Alexa's Blog - My Year as the Face of AKD

Hey AKD fans – Alexa here! I am thrilled to communicate with you all through my first blog post for The Costume Lounge! 

Since being named the winner of the 2013 AKD Sports Model Search Contest, I have experienced some bittersweet and important moments in my life. 

In April, I performed at my final New Orleans Hornets game as a Honeybee, and this month I will officially be a graduate of Tulane University with a degree in marketing. What an exciting (and somewhat scary) time in my life! I included some photos here of our final game as a Honeybee. That's me kissing the Hornet - the blonde on the upper left. Love him!

I can’t wait to see what this summer has in store, from modeling the new Go Wild! Wear designs at the official photo shoot to representing AKD at Pro Action Dance in Las Vegas—and hopefully many other things in between!

My first duty as the 2013 Face of AKD is to design a rehearsal uniform for the up-and-coming Pelicans Dance Team. The NBA Hornets have undergone re-branding and are now known as the New Orleans Pelicans. Although I will not be auditioning for the Pelicans, I am looking forward to having some involvement with this new team by outfitting them in custom-designed Go Wild! Wear.

When I set out to design the practice uniform, my main goal was to find a perfect balance between comfort and style. I want the girls to feel secure while dancing but it needed to have that “Alexa” flair to it. Stay tuned for the official unveiling of my design!

Be sure to visit The Costume Lounge every month as I update you on my journey with AKD - or subscribe by entering your email above. Next month I’ll reveal which of my designs made it to the new Go Wild! Wear collection as well as some other exciting news… Stay tuned!

Dream BIG!

Alexa

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Visit the AKD Sports Model Search Website

Spotlight on Style Pro Rebecca Girard

REBECCA GIRARD
Phone: 1-877-97-GO-AKD x719
Email: Rebecca@gowildwear.com
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Territory: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin

Background:

• Former Director, Detroit Pistons "Automotion Dance Team" (10 years)
• Founder and Director, Detroit Tigers Promo Team (Current)
• Recruiter and Judge, Miss Michigan USA Pageant
• Founder and Former Director, Oakland University Dance Team
• Former Coach, Nationally ranked University of Michigan Dance Team
• Marketing and PR Manager at COMLINK 
• Change Management Consultant at Accenture 
• Associate Producer for the NFL Detroit Lions halftime show by E2K
• Coached three high school dance teams to national honors 
• Choreographer, MTV America’s Got Talent Regional Finalist crew
• Coach Trainer, Universal Dance Association
• Judge, Miss USA Michigan/Miss Teen USA Michigan pageants
• Oakland University, Degree in Business, Dance and Psychology, Member of the university Athletic Hall of Honor
• Has choreographed and produced halftime shows and routines for the NFL, NBA, WNBA and AFL

ABOUT REBECCA: 

From a young age, Rebecca's energy has been contagious and drew her instantly to a career in performance and sports entertainment. Rebecca has experienced all aspects of performance as an NBA dance team director, a collegiate performer and director, team dance choreographer and judge, and currently as the director of the promotional team at the Detroit Tigers. 

With this incredible background, Rebecca finds consulting her AKD customers fun and fluent. She can easily coordinate costuming, accessories, and budget saving suggestions. Rebecca's recent customers include the Milwaukee Bucks Energee! Dance Team, the Chicago Soul and Lawrence Technical University. 

When Rebecca's not working in pageantry, sales and entertainment, she spends time with her two children, including daughter Mackenzie, who is a stand out dancer and model for AKD Role Models. 

View AKD Style Pro Directory

AKD Welcomes NBA and NFL Coaches and Performers as Style Pros

Angela King Designs is honored to announce three new Style Pros joining the talented AKD and Go Wild! Wear personnel. The Style Pros attend to customers in a particular region, assisting discovery of design and product selection, and are considered experts in the industries of dance and cheer performance, fitness, pageantry and sportswear.

Laura Mason was the director of the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders from 1994-2001 and the director of the Falcons Junior Cheerleaders from 1996-1999. During her tenure, she coordinated Super Bowl and American Bowl activities. Prior to leading these programs, Laura performed with the Falcons Cheerleaders for five years, serving as captain, performing on both the co-ed stunt team and the all-girl performance team, and touring with “The Women of the NFL.” She spent time as a staff instructor for Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA). Laura has served as coach for cheerleading teams at the high school and all star gym levels.  Laura resides in Augusta, GA and will serve the states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee as previous Style Pro Kelly Stewart-Barker moves on from her position. Kelly will remain an AKD Brand Ambassador, and we thank Kelly for her three years of service with the Style Pro team!

Michelle Gagnon was a New England Patriots Cheerleader from 2000-2002, performing at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. Michelle has a degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. She continues to serve as the Coach and Choreographer of the university dance team. Previously she was the Coordinator and Assistant Choreographer of the Manchester Wolves Arena2Football Dance Team. She continues to instruct dance performance at Dance, Etc. studio and serves on the board of the Dance Visions Network as Stage Manager of the annual Nutcracker Suite performance. Michelle resides in New Hampshire near the Boston Metro area and will serve the Upper Northeast including states of New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine and Connecticut. Previous Style Pro in the Northeast Laura Eilers Clark remains on the Style Pro team for the Mid-Northeast.

