The Park Ultra Lounge, Sacramento
Thursday, June 26, 2008

Suede Salon and Spa is becoming a cornerstone for the Sacramento fashion scene. On June 26 they hosted another show, adding to their runway resume. This time, the event took place at The Park Ultra Lounge in downtown Sac. Three of Sacramento’s most recognized designers were showcased, coupled with a Suede Salon custom look, making for a night of runway magic.

With the music pumping hard, the Park was rampant with fashion fans itching to get the show started. If you’ve never been to the Park, it opens up into a three-room space giving partygoers plenty of breathing room. Yet, on this night, despite the extra room, an eager audience swamped the runway creating cramped quarters. This was definitely not an event for the claustrophobic.

Benzo Couture set the show off with her “Socialite” collection. Designs that hearkened back to the 1980s were revamped as Benzo put a contemporary spin on some throwback styles. Benzo models flaunted tight corsets attached to full skirts detailed with huge bows and lace making for dresses that will surely make you stand out in a crowd. Mercedes Ben’s pieces were fully equipped with the intricate details one would expect to find in a couture collection.

Casey Sue Douglass honed in on her niche of making clothes for the modern, urban woman. A wide array of funky patterns featuring jersey knit and silks made up separates and dresses. Especially charming were the heart shaped cut outs gracing the back of many of her pieces. Douglass describes her collection as “Ready to wear couture…the piece you can put in your backpack and wear later.”

If the name of the game is fashion, then you can be sure Dee Aguilar will be in attendance. On this night she stayed true to the season’s trends offering up light summer dresses donning bright colors. The collection featured short dresses, mid-length dresses, club dresses and cocktail dresses. What’s best about this collection was she had something to suit every kind of woman.

This event can’t be acknowledged without giving a nod to Suede Salons Ashkan Bashiri. He’s been promoting local designers since 2004. He informs me he has big plans for the future. From what I gather, we can expect something no one else in Sacramento has been able to achieve up to this point. I’ll be anxiously waiting to see what he has in store!
These designers definitely made the show a worthy one. It wasn’t New York’s Fashion Week but the show at the Park Ultra Lounge showcased some of Sacramento’s best. If you call yourself a fashion connoisseur then you won’t want to sleep on these three ladies, whether you love them or hate them.

By Michaela Pommells
Photo Courtesy of Tom Huynh

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Categorized | Reviews, Show

Tags | 2008, Ashkan Bashiri, Benzo Couture, Casey Sue Douglass, Dee Aguilar, June 26, Mercedes Ben’s, Sacramento, Spa and Boutique Runway Fashion Show, Suede Salon, The Park Ultra Lounge, Thursday