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!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

AKD Accepting Entries for 2013 Sports Model Search

 
Are you a model? An actress? Broadcaster?
  
Do you have experience on a college, semi-pro or professional cheer or dance team? 
 
ARE YOU READY TO BE DISCOVERED? 
 
Join us for the 2013 Angela King Designs Sports Model Search!
 
Be seen by sports and entertainment heavy-hitters including producers of Dancing With The Stars and Sunday Night Football!
 
Receive prizes and travel opportunities!
 
MEET THE CELEBRITY JUDGES
  • Fred Gaudelli, Producer of "Sunday Night Football" and Super Bowls XLIII, XL, XXXVII and XLI, 10-time Emmy Award winner
  • Steven Schillaci, Talent Producer of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," past Talent Producer for American Idol, Radio City Music Hall, Chelsea Lately, House of Blues
  • Glenn Daniels, Casting Director in film, TV, and theater, launching film careers of Lisa Kudrow, Woody Harrelson and Ethan Hawke, Miss Universe Pageant Judge
  • Sherlyn Roy, Oxygen Magazine and Swimwear Illustrated Cover Girl, IFBB Pro, Former 49ers NFL Cheerleader, Co-host of ESPN's American Muscle
  • Ginger Mueller, Co-Owner & VP Sales, Mueller Sports Medicine - America's top sports medicine supply company, Former LA Rams and Raiders NFL Cheerleader

PRIZES AWARDED TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM!
  • 2013 Sports Model Search Winner: will become an AKD Brand Ambassador and The Face of AKD's Go Wild! Wear 2013 campaigns. She will be flown to the AKD Headquarters in Texas for a photo shoot with the current Go Wild! Wear Models, all expenses paid. She will receive a $500.00 AKD gift certificate and an official AKD Sports Model Search Winner jewelry piece. The Winner's current or most recent dance or cheer team will receive an AKD workout outfit.
  • National Top Ten: receive $150.00 AKD gift certificate, opportunity to represent AKD locally.
  • Finalists: receive Official AKD Model Search Finalist tote bag.
  • Semifinalists: receive Official AKD Model Search T-Shirt.
 

ABOUT THE CONTEST
In 2012, the AKD Sports Model Search welcomed over 200 entries and selected the winner as Toni Damico of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders! Now it's YOUR turn!

Angela King Designs, Inc (AKD) and Go Wild! Wear are conducting a model search to find the newest addition to the Go Wild! Wear Models and the 2013 Face of AKD. Keeping true to our industry, all applicants must be a current or former collegiate, semi-pro, or pro-team cheerleader or dancer. Entries will be accepted through the month of February 2013.

 
What we are looking for:
  • Photogenic person with great energy
  • Dance and/or cheer background
  • All body types, but must be able to wear a two-piece costume or uniform.
  • Female, ages 18 - 45
  • Good spokesperson, able to speak on camera
  • Someone who loves dance/cheer and LOVES great costumes!
Contest Levels:
  • General entry submission of two photographs and application.
  • Semi-finalists chosen by online Facebook voting.
  • Finalists selected by our celebrity judges.
  • National Top 10 selected by our celebrity judges.
  • 2013 AKD Sports Model Search Winner!
View contest details and submit your entry at www.akdsportsmodelsearch.com!
 
 

 

Friday, January 25, 2013

Spotlight on AKD Junior Designer Mackenzie - Age 14


Blog #4: Following Mackenzie, Age 14, Michigan: Mackenzie describes herself as outgoing, funny, nice and bubbly. She loves to play with makeup and come up with many different looks and products. She spends most of her time in dance and gymnastics, just learning how to flip this summer! She loves bright colors, especially pink, purple, turquoise, peachy red and aqua. (Then we are certain Mackenzie adored Julia's design unveiled earlier this month!)

We asked Mackenzie, "Why are you excited to be an AKD Junior Designer?" Mackenzie said, "I've always wanted to design and create costumes. I just started to sew this summer and love it!" Mackenzie won't need to sew anything during this process, but we know who to call when in case of emergency!

Our first step in welcoming Mackenzie to the AKD Junior Designer program was sending her the WELCOME PACKAGE! This included her Junior Designer T-shirt, some directions on getting started, and her very own electronic drawing pad, just like the one Angela uses when creating costume sketches for some of the most famous cheer and dance teams in the world!


Check back in the coming weeks as we unveil Mackenzie's sketches and follow her on her AKD Junior Designer journey.


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.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Spotlight on AKD Junior Designer Julia - Age 10 - The Creation!


