Presenting the 2014 Face of AKD

Congratulations to the winner of the 2014 AKD Sports Model Search! 

Join us on Facebook for more photos to be posted soon and to follow the 2014 Face of AKD throughout the year.

Meet the 2014 Face of AKD! from Angela King-Twitero on Vimeo.

Shop AKD     Visit AKD Website

Announcing the AKD Model Search National Top 10

Congratulations! Check back on March 28 to meet the WINNER!

 

2014 AKD Sports Model Search Top 10 from Angela King-Twitero on Vimeo.

Visit the AKD Sports Model Search Website

30 Finalists Announced in Face of AKD!

The judges have selected 30 contestants to advance to the video introduction round of the 2014 AKD Sports Model Search! One woman will be selected as the 2014 Face of AKD! Congratulations again to all of the contestants. Check back for video releases on March 21! 

30 FINALISTS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:
Alexandra F
Alyssa D
Antonia N
April F
Ashley A
Ashley H
Ashley T
Brianna B
Cindy N
Danica O
Danielle C
Danielle W
Desiree C
Heather K
Jacqueline H
Jessica S
Jozie L
Katie B
Kristena W
Liz H
LonRai J
Madison D
Mariel L
Meghan B
Michelle S
Natalie C
Natalie S
Rebecca S
Toni G
Wendy Z

Visit the AKD Model Search Website

Announcing the Top 60 Semi-Finalists

Over 6,500 votes were cast, and YOU selected the top 60 semi-finalists vying to become the 2014 Face of AKD! These young ladies will now go on to be reviewed by the celebrity judging panel. Check back next week when we announce the Top 30 Finalists in the 2014 AKD Sports Model Search! 

View All Contestants
Meet Celebrity Judges

Semifinalists in alphabetical order, followed by number of votes received: 
Alanna P 66
Alexandra F 66
Alixandra B 76
Alyssa D 130
Amber M 259
Andrea G 235
Antonia N 142
April F 56
Ashleen B 47
Ashley A 64
Ashley G 97
Ashley H 178
Ashley T 63
Brianna B 161
Brittany O 47
Caitlin B 181
Callie C 67
Catelyn G 192
Chelsea B 71
Christina D 162
Cindy N 205
Claire M 325
Danica O 96
Danielle C 97
Danielle W 143
Desiree C 108
Felicia K 202
Gabrielle D 196
Heather F 48
Heather K 185
Jacqueline H 121
Jennifer M 81
Jessica F 90
Jessica S 134
Jozie L 226
Julia P 151
Kate M 80
Katie B 91
Kristena W 567 (Top vote recipient!)
Lauren P 122
Liz H 66
LonRai J 99
Madison D 150
Mariel L 105
Meghan B 89
Michelle C 92
Michelle S 118
Natalie B 182
Natalie C 54
Natalie S 103
Nicole G 59
Rebecca S 71
Samantha R 186
Sarah S 110
Shayna P 115
Sloane A 315
Stephanie E 84
Tayloranne S 127
Toni G 284
Vanessa F 56
Wendy Z 296

Vote Now for the 2014 Face of AKD!

Over 100 applicants are vying to become the 2014 Face of AKD! Vote between March 3-7 to send 60 semifinalists to the judging round! 

Visit the Voting Site

Enter to Become the 2014 Face of AKD

Are you a current or former performer for a college, semi-pro or professional team? Do you have charisma and love to be in front of the camera? Are you ready to represent the most recognized brand in professional cheerleading and dance attire?

Apply now to become the 2014 Face of AKD and follow in the footsteps of 2012 winner Toni Damico of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders and 2013 winner Alexa Kobylarz of the Brooklynettes and the New Orleans Hornets "Honeybees." The winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Texas to appear in the official AKD photo shoot, headlining Gowildwear.com and Facebook marketing throughout 2014. 

What else?!? The winner's most recent team will WIN FREE PRACTICE ATTIRE for the entire team for the 2014 season.

Enter before February 27 at www.akdmodelsearch.com.

