Posts tagged "german valdivia"

dalton school german valdivia studio news

Apr 15

Studio News - GV Donates to Dalton School 2011 Spring Benefit

NYC luxury designer German Valdivia makes donation to Upper East Side’s Dalton School.

NEW YORK, Apr. 15, 2011 – German Valdivia donated $3,500 in merchandise to be auctioned at the Dalton School 2011 Spring Benefit held at Cipriani’s Wall Street on April 14th as part of his company’s Fashion Forward initiative.  The German Valdivia Fashion Forward initiative is a company program encouraging critical awareness of younger entrants into the fashion industry, particularly interns and younger staff, with the underlying aim of increasing their involvement with their local communities.

“The Dalton School’s vision is premised on American educator Helen Parkhurst’s approach of creating natural inquisitiveness in students, which I respect greatly,” said Valdivia.  “Though there is no formal partnership with the school, the school’s underlying vision matched our Fashion Forward program’s desire to create critical thinkers and so I felt a donation would be appropriate.” 

Valdivia donated a navy cocktail dress from his Fall 2011 collection (retail: $2,000 USD) and a champagne clutch (retail: $1,500 USD) after a client asked if he would be interested in making a donation to the benefit.   The winner of the auction will have the navy cocktail dress made to measure at the company’s studio in Midtown Manhattan.

Valdivia’s interest in education stems from the experiences of his sister, who passed away after a battle with breast cancer in June 2000.  Valdivia’s sister was a K-12 educator whom Valdivia indicates valued the natural critical thinking skills of her students.  “My sister always sought the best ways to increase a student’s interest in a topic, and avoided traditional ‘lecturer’ methods whenever possible,” said Valdivia.  “She wanted students to learn based upon their own interests in manners relevant to their learning styles and experiences.”

Ultimately, Valdivia hopes to have as many of his Fashion Forward program participants see the fashion industry more as a community with many stakeholders.  By encouraging activities that connect the studio to the local community and external institutions, he  hopes to mitigate the uni-dimensional view of fashion as an industry that solely emphasizes the selling of goods to consumers. “As a company, I want to constantly question ways to do things better, to redefine what it means to be a brand these days.  ‘Transforming’ is a concept I learned early on in life by my mentors who challenged me to always be myself, to think and be different,” said Valdivia.  “I support organizations that are premised on similar principles.”

For more information on German Valdivia’s Fashion Forward initiative, please contact the studio at (212) 664-1580.  You can find more information about the Dalton School at dalton.org.

Navy cocktail dress donated to Dalton School ($2,000), auction winner will have it made to measure at the company’s studio in Midtown Manhattan. 


german valdivia studio news fashion forward

Apr 21

Studio News - GV Fashion Forward Begins May 2011

NYC luxury designer German Valdivia welcomes the first class of his Fashion Forward program.

NEW YORK, Apr. 21, 2011 – German Valdivia would like to welcome the summer participants for his first annual Fashion Forward program.  The program will officially begin at the studio May 1, 2011 and will run thru July 31, 2011.

German Valdivia’s Fashion Forward program aims to encourage critical awareness of younger entrants into the industry through an alternative yet relevant approach to professional development.  In addition to basic intern tasks, this year’s participants will be exposed to a curriculum of workshops crafted by entrepreneurs, lawyers, designers and professors interested in cultivating a more innovative approach to working in the fashion industry. 

This sophisticated approach challenges fashion industry entrants’ perceptions of “being in fashion” by encouraging awareness of the positive impact they may have on all fashion stakeholders through their day-to-day decisions in and outside of the industry. Workshops will cover issues such as unfair labor concerns or the impact a branding campaign may have on gender and ethnic stereotypes.  The program will culminate with participants presenting their own ideas for a new, innovative fashion business model at the end of July.   

This year’s participants include Audriana Banks (IL), Katalin Karolyi (Washington D.C.), Sarah Stone (CT), Elizabeth Shea (CT), Moira O’Malley (WI), Lindsey Engel (NY), Hayley Grossman (NY), and Kristie Keys (IL).

“This is the exciting stuff of being in fashion,” said Valdivia. “I’m looking forward to working with all of our summer interns.”

For more information of German Valdivia’s Fashion Forward program, please contact the studio at (212) 664-1580. 


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german valdivia made to measure menswear studio news neckwear

Apr 25

Studio News - GV Planning Return to Fashion Design Roots

NYC luxury designer German Valdivia will be adding a made to measure menswear component to his current brand.

