In 2008, when fashion designer Traver Rains’ highly acclaimed label Heatherette started to dissolve around him and then-boyfriend/co-designer Richie Rich, he found himself tired and torn. For nearly 10 years, he and Rich had built an empire; their eclectic, unusual designs were seen on countless celebrities and famous models on runways, in magazines, on television and in movies. The two traveled the world together showcasing their work at upscale fashion shows and hosting celeb-studded events and parties—basically living like rock stars. Rains guest judged an episode of Project Runway and appeared on America’s Next Top Model. You get the idea—Rains and Rich were, and still are, a big deal in the fashion world. Because of his success with the Heatherette label, many in the fashion scene expected Rains to dust himself off and jump right back on the horse immediately after it shut down, but he had other plans.

Rains began using his newly acquired free time to focus on another passion, photography. This familiar outlet of artistic expression (he spent his fair share of those 10 Heatherette years at photo shoots) soon influenced the launch of a T-shirt line called T-Rains. His photography and new line are heavily intertwined and feed off each other creatively, as you’ll see in the following interview. Rains will be in Sacramento on Dec. 17 at the Haute Holiday Gala hosted by International Academy of Design and Technology, giving us a chance to view his impressive work in person.

How serious do you take your photography? Would you say it’s your main focus now?
Yeah it’s my main focus right now. I’m having a lot of fun with it.

Do your design work and photography feed off of each other creatively?
Yes definitely, that’s sort of the point to the new T-shirt line is to have the connection between the two. I spent nearly 10 years in New York doing Heatherette and a lot of that time was spent on photo shoots, and that was always a fun part of the design process. I learned a lot being behind the scenes and seeing everything that goes on. After we wrapped Heatherette up, I kind of felt like I had grown up on a photo shoot”¦ I was a little bit tired of the whole fashion/design aspect of everything, so it was just sort of a natural transition. Another thing that sort of inspired me was going back home to Montana, and we have a big horse ranch and on the property there’s these amazing old buildings from the settlers and they’re all sort of collapsing and falling down. I sort of wanted an interesting way to capture them, so I flew in a model and a hair and makeup team and that was sort of my first endeavor behind the camera. I started thinking of the images I had taken on T-shirts and sort of just out of habit, I guess, I stared making them. I decided I could try and tie the two together, instead of sell the photography as a picture, sell it as art on a T-shirt.

I’m looking at a few of those photos from Montana, and they are beautiful! When was it? It looks like it was cold.
It was springtime, and the poor girl was freezing.

The one where the woman’s red dress is flowing down the creek behind her, how did you set that up? Was that photo pre-meditated or did it just happen?
Yeah, I kind of had that image in my mind for a couple of months. The dress is made up of like two hundred yards of that red material and most of it is all connected to the train of the dress. And so even though the creek wasn’t moving very fast, it was still so much fabric that it was pulling her off of that ledge. She was in heels and there was snow and ice everywhere.

Horses show up in a lot of your work. Are they a big inspiration for you?
Yeah, I basically grew up on the back of a horse. I had a pony before I could walk. So yeah, the western thing has always been really important to my whole vibe. I wear a cowboy hat and boots everywhere still; I just grew up that way. I like the leather, the rough-and-tough feel, even my T-shirts I’m sort of adding that into them.

The Heatherette label that you ran with Richie Rich has been inactive for some time now. Do you miss it?
Oh yeah, definitely. It was the best experience. We did 16 New York fashion shows and then we did almost another 20 around the world, everywhere from like Russia to Austria to Miami to Los Angeles. All those photo shoots and celebrities—it was amazing and a lot of work.

What was it like when famous models and celebs were wearing your designs on the runways, in magazines, on television—it must have been like a dream come true!
Yes, I always was pinching myself. Always.

Do you and Richie still stay in touch?
Yeah, we’re completely on great terms. I see him every once in a while in L.A., and he’s still running around like crazy, so we don’t chat every day or anything.

Do you find now that designing as a one-man team, as opposed to a duo, is easier? Harder?
It’s different; working with another person is easier because you have somebody to help you out and you always have to give and take and collaborate. I definitely couldn’t have done what I did at Heatherette without Richie involved. I learned so much from that, that working alone isn’t that tough. I kind of know the ropes now. I’m just re-starting out really slow; I’m not going to go into any mass production thing right away. I want to keep it sort of artsy and small for a little bit. Also, I don’t want design to take up so much of my time that I can’t do these photo shoots.