Spotlight on Style Pro Jenise Fitzpatrick

Angela with Jenise at Gold Rush 50th Reunion

JENISE FITZPATRICK
Phone: 1-877-97-GO-AKD x714
Email: jenise@gowildwear.com
Location: Ripon, California
Territory: Alaska, Idaho, Northern California, Oregon, Washington

Background:

• San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleader 1995-2000 
• E2k events, Associate Producer, 2000-2001 
• San Jose State University, Head Cheer & Dance Coach, 2000-2004 
• NFL Mexico Pro Cheerleader Tours Director, 2000-2002
• University of the Pacific, Dance Team Coach, 2004-2008
• San Jose Sabercats Cheerleader, 2003-2004 
• E2k Sports Game Day Entertainment for the San Francisco 49ers, 2001-present 
• ESPN East West Shrine Game Halftime Show, Assistant Choreographer, 2001-2002
• San Jose State University, BA in Child Development
• Stanislaus State University, Teaching credentials in Special Education and General Education
• Special Education Teacher, 2001-2007

ABOUT JENISE FITZPATRICK: 

Jenise joins our team located in sunny Northern California. Jenise first wore an AKD uniform as a Cheerleader for the 49ers Gold Rush. While cheering with the 49ers, Jenise attended two American bowls in Japan and Vancouver, entertained U.S. troops in Bosnia, Hungary and Croatia, and toured with NFL Mexico. Jenise later returned as a pro cheer performer for the San Jose Sabercats.

Jenise continued to excel within the cheerleading and dance industry as a director for collegiate teams and working within E2K Entertainment, producing and choreographing for multiple teams, tours and events. 

Recently, Jenise returned to San Francisco to perform with the Gold Rush 30th Anniversary at Candlestick Park, alongside our very own Angela King-Twitero. The experience reminded Jenise of the friendships made on that field, and the true honor of cheering within the National Football League. 

Today Jenise enjoys being a wife and a mother of three children. Jenise looks forward to showing teams and directors the exceptional quality and customer service available with Angela King Designs.    

Spotlight on Style Pro Tessa Caccavallo

TESSA CACCAVALLO
Phone: 1-877-97-GO-AKD x719
Email: tessa@gowildwear.com
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Territory: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio

Background:

• Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader, Captain, Choreographer 2 yrs
• NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleader
• Indiana Pacers "Pacemates" Dancer 3 yrs
• Evansville BlueCats Arena Football, Choreographer, Coach and Performer
• Minor League Baseball Choreographer, Coach and Performer
• Betties & Belles Performance Troupe, Manager & Founder
• Former Colts Cheerleader Training Program Director 
• Going Pro Entertainment, Choreographer & Consultant
• Academy of Dance Arts, Dance Instructor 
• University of Kentucky, UK Dance Ensemble
• University of Southern Indiana, Major in Public Relations, Minor in Psychology

ABOUT TESSA CACCAVALLO:

Tessa Caccavallo joins Angela King Designs as the Style Pro for the Great Lakes Region. Tessa brings with her great experience as a performer, choreographer and director. 

Tessa moved to Indianapolis from Kentucky in 2006 to pursue her dream of becoming a NBA dancer for the Indiana Pacers. Prior to joining the Pacemates, Tessa danced, choreographed and coached for an arena football team and a minor league baseball team. For one season, she performed at the University of Kentucky before eventually earning a degree at the University of Southern Indiana.

After dancing with the Pacers for three seasons, Tessa achieved the ultimate goal of dancing for a second professional team and league, becoming an Indianapolis Colts Cheerleader. She danced on the sidelines at Superbowl XLIV, performing with Gretchen Wilson and Cheap Trick. Tessa served as a squad captain her second year. She received accolades as a performer for Armed Forces Entertainment in Japan, representing the NFL in Mexico City and was voted Pro Bowl Cheerleader by her teammates.

Tessa has been featured in Maxim, SI.com, NFL.com and many other online and print publications. Since retiring in 2011, Tessa remains active with professional organizations. She has choreographed numerous routines for the Colts Cheerleaders and helped develop the first ever Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders Training Program, which provided coaching and mentoring for aspiring NFL Cheerleaders. She serves as an audition consultant for Going Pro Entertainment and teaches dance classes at the Academy of Dance Arts in Fishers, IN. Recently she founded Betties & Belles, a performance troupe in Indianapolis. Tessa is a proud mother and wife. Welcome Tessa!

