Welcome to the Costume Lounge by Angela King Designs

Sit back and relax in The Costume Lounge - a blog by Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear. Since 1989, AKD has been creating top fashions in cheerleading, dance and performance wear. In the Costume Lounge, we discuss today's hottest trends and topics, who's wearing what, how to get the competitive edge in performance fashion and more. Once you are caught up on the latest news, browse our fashions at www.gowildwear.com or drop us a line at sales@gowildwear.com. Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, October 29, 2012

Spotlight on Sports Model Search National Top 10 Winner Karielle of the University of Missouri Golden Girls

In March 2012, Angela King Designs named the National Top 10 winners of its first Sports Model Search. Over 200 applicants submitted photos, applications and videos to be considered for prizes and glory within the cheerleading and dance industry. One of those top 10 was Karielle, a member of the University of Missouri "Golden Girls" Dance Team.

We caught up with Karielle this fall, just about 6 months since she was named to the AKD National Top 10. Karielle graduated with a degree in Communication from the University of Missouri or "Mizzou" as those crazy Tigers like to say. Since dance performance is in her blood, Karielle wasted no time in joining a new performance group. In May 2012, Karielle auditioned for the St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders and made the team! She was proud to list National Top 10 in the AKD Sports Model Search on her NFL audition application. Now in a new city, Karielle wore the AKD brand as a Mizzou Golden Girl and wears a beautiful AKD design cheering for the Rams!

As a Rams Cheerleader, Karielle is getting to experience another realm of performance and team spirit. She has appeared in their 2013 Rams Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar (pictured here - yowza!) and recently visited London to cheer on the Rams vs the Patriots in the league's only 2012 overseas game. Even though the Rams had to fly home without a victory, she is optimistic they will continue to do well in 2012.

We could tell you much more about Karielle - but we'll let her tell you herself. She's been featured this week by the St. Louis Rams organization. Click here to "Get to Know Karielle!" Best wishes Karielle as you continue to achieve in cheerleading, dance and beyond! 


Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Art of Ice Girls Fashion


Chicago Blackhawks Ice Crew wearing AKD
Angela King Designs has a strong history of outfitting many of the hottest NHL performance teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Islanders, the Philadelphia Flyers and more. Recent additions to our Ice Girls customers include Quinnipiac University (CT), the Saginaw Spirit (MI) and the Glitz Girls (NY).

Ice Girls customers come to AKD / Go Wild! because we understand that their needs are different than the average performance team. Skirts must provide more movement and costumes accents should aid in making their skating patterns even more beautiful. AKD reaches this goal by adding dangles, sequins, rhinestones, and reverse color skirts.

New York Islanders wearing AKD
Skating customers can find many fashion options through the Go Wild! Wear collection, then customize the design to fit their skating performance needs. One great example of this is the photo here of the Islanders Ice Girl wearing the "Starbright" design modified to a skater skirt style.

Because comfort and ease of movement are important to Ice Girls customers, popular styles include the sport crop top, football pant (not necessarily used for football!), the V-pant and other jersey styles.

AKD also provides customers with options to display the logo of their team or sponsor. Patches, lettering, and embroidery are used to showcase branding - an essential part of sports entertainment!

See AKD's history of NHL designs
Shop online at Go Wild! Wear
Contact AKD to outfit your Ice Girls


Monday, October 22, 2012

Presenting AKDRoleModels.com and Junior Designer Program

Angela King Designs proudly releases a new new website dedicated solely to the AKD Role Models junior division: www.akdrolemodels.com


Visit the Role Models website to browse youth program designs including the Carolina Panthers "Topcats," the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders, the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, the Chicago "Luvabulls" and more.    

AKD Junior Designer Julia
AKD also announces the selection of three inaugural Junior Designers - kids who will turn their fashion dreams into reality from drafting a sketch to selecting fabric to actually producing performance wear by Angela King Designs!

Check back next week to meet our first Junior Designer Julia, age 10, who resides in Italy. Julia is the daughter of a military family. She enjoys cheerleading and studying health and nutrition. 

Browse all the Junior Designer profiles and learn more about becoming a Junior Designer at the new Role Models website. 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Spotlight on Sports Model Search National Top 10 Winner Stephanie-Jill of the New York Islanders

In March 2012, Angela King Designs named the National Top 10 winners of its first Sports Model Search. Over 200 applicants submitted photos, applications and videos to be considered for prizes and glory within the cheerleading and dance industry. One of those fine ladies was Stephanie Jill, a representative of the New York Islanders NHL Ice Girls.

We caught up with Stephanie this fall, just about 6 months since she was named to the AKD National Top 10. Stephanie celebrated her last year with the NHL and has been busy busy busy! She says, "Great things do continue after you retire as a cheerleader. (Even though I'm so sad and miss everyone). I am excited to share that glow with others."

