Tag Archives: althea harper

Turn It On Fitness Adds More Styles

September 1, 2014 Amy Scalia Leave a comment

I just got an exciting email from a new fashion line I’ve been watching! Turn it On Fitness (started by a former Ben-Gal and Dayton-based Project Runway star Althea Harper) is launching more styles …the new Knockout Bra is my absolute favorite!

The idea of this line is that it’s “crossover” fitness and fashion wear. So, you can be a fashionista in and outside the gym! Check out pics below of how you can wear the new Knockout Bra in both settings. I love the way they styled it!!

Click here to read about when we first announced this line launching last year, click here to see when I tried out my first Turn it On Fitness top, and click here to see when we featured Turn it On Fitness in one of our Cincy Chic fashion shows!

I love seeing the two ladies with local ties behind this business succeed! Go get ’em gals!

Fashion, Health, Local Designers

Turn It On Featured in Women’s Health Magazine!

March 27, 2014 Amy Scalia 1 Comment

April issue of Women's Health where Turn It On Fitness is featured! — April issue of Women’s Health where Turn It On Fitness is featured!

What does Cincinnati, Women’s Health Magazine, fitness, fashion, and Shakira all have in common? Turn It On Fitness!

How, you ask? Well, Shakira’s personal trainer Anna Kaiser was featured in the April 2014 issue of Women’s Health wearing and raving about her Turn It On Fitness Speed Pant ($105), a new crossover fitness wear fashion line developed by two local ladies.

We wrote about Turn It On Fitness in Cincy Chic a few months ago here, and I blogged here about my Turn It On Karma top ($80). So, not to brag, but we totally broke this story waaaay before Women’s Health did. haha!

No, but seriously, this is SUPER impressive and I’m so proud of Juetta and Althea, the ladies behind Turn It On. This is just the first of many major publications that will be noticing your hard work and fab (and FUNCTIONAL) designs! Congrats!

Fashion, Health, Local Designers, Reviews

“Turn It On Fitness” Crossover Fitness Fashion

December 23, 2013 Amy Scalia Leave a comment

turniton2 — The Karma Top, by Turn It On Fitness, a new Crossover Fitness Fashion line launched by two Tri-State natives.

In last week’s issue of Cincy Chic, we wrote about “Turn It On,” a new women’s clothing line launched by two Tri-State natives. It talked about how a former Ben-Gal Cheerleader and model, Juetta West, and Althea Harper, the runner up on Project Runway Season 6 and designer of her own fashion line teamed up to launch this unique “Crossover” line. It’s designed to take you from the gym to work or play (and everything in between).

Juetta reached out to me a few weeks ago saying she’s been a long-time reader of Cincy Chic… even once she moved to Hawaii several years ago! I’ve been following Althea since her pre-Project Runway days, so I was so excited to read the Cincy Chic story about how she and Juetta teamed up to create this great new line. I was even more excited when Juetta said she would be in Cincinnati to do a few trunk shows to launch the line and said she could meet me for coffee!

Then, when we met, she came bearing gifts! She wanted me to try out one of their items – the Karma top – to let her know what I thought of it. The top features a loose fit with open draping back and open shoulders. It’s made of 92% Supplex® nylon and 8% spandex with moisture wicking and 4-way stretch (click here to learn about the unique kinds of fabrics they use). This top is $80 on their site, and their other tops start at $80 as well; the skirts at $90; the pants at $105 and the jackets are typically around $140.

I love my new Karma Top because I can throw it on with skinny jeans and jewelry and I’m ready to meet my girlfriends for cocktails. A blazer, dress pants and pumps for work. Or workout pants, sports bra and gym shoes for a good workout. Check out a few ways I’ve worn my new Turn It On Karma Top thus far in the pics below, and click here to check out Turn It On Fitness for yourself!

Beauty, Event, Fashion, Local Designers, Social

CODE Recap!

October 25, 2012 Amy Scalia Leave a comment

I attended a friend’s wedding last Saturday. So, my Cincy Chic assistant editor Sara Elliott attended the CODE Chaser event at Music Hall and wrote this fab recap blog! Enjoy! ~Amy

This past Saturday, I had the amazing pleasure of attending the CODE Chaser Finale event at the Music Hall. Not only did I get to attend the event but I was also a VIP! I was so excited to be able to go, I even brought my best friend along! We had a great time checking out the scene and even more fun watching the fashion show.