Traver Rains’ work was displayed Dec. 17, 2009 at the Haute Holiday Gala sponsored by the International Academy of Design, Sacramento. IADT is located at 2450 Del Paso Road, Suite 250, Sacramento. For more information, visit iadtsacramento.com

Sacramento Grand Ballroom
Friday, March 27, 2009

Sacramento’s fashionistas gathered last Friday for a hopeful glimpse into the future of fashion as the International Academy of Design & Technology featured a host of student designers in their annual Imagine Fashion Show. A colored presentation of mostly feminine pieces, mixed with some edge and balanced with decorative glamour, captured the essence of the night. With works generating a range of reactions—from excitement to blank looks to tears—it was definitely a night to remember. Nevertheless, it was, by far, one of the best fashion shows to see Sacramento in a while.

In the chic, neoclassical, festooned Sacramento Grand Ballroom, sophistication prevailed. A picture of elaborate 1920s architecture, the ceiling reached a whopping 124 feet with walls and floors enameled in luminous taupe marble. The astounding 20-foot windows rose up to a decorative gold leaf ceiling. Discovering all of the intricate nooks and crannies of the phenomenal space turned out to be a great pastime as the audience waited for the show’s host.

After her formal introduction, Camille McDonald, a former America’s Next Top Model contestant, failed to present herself for almost 10 minutes, creating an awkward show opener. When she finally appeared, her nose was held high in her predictable diva-like fashion. Luckily, thanks to a professional staff and an easy-going, dressed-to-impress crowd, all was forgotten by the close of the night.

Kicking off the show was a collaboration of 15 “emerging” designers. Models paraded down the runway, donning piece after piece. It was indeterminable which belonged to what designer, but overall the entourage of clothes was delightfully quirky and very creative.

Guests stared raptly at dresses adorned with ruffles and poufs, men’s peg-leg trousers and miniskirts coupled with billowy blouses. A crowd favorite was a sleek black mini dress embellished with swaths of black lace. It was a modern, unfussy approach. Fabrics ranged from drape-y silks to structured, form-fitting threads. The intermixing of soft, warm colors was an occasional relief from the blacks and grays that dominated the runway. With that said, the standout piece was a flattering black jumpsuit appearing comfortable and relaxed yet made with luxe fabrications. Despite a few misses, the collections showed authority and a great deal of hard work and focus.

The striking impression left by the first collection of designers counterbalanced McDonald’s boring intermission presentation. Fortunately, we were relieved for a few moments by keynote speaker Robert Best, a former Project Runway contestant. It’s too bad he had his microphone too close to his mouth, making it impossible to understand a word he said. Either way, anything was better than watching McDonald awkwardly read from her cue cards.

The highlight of the night came from the nine “Imagine” designers. While not every collection was a finessed display of craft and savoir-faire, it’s clear Sacramento is home to a handful of design protégés. First up, premiering an ambitious collection, were co-designers Tracey DeMercado and Yer Vang.

The jumpsuit was the centerpiece of the pair’s collection, showcasing the trend in various forms. Yellow ruched dresses were vented with exposed zippers and adorned with rope-like attachments draped over dresses and belted at the hips. Following the tasteful compilation was designer Carly Frazier with an ever-present zeitgeist of the 1950s. No detail was too small, from the derriere ruffles on dresses and bathing suits to the strategically selected shades of berry, peach, and then the accent blue. She eased it up with lightweight linens and a series of summery separates.

From there, some not-so-fascinating collections chock full of saturated colors, lackluster hoods, uninteresting jumpers and sequins, sequins and more sequins proceeded down the runway. The turning point came when the creativity of Paulette Maglasang took stage. Any sleepers in the audience were quickly awoken by roars from the crowd.

Her circus-inspired collection was fun, thrilling and eye-catching. Fearless models danced and prodded in a clown-like fashion. Maglasang’s masterful dressmaking technique was proof of an original yet demanding sensibility. Dresses sprouting oversized ruffles, and colorful girlish basics were head-turners. Horizontally striped pants woven with metallics exemplified structured silhouettes. Maglasang left an impression that was tough to follow.

The senses were once more tantalized with the designs of Edward John Radanovich III. His use of bold colors, unpredictable browns and pleasantly bizarre patterns stretched down the runway. His gala of eveningwear successfully drew the eye to the stage, and made it the focus of a stylish collection.

It was a flamboyant portrait of local talent. Despite the love/hate relationship with some of the collections the standouts made it a worthwhile night out. Kudos to IADT for offering Sacramento a taste of what the fashion world has to look forward too.

By Michaela Pommells

Reality Star/Top Model Adrianne Curry Hosts Pot Party at Playboy Mansion

Marijuana laws in the U.S. are pretty confusing—some would say downright stupid. The situation is even more sticky (no pun intended) here in California. Though it is legal for prescribed patients to use and cultivate marijuana under California state law (thanks to voter-approved Prop. 215 passed in 1996), it’s still illegal in the eyes of the federal government, leading to the butting of heads between state and national officials, with innocent people caught in the crossfire. On May 22 in Sacramento, however, the Assembly Appropriations Committee passed AB 2743 by a vote of 9-7. The bill, authored by Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) aims to protect the integrity of Prop. 215. If the bill were to become law, it would make it the policy of state and local police not to cooperate with federal drug hounds in raids on those who are purchasing and providing marijuana in a state-legal manner. You’re probably still fucked if you’re buying that shit at your local playground, though.

