Fashion Designer Indashio Offers Career Advice at Mildred Elley
 Colleen Robitaille gets her picture taken with Indashio, who was at the school to provide some career advice and fill in hairstyling students on the fashion show they'll be assisting with this Friday. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There was no doubt the cosmetology class at Mildred Elley was a little starstruck.
For good reason: It's not every day a local boy turned celebrity designer stops by for a pep talk.
"It was so exciting," said clinical instructor Colleen Robitaille, who made sure she got a photo with fashion designer Indashio. "I was excited."
The fast-talking Indashio gave the students some direct career advice: Keep yourself out front and tell everyone you're the best.
"It's all about marketing yourself, putting it out there and claiming it. ... You cannot be shy in this business."
Indashio practices what he preaches — from his claimed name to his self-promotion to his bold and vibrant fashions. Much of it on display with video shown before hist talk.
The Pittsfield native, Brad Batory, broke into the fashion industry in his teens, was the youngest designer to show at New York Fashion Week and won VH1's reality show "Glam God" in 2008.
Since then, he's launched his own eponymous line and spent the past decade dressing and hobnobbing with celebrities around the world.
He's back in the city for his second FAME Festival on Friday night and to debut a new line inspired by dream catchers, and he's relying some local talent launch it.
Two weeks ago, he held a casting call for local models and Wednesday was prepping the students on hair styles that evoke dream catchers..
Britania Weinstein, corporate communications specialist with Mildred Elley's parent, Empire Education, said Indashio had approached the school about sponsorship for the fashion revue.
The school had asked if he could speak to students as part of that; he'd responded they could be part of the show. That will include a classroom primer in Pittsfield from celebrity hair stylist Lynne Schilling and her assistant, and the inclusion of makeup students from the Albany, N.Y., school.
"He's from here, he wants to give back," said Weinstein. "They are all so excited. It's a great opportunity for them."
A.J. Castillio, a Mildred Elley graduate now working at Peter Alvarez in Lenox, was thrilled to be invited along to help out at the FAME Festival.
"It's about grabbing it while you can," he said with a grin.
Indashio encouraged the students not to let any opportunity go to waste.
Surround yourselves with other creative people, he said, designers, photographers, makeup people, stylists, etc. Find an agent, converse with fellow creative types on popular sites, blog, creative a portfolio, create a website, and network.
That's the best strategy, said Indashio, whether you're doing local weddings or high fashion.
"You definitely have to surround yourself with the right people," he said. "Be aware of what your frequency is because you get back what you put out."
Whatever they did, they needed to fight for the dreams, he told them.
"I consider you all artists because you are all creators," Indashio said. "You and the makeup artists are my facilitators and conductors.
"You bring my vision to life."
After time for questions and photos with Indashio, the students headed back to the classroom.
Viktoria McCormick, also from Pittsfield, when asked what she took from the talk was quick to respond.
"Follow your dreams. Just because you're from a small town doesn't mean you can't dream big."
The FAME Festival on Friday, Oct. 10, is being held at 10 Commercial St., Virgilio Commercial Park, in Pittsfield. Doors open at 8; tickets are $20 or $40 for VIP. The fashion show begins at 9, the after party features music by DJ Young Champ and DJ Kinyarda B Wright. Tickets can be purchased in advance at orders@indashio.com.
Tags: celebrity, cosmetology, design, fashion,