The atmosphere during the night was so engaging. With DJ ETrayn in control of the music, a fun photo booth and a huge crowd!

The swag bag with Wella Professionals shampoo, conditioner, styling product and water bottle and the Mitchell’s Salon and Day Spa packet with a trial shampoo and conditioner wasn’t too shabby either.

My VIP ticket got me a front row seat to the fashion show that ended the first-ever CODE event series. I’ve never felt more fashionable in my life. Sitting front row and watching models strut by was such a great experience and permitted my obsession of fashion to go into overdrive.

Amazing lines like the Amy Kirchen Boutique, Althea Harper, Kristy Nguyen, and Jovani Fashions all debuted their new collections.

Amy Kirchen’s Spring 2013 Collection was full of neutral tones and poshly professional pieces. The nature-inspired collection from Althea Harper was chic and nurturing. Jovani Fashions was, of course, as formal and fashionable as ever with sequins galore. And Kristy Nguyen’s men’s line was military inspired and full of army greens.

I couldn’t keep my jaw from dropping at these great new releases. Seeing the fun prints, sequins and men’s fashions made me so excited to update my (and my boyfriend’s) wardrobe this spring!

After debuting her new line Althea Harper made a fantastic announcement! She will be returning to Project Runway: All-Stars on October 25! As if the crowd hadn’t already seen and heard amazing things, this was definitely icing on the cake!

If you want to check out more from the event visit CODE’s Facebook page!

Beauty, Event, Fashion, Local Designers, Social

CODE Chaser Event This Saturday!

October 17, 2012 Amy Scalia Leave a comment

This Saturday, October 20, will be the first ever CODE Chaser Event! We first wrote about CODE in August here on Cincy Chic…. and now, this Saturday is the big event! The Cincinnati Open Design Event (CODE) will be hosted by WKRC Local 12’s Jen Dalton, from 7-10pm at Music Hall on 1241 Elm St., downtown!

One of my favorite designers, Amy Kirchen, will be there as well as Althea Harper (from Season 6 of Project Runway!), Jovani, and Kristy Nguyen. Music will be by DJ Etrayn and the After Party will have special guest DJ Clockwork.

The After Party will be at Mainstay Rock Bar’s Betty Bar- located at 301 W 5th St.

Click here and use the promo code CINCYCHIC for FREE standing room tickets!

Thanks to my intern Sara Elliott for helping put those blog post together!

Event, Fashion

Althea Harper to Host Trunk Show at Sloane Boutique

March 8, 2012 Amy Scalia Leave a comment

I’ve been a huge fan of Althea Harper for several years now. It’s been really neat following this midwest fashion maven from her formative days right out of DAAP and on Project Runway… then as a designer formulating her first collections…getting Hollywood attention… and visiting Tri-State boutiques for trunk shows.

If you are a big fan too, I have some good news! She’ll be visiting the area very soon! March 16 from 6-9pm, she’ll be at Sloane Boutique in OTR. See the below release for more details!

Sheer maxi dress that I'm LOVING in Althea's new 2012 collection

NEWS ALERT: ALTHEA HARPER TRUNK SHOW AT SLOANE BOUTIQUE

CINCINNATI (March 8, 2012) – On Friday, March 16 from 6pm to 9pm, Sloane Boutique will be hosting a Trunk Show with Fashion Designer and DAAP Graduate, Althea Harper. Althea Harper will be present with her Spring 2012 Collection as well as her Fall 2011 Collection. Sushi from Fusian Sushi and Gallo Wines will also be provided.

Althea Harper is a fashion designer and entrepreneur who manages her own fashion line, ALTHEA HARPER. With a cutting edge style that combines both tailoring and draping to make silhouettes appear strong and beautiful, Althea Harper is one of the breakthrough fashion designers in today’s industry. Her style reflects her experience working alongside numerous renowned designers, including Anna Sui, Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood. She is also known for her unique work in knitwear.

Althea is poised to dress the women of today for tomorrow. Her designs have received much praise from industry leaders. According to Tim Gunn, former chair of fashion design at Parsons The New School for Design and host of Project Runway, “Everyone [thinks] she’s only on the show because she’s a tall blond beauty. But she’s extremely talented. She’s going to blow people away.”

Althea’s designs have won the attention of many people, including passionate Project Runway fans and the entertainment industry’s most respected personalities. Bloggers and fans have affectionately labeled her the “fabulous glamazon” and Tommy Hilfiger called her “genius.” Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington, the Kardashians and Angela Simmons are all fans of her designs.

