Spring/Summer 2013 Fashion Show

Born and raised in Houston,

Jonathan Blake is a true product

of Texas. Jonathan knew from an

early age that he wanted a career

in fashion. When he was just 12,

he started acting and modeling,

but his desire to create a fabu-

lous product that people could

live in every day and celebrate

special memories, persisted. By

18, he outgrew his passion for

acting and intensified his passion

for fashion. Soon after enrolling

at the Art Institute of Houston,

Jonathan realized that the time

had come to start working on his

first collection. Jonathan Blake’s

designs are timelessly classic,

elegant, and beautiful -- qualitie

s

he feels every woman should

enjoy all day, every day. His entire

line is manufactured in the U.S.

(Houston, TX) and is made from

the highest quality of fabrics. In

his spare time, Jonathan gives

back to the community by sup-

porting causes such as Justice for

Children, Children at Risk, Helping

a Hero, Arthritis Foundation, and

Virtuosi of Houston.

Jon

ath

an

Bla

ke

PeoPle Are TAlking AbouT …

Jonathan Blake

By Kalyani Giri

Jonathan Blake walks into my office at exactly 5.00pm. He’s so punctual that I harbor a sneaky suspicion that he’d arrived much earlier and killed time in the parking lot. Casually smart in black jeans, structured jacket and a t-shirt, he’s like a breath of fresh air, disarmingly charming and polite. I’m curious about this man-child who at just 21, is poised to debut his first line of haute couture to a discerning cote-rie of highbrow and iconic fashionistas at the Junior League of Houston on October 3rd. He shows me his work. Sketches and photographs of his designs so eloquent, that they spring to vivid life on my comput-er screen. Flirty swing-skirted dresses in jewel-toned silks, exquisite flowing gowns with rococo necklines, trailing trains em-bellished with Swarovski crystals or deli-cate handmade organza flowers. His pencil channels classicism faintly reminiscent of vintage Givenchy, but Jonathan’s designs are inherently distinctive. He delves deep into his own psyche and imbues his wear-able works of art with a romantic wistful-ness and maturity far beyond his years.

“I think women are beautiful, and they’re happier when they’re wearing something that makes them feel more beautiful, elegant,” says Jonathan softly. There’s a sweet vulnerability about him that I worry he’d lose in that horrendously aggressive fashion industry. Then he tells me that his favorite historical woman is Marie Antoinette because her clothing “fascinates” him, and I smile mentally and start to think that my fears are unfounded. This young man is going to be just fine.

Flights of FancyAt age 12, Jonathan Blake had

serious existential thoughts about what he wanted to be. He vacillated between acting and design. He joined the Page Parkes

Jonathan Blake

Talent Agency and did some acting but decided at age 17 that his heart just wasn’t in it. He loved toying with fashion and his peers at the Tenney School started notic-ing and validating his effortless panache. After high school, Jonathan joined The Art Institute of Houston to study fashion, retail, and merchandise management. Following in his parents’ footsteps, he also got involved in philanthropic organizations that benefit and help children such as Children At Risk and Justice For Children; at humanitarian events, he widened his circle of friends to include people in the fashion trade. Impatient with classes and convinced that he could venture out on his own as a designer, Jonathan ran the idea by his friend, fashion designer Carmen Marc Valvo, who encouraged him to take that leap of faith and to start working on his own line of women’s wear.

“I just dove in, but it was a lot of hard work,” Jonathan says with an impish grin. His family supported his decision whole-heartedly. “Dad is a career entrepreneur and anything remotely entrepreneurial makes him very happy, and as for mom, she’s thrilled by the idea of getting free clothes!”

He moved into a sprawling apart-ment that he fashioned in the Upper Kirby/River Oaks area, a living space he’s obviously proud of. It’s close to his favorite haunts that include Tony’s, Mashraff’s, and Mark’s American Cuisine.

Designs On YouWho is Jonathan Blake’s target

market?“Definitely fashion-forward women

who enjoy wearing unique, elegant, and feminine clothes,” he says. “My clothes aren’t boring, they have visual impact and are head-turners.”

His designs are often nature-in-spired; a soft petal, a plumy cloud, butter-flies, the shape of a flower, lends impetus to the creative process. His favorite orchids have sparked hours of inventive reverie that translate into beautiful dresses and skirts.

“I’ll mull for days over basic shapes and follow the direction they take me. Sometimes I envision one outstanding gown, or have several different ideas that carry me elsewhere,” says Jonathan.

All his designs are in natural fabrics, never synthetics, and he procures fine quality silk from New York. He has a skilled team of eight people that make patterns based on his prototype, cut fabric, and sew the clothes. His couture ranges in size from 2 – 10, but upon request, he is happy to please the client.

The Chutzpah to SucceedBeyond the youthful demeanor lurks

an old soul. Jonathan is driven and he has the chutzpah to succeed. His days begin early and are packed with a tight sched-ule. When he has free time he indulges in hobbies like reading mystery novels, travel, scuba diving, and snorkeling. He is pas-sionate about his favorite designer Tom Ford, another Texan native, who dramati-cally restored and revolutionized Gucci.

“People don’t just buy a white Tom Ford button-down shirt because of its high quality, they buy it because it stands for his story,” says Jonathan enthusiastically.

When he’s done with the launch, Jonathan plans on adding handbags and shoes, menswear, fragrance, and jewelry to his designer line. It’s a plan that excites him.

InspirationJonathan is inspired by music, na-

ture, and the people in his life who believe in him and help illuminate his path forward.

“My heroes are Elizabeth Taylor and Carolyn Farb,” he says without hesitation. “Carolyn is so elegant and she can move mountains.”

I call philanthropist and author Dr. Farb who had originally introduced Jona-than to me, and she has equally generous words for the emerging young star.

“What is most fascinating about Jon-athan Blake is that at 21, he has amazing

grace, talent and style. Jonathan’s work shows the flair of someone twice his age.

his designs are breathtakingly classic. Per-sonally, Jonathan is reminiscent of the late 20’s actor and pop-icon Rodolpho Valenti-no and has his own unique persona,” says

Carolyn Farb.

(This article was previously published in the July 2012 edition of HUM Magazine, a new lifestyles monthly publication in Houston.)

I take great pride and pleasure in thanking the following special people in my life for all their wisdom, help, and kindness in helping plan my debuting event. they are:

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My beloved parents John and Mandy tinkle for all their support over the years

Close friend, my mentor and muse, Dr. Carolyn Farb

Close friends and mentors, Dr. Meherwan Boyce and Mrs Zarine Boyce

eric Vaughn of Michael kemper – hair designer for the Jonathan Blake line

Malcolm Rowland for his generosity in helping with arrangements at the Junior league of houston

Bambi lynn and Page Parkes for helping with organi-zation of the show and providing wonderful models for the evening.

•Page Parkes Modeling agency•BLinc by Bambi Lynn•Michael Kemper Salon•Jewelry by Valobras Fine Jewelry•Flowers by Nino•Neiman Marcus

I off er special thanks to my generous sponsors:

•Houston Chronicle •HUM Magazine•Ultimate Heights Magazine •002 Magazine

Media Acknowledgements