Spotlight on AKD Junior Designer Mackenzie - Age 14

Blog #4: Following Mackenzie, Age 14, Michigan: Earlier this month, we introduced you to Mackenzie - our second AKD Junior Designer! Mackenzie has been working on her dream sketch that will be produced by Angela King Designs. As a dancer and gymnast, we knew Mackenzie's vision would be a fun performance outfit she can enjoy on stage in her home state of Michigan!

Mackenzie created a two-piece feminine dancer performance costume with layers of ruffles and petticoat. The top features a collar and a cinched chest. The skirt is designed to rest high on the body with just a bit of skin showing.

In response to Mackenzie's sketch, the AKD production office recommended a few black and purple fabric options. Not only does a designer get to select color but also fabrics - which can completely transform a costume!

Fabrics sent to Mackenzie included tricot (the standard AKD nylon/polyester blend fabric), metallic, crushed velvet, and tulle (a netted fabric). Some fabrics have extra sparkle to them with glitter or even sequins! Fabrics are light weight, heavy weight, sometimes more breathable, even transparent such as mesh or netting. When selecting fabrics, we advise our customers to consider several aspects such as how the fabric will react during movement, how it will appear to the audience under lights, the type of environment where it will be worn such as indoors versus outdoors, and how the performer would like the fabrics to feel.

Mackenzie selected her fabrics, submitted her sizes, and now waits to see the finished product! It won't be long.... we'll see you soon!

Follow our AKD Junior Designers

Visit the AKD Role Models Website

About the AKD Junior Designer Program: Our intentions in creating the AKD Role Models "Junior Designer" program are to promote design and creativity in our society's youth. We want to reach out to young designers and help them to realize their goals of becoming future fashion leaders. We hope that these Junior Designers will influence more children and teens to become young leaders and encourage them to follow their designing dreams.

Less Than 2 Weeks Remain to Submit Model Search Application

The atmosphere is intense at Angela King Designs offices preparing for the 2013 AKD Sports Model Search, collecting applications and photographs of ladies across the United States and Canada!

Who will become the 2013 Face of AKD Go Wild! Wear and join our National Top Ten? IT COULD BE YOU! Females age 18 or older who are currently or who have performed on a college, semipro or professional performance team are eligible. The application phase ends on Thursday, February 28! Visit the official website to enter, meet celebrity judges and view prizes.

Let's take a moment to feature the 2012 National Top Ten, ladies of all ages from coast to coast, including the WINNER Miss Toni Damico of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders!

 
Enter the AKD Sports Model Search
Shop Go Wild! Wear
Learn More About Angela King Designs

Spotlight on Style Pro Laura Clark

LAURA EILERS CLARK
Phone: 1-877-97-GO-AKD x712
Email: Laura@gowildwear.com
Location: Washington, DC
Territory: National Sales Manager and Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia

Background:

• Top 15 Bleacher Report "2011 Most Buzzworthy NFL Cheerleaders"
• Ms. United States 2011-2012
• State Director for Miss United States - DC, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia (current)
• Director of "Lady Raiders" Dance Team, Indoor Pro Football (3 years)
• Executive Director/Founder Going Pro Entertainment, LLC (current)
• Creative Director/Choreographer Science Cheerleaders (current)
• Former Sales Representative for Eurotard International
• Kansas City Brigade Girls Assistant Director (1 year)
• St. Louis Rams Cheerleader (1 year)
• Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader (5 years) Team Captain (2 years)
• Kansas City Wizards Girl, MLS Soccer (1 year)
• Benedictine College (KS) Spirit Squad Coordinator
• UDA Head Instructor (4 years)
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication and Competitive Dance Team, William Jewell College

ABOUT LAURA CLARK

Laura joined AKD in 2010 as the company's first National Sales Manager, an opportunity Laura describes as her "dream job" after years of performance experience in sports entertainment, sales and marketing. 

During her four years on the competitive team at William Jewell College, Laura also became a head instructor for Universal Dance Association. In the years to come, Laura performed as an MLS Kansas City Wizards Girl, a Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader and a St. Louis Rams Cheerleader. During her five seasons with the Chiefs, Laura choreographed field routines, served as captain, and visited seven countries with Armed Forces Entertainment. 

Having coached at the high school, collegiate, and semi-professional level, one of Laura's greatest achievements was building the PIFL "Lady Raiders" program. The organization was selected as the league's top dance team all three years Laura directed the program. During this time, Laura continued to develop Going Pro Entertainment, connecting pro dancers from coast to coast through events and consulting. 

