Oscar Dominick's spring 2015 collection graces Couve Couture runway

The bass was low and the spring evening was intoxicating. Beautiful girls with slicked-back hair and red lips, the rustling of taffeta skirts, and hundreds of glowing Iphones capturing the moment.

Last Saturday, Salem Ore.'s Oscar Lopez of Oscar Dominick presented his spring 2015 line at the 2015 Couve Couture. Lopez, who has been in the industry for over eight years, said the collection was “totally classic Chanel.”

Photo retrieved from the Couve Couture facebook page.
"Double-breasted-linen-suit-dress"

The Chanel-esque influences in this mermaid-inspired capsule-collection were definitely there, but there was also a really strong '80s vibe going on (the good kind). This collection was a bold mixture of timeless and exciting. His use of textures and palette of colors blended to create looks that are unique.

Out of the eight looks shown, a real crowd-pleaser  was one-piece twist bandeau paired with a pale mint taffeta. The way it swished down the runways with its giant pleats, put you right at the ocean, listening to the waves lick the shore.  



Another outfit that really stood out to me was a metallic teal brocade two-piece. I thought this outfit had a really tasteful balance of skin-to-no-skin ratio with its long sleeves and transparent band above the hem. 

Photo retrieved from the Couve Couture facebook page.

Lopez said his favorite look was his white double-breasted linen suit-dress. “I think it's the perfect piece for any special cocktail occasion or event.”



Brett Allred, co-owner of Couve Couture, who has been in the fashion industry for over 30 years, said that Lopez’s line is really matching up with the street style he has been observing lately, and yet it still offers uniqueness. 


Photo retrieved from the Couve Couture facebook page.

“I loved Oscars line for its easy on the eye forms and sassy femininity,” Allred said.

Chloe Kuhn was one of Lopez’s models Saturday night. “...it could work for every day-wear or a parties,” said Kuhn. Wearable, washable, and very practical.

Lopez said his favorite trend this spring is the two-piece. “Two piece in everything; crop-top and any bottom! Joggers, pants, shorts, skater skirt, pencil skirt or even maxi.”

Although Lopez’s line is considered “couture,” it's not so out there that you couldn’t wear it every day. 
He has versatility that most designers struggle with.

Lopez says it's about more than just the money or clothes, “It's about how you feel when you wear something you love.... Irreplaceable.”

At a glance: 

• On Saturday, April 18, Salem Oregon's Oscar Lopez of Oscar Dominick showcased his fabulous Spring 2015 capsule collection at Couve Couture in Vancouver, Wash. The line consisted of eight fun and flirty outfits that are perfect for your closet this season.
• Grade: A+
• Couve Couture is a Pacific Northwest-talent-based fashion show held in Vancouver, Wash. every year.
• Lopez is 24 years old and got his degree in fashion design from FIDM in Los Angeles, Calif.
• This year Project Runway's two-time-winner, Seth Aaron, was featured at the show with 10 other designers.
• The Acadamy, Couve Couture's venue, has a really great history dating back to the 1870s. 
• For more information on Couve Couture see: http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/17/couve-couture-vancouver-spring-fashion-show/

Easter Traditions from LBCC Students

Whether it’s eating your part of a 375-egg-omolette that will feed a whole town in France, throwing pots out of your windows in Greece, or dumping buckets of water on one another in Hungary, the Easter Holiday brings with it many different traditions from around the world.
Here’s what some LBCC students have to say about their Easter traditions that keep their spirits bright this time of year.

“Every year we go to my grandma’s in Oregon City,” Natalie Legras, age 18, explains. “My grandma always makes us Easter Baskets and hides them for me and my nine cousins. Then of course there are the Easter egg hunts!”

Other students like Jenae Bellinger have fond memories of egg-hunting too. “We’ve been doing this for as long as I can remember.” Bellinger states. “I love how Easter always brings us together as a family.”

Of course college students are going to appreciate a chance to stuff themselves with a good home-cooked meal. When asked which Easter dish was their favorite, ham unanimously won. Other dishes such as “grandma’s scalloped potatoes” and angel food cake are some crowd-pleasers as well. “I want to learn the recipes so I can keep the traditions going,” Legras said.

Getting up early, going to church, hunting for goodies, and gorging yourself with ham are not the only traditions LBCC students love about Easter. Paul Santane, one of LBCC’s avid musicians, celebrates Easter with his family by setting up a jam session in the garage in the evening. “Some of us play, and some of us sing. It’s just so much fun.”

Student C.J. Galve, age 20, and her extended family of almost 100 people enjoy sitting around the campfire discussing what they are thankful for. “After our anual Easter egg war of course,” Galve said.

Students such as Galve work hard to keep their Easter traditions alive in their families. “After my grandma passed it was hard getting everyone together, but I want my own kids to be able to experience these fun times, too, someday.”

At a glance: 

• LBCC students think Easter is a heartwarming time for family to come together in celebration and ongoing traditions.

• People have been decorating Easter eggs for two thousand years!

• LBCC students think ham is the best Easter-food.

• 600 million eggs are usually sold in USA during the months of March and April.

• Americans consume more than 16 billion jellybeans at Easter

• Click here for more fun Easter traditions from around the world.