Megan Savage has spent several years as the director of the Rocky Mountain RockStarz alumni performance group. Her performance experience includes the NBA Denver Nuggets Dancers, the NFL Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders and the Kansas State University "Classy Cats" Dance Team. During her NBA career, Megan performed overseas in support of American troops and was a back up dancer for artists including Coolio, MC Hammer, Otis Day, and Digital Underground. Megan spent nearly six years as a camp instructor and head instructor for Universal Dance Association and has served on the judging panel for UDA national dance championships. Megan was previously a high school dance team coordinator in Kansas City and continues to serve the dance community as an elected member of the Colorado Spirit Coaches Association. In her free time, Megan enjoys snow boarding. Megan resides in Denver, with territory including Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana and Western Kansas. 

With the addition of these talented team members, Style Pro regions are adjusted. Recent customers will remain in contact with their Style Pro unless otherwise directed. 

The team of 9 Style Pros will gather this summer at the AKD home office in Schertz, Texas for the annual staff retreat. During these three days in June, Style Pros tour the home office, reveal the new 2013 Go Wild! Wear Collection, and fine tune skills to serve our customers. Stay tuned for behind-the-scenes blogs by our staff!  

Meet the AKD Style Pro Team

Contact the Style Pro Team

Meet Tate, AKD Junior Designer, Age 14, Colorado

Blog #6: Following Tate, Age 14, Colorado: It's time to meet our May feature AKD Junior Desiger Tate! Tate is a high school freshman in Denver. She is a talented tennis player who also enjoys singing and song-writing. Her favorite colors are pink, turquoise and royal blue. 

"I love designing clothes, so I have always wanted to do something like this!" said Tate, who recently prepared her AKD Junior Designer sketches for us.

Based on her sports background, we gathered that Tate would design something a little more sporty. That is one of our favorite parts of the Junior Designer program - each novice designer gets to incorporate her own style and passion to her design, from dance practicewear to costuming to sportswear. Here are two of Tate's designs, which (no surprise!) feature her favorite colors. 

Next up, Tate will select her fabric choices from a variety of shades of blue including tricot/lycra, metallic, sequins and more. She'll also review lettering options including rhinestone, block, script, tackle twill and even custom lettering. 

The AKD production department will refer to these drawings, create patterning, and adjust the design as necessary for functionality and fabric needs. We'll take all of Tate's wishes into consideration in bringing her creation to life. Then in a few weeks, she'll get the delivery of her actual costumes in hand - in her size! 

Stay tuned as we bring you closer to the process in the coming weeks. 

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.

Sales Director Laura Eilers Clark Featured on Ultimatecheerleaders.com

Get an inside look at the personal and professional growth of National Sales Director of Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear, Laura Eilers Clark, alumni Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams Cheerleader, former Professional Indoor Football League Dance Team Director, and established cheerleading and dance professional. 


After a Whirlwind 2012, Going Pro founder Laura Eilers Clark Continues her Multi-dimensional Cheer-ful Life. Read the Complete Article by Midwest Dave at www.ultimatecheerleaders.com 

....for over three years, Laura has been Sales Director for Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear. “In 2009-2010, Angela launched ‘Go Wild! Wear;’ a readywear for performance teams based on 20 years of designs for the NBA, NFL and NHL,” Laura details. “I was hired as Angela’s Sales Director, and we set forth to build a sales team of seasoned professional cheerleaders. We now have eight representatives across the United States. I am the point of contact for teams in the Northeast U.S., and I also direct sales, marketing, and program development for Go Wild! Wear. I assist Angela in the annual Sports Model Search, the Junior Designer Program, and Style Pro Training Program.”

So, what is the best way a new pro cheer team should go about deciding on the optimal look? “At AKD we believe branding your team is the most important first step,” Laura explains. “You want to create a look that is different and speaks to your personality. It’s really fun to brainstorm creative costuming and see where it goes. Angela is so good at creating just the right look that connects with the region, the sport, the mascot, and the overall team identity. That uniform should be so memorable that it becomes famous. It will be recognized by your fans no matter who wears it. And at the same time it should be so fabulous that every girl in your city and around the world will want to earn the chance to wear it!” 

Asked about the future of cheer wear, Laura responds, “I think we will see less traditional costuming, more pops of color, more movement within the design of the costume. Practicality of the economy and quick costume changes mean more ‘mix and match’ or removable options to instantly create a new look. I really can’t be sure! But I do know that AKD is always creating the next trend in pro cheer, and the best is yet to come.” 

