Fashionistas, allow me to introduce The 16th Bar, a couture line for petite fashion savvy gals. The upcoming Spring/Summer collection is about to debut, be among the first to see the collection by “LIKE”ing The 16th Bar on Facebook! Also check out The 16th Bar’s website. If you are like me, on the shorter side, then you too can appreciate this fabulous emerging brand. Finding garmets to fit my 5’3” frame sometimes is quite the obstacle. I had the pleasure of interviewing Frankie Ortiz, the creator of The 16th Bar, please enjoy:
What inspired you to create The 16th Bar?
I’m a tomboy at heart, but after years of shopping for my 4’11’’ frame, I gave up on looking for clothes I could fit into. It wasn’t fair that only two stores sold petite sizes. They only have half a wall for the “petite” section, and I hate their typical “look”, so I was stuck with jeans and t-shirts everyday in college. Even as I continued studying in school, everything I designed needed to be a standard size, so while most students were able to wear their own designs themselves, my garments continued to collect dust in my closet because everything was too big. That’s when I decided I needed to make a change in the industry. I knew I couldn’t be the only one dealing with these frustrations. We shouldn’t be limited to beautiful clothing simply because we are not “standard height”. I decided to create a petite couture inspired collection, so our clothing could finally match our bold personalities.
Leather jacket, green chiffon skirt, & hand beaded dress, Fall 2011 Collection
Model: Jessica Rugama Photographer: Shane O’Neal
What does style mean to you?
Style is so much more important than fashion. Fashion is following trends, but when you have style, you’re setting the trends yourself; you know who you are. Style is, for lack of a better word, a lifestyle. It’s your personal branding of who you are to the outside world. From the shoes you wear, the way you carry yourself and speak to others, to the car you drive, it’s who you are, and no one can change that.
What kind of woman wears your line?
It’s the woman who appreciates quality over quantity. She knows who she is, she’s bold, and she’s a risk taker. She knows you only live once, and she’s not afraid to take on any adventure.
Shoulder detail of hand beaded dress
Fashionably speaking, who do you look up to?
I look up to musicians and artists more than anything. But as far as designers go, then I would say Coco Chanel and Tom Ford would top the list. Coco Chanel changed the world, because she had a different way of thinking, she didn’t just follow what everyone else was doing. And Tom Ford is just daring. He loves causing mayhem and controversy and I respect him for that.
Linen blend pencil skirt with silk bustier from the Spring 2011 Collection
Model: Jessica Rugama
Photographer: Rakitha Perera for Anasatzqui Productions
What is your favorite accessory that you own?
Well, if perfume counts as an accessory, then hands down it’s my bottle of Chanel Chance. I wear it everyday, even if I’m just working at home. You feel beautiful when you know you smell really good. And confidence is the sexiest accessory anyone needs.
xoxo,
Vegas Juliette
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