Althea attended both University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning and Central Saint Martins in London. Following graduation she became a finalist on Project Runway Season 6. Upon completion of filming Project Runway, Althea moved to New York City where Tory Burch invited her to become a part of the label’s design team. While designing for Tory Burch, she continued to build her own line, self-titled ALTHEA HARPER which has shown consistently in New York fashion week since its debut in September 2009. Althea now currently designs full time for her successful eponymous line.

Celebrity Interviews, Fashion

Althea Update, Shows Love to Her Midwest Roots

October 7, 2010 Amy Scalia Leave a comment

I’ve been faithfully following Althea Harper for a while now. We wrote about her first in Cincy Chic last year when she was on Project Runway. And I’ve been blogging about her sporadically ever since.

Well, here’s another update! Harper just previewed her Spring 2011 collection at NY Fashion Week. In her video interview, she credits her inspiration for the show to her routes in the midwest and Ohio. (heyyyy, thanks for the shout out Althea!)

I really like the direction she’s taking this new collection. She combines tailoring and draping to make silhouettes appear strong, while still feminine and beautiful.

Click here to check out event photos from NY fashion week or the below slideshow of her collection.

Click on the play button below to view a video interview of Althea Harper talking about her accomplishments, NYFW and new collection!

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Check out this slideshow of her new collection. Photos by Brian Lynch.

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Celebrity Interviews, Fashion

Kardashian Sisters Show Love to Local Designer

August 6, 2010 Amy Scalia Leave a comment

Love ’em or hate ’em, the Kardashian sisters sure know how to steal the limelight. But I just discovered that these sassy sisters are showing a little limelight love to Dayton native, Althea Harper (designer from Season 6 of Project Runway).

I follow Althea on Twitter and she recently posted something about the Kardashians wearing items from the ALTHEA HARPER FALL 2010 collection for her promo shoot with Keeping Up With the Kardashians Season 5.

Pretty cool! Check it out!

Kourtney Kardashian in an Althea Harper color block dress design

I got the pleasure of meeting Althea in June at an event Cincy Chic promoted for Paris J Boutique. Teresa, the owner of Paris J Boutique, is working on getting her back here in the next couple months for another event, so check back soon for more details about that.

And, can I just say, I’m pretty proud of myself for forecasting this sheer trend back in Feb! Stay tuned for more daper dopplar radar here on Chic This Week – where the fashion news comes first.

haha! Have a great weekend everyone!

Celebrity Interviews, Fashion

Meet Project Runway’s Althea Harper This Wednesday!

June 22, 2010 Amy Scalia Leave a comment

I’m super excited to meet Althea Harper, the runner up from Season 6 of “Project Runway.” I’d feel sorry for her for getting the runner-up spot, but she seems to be doing juuuuuuust fine.

She launched her own clothing line, and she’s visiting select cities to showcase her collection – and Cincinnati is one of those lucky cities! (Click here for more deets) She’ll be at Paris J Boutique (in Montgomery near Carlo & Johnny’s) this Wednesday from 6-9pm.

khloe — Kourtney Kardashian in an Althea Harper color block dress design

Althea is actually from the area! She grew up near Dayton, and then she went to DAAP. She was actually just recognized at the DAAP fashion show a couple weeks ago, so she’s getting to see a lot of the Queen City lately!

Ever since I watched her on Project Runway, I’ve been following her on Twitter, and she’s really a great celeb to follow. You can tell it’s really her “behind the tweets” and it’s so inspiring to see her updating at 4 in the morning because she’s putting in the elbow grease needed to make her vision a success.

After all this time I’ve been following her on Twitter, I feel like I know her. But on Wednesday, I’ll actually get to meet her! I’m almost just as excited to see her designs up close and personal. I know she works with a lot of sheers, and Kourtney Kardashion was actually just spotted wearing a super cute color block dress that Althea designed.

Althea’s new collection will be at Paris J and so will Althea! Paris J will have wine and sushi there too… mmmm!

This is a really rare opportunity to meet a rising star in the fashion industry! I hope you can make it! She seems like a super nice gal! Check out the flyer below for more info:
althea

*Thanks kelklump who commented on the blog and pointed out that the dress was worn by Kourtney not Khloe Kardashian as I had originally written… that’ll teach me to write a blog in middle of the night, running on brain fumes. : )

From the Publisher of Cincy Chic