If marijuana policy is your thing (and even if it’s not), June 12 will be a good chance to celebrate this most recent legislative victory. The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP)—an organization founded in 1995 that strives to change U.S. marijuana laws—is throwing their third annual fundraiser party at the Playboy Mansion in L.A., and the event is open to the public. Hosting will be Adrianne Curry, the controversial reality television star of programs such as America’s Next Top Model (she was the first winner), The Surreal Life, My Fair Brady and others that you probably lie to your friends about watching. Notoriously outspoken, Curry shared with Submerge her thoughts on marijuana laws and the upcoming event while visiting family in Chicago.

I wanted to talk about the MPP event over at the Playboy Mansion. How did you get involved with the organization?
I think it’s really messed up that we would deny anybody [access to medical marijuana]—especially someone with cancer. My mother’s best friend, who’s like my second mom, is battling stage four cancer right now. I see how much pain those people are going through, and it’s like, why are we going to deny them anything? They’re not going to live, so why can’t we make them comfortable? It just doesn’t make sense to me.

Everyone says marijuana is the gateway drug. I disagree. That would’ve been cigarettes for me. I wouldn’t have drank or smoked or done anything had I not started smoking. I prefer it over drinking or anything else. I think [marijuana] is a lot safer. I would rather have a guy drive a school bus a little stoned over being wasted—not that anyone should drive stoned, but if you catch my drift.

I’m a little anti-alcohol in ways. Sure, you can have fun with it here and there, but you know, the drug war is just another failure. I’m one of those people who thinks that all drugs should be legal, and that the people who are going to do them are going to do them anyway. So, kill off the weak. We don’t need them. Is that sweet?

How do you feel about the commercials used to steer kids clear of drug use? There’s this one commercial with kids who are obviously stoned, driving a car, and they hit a kid on a bike while exiting a drive-thru.
First off, that’s stupid. Secondly no one should use anything—NyQuil, Benadryl, anything—and drive. It’s just not the smart thing to do.

The propaganda that this government is using against marijuana when there’s stuff out there like heroin, which I was addicted to along with cocaine”¦ Where are the ads that are telling people to not do these? I don’t see them. But we’ll show someone hit a child because he smoked a joint in a drive-thru. What the fuck?

Do you think, given your past history with drugs, does that make you more aware of the dangers of what’s out there?
Yeah, because of my excessive drug use in my past, I’ve been able to discern what’s the real drug and what isn’t. Cigarettes? My God. It took me forever to quit. I gained 15 pounds. It almost ruined my life. That’s a drug. Alcohol? Same thing. Coke? Same thing. Heroin? Same thing. I can quit pot whenever I want. I’ll go six or eight months and not smoke it for no reason other than I just don’t feel like it. That’s not a drug. Everything affects people differently. Some people are allergic to pot, and they shouldn’t do it. Some people are allergic to raisins, and they shouldn’t eat those either.

Do you think drugs’ being illegal fosters irresponsible drug use?
Well, not just that. It being illegal causes projects with drug people walking around selling weed. It makes people who need it, who have cancer, who would rather not go out to the bar and drive and would rather sit at home and get stoned at the end of the day, it makes them go to dangerous lengths to pick shit up. It’s like really? This is what we’re going to do. It doesn’t make sense, in the greatest country in the world, as we love to claim. I would just like to see us start acting like it. I don’t like going to other countries and see that they have figured stuff out before we have.
You know, I don’t like prostitution. Do you think I want to know that my husband has a readily available clientele of prostitutes anywhere he goes? But he has them anyway, even if it’s illegal. Might as well legalize that too, that way it’s safer and people don’t get diseases or get murdered by Green River Killers. It’s ridiculous. We make things harder for ourselves, because secretly, I think our government doesn’t fucking care about us.

You’ve been in Playboy magazine before, and I’m sure you’ve been to a few parties at the mansion. How does the MPP event compare to what normally goes on there?
There’s a lot less”¦uh”¦fuss [laughs]. There are a lot of women who respect themselves. But they’re still hot. You don’t see people doing some of the things you’d see at the mansion. It’s a little more calm. People are a lot less fucked up, because there’s a lot less drinking, and there’s a lot more deep conversation going on [laughs]. It is awesome, and it’s still a lot of fun. You’ll see a lot of hot chicks and you’ll see a few wild and crazy things. I think because the alcohol intake is a lot less, that people are on much better behavior. I’m going to guess that they have to clean up after the stoners a lot less than they do after the drunks.