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.

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

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.

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!

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!

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!   

 

Follow our AKD Junior Designers

 

Visit the AKD Role Models Website

$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!

 

Shop $99.00 Specials

Costume Care Practices from Style Pro Rebecca Girard



Rebecca Girard

One of the toughest jobs a coach is faced with is how to maintain costumes so they look brand new, even two or three years after they are purchased. Teaching team members to care for costumes consistently from game to game and year to year is equally as challenging. As the former Director of the Detroit Pistons Dance Team- Automotion, and various other pro teams, I’ve learned a few important lessons and tips along the way. If followed properly, they will certainly extend the life of all your beautiful costumes!  

 

Below are some great tips to share with your teammates and you can certainly add your own expertise to help maintain the life of your costumes. Also included is a list of the recommended supplies. 

Be sure to keep the Costume Care Cards enclosed in all the AKD/Go Wild! Wear packages and also refer to our website for updates!

 

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• Mesh-zip laundry bags
• Towels
• Tissue Paper
• Tooth brush
• Dreft or other baby detergent
• Acetone Nail Polish Remover (for boot use only)
• Cotton Balls

STORAGE

·    Store each costume item in a mesh-zip (breathable) laundry bag. (Bags can be purchased at a dollar store)

·    Wrap costumes that have crystals in tissue paper.

·    NEVER leave your costumes, poms or boots in your car!

• If garment (sequin area) should become dampened by water or perspiration: do not place garment in an airtight bag or plastic bag. 
• Air out costumes and poms after every performance.
• Roll sequins and poms in a towel to remove any oils, etc.
• Do not allow perfume, deodorant, hair sprays, or tanning sprays to come in contact with sequins or whites.
• Always put your warm up jacket or towel around you when spraying hairspray, perfume, tanning spray, deodorant, etc.   

WASHING

• Wash costumes immediately following every performance.  Rinse out with cold water so that stains and dirt do not set. 
• Never leave costumes unattended while washing or left soaking.
• Never let anyone else wash your costumes!
• Spot cleaning should always be your first choice in taking care of soiled costumes for perspiration problems and/or until you can wash thoroughly.
• Use a toothbrush to spot clean, especially around the patches/logos.
• Turn sequins inside out to preserve colors.
• After washing garments, roll in a towel then hang to dry. Some sequin outfits may need to dry flat, be sure to lay on a towel.      

BOOTS
 

• Use a small amount of pure acetone nail polish remover on a cotton pad to rub off scuff marks. (Test spots first.)
• Zip boots and store in cloth bag when not being worn.

Thanks for all the great tips, Rebecca! To learn more about all of our style pros visit the Go Wild! Wear page.

 

Angela King Designs, Inc.

Did You Know... Growing Trends in Swimwear

Did you know that Angela King Designs creates swimwear? With a customer base rooted in professional cheerleading and dance, many wonder... why swimwear?

Nearly all NBA and NFL cheerleading squads create a team swimwear or uniform calendar. As the chosen costume designer for many elite performance teams in professional sports, AKD has oftentimes extended its brand to create custom swimwear for these calendars. The AKD brand has been worn in calendars of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders, the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders and the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, to name a few. Custom swimwear has creatively featured the team logos, and even airbrush creations.   

Since the creation of the Go Wild! Wear collection in 2009, many individual performers are selecting to shop AKD online for audition performance wear. But what about the need for swimsuits? In recent years, there has been a growing trend of the audition "pageant" - a final show of team candidates, many times walking the runway in - you guessed it - swimwear!   

Go Wild! Wear now features a special swimwear collection designed for the Miss United States Pageant. The 2012 national board wanted to offer a preferred resource for swimwear that was classy and glamorous. The pageant wanted a variety of color options, the ability to adjust the fit, and of course - a little sparkle! One-piece and bikini styles were created to feature rhinestone accents.

The swimwear was worn on stage at nationals by several contestants including Miss Arkansas Lauren Parker, Miss Connecticut Ashley Leach, Miss Guam Megan Betteridge and Miss Junior Teen California Samantha Figueroa.

The Miss United States Swimwear Collection is available for anyone interested in looking glamorous on the runway, at a photo shoot, in the pages of the team calendar, or worn the traditional way - lounging poolside. Angela King Designs continues to offer custom swimwear for organizations and teams.  

Shop Go Wild! Wear Swimwear

Spotlight on Model Search Top 10 Winner Alanna of the San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers

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 Alanna, a 2011-2012 San Antonio Spurs "Silver Dancer." Let's take a closer look at Alanna's year since becoming a model search finalist!

Since AKD is based near San Antonio, Texas, we invited Alanna to take part in our exclusive Style Pro Annual Fashion Show to reveal new products to our Go Wild! Wear sales reps. Alanna showed off her personality and beauty walking the runway in AKD, and she even appears in some of our online catalog photos!

There has been much more going on in Alanna's career, and she was gracious enough to send us an email catching us up.

"This past year has been a year for the books. I convinced myself I could be in three places at once, and believe it or not, I sometimes did it! Since competing for Angela King Designs Sports Model Search, I've finished... and began new chapters in this nutty adventure of life! For instance, I completed my first and only year on the San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancers. Making it all the way to the NBA Semifinals, we ended the year knowing we did the best we could by keeping our fans excited and cheering on our beloved Spurs. Maybe next time guys.

"I also gave up my crown as The Queen 2012 (La Reina) for Fiesta San Antonio. Fiesta took place during the beginning of playoffs so I was one busy gal. Did I mention I have a day job during all of this? I couldn't ask for a better job than working for NBC San Antonio as the Entertainment Reporter for the San Antonio Living show. 

"The show is my main focus now that I've finished my other duties. As the entertainment reporter, I get to interview some interesting people. Recently I interviewed comedian Chris Tucker, San Antonio Spur Tony Parker and country music star Carrie Underwood. My ultimate goal is to become a national TV personality. Dream big or you will never know your potential! In the meantime feel free to tune in at 10:00 a.m. on Channel 4 WOAI!"

Thanks, Alanna! Watch for the official registration of the next AKD Sports Model Search to begin in January 2013! It could be you!