Last June, the third class of he Certification in Elastic Fabrics Clothing Design and Pattern Making of Tommie Hernández’s Fashion Academy graduated.The event took place at Entre Tapas Restaurant and was animated by the top model Aideliz Hidalgo. For this event, each student designed and made a mini collection of three outfits, each inspired by a different theme. The diverse collective fashion show of ready-to-wear clothing included swimwear, sportswear, casual and smart casual clothing. The mini collections of the students Sophya Rojas Correa (“Resplandece”), María Enid Rosa Montañez (“Cafetea”), Liza A. Bas Ramírez (“Free Sailor Bas”), Lydia Gómez Ortiz (“Tropical”), Alma Luz Benítez Rodríguez (“Sanación”), Sullibeth Carrero Mendoza (“Aura”), Tatiana J. Vega Hernández (“Prisma”), and María Justina Aponte Tapia (“Corbatas”) were presented in that order by models from the agencies: ArteMorfosis PR, Element Models, Krone Models, Óptima Model Management, and Passarella by Aideliz. The inclusive fashion show also had the participation of two young tennis promises and the swimmer Cristina De la Vega, gold medalist of the 2019 Special Olympics World Games.
In addition to the Certificate obtained by each student, designer Tommie Hernández presented three special prizes. The first prize was awarded to Alma Luz Benítez, with her “Sanación” collection, inspired in transforming the work “La Columna Rota” by Frida Kahlo into a restored column. The second prize went to Tatiana J. Vega, with her “Prisma” collection, inspired by the prism and the colors into which white light separates when it passes through this object. The third prize was awarded to María Justina Aponte with her “Corbatas” collection, inspired by the red scarves that women tied to soldiers around their necks before leaving for the 30-year war. Alma Luz also won the “Editorial Look” Award awarded by the photographer Betzaida Pagán from Celebrate Creative Studio
This certification in stretch fabrics clothing covers design, pattern making, tailoring, fashion illustration, collection development, fashion merchandising and more. It is offered online through pre-recorded videos that each student completes at their own pace. The students also participated in virtual meetings in which they presented their collections, and received input from both Tommie Hernández and her other classmates. They also visited Tommie Hernández’s workshop to review their final patterns and select the models and fit their garments. In this class there were students from different parts of the island and abroad. Students who were unable to visit the workshop due to distance or other commitments were able to do their pattern review virtually and were able to mail in their pieces to be fitted to the models.
Lydia Gómez, a resident of the state of Virginia, completed her certification while still residing outside of Puerto Rico and indicated that “I never saw distance as an impediment. At all times Tommie and her staff were willing to help me when I had any questions, doubts or needs.”
“Distance is not an impediment to meet a goal; whomever sets out to do something can achieve it” states Tommie Hernández, founder of academiademodas.com, the line of sewing patterns Sirena Patterns, Sirena Magazine, and the Sirena Elite sewing club, a virtual sewing club in which its members receive exclusive tutorials, discounts, one sewing pattern per month, virtual meetings and other benefits. For more information visit www.sirenaelite.com.
Until next time!