One of Stephanie's major projects has been forming Glitz Entertainment, a New York City-based talent network of ice dancers and brand ambassadors. Glitz Girls appear at many charity events including Men Love Pink at Bounce Sporting Club, Rock Asylum - a music program in schools, and Orange Event for Parkinsons. Her Glitz Boutique offers crystallized gloves and skating tee-shirts for sale at competitions.

Some of her favorite projects are Glitz Fitness events, which are aimed to educate children to be committed to a healthy lifestyle. "As a former health and PE teacher, my passion is to teach children," says Stephanie, "and what better way to do it then through education especially when healthcare is becoming a huge concern."

Not only did Stephanie wear AKD as an Islander Ice Girl, she earned $150.00 in Go Wild! credit through her Top 10 model search placement, so she chose to outfit her Glitz girls in the brand she trusted! Stephanie's girls truly glow in these neon pink logo sets. The girls also have a similar set in silver metallic!

Thanks to Stephanie-Jill for joining us and be sure to watch for the 2013 AKD Model Search - It could be you!

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

2013 Sports Model Search Begins February 1!

Mark your calendars for February 2013, when Angela King Designs will once again accept applications for its Sports Model Search. See the 2012 website for details, and join our mailing list to your right to get updates on the 2013 contest.

In spring 2012, Angela King Designs welcomed its first Sports Model Search winner - Toni Damico of Denver, Colorado! Selected from over 200 applicants in the collegiate, semipro and professional performance industry, Toni is now serving as the 2012 Face of AKD and Go Wild! Wear.

Model search contestants submit photos and applications between February 1-28. In March, the public gets the chance to vote online for their favorite contestants, narrowing the field to 60 women. Then a panel of high profile judges review each contestant to select 30 semi-finalists. Semi-finalists submit an "about me" video to be considered as a member of the National Top 10. One winner is announced to become the 2013 Face of AKD, including a trip to Texas to appear in our product photo shoot, $500.00 in merchandise and more. Sponsors and AKD provide unbelieveable prizes during each round of the contest from t-shirts to tote bags and water bottles. Even the winner's cheer or dance team gets a prize - practice wear for the entire team!

According to one model search judge Fred Guadelli, Producer of NBC Sports Sunday Night Football, "The contest for the New Face of AKD was both fun to be a part of and impressive to observe. The quantity and quality of the women who entered was in direct correlation to the excellence of the AKD brand."

Check back for more updates and browse Toni's most recent product photos at www.gowildwear.com.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

AKD and DBC Celebrate 20 Years!

This weekend, the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders welcomed over 120 alumni for their 20-year cheerleader reunion!
 
Angela King-Twitero, the founder of Angela King Designs, attended the reunion behind the scenes to celebrate the anniversary and watch the festivities, which included a performance by alumni on field when the Broncos beat the Raiders 37-6.

Angela King Designs created the original DBC uniform in 1992, and after 20 years, is still their costume designer!
 
Wishing a very happy anniversary to the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders organization. Here's to another 20 years of excellence on and off the field!
 

Angela King Designs, Inc.

Monday, October 1, 2012

We Love Our College Teams!

Here at Angela King Designs, we create custom made cheer and dance outfits for a number of College and University teams. We value these teams not only because they are great customers, but we feel that they are some of the up and coming women in professional dance. Some of our most recent collegiate customers include Tennessee State University, University of Central Missouri, Kennesaw State, and University of Utah, to name a few. If you feel like your school could use some AKD flare, just contact us or one of our style pros to explore the possibilities!


Take a look at what we've designed for these teams:







TSU vs. Jackson State game in which they were voted "Best Dressed" in our blue sequin leotards!



 
 Tennessee State University Dance Team
 
 
We offer a variety of styles, fabrics, and colors to accomodate your team's needs. We can elongate skirts and tops for more modesty and even add your school logo or mascot.
 
 
Kennesaw State University Owls
 
 
One of our more local teams is the Univeristy of the Incarnate Word located in San Antonio, TX. For them, we made halter jumpsuits in their school colors and included their Cardinal logo.  
 
 


 
UIW Cardinals Dance Team
 

 
If you prefer the glitz and glamour, we can use sequin fabrics and rhinestones for your outfits. We realize that you want to look your best at games and provide a solid team image with a little extra pizzazz! Here are some of the gorgeous girls from the University of Utah:
 
 
Utah Swoop Dance Team
 
 
Whatever your needs are, we look forward to designing your next school dance team outfits! To find out more about what we can do, visit  the Go Wild Wear website to contact us or one of our sales reps.