AN EVENING OF FREE OPERA UNDER THE STARS!
THE DALLAS OPERA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
KLYDE WARREN PARK PRESENTS
THE 2014 OPENING NIGHT SIMULCAST IN THE PARK!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014 Read more →
AN EVENING OF FREE OPERA UNDER THE STARS!
THE DALLAS OPERA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
KLYDE WARREN PARK PRESENTS
THE 2014 OPENING NIGHT SIMULCAST IN THE PARK!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2014 Read more →
Abi Ferrin designer for Tristan & Isolde (click on link)
Enjoy this video from First Night, Opening Night Celebration Friday, October 21st. We take a look at how designer Abi Ferrin took on the role of designing for such an epic opera like Wagner’s Tristan & Isolde.
Tickets for Tristan & Isolde are currently on sale, https://dallasopera.org/tickets. This love story opens on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Nicolas Villalba is an international award-winning owner and principal designer of Nicolas Villalba Couture. Originally an eveningwear designer, the Nicolas line now includes wedding and business attire, home decor and custom linens, making his studio the only “split” atelier in Dallas. After graduating from UNT with a BFA in Fashion Design, Nicolas was chosen to represent the US in the European design competition, “Etoilles de la Mode.” His eveningwear collection garnered him the lauded “Prix du Public” award, making him the first American competitor ever to win. In addition to Nicolas unique fashion of bold color, dramatic silouettes and clever detail for women, in 2010 he launched a men’s line to include shirts, suits, and tuxedos. He has done private label work for Stanley Korshak, Neiman Marcus and others. He has won the DIFFA Legend of Style Award among many others.
The opening night celebration of the Dallas Opera, FIRST NIGHT sponsored by Deloitte, will celebrate the operas of the 55th season in a number of ways throughout the evening’s festivities.
The evening begins with a red carpet extravaganza and features the exquisite creations of Dallas’ top designers, each designing a gown inspired by the diva from one of the operas of the season.
Be there to applaud them and to enjoy the “fashion show.” There is much in store for the evening’s festivities, a fun and lively private pre-opera reception, and a cosmopolitan late-night dining experience in a lavishly decorated tent.
Join us for FIRST NIGHT and celebrate the opening of the 55th anniversary Dallas Opera season. For more information please Morgan Vaughn, Special Events Manager at morgan.vaughn@dallasopera.org
Abi Ferrin did not take a predictable career path, but her story proves that the America dream is alive and well. Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Abi wasn’t exactly “in line” to become a big hit in the fashion world. While she began sewing when she was 5, and did in fact win a national McCall’s sewing competition when she was 13, Abi’s focus was the political world as she was lead by her passion for people and a desire to make a difference.
She got her degree with a double major in broadcast journalism and international government, and moved to Washington DC at the age of 20 where she worked for the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer for three years. In 2000 Abi moved to Hollywood and started over with a job at Paramount Pictures. She picked up her childhood hobby, and began designing pieces to wear to industry parties. It didn’t take long for her unique creations to receive attention from celebrities and national media, but the 23 year old had a lot to learn before she was ready for the hype she received immediately. After enduring an abusive relationship which left her in debt and broken, she left Hollywood in 2005 and moved in with her cousin Lisa in Dallas. This proved to be a turning point.
In 2007 Abi Ferrin was named Texas’ Next Top Designer, a title that came with a pretty prize package which included placement of her product at Stanley Korshak, a trip to New York for fashion week where she took in all the major shows, $5,000 and a rent free loft to work out of for a year in the historic SouthSide on Lamar building in Dallas which is her boutique storefront to this day.
Abi’s unique and versatile designs are not the only thing that set her apart. The Freedom Project is the philanthropic arm and the foundation of the company. Inspired by her own experience, and her sister’s lifetime commitment to helping empower people, Abi founded The Freedom Project. The Abi Ferrin motto is Fashion with Freedom and Purpose, which comes full circle as a hand-made element is included on every Made in the USA garment. “After experiencing personally what it felt like to be a victim of abuse, I know my purpose and am single mindedly pursuing it. While designing clothing that makes women feel confident and beautiful, I make them my partners in educating, empowering and supporting women who needed a voice. This also creates awareness of a global problem that is not fully understood through the exciting platform of fashion.”
