Mutts to Models

And here we come! A pleasure to work with the fabulous actor Mr. Ian Somerhalder and the Ian Somerhalder Foundation. Special thanks to Mrs. Denise Gutnisky.

Mutts to Models, we are ready!

Raoul Blanco

http://www.muttstomodels.com/event-overview

The media... Oh my, the media...

The media… Oh my, the media…

It’s so funny how many (if any left) local media sources thinks they’re the gods to anyone’s publicity or exposure. These media sources and or publications should feel grateful to get a good story on a reliable and legit subject. The lack of respect from these media sources, publications and their writers to the legit talent or legit stories is unbelievable. Only one writer has got my respect locally, I’m not stupid by any means, so I know very well where the real talent is, and I respect it. By the way, it’s a she, or better yet, she’s a lady, the one, and only Ms. Patricia Gannon. This lady isn’t just a writer; she’s a walking encyclopedia and a school of protocol and manners. Extremely rare these days. Just remember, there are writers and they are reporters, two very different things.

I’ve advertised once in a popular magazine, it was a hefty investment with no results. I had never advertised before or after that. Many publications had published articles about me, I’m very grateful to them and their writers indeed. Some of these media ships and their writers act like they are super stars, they should realize instead, that without any legit talent or story they will lack readers… And if you lack readers, you'll definitely lack businesses that will advertise on your pages. And if you lack advertisers, you better close your publication and look for a job or retire…

Other local media sources wouldn’t write about a legit talent or story unless this one buys a space in their magazine, paper… Dahhling, you better get ready to close down too. With today social media and websites, published media isn’t needed much, or perhaps at all… Personally, my website gets hits nationally and internationally. Yes, I’ve been read in Paris, Spain, Australia, Japan and many other countries. I have many daily followers through my social media pages and website. Media readers, you very well know that having a website is much more economical than advertising in your publications, plus the exposure, creativity, and reach is amazing.

So yes, editors and publishers think twice and choose wisely. Learn to respect those that could put your publication on the map… And you thought it was all the way around… HAHAHAHAHA!

To all others, praying for you to be safe and guarded against Irma...

I hope you all have a great day…

Raoul Blanco

The fabulous Mrs. Madeline Ghandour

And another beautiful "Bird of Paradise" just joined Raoul Blanco's line of exclusive clients. The very beautiful Mrs. Madeline Ghandour, now my Marilyn Monroe... 

And what a way to start, with a creation on black French tulle, embellished by hand all over with fabulous crystals...

Thank you Mrs. Ghandour, what a fabulous call!

Raoul Blanco

To the Lovely, Mrs. Dian Winingder...

From the sketch to the Lady…

Was an absolute pleasure an honor for me to design this creation for the Lovely Mrs. Dian Winingder. A fabulous and very special celebration indeed, Mrs. Winingder’s 70th Birthday. A candlelight affair at the beach where all guests were required to wear white.

Many layers of iridescent silk chiffon finished with a fully beaded collar and cuffs on French silk brocade and Capris' pants. And if the Lady wants a diadem to hold her beautiful silver hair, of course, I’ll make her a jeweled diadem. The most beautiful gem of all, the Lady, Mrs. Dian Winingder.

Mrs. Winingder, thank you for this honor! Thank you for being you…

With all my love,

Raoul Blanco

A note from "The Queen"...

And a beautiful note just arrived from the lovely Mrs. Gayle Marie Benson, or as baptized by Ms. Patricia Gannon, "The Queen"... Sent from their fabulous "Lady Gayle Marie Yacht"... On the face of the note, a printed image on gold ink of the extraordinary boat...

Two weeks ago a fabulous visit from the delightful Dian Winingder, today a note from "The Queen", and in two weeks I'll be with the divine Mrs Susan Gundlach.... My beautiful ladies and friends, la crème de la crème... I'm a very grateful designer and man, indeed...

Raoul Blanco

Scent of a Woman 2016, "La Veste"

Raoul Blanco's private collection, Scent of a Woman 2016, will unveil on September 14, 2016 at twelve o'clock noon for a second consecutive year. Blanco has named this year's collection "La Veste". Once again this collection is presented by New Orleans' Queen of Sports, the lovely Mrs. Gayle Marie Benson.

The venue, the magnificent Hospitality Suite at the Benson Tower in the fabulous Crescent City, New Orleans, of course. Guest calls have begun reserving seating. A beautiful line-up of catwalk divas are being booked, Raoul's favorites.

As usual, Blanco's collection will be complemented by the fabulous gems from gemologist Danielle Truxillo for Andy's Jewelry and the stunning millinery from Fleur de Paris and its fabulous staff Mr. Joseph Parrino-owner and Ms. Kimberly Gondrella-Millinery designer.

Once again, "Flair is in the air...."

Scent of a Woman 2016, "La Veste"

September 14, 2016

Benson Tower

 Mrs. Gayle Marie Benson

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.