AKD Style Pro Directory

AKD's "Dream Team" includes Style Pros located across the United States, hailing from a variety of cheerleading and dance programs. 

Each Style Pro has been carefully selected based on her professionalism, experience and knowledge of the cheerleading and dance performance industry.

View the Style Pro map to determine your regional contact, then click on the Style Pro name below to read her bio and contact. 

  

Rani Reichow | Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona, Southern California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

Laura Mason | Augusta, Georgia

Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Jenise Fitzpatrick | Ripon, California
Alaska, Idaho, Northern California, Oregon, Washington

Sandy Charboneau | Tampa, Florida

Florida, International

Megan Savage | Denver, Colorado

Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming

Michelle Gagnon | Concord, New Hampshire

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia

Raquel Garcia | San Antonio, Texas
Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

Tessa Caccavallo | Indianapolis, Indiana
Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio

Sharon Humphrey | Schertz, Texas
Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin

St Louis Rams Cheerleaders Always in Style

At Angela King Designs, it's been our honor for many years to outfit the beautiful NFL Cheerleaders of the St. Louis Rams. The Rams Cheerleaders usually opt to wear an AKD Black Label metallic navy and gold uniform with beautiful Swarovski crystal logo work. 

"The Rams Cheerleaders uniform is one of the most stunning designs in pro cheerleading," said designer Angela King-Twitero, "especially under the Edward Jones Dome lights! Many other organizations contact us inquiring how they can model after the sophistication of this custom uniform." 

The Rams Cheerleaders have a few other AKD attire themes they present throughout the year from holiday to throwback to sporty. Enjoy these looks courtesy of the St. Louis Rams!

Visit the St. Louis Rams Cheerleaders Page

Shop Go Wild! Wear

Spotlight on AKD Junior Designer Kayla - Age 7

Blog #4: Following Kayla, Age 7, Chicago: We've been keeping track of our most recent AKD Junior Designer, who is also a Chicago Junior Luvabulls Dancer, where she wears an AKD Role Models design, pictured right. 

See Kayla's Journey

In the past few months, we showed you Kayla's initial designs sent to the AKD office via sketch, as well as her fabric selection and a mini-view of her final costume.

Once you become a Junior Designer, you are part of the AKD family! We are proud of Kayla's accomplishments this year including modeling for AKD at a Chicago pro dance convention and appearing in her first pageant. 

This blog rounds out Kayla's feature as we reveal her costume creation! Kayla's costume includes tricot fabrics in light pink and white, with accents of purple metallic fabric. This metallic fabric is the same type worn by the Los Angeles Laker Girls dancers! 

"Mom, I can't believe my eyes," said Kayla. "My very own creation!! I want to hug and thank everyone at AKD for giving me a chance to really believe I can do anything I put my all in doing and helping me to start living my dream as a fashion designer."

Congratulations Kayla! We are certain this is your first of many creations, and we are proud to help you experience the joy of bringing your vision to life. 

Shop AKD Junior Wear

Contact AKD for a Junior Wear Quote

Get in the Holiday Spirit with AKD

As you're sprucing up your home and your front lawn this holiday season, don't forget to add some tinsel and ornament to your performance wear! 

Angela King Designs creates fabulous holiday costuming including maribou fur, velvet and sequin options, custom hats and more. It doesn't take much to add a little holiday flair like the 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars ROAR Cheerleaders pictured above in custom blue sequin dresses and hats. 

Instead of an entirely new holiday costume, consider enhancing your standard uniform with boot cuffs or trim. You can even add your logo to a holiday hat or boot cuff.

Fur trim, red or sequin boots can be ordered for a team of eight or more with a few weeks notice. Remember to take your order in whole sizes only! 

Get creative and have some fun this holiday season! The Go Wild! Wear Holiday Collection offers a variety of recommended products that will quickly outfit your team. For custom holiday sets, please order four to six weeks in advance - that means NOW! Send your logo or costuming request to our team of Style Pros for a quote or custom suggestions.

Happy holidays from AKD and Go Wild! Wear

Shop Go Wild! Wear Holiday Collection

Request a Custom Quote

Spotlight on AKD Junior Designer Kayla - Age 7

Blog #3: Following Kayla, Age 7, Chicago: We've been keeping track of our fall AKD Junior Designer, who is also a Chicago Luvabulls Junior Dancer. 