The opening night celebration of the Dallas Opera, FIRST NIGHT sponsored by Deloitte, will celebrate the operas of the 55th season in a number of ways throughout the evening’s festivities.
The evening begins with a red carpet extravaganza and features the exquisite creations of Dallas’ top designers, each designing a gown inspired by the diva from one of the operas of the season.
Be there to applaud them and to enjoy the “fashion show.” There is much in store for the evening’s festivities, a fun and lively private pre-opera reception, and a cosmopolitan late-night dining experience in a lavishly decorated tent.
Join us for FIRST NIGHT and celebrate the opening of the 55th anniversary Dallas Opera season. For more information please Morgan Vaughn, Special Events Manager at morgan.vaughn@dallasopera.org
Khanh Nguyen, the Creative Director and Designer of the Nha Khanh collection, has been surrounded by fashion and art throughout her life. Born to Vietnamese, artisan parents, and raised in Dallas, Texas, Khanh has always been exposed to what is beautiful and refined. At the age of five, she began to mimic what she saw around her by sketching and designing garments in her personal journal, and constructing dresses for her doll. Fashion always came easily to her, and has always been her passion.
Khanh’s natural talent for Arts has shined throughout her scholastic years. She attended the University of North Texas and obtained a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts in Fashion Design. During her education, Khanh received many awards, but her most notable recognition was the “Top Achievement Award at the Dallas Career Day Design Competition”, allowing her the opportunity to embark on an internship in Paris, France. She was trained intensively with the world’s leading fashion house and practiced the haute couture sewing techniques of Nina Ricci, draping methods of Madame Gres, millinery skills of Jean Paul Gaultier, and emulated the techniques of handbag and accessories design by Anne Valerie Hash. After being surrounded by many creative talents and learning through hands-on experiences, Khanh strives to push the envelope with her innovative and creative designs.
Upon her return to Dallas, Khanh immediately set her sights on making her childhood dream a reality– and started her own fashion firm, Nha Khanh. The company was officially established in January 2010. Design and production of the line are all based in Dallas, Texas, while the sales, marketing and public relations of the collection are based in New York City. The company takes pride in exceptionally well-made garments, which are manufactured exclusively in the United States.
Canadian born, Geoffrey Henning started in Toronto in fashion for Alfred Sung and others before moving to NYC, where he worked for Ann Taylor and New York and Company. He has been VP of Design for Women for JCPenney for nine years. He also does custom design for private clients. He is a frequent guest on television including NBC Weekend Today as a fashion critic and was featured in Modern Luxury as a man of style. Geoffrey has a keen interest in training young talent and currently serves as Chairman of Dallas Fashion Incubator and on the boards of Texas Next Top Designer and Starlight Foundation. Most recently, Geoffrey was presented with the coveted Legend of Style, Fashion Legacy Award by DIFFA Dallas. His fashion illustrations have been published in Italian VOGUE, British ELLE and many other international publications.
The opening night celebration of the Dallas Opera, FIRST NIGHT sponsored by Deloitte, will celebrate the operas of the 55th season in a number of ways throughout the evening’s festivities.
The evening begins with a red carpet extravaganza and features the exquisite creations of Dallas’ top designers, each designing a gown inspired by the diva from one of the operas of the season.
Be there to applaud them and to enjoy the “fashion show.” There is much in store for the evening’s festivities, a fun and lively private pre-opera reception, and a cosmopolitan late-night dining experience in a lavishly decorated tent.
Join us for FIRST NIGHT and celebrate the opening of the 55th anniversary Dallas Opera season. For more information please Morgan Vaughn, Special Events Manager at morgan.vaughn@dallasopera.org