Laura's love for the stage influenced her to run for Ms. Virginia. After capturing the state title, Laura won nationals in Las Vegas and served as 2011 Ms. United States. She enjoyed returning to Arrowhead Stadium for opening game ceremonies, leading the Science Cheerleaders and Pop Warner Cheerleaders to break a Guinness Book of World Records, and being named #15 on the Most Buzzworthy Cheerleaders. Today, Laura remains active as a three-state director for the Miss United States Organization, managing 15 titleholders for Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia. 

Laura resides in Washington, DC with her newlywed husband. She continues to serve on the management team at Angela King Designs, including coordination of the annual Sports Model Search, management of social media marketing, development of product marketing and customer targeting.

View AKD Style Pro Directory 

Highlight on Our NBA Teams

Let us be the first to tell you that the NBA season is one of our favorite times of year here at Angela King Designs! Throughout the 2012-2013 season we have had the privilege of creating original looks for some of our returning teams and we've even had some first time customers join us as well. We always enjoy doing the traditionally famous looks for our cheerleaders because they epitomize the team image perfectly, but it’s even more fun to design outfits that are new and exciting! Here we look back at a few teams that received some new attire during the season:  

One of our new customers was the Milwaukee Bucks, which we had the opportunity to outfit for the first time. They went with a sporty-glam look when opting for our traditional shorts and crop halter in red sequin. It’s obvious that they sparkle in this set while representing their team with such energy and poise! View these and other uniform sets on the Go Wild! Wear page.  

 

One team that we always enjoy working with are the dazzling L.A. Clippers, who have been a devoted customer for years. Just recently we created a new signature outfit that they loved. We did a halter top with a twist, adding a keyhole in the front and for the bottom we did a V-panel short, both pieces embellished with Swarovski crystals. This is such a flattering look on their girls and they wear it so well!

 

Over on the East Coast, the Boston Celtics have had many creative and contemporary costumes made specifically for them this season. One of our most loved was this new black sequin outfit that has a bit of an edgy flare. They’re rocking this look in our "V" drop pant with emerald and black straps over the hip, and as for the top we did a matching bandeau with a wrap detail going across the chest and mid section. This outfit was used in one of their photo shoots, as seen below, and was clearly a favorite among the dancers, fans, and us as well!

 

 Last but not least, closer to home here in San Antonio we have the fabulous Spurs Silver Dancers in one of their classic looks: the collared halter top and fringe paneled chaps! This may not be a brand new look for them but these famous chaps are what give the girls a little bit of a Texas twist while maintaining glamour and femininity. This picture screams “Go Spurs Go!”

To see what we've done for other NBA teams visit the Angela King Designs website and go to our NBA portfolio. If you're wondering what we can do for YOU or your team, then just contact our home office or one of our sales reps so that we can help you today. As this season comes to an end, we would just like to say thank you to all of our wonderful customers who we have the opportunity to work with on a daily basis- we are very grateful for your business. Here's to next season!


Angela King Designs, Inc.

Spotlight on Style Pro Sandy Charboneau

SANDY CHARBONEAU
Phone: 1-877-974-6253, Ext. 716
Email: Sandy@gowildwear.com
Location: Tampa, Florida
Territory: Florida, International Territories

Background: 

• Owner & Founder, Pro Tour Productions 
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders Director 2000-2009
• Pro Bowl Cheerleader 1998
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader 7 years
• NFL Enterprises
• Instructor at All Pro conventions
• Training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

ABOUT SANDY CHARBONEAU:

Dance and cheerleading has always been a part of Sandy's life. After having the opportunity to train at Alvin Ailey at a young age, Sandy entered pro cheerleading auditions and became a Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleader. She immediately went on to become the team's director for nine seasons, outfitting the cheerleaders in one of the most popular Angela King Designs uniforms. As the Buccaneers director, Sandy developed a strong junior program and guided her cheerleaders to tour overseas to support the U.S. military.

During her time in the NFL, Sandy realized that her greatest passion was giving back to the U.S. military through performance. This led her to develop the flourishing company called ProTour Productions, dedicated to facilitating military tours in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Sandy's tours invite cheerleaders from different organizations as well as musical groups, comedians and professional athletes. Sandy also continues to consult other programs and choreograph for the annual All Pro 3 convention in Atlanta.

Sandy's recent customers include the Arizona Cardinals Junior Cheerleaders, the Tampa Bay Storm Cheerleaders, and the Houston Texans Cheerleaders. She also outfits her patriotic performances with AKD's "Patriot Collection" in red, white and blue designs.

View the Style Pro Directory