Outside of dance and cheerleading, Kayla is trying a new hobby - pageants! This month, Kayla entered her first pageant with 54 contestants. Our little Kayla was awarded Top Five and will join the winners in Orlando in December! Here she is in her formal wear and casual wear. She actually found a creative way to wear her official Jr Luvabulls uniform for casual wear! Congratulations Kayla, we are very proud of you and proud you chose to wear AKD. 

This fall, Kayla designed three different costumes that were presented to AKD for creation. AKD selected and created one of these costumes for Kayla, and it is off and shipped to Chicago as we speak! In our next and final AKD Junior Designer blog, we will feature that costume creation!  

"Thank you for making Kayla's dreams come true," said mom Felicha.

Thank you to Kayla for being a part of our program! Until we see her wearing the final product, we can only reveal a small bit of the costume, pictured here. Stay tuned!  

Follow the AKD Junior Designers

Apply to Become the Next Junior Designer

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.

AKD Founder Celebrates 49ers Gold Rush 30th Reunion

Gold Rush Alumni Lori Fonzi, Angela and Karen McDonald 

In late September, AKD Founder and CEO Angela King-Twitero returned to Northern California to celebrate the 30 year anniversary of the 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders. This marked another incredible achievement for Angela and Angela King Designs.

Angela is one of 14 original members of the 1983 team. She went on to cheer for seven years, including three Super Bowls, each resulting in a win for the team and a Super Bowl Ring for Angela. In a natural progression, Angela moved into management with the 49ers, and directed the cheerleaders for five years, which included one more Super Bowl Championship. 

AKD design worn by the Gold Rush in 2010.

During her years with the 49ers, Angela began her career as a costume designer, having the opportunity to design many of the uniforms worn by her team and countless others in the NFL, NBA, NHL and beyond. Today, many continue to regard Gold Rush costuming as some of the most unique and memorable costumes ever worn by NFL Cheerleaders. The organization even featured Angela's designs in a special 30-year tribute display.  

“When I was a cheerleader and dancer," said Angela, "I felt the need for a better costume. As a dancer, my costumes were being made by people who didn’t dance. People who weren’t ever a member of a team, let alone a professional dance/cheer team. I knew something needed to change. That’s why I started AKD. Dancers needed costumes made by a dancer. It was important then and is still very important today.” 

Angela with 1983 teammates in custom AKD jackets

During her weekend in San Francisco, Angela performed alongside hundreds of other alumni cheerleaders during the 49ers - Colts home game at Candlestick Park. Angela was involved in a special tribute to the original 1983 team, presenting each alumna with an AKD bomber jacket customized with their Super Bowl years on the sleeve. 

On behalf of Angela King Designs, we would like to congratulate Angela on this milestone achievement and thank her for years of service to the NFL Cheerleading industry. Thank you Angela! 

Learn More About Angela King-Twitero

See Other Historical AKD NFL Costumes

Angela holds a montage of photos presented to her at the Gold Rush Reunion. 

Angela conducts a TV interview after the halftime performance at Candlestick Park.

Angela performing during rehearsal at Candlestick Park.

Congratulations Angela King-Twitero!

AKD Outfits Miss Grand Prix Contestants

Angela King Designs is off to the races this weekend in Houston! 

As the official uniform designer and runway sponsor of the 2014 Miss Grand Prix of Houston Pageant, AKD is the chosen outfitter of all contestants and 2013 Miss Grand Prix of Houston Angela Anderson. 

CEO and Founder Angela King-Twitero served on the judging panel to select the 2014 winner during the final pageant on October 4. Pictured right on 2014 Miss Grand Prix of Houston Reagan Waters, AKD created one of a kind Grid Suits for the ladies to wear on the track during Grand Prix events. 

Angela King Designs attire were also showcased during the Runway Segment of the pageant, featuring new releases in the AKD Go Wild! Racewear collection. The show included a performance by Creedence Clearwater Revival and appearances by race car drivers such as Helio Castroneves, previous Indy 500 Winner. All events surrounded the official races of the Grand Prix of Houston. 

