Interviewing the Dreamer - the Choreographer

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If you missed my last fashion show for SS12 with Project Ethos, then you missed a talented young lady's performance! Noooo, I'm not the talented young lady (lol).  Her name is Joanna Baca and she opened my runway show in what now has become a staple of my runway shows.  Her performance has already received awesome reviews.

" One particularly inspiring moment of the night was watching a young sixteen year old model work the crowd as she opened the Melissa Velia presentation with an amazing hip hop dance routine she choreographed herself."   - The LA Fashion Magazine 

Here's my interview with Joanna.

When did you start dancing?
I've been dancing ever since I was a little girl at the age of 3.

Joanna Baca

Have you always wanted to be a dancer/ choreographer?

Yes I've always loved to dance and create dances just for fun. As I got older, I found a real interest in choreographing dances for group performances and solos for myself.

Joanna in the center

Have you had any training?

I took dancing lessons for tap, ballet, and jazz when I was younger but stopped when I was 9. I'm currently a member of my schools dance team and the experience of working with other dancers and learning new material everyday has definitely helped me with my dancing technique.

Who are your favorite dancers/ Choreographers?

My favorite choreographer would have to be LaurieAnn Gibson. I love her style in movement and she has a lot of flavor. There are also many talented dancers that inspire me that it's hard to name.

Who inspires you?

Famous choreographers such as Jaquel knight, Mikey Minden, and LaurieAnn inspire me as a choreographer and influence the way I intend to dance.

When you were asked to pro-form for the fashion show, what did you think?

When I was asked to perform I was so stoked and excited. I couldn't wait to experience the opportunity to open for Melissa Velia with my own dance choreo.

Pic via Snapstarlive.com

Where you nerves going on stage?

That entire day of the fashion show and rehearsal, my nerves continued to build. I ran my dance in my head about 500 times. When the lights dimmed, and when I took my place on stage, all my nerves went away an I just gave it my all. I left everything on the dance floor and truly had fun with it.

Joanna backstage before her performance

How often do you perform?

I perform dance numbers quite often for dance competitions, dance recitals, benefit shows, and many school events which are every year.

Who's your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporter would have to be my mom. She encourages me to excel in dancing and try new dance technique. She is always at every performance and shows tons of support.

Is dancing/ choreography something you want to do for a living?

Yes dancing is something I see myself working towards in my future. And making a profession out of. One of my goals is to work with well known dancers and choreographers and grow as my own unique dancer.

Is this something you want to do for the rest of your life?

I want to experience new opportunities in dance throughout my life but mostly I want to inspire other people to dance and impact there view on it as well.

What's the hardest thing about being a choreographer?

The hardest thing about being a choreographer is probably taking time and energy out to put together an amazing dance number. Dance honestly takes a lot of dedication and is more difficult than people thing. But I love doing it and wouldn't spend my time doing anything else.

In your wildest dreams where would you like to see your career go?

My dream is to be a performer in concerts and huge events and work with amazing artists and choreographers. I'd love to travel the world and share my talent with people.

Who would you absolutely love to work with? (performer, celeb, singer, etc.)

I would absolutely love to work with LaurieAnn Gibson and Beyonce. That would be my dream.


Check out her performance at my SS12 Fashion Show

For bookings, press or other questions for Joanna Baca, email Jessica at dancebookings@yahoo.com

Behind the Runway - SS12

Models backstage

WOW, nonstop baby!

This to date, has been one of the most busiest shows I've done. From beginning to now.  Just craziness.  With that said, here are some of the highlights leading to my collections 3rd fashion show, SS12.

Model Nicole at fittings at Project Ethos HQ

Model Alexis at fittings at Project Ethos HQ

Fittings at Project Ethos HQ

Fittings at Project Ethos HQ

Rehearsals with dancer Joanna

Before the show

Before the show

Hair and Make-up

Hair and make-up with models Shameka and Chelsea

Backstage with my two amazing assistants, Denise and Christa

Backstage with model Melina

Backstage wearing a preview to my Fall 2012 Collection and our ever popular At The Opera Earrings and Velvet Bow Belt.

View the rest of the behind the scenes pictures here.  Coming up on my blog, runway pictures, the runway video, press pics and my interview with the dancer who opened my show. Good times!

This Business

Hello Darlins,

So I've been M.I.A. on damage control from the cancellation of the Las Vegas Fashion Show, recently.   I can't even tell you how upset I've been about the last minute cancellation of the show.  I mean really, who does that??!!  I've been feeling like the fool once again, for being apart of bad business and I've been struggling on how to learn from this.  The woman who approached me for this show was very nice, commutative, a business owner and legit (for the most part).  Contracts were signed and money was spent.  Changes were made but nothing new in the fashion industry, for that's one of the reasons this industry is so stressful.  In the end, an email was sent out 48hrs before the shows were to begin and I was left at my door with bags packed, at a lost.  And as much as this woman has tried to reach me, I have yet to speak to her.  I just honestly felt if I spoke to her right then and there, I could not proceed in a professional manner.  Which really is important to me.  Lawsuit talks have been all around me from the other participants that were to be in the show, asking me to join suit.  At this time, I am convicted not to do so.  I'm not sure why?  I lost money, my friends and family were left with their plans to Vegas and I was truly embarrassed.  Yet, in my heart......I feel bad for the lady too.

Anyways, like in fashion...on to the next,

(click the pic for all the details)

I would like to thank everyone who has supported me through this journey and who continue to do so.  You guys are the ones who make me believe that I can reach my life long dream.  I'm sure this ugly mishap won't be the last in my journey and it will just be another chapter in my book.

Till the post Darlins, thanks for reading.

A Show of Fashion

Hello Lovelies!

So am happy to announce that I am the proud owner of.....a new camera. Finally, I have a camera I can shoot amazing pictures with....only problem is, I really need to learn how to use it.  Never the less, I took that baby out for a spin at a fashion show last Friday.

As many of you might know, I launched my line last year at a Project Ethos event in October.  It's funny to return a year later to actually attend the event as a guest.  No running around in stilettos, like a crazy person for me that night.  Instead, I was able to take it all in and observe......for the next time.  Yes, I started to consider doing the event next season after everyone was asking me if I was doing it this season. What do you guys think?

Anyways, here are the highlights for the night.

The line and valet, was just crazy.

The line I was in for the guest list, wasn't as bad as expected.  Although Hollywood was freezing that night.

Pink carpet was cute. Hoping to find some of those pics of me on it. $1 of every Pink Carpet ticket was donated to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) and the event raised awareness for SU2C.

After all my years visiting the sunset strip, this was my first time in the House Of Blues.  It was a bit small but pretty amazing.

This was my favorite art work from the art they were showing.

So you know I have a thing for lighting, these were a bit creepy but pretty cool.

So finally I was ready to test out my new camera from my balcony seats.

The highlight of the night was truly the Black Cards, featuring Fall Out Boy’s former bassist / front man Pete Wentz.  Vocalist Bebe Rexha, was quite the performer.

 

 

After the Black Cards the runway was prepped for it's first collection, I Am. A new line by Black Eyed Peas front man Will.I.Am.

AND no, Will.I.Am didn't not come out after his line like most designers.  Don't think he was even there.

And so, the night went on with the rest of the collections.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stay to see the last collection but all in all, cheers to my fellow designers.  May you keep on chugging till you reach the top of those clothing rack mountains.

Last but not least.....I wore, again the  Layer Me Dress from my fall collection only in the leopard print.  My new Velvet Bow Belt  and the At The Opera earrings in black.

Good times.