Blog #3: Following Julia, Age 10, Italy: Since its launch in November, the Angela King Designs Role Models program has proven to be hugely successful with our present and future junior designers. Today we unveil the final outcome created by our first designer Julia! We are proud to release the first photos of Julia wearing her very own Angela King Designs creation! Julia's mom wrote, "Julia received her cheerleading costume on Friday. She was so excited to see her creation, and was so amazed too see how beautiful it turned out.  It fits her perfectly and she modeled it with so much pride. Thanks so much for everything, this has definitely been a wonderful experience, one she will never forget!"

Since Julia was selected as the first AKD Junior Designer, we knew she was very skilled at sketching her dream costume, showing no inhibitions about using color! Based on Julia's sketch, we sent her fabrics to choose from. We took her measurements, and within a matter of weeks, we were able to bring her design to life!
We also knew that Julia was very diligent about meeting our requested deadlines and patiently waiting for the process to unfold. What we didn't know .... was that she can do some amazing splits! No wonder she wanted to design a cheerleading uniform!  
Congratulations, Julia, on your first AKD creation. She is the first of our series of AKD Junior Designers. Next up this month is Mackenzie in Michigan! Mackenzie is 13 years old, describes herself as outgoing, funny, nice and bubbly. In just a matter of days we will tell you more about this young lady and take you through her first phase of the Junior Designer process. Visit www.akdrolemodels.com to learn more about the AKD Junior Designers selection process, browse famous junior performance wear designs such as the Arizona Cardinals Junior Cheerleaders and the Chicago Junior Luvabulls, and inquire about creating your team junior wear.
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.

Monday, December 31, 2012

Top 10 Moments of 2012 at AKD and Go Wild! Wear

Like many of you, Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear are thinking back to another year in the record books and the moments that made 2012 special. Here is our our top 10 moments of 2012...

10. Welcoming over 10,000 new Facebook fans! On a daily basis, our Facebook fans receive industry updates, glimpses behind the scenes, tips on attire trends and upkeep, and special offers. Be sure to join us on Facebook for all the action in 2013!

9. Expanding our college performance selection! Traditionally the chosen brand for professional cheerleading and dance, in 2012, AKD and Go Wild! Wear aimed to provide more options to our college customers. We have outfitted teams including USC, Rollins College, University of Memphis, Mizzou, Quinnipiac University, Kennesaw State University, Tennessee State University and many more. Our college customers love the variety of fabrics available and the quality of fit and durability.
8. Sending AKD representatives to Pro Action in Las Vegas! Style Pro Rani, also a current Arizona Cardinals Cheerleader, joined Go Wild! Girls Jessi, formerly of the San Antonio Spurs, and Toni, a current Denver Broncos Cheerleader. The girls learned entertaining routines from choreographers like John Peters and Marina Ortega while rocking Go Wild! Wear's latest collection of attire.

7. Outfitting ProTour Productions and the generous cheerleaders who support our U.S. troops! Produced by Style Pro Sandy Charboneau, ProTour Productions spent a second year dedicated to facilitating tours in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, bringing together cheerleaders from different organizations as well as musical groups, comedians and professional athletes. Additionally, AKD is proud to support the Wounded Warrior Project with proceeds purchased from the Patriot Collection

6. Cheering on the Science Cheerleaders on the Today Show. These ladies prove that performers are beautiful, intelligent and driven. As the outfitter of the Science Cheerleaders, Go Wild! Wear is worn by current and alumni professional cheerleaders across the United States who also work in or study science, technology, engineering or math. In October, the group was celebrated on national television for breaking down stereotypes and encouraging young girls to get psyched about education.

5. Launching the AKD Role Models Website and the Junior Designer Program! Soon we will showcase the costume created by our first Junior Designer Julia of Italy. The Role Models website features our top youth cheer and dance designs including the Arizona Cardinals, the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos, and provides more information on designing attire or applying to become an AKD Junior Designer.  
 
4. Welcoming Ashley Worrell and Rebecca Girard to our team of talented Style Pros! Ashley and Rebecca are just two of our talented team members who take pride in knowing our customers needs as former or current performers and directors. The AKD Style Pros have performed for teams including the San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Pistons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and have coached performance teams for the NFL, NBA, AFL, PIFL, SIFL, NLL, ABA, College and High School.

3. Setting industry trends like the AKD Boot Cuffs worn by the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders and the Tampa Bay Storm Cheerleaders! While appearing at All Pro 3 this summer, the Arizona Cardinals new boot cuffs were all the rage and were even featured on Ultimatecheerleaders.com. These cuffs are an affordable way to spice up a team's wardrobe and provide a quick costume change. Each year, AKD strives to create new ways to "wow" fans through unique fabrics and styles worn by the most famous performance teams.   