The new Miss Grand Prix of Houston will reign under a one year contract and receive a prize package valued at $5,000, including two uniforms by Angela King Designs. Congratulations to Reagan Waters! 

Visit the Miss Grand Prix of Houston Website

Shop AKD Racewear

Spotlight on AKD Junior Designer Kayla - Age 7

Blog #2: Following Kayla, Age 7, Chicago: Last month, we introduced you to Kayla - our Fall 2013 AKD Junior Designer! Kayla is a Junior Luvabulls Dancer, where she wears an official AKD Role Models junior costume. 

This summer, we asked Kayla to join us in Chicago as an AKD Brand Ambassador alongside National Sales Manager Laura Clark. Kayla visited the Chicago Going Pro Convention in uniform, where she met dancers and cheerleaders and modeled AKD apparel. Here she is with Clark in her Junior Luvabulls uniform. 

"Kayla was an outstanding representative of AKD!" said Clark. "One of the most important qualities of a cheerleader and a brand ambassador is a great smile and willingness to talk to people. Kayla exhibited both of those attributes, and she was a great company representative!" 

The highlight of Kayla's program as an AKD Junior Designer is that she will have her own design brought to life! Kayla submitted three fabulous sketches to Angela King Designs, and one of them will be created just for her this fall! Kayla's inspiration for the drawings roots from her love to dance and cheer. We can't reveal which one will be chosen, but we can show you her creativity! See below for the three designs in various colors and styles. Which is your favorite? 

As we speak, the AKD production department is selecting Kayla's fabrics and matching her sizes to prepare for the prototype production of Kayla's costume. With a wide variety of fabrics to choose from, the professionals are selecting from solids, metallics, prints, and sequins to create the perfect set. 

Check back with us later this month when we will reveal Kayla's selected costume and see her reaction as she receives it in her very own size.   

Follow the AKD Junior Designers

Apply to Become the Next Junior Designer

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.

AKD Holiday Wear Now Available!

With less than three months until the 2013 holiday season, how will you celebrate in style? 

Fans love to see creative holiday costuming! From crushed velvet to maribou fur to leopard fur and accents of red, green or gold - the AKD Go Wild! Wear Holiday Collection offers unique ideas for your team. 

Contact AKD at least 6 weeks in advance for custom holiday garments, and at least 4 weeks in advance for your Go Wild! order. 

Shop the Go Wild! Holiday Collection

Contact AKD for Custom Attire 

Announcing the AKD University Collection

Angela King Designs is excited to present the AKD University Collection! Stay tuned for more products in the AKD University Collection! Follow the link below to speak with a Style Pro about your college costuming needs. 

See AKD Collegiate Customers

View the Style Pro Directory

Shop AKD University 

Meet Kayla, AKD Junior Designer, Age 7, Chicago

Meet our Fall 2013 AKD Junior Designer: Kayla of Chicago, Illinois! At just seven years old, Kayla has high aspirations of fashion and performance, which makes her the PERFECT candidate for the AKD Junior Designer program. 

"Fashion is my dream!" says Kayla. "Someday I will design clothes for real fashion models."

Kayla just completed her second season dancing with the Junior Luvabulls in Chicago, where she wears the AKD Role Models brand while performing on the NBA court alongside the Luvabulls pro dance team. Kayla's favorite thing about being a Jr. Luvabull is that she has the opportunity to look and feel like a star and show off her AKD uniform. And you can't beat the excitement of performing in the NBA - especially at age seven! 

Kayla's favorite colors are pink, white and black. Outside of dancing with the Jr. Luvabulls, Kayla enjoys drawing, playing dress up, modeling and singing.

"I would like to become an AKD Junior Designer because I really like to draw, and I want to be a professional dancer and fashion designer when I grow up."  

Over the coming weeks, Kayla will submit her favorite drawings to Angela King-Twitero and the AKD production department. They'll choose one costume to bring to life in Kayla's size. According to Kayla's preferences, the costume experts will select fabrics, create a pattern and actually create Kayla's costume for her. The exciting moment comes when Kayla gets to receive her very own "masterpiece" later this fall! 

Stay tuned as we get to know Kayla and the AKD Junior Designer process. We can't wait to make your dreams come true!  

Follow the AKD Junior Designers

Apply to Become the Next Junior Designer

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.