In the almost impermeable world of fashion, designer Jessica Ciarla has made it. Ciarla (pronounced Charla) launched her Ciarla Bride Atelier line of bridesmaid and bridal dresses this week in her brand-new East Austin studio as part of Austin’s first ever fashion week. Ciarla is competing for the title of “Best Designer,” which is given during Austin’s Fashion Week’s award ceremony and fashion show Sunday evening.
The petite, 32-year-old blonde mingles through the crowd at her launch party Wednesday evening, effortlessly picking up conversations with whomever is idling.
She stands out among the well-dressed crowd of statuesque models and fashionistas in a jewel-toned purple, tiered silk gown she designed. This dress seems to epitomize what Ciarla brings to the fashion table: Simple, well-cut dresses that can easily migrate from a wedding to a cocktail party, essential for any chic, young twentysomething’s closet.
She has sold clothing in American and Asian boutiques but is also an Atelier designer, meaning customers must make an appointment to be fitted for each dress she creates.
Ciarla’s journey, albeit very admirable, is somewhat typical for a designer. She graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a Bachelor’s in communication, began her career in New York as a stylist at the former YM magazine, received her fashion design certificate from Parson’s School of Design and then moved to Italy, where she received her master’s in advanced fashion design from the Polimoda International Institute of Design and Marketing.
After growing up in Sacramento, living in New York and studying in Italy, Austin seems like an unusual place for Ciarla to settle down. But for Ciarla, the city’s reputation for casual, unique style has become more of an inspiration than a bore.
“You have a combination of each coast here,” Ciarla said. “You have the New York hipster and the West Coast casual thing. The girls here add their own twist to their outfits.”
The garments that hang from a rack in her studio seem to reflect this casual, simple approach to fashion. A-line, knee-length cocktail dresses that each have unique but classic necklines hang next to dresses from her Alice in Wonderland-inspired collection, appropriately called “Alice”. The line includes exaggerated flowers, and belts decorate necklines or cinch wastes, silk organza layered on top of metallics, and full hips, a look made famous by Dolce and Gabbana’s spring 2009 collection, are some of “Alice’s” details.
Ciarla’s other items have similar themes: Audrey Hepburn’s classic black dress in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” inspired the boatneck bodice and A-line cut that is the “Audrey” cocktail dress. Natalie Portman’s appreciation for square necklines inspired the “Natalie,” and so on.
One unique quality about Ciarla, her “Alice” collection and her “Classic” actress-inspired dresses, however, is versatility. Whether it’s meant to be bridesmaid or cocktail dress, each cut can be ordered in a myriad of colors. She also seems to understand that a variety of cuts for a variety of women is essential for any successful, timeless designer — especially one who dabbles in the wedding world.
“The brides that come to me want something different,” she said.
In Sunday’s fashion show, Ciarla will find out if her designs won in their respective categories. Though she’s eagerly anticipating the award ceremony, there’s business to attend to: namely, getting back to work on her next collection.
For more information about Austin’s Fashion week, visit: http://www.fashionweekaustin.com/
