Raoul Blanco's Scent of a Woman collection in Face Magazine, December issue...

http://www.faceacadiana.com/2015/12/01/95197/raoul-blanco-unveils-fall-spring-couture

New Orleans Ladies at Raoul Blanco's Scent of a Woman, Benson Tower

New Orleans Ladies
November 22, 2015 - Fete - The Advocate
By Ms. Patricia Gannon-Society Writer, The Advocate

http://theadvocate.com/news/acadiana/13990523-123/patricia-gannon-twas-the-night

Models Farrah Graham, Skye Glaude, Brianna Poydras, Meghan Redd

The lovely Mrs. Gayle Benson

Model Skye Glaude and Raoul Blanco

Model Meghan Redd

Ms. Jennifer LeBlanc and Ms. Patricia Gannon

Blanche McCloskey,  Sally Goodyear, Raoul Blanco, Vikki Leftwich and Janet Stram

Melissa and John Blohm, Gayle Jones

Eileen Planetta, Deborah Bellina and Jeanell Landwehr

Kathy Truxillo, Gayle Benson and Danielle Truxillo

Stephanie and Joseph Parrino, Kimberly Gondrella

"Scent of a Woman"

You bet I'm getting ready!

"Scent of a Woman", Raoul Blanco's Spring 2016 Couture Collection....

Raoul Blanco 

Fashion models....

Models….

What is a model?  In the fashion industry and for us designers a model is a salesman, men or woman. It’s that person that possesses the look that we are searching for to reach our stable and prospect clients.  A good model is the one that when airing one of our designs will wake our client’s interest.  That’s call the connection between the client, the designer, the model and the creation…  And you thought it was just for you to be pretty (she) or handsome (he)…   No dahhhhling, you need more than a good face or good body to be able to make that connection….  See, is it not that easy…  When a designer find these rare beings we stick with them, and for us they become our stars.  And for their respective agents they become their stars as well.

To give you an example I won’t go too far.  Locally, I have work with many, some have it and some just don’t.  I openly will like to mention three of the stars in my line-up; Farrah Graham, Summer Moore and Megan Redd…  My clients love them!  And the three of them are very different, which means they possess their own individual look and charisma… 

I always like to cast and search for my own models.  I respect all agencies and many times send them talent that I think it may be of their interest.  As a designer and for my own shows I prefer to make that first connection, perhaps because once I was a model myself and now for many decades a designer—so I know what I’m looking for….  That’s why I call for my own castings.  For example, I just discovered one last night while dinning with my partner at a local restaurant, she’s a bartender.  Gorgeous, 5’ 11” tall, perfect size eight and beautiful humbleness…  Ohhhh, what was that word???  Humbleness, from humble, that’s what makes her so fabulous…

My biggest turn off and others in the industry as well are when we receive in our castings those beings with high egos and attitudes…  Remember a very important thing models and prospect models; we are the ones that will put you on the runway, not the other way around.  If you can’t reach our attention you will hardly be able to reach our clients, which equals to no sales, which equals to “No cookies for ya!”….

Fashion is not as glamorous as many may think.  It’s extremely hard work and very competitive.  A modeling career is just a small part and a short one as well in the fashion industry.  Not many stay on top, if you’re there, behave…  There’s always the next pretty face with beautiful humbleness nearby waiting to kick in and push you down the stairs, so be real….

See you in casting….. J

Raoul Blanco   

Raoul Blanco Uomo Couture...

I asked you if you were ready for the Raoul Blanco Uomo Couture man….  I bet you were not….

For the fashionable, fierce less and secure bad boy…  We’ll see you on the runway…  

Are you ready for Raoul Blanco Uomo Couture?

Are you ready?

Model's casting call...

"Scent of a Woman" Open Model's Casting Call

Where: Raoul Blanco Couture
110 Travis Street, Suite 151
At The Oil Center
Lafayette, LA 70503 

Date: Friday, June 12, 2015
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Please wear high heels and close fitted clothes. Please bring a picture or comp card of you that we can keep. Thank you!

Raoul Blanco

Tracee Dundas

Tracee Dundas

Style and Fashion Writer with a real sense for style and good taste.  Founder of “New Orleans Fashion Week”, discovering and making awareness of new talent in the fashion field and recognizing the stable fashion dictators and followers….  A pioneer, in other words, the real thing…

I’m glad that Ms. Dundas is writing and blogging about real style and fashion for our local “Face Magazine”…  I invite you to stay tune with this lady…  Congratulations Mr. Flint Zerange Sr!

Raoul Blanco

Professor Robert W. Haven visits Raoul Blanco...