NEW YORK, April 25, 2011 – Stop by the German Valdivia studio and you’ll be mesmerized by the intricate evening gowns and cocktail dresses that women flock to for their special events.  Stop by sometime this fall and you might be mesmerized by other luxury items currently being developed for another type of client: men.

Having been a fashion designer for over twenty years, Valdivia has established a niche studio that caters to discerning women seeking that special made to measure look for a particular event or occasion.  Valdivia, however, actually started his fashion career in menswear and has been working on the reintroduction of a menswear component to his current brand.  The menswear component, akin to the studio’s collections currently offered to women, will be geared towards men seeking luxury made to measure services for their (or their spouses’) event filled calendars.

“My female clients have busy calendars and need distinct looks for each event,” said Valdivia.  “More than often, they bring their husbands to those events.” Orders have already been placed for hand-tailored tuxedos, suits, and dress shirts.  Luxury made to measure ties have been the specialty item creating the buzz for men connected to the studio.  If you’re seeking the best ties for men and haven’t found them, the GV studio may very well be the place to have them made according to your color or design specifications.

“My old company really started with men’s neckwear,” said Valdivia.  “All of it evolved from there.”  The menswear designs of Valdivia’s prior company were worn by Tom Cruise, Keanu Reeves, Nicholas Cage, David Duchovny, Sir Ian McKellan and other well known personalities. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing where this new initiative will take the studio,” said Valdivia.

Valdivia’s made to measure men’s styles are currently available by referral only.  For more information, please contact the studio at (212) 664-1580 or visit germanvaldivia.com.

Hand-tailored tuxedo being measured for German Valdivia menswear collection.


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german valdivia fall 2011 cocktail dress greta leather bag micropaillette

May 03
A modern studio look for those adventurous with their style.  

A modern studio look for those adventurous with their style.  


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german valdivia wraps mothers day womens

May 04

FROM GV - Mother’s Day Gift Ideas and Specials

We’re celebrating Mother’s Day for an entire week at the studio with some special gifts for mothers who make a purchase at the studio between the days of May 8th - May 13th!  Scroll all the way down to find out more.

If you’re still looking for a chic Mother’s Day gift, consider a distinctive GV wrap! The wraps are perfect for moms who like to have fun with their fashion or looking for a unique pop to their looks.  There are several styles available at the studio, here are four of our favorites:

For the moms who stop by the German Valdivia studio and purchase a dress (excluding samples) between May 8th and May 13th, we’ll gift you with a wrap or bolero (valued at $250 - $500) that goes along with your look!  You’ll also receive a complimentary German Valdivia gift card valued at $250 which you’ll be able to apply to your next purchase at the studio.

For more information, please contact the studio at (212) 664-1580.


german valdivia cocktail dress

May 25
Navy crepe cocktail dress…one of our looks perfect for the summer!

Navy crepe cocktail dress…one of our looks perfect for the summer!


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COCKTAIL DRESS GERMAN VALDIVIA

Jul 19

Velvet, Lace and Creativity…

A QUICK Q&A WITH GERMAN VALDIVIA ON THIS VELVET AND LACE COCKTAIL DRESS FROM HIS FALL 2011 COLLECTION….

Q: Why would a woman want to wear this look?

A:   She wants to make a statement.  This is a sophisticated and modern look.  The velvet strips are precisely cut to accentuate a small waist and the asymmetry was designed to make women appear taller.  For the couture client, we always play with the placement of strips on the muslin to ensure the design works with their body.

Q:  What was the inspiration for this piece?

A:  My inspiration came from the drama of the New York City skyline. Growing up in Cuba, arriving to the city as a teenager had a huge impact on my creative sensibilities.  When I draped this look, I was also experiencing so many different challenges in my life.  To me, the velvet strips represented these challenges.  When controlled and placed into perspective something beautiful can emerge.

Q: Why velvet and lace?

A: Velvet is a very luxurious fabric, lace is feminine and has a timeless sophistication.  I always love lace with geometric patterns and this is why I selected this lace.  Both fabrics combined offer a different texture you won’t find hanging on the racks.  My client wants to be different, so this combination achieves that.

Q:  How would you respond to women who are weary of wearing such a unique dress?

A: Try not to be weary so much.  Trying a new look or something new is always a positive experience.   There is value in being different yet sophisticated.