2. Hosting the very first cheer and dance industry sports model search! We welcomed over 200 applicants from across the United States and Canada, narrowed down the selection to 30 finalists, a National Top Ten, and named the 2012 winner Toni Damico of the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders. Celebrity judges raved about the selection of ladies who entered, and sponsors provided incredible prizes during each round. Toni visited the AKD offices to be featured in our 2012 Go Wild! Wear photo shoot, and her team was outfitted in practice attire. 

.... and our top moment of 2012 is...

1. YOU! We know that each day is special because we create YOUR moments, YOUR team attire, YOUR audition wear. The moments you get to experience wearing Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear are far greater than we could ever imagine. We are so grateful for our customers and celebrate you each and every day.

Here's to a FABULOUS 2013 ... with the best moments yet to come.

Angela King Designs, Inc.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Spotlight on Style Pro Ashley Worrell

ASHLEY WORRELL 
Phone: 1-877-974-6253, Ext. 718
Email: Ashley@gowildwear.com
Location: St. Joseph, Missouri
Territory: Arkansas, Eastern Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, North Texas 
Recent Customers: Wichita Falls Nighthawks Cheerleaders, Missouri Western State University, University of Central Missouri 

Background: 
  • Dallas Mavericks Dancer (1 year)
  • San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancer (2 years)
  • Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader (1 year)
  • Kansas City Brigade Girls Dancer (3 years)
  • Author, "Half-Time Highlights: A Guide to Dancing in the NBA/NFL" 
  • Former Director and Choreographer for the Missouri Western State University Mystic Dance Team 
  • Former Studio and Dancewear Retail Owner at Danceworks Conservatory in Kansas City, Missouri
  • Missouri Western State University, Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, emphasis in Commercial/Private Business
  • Consultant and Choreographer, Going Pro Entertainment
  • Appearances in ProDance Choreography Videos (2002, 2003, 2007, 2010)

ABOUT ASHLEY:
AKD Style Pro Ashley Worrell has performed for three major league sports teams and one semipro sports team, directed at the collegiate level, owned a successful dance studio, and even wrote a book on the ins and outs of professional auditions. This experience allows Ashley to relate to her customers on several levels.   

"I wore AKD as a dancer for the San Antonio Spurs," said Ashley, "We got to wear all types of fabrics and styles during each game. Now, as a Style Pro, I enjoy being able to guide directors to select a costume or uniform that will compliment their routine or organization."

Ashley has outfitted teams including the Wichita Falls Nighthawks Cheerleaders (Texas), the Missouri Western State University Mystics Dance Team and the University of Central Missouri. "We understand that each team has a very different budget and overall style. The team's uniform can say 'glamorous and sophisticated,' 'sporty and fun,' or completely represent that team's brand or theme through creative design and logowork. We take pride in offering a variety of options to each performance group."

Outside of her position with AKD and Go Wild! Wear, Ashley plays a major role within her family business East Fork Lodge near St. Joseph, Missouri, while coaching the dance team for her nearby alma mater. She is raising daughter Jayden, age 4, who is a budding dancer and was even a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for Halloween.

Ashley is one of a growing team of Style Pros located across the United States available to assist teams, companies and individuals with their attire selections. Outside of cheerleading and dance performers, clients have included restaurant staff, brand ambassadors, television and cinema casts, fitness competitors and more. 

View AKD Style Pro Directory

Friday, December 21, 2012

Happy Holidays from AKD and Go Wild! Wear

Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear wish all of our customers and followers a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.


At Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear, we take pride in allowing our employees time during the holidays to celebrate with family and friends. The production office will be closed December 22-January 1. The sales department will be closed December 22-December 26 and on January 1. New customers should contact Go Wild! Wear customer service. Existing customers should contact your regional Style Pro. Please visit www.gowildwear.com to shop online.

Happy holidays!

Angela King Designs, Inc.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Spotlight on Model Search Top 10 Winner Melissa of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

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 member of the Top 10 was Melissa, now a second year Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader and college student. Melissa was kind enough to send us an update of her past year. Photos courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders.

"Hi AKD fans! Since last year’s contest, I was welcomed back to the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders as a Veteran. In April, we took a trip to Jamaica to shoot our swimsuit calendar. My photo was taken in Negril, one of the most peaceful and beautiful places I have ever been.

"The summer was also the time that I helped run my father’s Italian Ice dessert store. I am the Social Networking Director and assist with managing the store and leading events in the community. Most of my free time is spent working out (I love group fitness classes!) and practicing routines.

