it, my ex-partner told me he was dating one of my old art teachers. It was really confusing — it was a nightmare, actually.”
Lizzi Cook of Lizzi London (designs pictured above)
Who is the woman you design for?
“Someone who is elegant, proud of who they are, and willing to try something new. As a designer, I like to accentuate a woman’s figure to bring out her personality.”
Describe your collection in three words.
“Intricate, flowy, and a little edgy.”
What was the last dream you had?
“I was watching YouTube, and I had a dream that I was on a date with my husband at Starbucks. Ellen DeGeneres showed up to prank me and I chased her down laughing. Yeah, I chased down Ellen.”
Danh Ta (designs pictured above)
Who is the woman you design for?
“She’s definitely bold, very confident, and proud of being a woman.”
Describe your collection in three words.
“Luscious. Floral. Aquatic life.”
What was the last dream you had?
“It was actually two nights ago! I was in prison for a crime that I never committed. I don’t recall what [it was], I only remember being in trouble for no reason, and the relief I felt when I woke up.”
Sophia Wu of Leprosy (designs pictured above)
Who is the woman you design for?
“Boyish. I like to express my femininity in a masculine way.”
Describe your collection in three words.
“Experimental. Masculine. …How about just two words?”
What was the last dream you had?
“It was on the flight here from New York, and I dreamed that my hotel looked exactly like my apartment. Really my studio is beat-up and doesn’t look like The Lumen at all.”
Hanh Dang of Lucy Dang (designs pictured above)
Who is the woman you design for?
“We design for the girly-girl and any girl can be a girly-girl at any age.”
Describe your collection in three words.
“Anna Karenina dates a Kennedy.”
What was the last dream you had?
“That I won Texas Next Top Designer. It honestly was. I’m a contestant this year, so hopefully it really happens!”
Khanh Nguyen of Nha Khanh (designs pictured above)
Who is the woman you design for?
“She is the woman with confidence. She knows exactly what she wants, but is still very playful with fashion.”
Describe your collection in three words.
“Lacey, flowy and feminine.”
What was the last dream you had?
“Oh my god, what was the last dream I remember? I haven’t really been sleeping, so I haven’t been dreaming. But, I remember my last dream-come-true, and that was learning that I will be honored by Fashion Group International of Dallas next month with the Rising Star Award in fashion. I daydream a lot, but this one came true!”
All photos, credit Heather Lettieri for DFW Style Daily. For more information on ATG, visit AgainstTheGrainProductions.com.