And today by Ms. Patricia Gannon - Society Writer, The Advocate Aacdiana

http://theadvocate.com/news/acadiana/12380003-123/patricia-gannon-st-jude-dream

Ms. Jennifer Scialdone LeBlanc in one of Professor's Robert W Haven pieces... Lovely... 

Photo courtesy of Ms. Patricia Gannon - Society Writer, The Advocate Acadiana.

Perhaps is not as white as you thought it was…

Perhaps is not as white as you thought it was…

Many ladies ask if I could suggest where they could go at the time to choose and buy their wedding gowns for that special day when they will say, “I do…”  Choose carefully…

There are many venues as most of you know, specialty stores also called “high end boutiques” like Peggy Peters, Betty Bass, Cache.  High end department stores like Sacks, Bendels’, Neimans’…  Small local specialty brides’ stores like for example A-Net’s Bridal Boutique, Blanc- A Bridal Boutique located here in Lafayette, Louisiana….  All these are very well recommended, they’re more intimate, reserved and cater their clients as to the client’s specifications and desires…  Prices will fluctuate according to what your desires, taste and budget of course.

Then you have the big box retail bridal business…  These venues are there to make a daily goal $$$…  Many times you will end up purchasing a bra or a slip that you wouldn’t really need….  Many times you will end up purchasing these kinds of undergarments as new when in reality they have being loaned to other customers for in-store fittings and then spot cleaned and repacked as new…  And the same goes for the gowns…

99% of the times wedding gowns are built with their own foundation, so there’s no need to purchase a separate bra or bustier, especially when the gown is a strapless design.  Other times they will tell you that you must purchase the big slip in order to keep your gown from going “between your legs”…  Many of these gowns have many layers of fabric and modern brides prefer the more normal and soft touch that the “cake” looks alike gown…  The reason the manufactures (yes, these gowns are mass produced) built the many layers is to give the gown the needed proportion. It is up to the bride if she prefers more or less volume in her skirt.  And no ladies, due to the many layers built already on the gown the skirt will not go “between your legs”… 

Many of these gowns are beautiful in the way they are, so when it comes to alterations the less is the better…   Many just need one to three bustles, not twenty…  Let your gown flow naturally and softly, remember, it supposed to be a dream day, not an armored soldier ready to war…  Big box retail bride’s stores are request to also make a daily goal $$$ in alterations, even if these are not needed…  And for them the more the better…

And there’s more but we will keep that for my next blog…  As a designer, my personal advice is, “If you don’t have the way to get your gown especially designed for you go to the small specialty boutiques or the well-respected high end stores for your dream day wedding.  If they don’t have their own alterations department is even better, in that way they will suggest some talented people they deal with that could do the alterations for you.  And believe me; they’re very careful suggesting the right ones, their reputation and trust are countable.”   

Have a beautiful wedding!

Raoul Blanco

  

 

Raoul Blanco through Kevin Ste Marie's lens...

Raoul Blanco's designs captured by artist Kevin Ste Marie from Kaptography at New Orleans Fashion Week.

Farrah Graham for Raoul Blanco...

The fabulous Farrah Graham for Raoul Blanco Couture at New Orleans Fashion Week 2015... — with Farrah Graham at New Orleans Board of Trade.

New Orleans Fashion Week 2015 backstage...

Ready to take on the runway...

Gems by Danielle Truxillo, Andy's Jewelry

Hats by Fleur de Paris

Designs by Raoul Blanco

Margaret Eckert for Raoul Blanco in New Orleans Fashion Week 2015...

New Orleans Fashion Week with the fabulous Margaret Eckert for Raoul Blanco Couture... Thank you Diva...

Photos courtesy of Margaret Eckert.
Gems by Danielle Truxillo Britt, Andy's Jewelry.
Hats by Fleur de Paris.

RB Professional Alterations...

Now open RB Professional Alterations. A division of Raoul Blanco Couture.   

We have the professional hands with decades of experience... Tailoring, gentlemen, ladies, bridal gowns, children and special occasion dresses.

Call us for your appointment at (337) 366-8193.

Raoul Blanco Couture

at The Oil Center

110 Travis Street, Suite 151

Lafayette, LA 70506

(337) 366-8193

Raoul Blanco Office/Showroom and Design Institute

And there's a reason why it's call a couture design studio...

Raoul Blanco Couture Office/Showroom and Design Institute is now open.

Two of our new divisions are "RB Professional Alterations", when looking for the true professionals to alter that special piece that you love. And "Raoul Blanco Gems and Beads Embroidery", when looking for that special one of a kind art and embroidery bead-work to complete your attire or trousseau...

Raoul Blanco

Office/Showroom and Design Institute

at the Oil Center

110 Travis Street, Suite 151

Lafayette, LA 70503

(337) 366-8193 desk

By appointment only