"I am still a student at Kennesaw State University and am on track to graduate in May with a B.S. in English Education. I spent this past semester teaching 7th grade English/Language Arts, which was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am especially passionate about teaching young people the importance of personal writing. I will be teaching literature and writing at a local high school for my final semester and participating in the KSU Philharmonic Orchestra.
"With the Falcons being NFC South Division Champions, you can imagine that I am having the time of my life at each and every game! The fans have been truly amazing and supportive, and I have never seen the Georgia Dome more packed and loud in the past few seasons. I was even able to drag my boyfriend, who is a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, onto the field during the Atlanta Falcons Military Appreciation game for a sweet snapshot with the ladies ;-) I am looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season has in store for the Atlanta Falcons.
"When I have a minute of downtime in between school, working, teaching, practicing, and Falcons games, you can find me on Twitter (@AFC_MelissaZ), updating my daily thoughts and happenings. These thoughts have miraculously grown popular, for I am the only cheerleader on my squad to be recognized on this somewhat obnoxious level of social networking! I’ll talk about school, my crazy Italian family, music, my animals, charity events, being in love and, of course, football! Check out my feature by the Bleacher Report

"Keep supporting AKD, professional cheer and dance, and all that we stand for!" - Melissa Z.

See Melissa's 2012 Sports Model Search Finalist video on the Go Wild! Wear Facebook Fanpage - just "like" the page and click on videos! Do you have what it takes to represent Go Wild! Wear by Angela King Designs? Join our email list or check back to Facebook to learn how YOU can enter the 2013 AKD Sports Model Search. It could be you!

Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas Gifts and Stocking Stuffers from AKD

With Christmas just around the corner have you thought about that perfect present for a friend, family member, or special someone? Angela King Designs is here to help! Straight from the Fun Stuff page on our website, we offer unique gifts that are the perfect size to place in someone’s stocking or under the tree! These treats are not only for ladies in the cheerleading and dance biz, but for every gal who wants fun little items that can be used year round.

Now let’s get real- don’t you hate it when fashion and beauty mishaps occur? Well let us tell you they CAN be prevented! Our She*mergency Survival Kit is a small portable case with 24 compact solutions for all of life’s little emergencies. This is a gift any woman will love!

We have even more lovely items to help you out, like when you want to wear that cute new pair of shoes but hate the blisters that come with it! That’s why we have Save My Feet, an elixir that prevents blisters from happening. Now you can dance the night away in your favorite shoes or cheer on your team in those performance boots!

Lastly, we know every girl loves that summer glow so why not have it all year long? BUILD from Mystic Tan is the perfect option. It is a gradual tanning spray that provides an even coverage so getting that color you want is now easy as ever! This is a favorite of Angela King herself- once only available at Sephora but now sold through Go Wild!
  

These are certainly not the only gifts we have to offer! If you like any of these items you will enjoy the rest that are on our website: Fun Stuff! Don’t wait till the last minute, choose us for all of your gifting needs!


Happy Holidays from all of us here at Angela King Designs!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Spotlight on AKD Junior Designer Julia - Age 10 - The Design!

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. 

Blog #2: Following Julia, Age 10, Italy: We're back checking in with our very first AKD Junior Designer Julia! Julia was selected from a pool of applicants based on her excitement and interest in designing clothing. She has a special interest in cheerleading, which is a perfect fit with AKD!
 Julia is one of three young women we will follow this year as they embark on the Junior Designer experience.

First, we sent Julia a welcome package to her home in Italy. This included an electronic drawing pad, which Julia thought was "So cool!" We think so, too! The electronic tablet is what AKD founder Angela King Twitero uses to design the most famous uniforms in professional cheerleading and sports entertainment. In a digital age, the drawing pad allows AKD to share designs more quickly with customers, even across oceans like we've done with Julia.
 
Using the pad, Julia sketched her dream design and sent the artwork to the AKD home office in Texas. She said, "I can't believe I'm actually able to design just like professional fashion designers!"
 
AKD's team of experts studied Julia's design and considered different fabrics to complement her vision. AKD's Director of Operations Vickie Miller sent actual fabric swatches to Julia including metallics, tricots and sequins. Our AKD Junior Designer reviewed the swatches and selected her favorites. We can't give away any secrets, but the color of Julia's sweatshirt may coordinate perfectly with one of her design colors!

Now it's time for AKD to make the masterpiece come to life! "I can't wait to see how my cheerleading uniform comes out," exclaimed Julia. Well, it won't be much longer! In a few short weeks, Julia will receive an actual prototype of her design! We can't show it to you yet... but you will love her creativity and color. 
 
Stay tuned for Julia's final design release! Then next month we'll meet our next AKD Junior Designer Mackenzie, Age 13, from Michigan!   
 
 

Monday, December 3, 2012

$99.00 Specials Offer Something for Everybody!

Go Wild! Wear $99.00 specials have expanded!

It's now as easy as ever to wrap up your uniform order. Choose from several one-piece and two-piece options from dresses to pants to full length tops.

Many options allow for customization through embroidery, logos or rhinestones.

Check out the Pacifica Islanders photo here, wearing the crop halter and belted logo buckle short! Just $99.00 per set!