'Simplistic designs that showcase a texture instead of a stone have a wide appeal with men, says Karri Ann Frerichs for San Francisco-based designer John Brana…  Men look for pieces with significant weight that offer durability.

"For these design preferences, John has developed sterling silver collections that focus on textures and minimalistic designs."…

For design inspiration, Brana looks to natural and organic themes to create his signature textures of Redwood, Reptile, Wave, Tonga, and Sierra.  The designer has developed a loyal customer base by turning clients into collections, making it easy to amass a complete collection based on the texture he likes best.' 

Download and read the entire PDF Article here. 

We had a lot of fun this afternoon creating outfits that feature clothing by Lorian Lindsay and jewelry by John S. Brana.  Both designers are available through the Altitude Promotion Showroom. Couturious.com lets you create outfits from an array of designers - choose your model, select a fun background, and put together an outfit that's all your own. Then name the outfit and imagine when and where to wear them. It's a fun and easy way to stylize creative new looks!  All outfits feature styles by Lorian Lindsay and John S. Brana.

Under the Boardwalk is a fun and casual outfit that features Lorian Lindsay's silk chiffon over charmeuse trapeze top and stretch cotton pants.  We love how John S. Brana's green patinated earrings and copper cuff add a pop of color and amp up the charm effect of this outfit.

Art and Wine Tonight features Lorian Lindsay's vintage inspired shirtdress and John S. Brana's teardrop earrings and blue and green bracelet.  This outfit provides a subtle amount of sex appeal that lends the right amount of drama for an evening at an art opening and wine bar.

Shimmy and Shake. What else would you do in this hot little tank dress by Lorian Lindsay?  When paired with John S. Brana's aluminum lily pad earrings and hammered asymmetrical silver cuff it creates a swanky look for a sophisticated house party or night on the town.

    "In 48 hours’ time, we’ve seen the latest from Lorian Lindsay head down the runway and arrive on the racks in two San Francisco shops devoted to independent fashion. On Saturday night, Lindsay showed off her fall 2010 collection for the first time during A Night of Wine and Fashion at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Today, the San Francisco-based designer announced the arrival of her current season at 440 Brannan Studio and Wonderland, both of which offer a variety of apparel and accessories made by local labels."

You can read the full article and view a video of the show by clicking here.

Kourtney Kardashian was photographed while filming "Keeping up with the Kardashians" at Katsuya restaurant in West Hollywood wearing Althea Harper.  Click here to preview Althea Harper's Fall Winter 2010 Collection which is available through the Altitude Fashion Showroom.

Video courtesy of kourney-kardashian.net

Sonoran Spotlight Magazine , A Successful Living Magazine, is Arizona's Premier Sonoran Living Magazine.  This month, May 2010 for their Mother's Day issue, the magazine published a five-page photo editorial spread entitled, "Every Mother's Child Needs a Sense of Fashion," featuring key looks from Lorian Lindsay's Spring Summer 2010 Collection.  

You can view the May 2010 issue of Sonoran Spotlight Magazine by clicking here.

From the top:  1)  From Left - Tanisha Harper of Models of the Runway (who was Althea Harper's muse through most of the Project Runway season) wears the One Shoulder Futurism Print Dress from Althea Harper's Fall 2010 Collection.  Center - Althea Harper wears the Balla Dress with mesh sleeves from her Fall 2010 Collection.

2)  Althea Harper is interviewed at GenArt event while wearing the very sexy one-shoulder Carra Dress with mesh insets.

3) Althea Harper wears her own designer blazer - The Hilde Jacket with Leather Insets at a Fashion Group International event.

4)  Althea Harper wears the Steph Dress in Building Print:  "I love the building dress because it is so easy to dress up and down. I had been running around all day before this premiere and needed something that would carry me into the night!" - Althea Harper

5) Althea Harper wears the Balla Dress from her Fall 2010 Collection.

6)  Tanisha Harper (Models of the Runway) wears the Futurism Print One Shoulder Dress from Althea Harper's Fall 2010 Collection.

Mai-Linh Lofgren wears a custom designed dress in plum by Heike Jarick to the Academy Awards this Sunday.  Mai-Linh Lofgren is accompanied by actor Michael Stuhlbarg.  The gown was specially designed for the occasion.

Click here to preview Heike Jarick’s Fall 2010 Collection which will be available through the Altitude Fashion Showroom beginning April 1st.

In the section “Copper in the Arts,” on Copper.org, contributing writer Rebecca Troutman, discusses the allure of John S. Brana’s copper jewelry designs…

“Brana loves to feature nontraditional metals, his most recent collection thrusting copper and aluminum in the spotlight. His designs are flirtatious and intricate, often with elegant geometric textural elements and clean curves. His new line, named after the South of Market district, “SoMa,” is inspired by the curved angles of the architecture and the “opulent gold rush period” of its heyday.

WWD Covers the Fall 2010 Collection debut by Althea Harper at New York Fashion Week on Monday, February 15th. 

"Althea Harper’s collection was full of good ideas — like body-conscious dresses and leggings with contrasting fabric panels…"

View the coverage here:  http://www.wwd.com/fashion-shows-reviews/fashion-designer/althea-harper-103346/althea-harper-rtw-fall-2010-2487070

NYFW 2010: Nancy Lichtenstein Talks about Project Runway’s Althea Harper’s Collection - Read the entire story on LA-Story.com

Althea’s collection was sophisticated with a real urban vibe; while it did have knitwear accents, it showed growth since Project Runway and a lot of versatility. You could outfit a whole wardrobe out of this line. Standout looks included:

1)  a grey one-shouldered gown with a fishtail skirt (everyone’s doing one shouldered and fish-tale but in this fabric with this silhouette it looked fresh)

2) a black cocktail dress with sweetheart illusion neckline and cutouts

3)and a black suit with fierce shoulders and a standup collar.