Brazilian designer Vlademar Iódice’s love for design came from watching his mother hand sew their family’s clothes. Following in his family’s footsteps, he learned the technical aspects of creating and producing clothes. He launched his label in 1987 and created a trademark with his last name. Vlademar is personally involved in every step while creating his designs. He explains that his creativity and inspiration is nurtured by whatever surrounds him.

Jayson Brunsdon has been involved in the fashion industry for 20 years. He was first an illustrator and stylist and the creative director for an Australian fashion brand, Morrisey. Jayson’s client list includes HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Linda Evangelista, and Naomi Watts. His designs have been featured in UK Vogue , Marie Claire Australia, and Harper’s Bazaar Australia.

Gloria Bass is the wife of a fireman and a stay-at-home mom who home schools her teenage daughter. She has a hefty schedule volunteering in her community and designs beautiful vintage jewelry in her spare time. She has only been designing and selling her jewelry a short while and has already sold quite a few pieces in select boutiques. She has been featured in Ocean Magazine and Riviera Magazine. Celebrities Gloria Loring, Anastasia Brown, Leeza Gibbons, and Cathy Rigby also own pieces from the Vintage Glo collection.

Socialite, fashion designer Esther Nash is a graduate of FIT, and has attended and received several scholarships to the top schools of design in New York. My head was spinning when she listed her credentials. I found it even more intriguing when she told me that she used to model, was a gymnast, and was also a ballerina with the Joffrey Ballet for 5 years. She has appeared in several television shows, movies, and commercials including Law & Order and Lift. And her designs have been featured on Sex in the City.

Candice Held is an LA-based designer who creates one-of-a-kind pieces from recycled scarves. She puts pieces together from hand-woven, hand-laundered scarves. She defines the Candice woman as fun, feminine, vibrant, and liking to have a good time. Her spring/summer collection is about the first bloom of spring when the flowers come out; and the heat of summer, which inspired her “hot air balloon” print.

Sympathy for the Kettle is not your typical tea retailer. It was started back in December 2003 in the East Village in New York City. Jodi Holiday purchased the initially dark and bankrupt Korean tea room and its business, learned the art of tea, and created a whole new tea experience. She experienced tea while living in Germany and traveling through Denmark, France, and Holland. That’s when she made the switch from European coffee to tea layered in herbs and dried fruit.

(Written by Kaylene Peoples)

In an industry that caters to smaller sized women, Devon Ball has pioneered a line of active and leisure wear that is not only flattering but promotes healthy body image and positive attitudes.

Rachel Pally’s designs have been featured in countless magazines, and have become favorites among celebrities. Pally launched her collection back in 2004 at Los Angeles Fashion Week, and that collection has gained the momentum of a snowball rolling downhill ever since. She has discovered the formula which makes every woman look and feel feminine, no matter what her size.

Lindy Flowers is a fashion model who has graced several magazine covers, been featured in countless editorials,has modeled for Chanel, Donna Karan, Bill Blass, Oscar Del La Renta, Carolina Herrera, and Giorgio Armani, just to name a few. She has done umpteen runway shows for every designer imaginable. She has been steadily working for almost ten years in an industry whose average lifespan is only 3-5 years. And now Lindy is Agenda Magazine’s spokesmodel.

Former model/actress Coco Johnsen not only has a successful clothing line, but she also designs shoes, and has an accessory line that includes high end sunglasses, belts, etc. Even her ad campaigns look like they have multi-million dollar budgets. So who is this mysterious chameleon? And what does she have to offer the fashion industry? A lot!