Meet the AKD team of Style Pros 

Spotlight on Style Pro Michelle Gagnon

MICHELLE GAGNON
Phone: 1-877- 97-GO-AKD, x721
Email: Michelle@gowildwear.com
Location: Concord, New Hampshire
Territory: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia

Background:

• NFL Cheerleader, New England Patriots 2000-2002
• Performed at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans
• Choreographer and Coach, Southern New Hampshire University Dance Team
• Degree in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University
• Coordinator and Assistant Choreographer, Manchester Wolves Arena2Football Dance Team
• Dance Instructor, Dance, Etc. Studio 
• Board Member, Dance Visions Network

ABOUT MICHELLE GAGNON: 

As a Cheerleader for the New England Patriots, Michelle not only experienced the adrenaline rush of cheering on the sidelines of an NFL stadium, but also at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans. She remember wearing her AKD uniform proudly during those days. 

Years later, Michelle has immersed herself in many facets of dance performance, including serving as Coach and Choreographer of the Southern New Hampshire University Dance Team and previously as Coordinator and Assistant Choreographer of the Manchester Wolves Arena2Football Dance Team. During her days in pageantry, Michelle was a featured dancer for the Miss New Hampshire Pageant. 

Michelle spends much of her time in the dance studio, where she instructs dance performances and competition pieces at Dance, Etc. Studio. She also enjoys serving on the board of the Dance Visions Network during annual recitals and performances of the Nutcracker Suite. 

Michelle resides in New Hampshire near the Boston Metro area where she is the mother of two children. As one of three new Style Pros joining the AKD Team in 2013, Michelle looks forward to sharing her passion for performance and style with sports teams and other organizations. She recently contributed a blog on Enhancing Team Unity based on her experiences and will continue to author advice to be shared within the Costume Lounge. 

View AKD Style Pro Directory

AKD Junior Designer Mackenzie's Costume is Revealed!

Blog #5: Following Mackenzie, Age 14, Michigan: In February, we introduced you to Mackenzie - our second AKD Junior Designer! Mackenzie submitted her dream sketch to 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.

Mackenzie was overjoyed to receive her final performance outfit! She remarked, "This is my favorite costume ever!!!" 

Mom Rebecca said, "The costume is gorgeous and looks perfect on her! She's wearing the shorts today at a dance convention, and everyone is complimenting her." 

This tiny dancer is sure to perform above and beyond wearing her own creation just as she envisioned. At Angela King Designs, we often say, when you look your best, you perform at your best! 

Check back to meet our next Junior Designer - Tate from Colorado! She is a high school freshman tennis player located in the Denver area. Tate says, "I love designing clothes, so I have always wanted to do something like this!" Tate, we welcome you to the AKD Junior Designer program and can't wait to unveil your design to the world!

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.

Logo and Lettering 101

At Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear, we specialize in creating a custom unique look for each customer, from dance and cheer teams to corporate ambassadors.

Your logo is your brand! So the women who represent your team or company should showcase your brand in the most prominent, classy, and consistent way possible.

Here are a few considerations when adding your logo to your AKD / Go Wild! attire:

1. Is your logo legible? Do you want it to be seen from far away in your stadium, resonate in photos or just be seen up close? Your Style Pro will advise you on the logo size as some logos should only be produced at a certain size and larger, or else their detail will be lost.
    
2. What is your budget? Logos can be done in a variety of ways that best fit your detail, fabric and budget. Ask your Style Pro about sublimation, embroidery, patches, twill letters, rhinestone letters, or rhinestone logos.
    
3. Is your lettering generic or customized? Generic lettering embroidery is less expensive usually available in script or block letters. Custom lettering is classified as a logo as we will produce this to exactly match your font, size and colors.
    
4. Do you have the best file possible to send to AKD? We'll need a high resolution file in order to send you a logo estimate. Usually this is an .eps or .pdf file.
    
5. Do you have time to add your logo? Allow for a little more time to not only create your costume but also add the logowork. If you absolutely do not have time, we can take back your items at a later date to include logo, rhinestones or lettering, although doing it all at once will save on shipping expenses.
    
6. What will it look like? Ask your Style Pro to see images of the logo superimposed on your costume selection so you can be sure it's placed exactly as you envisioned. 

Ready to get creative? If your team has several looks, it can be fun to show off the logo or mascot name in a new way through design techniques or customization. We even have removable logo options that allow you to mix and match or add new pieces to your wardrobe without the cost of a whole new uniform! Check out the logo boot cuffs and logo buckles. The sky is the limit! Angela King Designs has been producing the most creative and memorable costuming in professional sports entertainment since 1989, we've got you covered! 

Contact a Style Pro

Visit Angela King Designs, Inc.

Shop Now at Go Wild! Wear 

Spotlight on Style Pro Darlene Clancy

DARLENE CLANCY
Phone: 1-877-97-GO-AKD, x714
Email: Darlene@gowildwear.com
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Territory: North Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Background:

• Current Director of the "Axe Maidens", Cheerleaders for the Axemen - USA Rugby League, 6 years
• Current Board Member, Professional Cheerleaders Alumni Inc. 
• Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleader, 3 years
• Marketing and Special Events Coordinator for the non-profit organization "Communities in Schools Jacksonville" 
• Former member/Media Relations for Sweethearts for Soldiers 
• FOX and CBS Jacksonville - career in branding, public service and special events (8 years)
• Former Sales Assistant - Financial Industry, New York, NY
• Attended Hunter College and Queens College in New York, Liberal Arts

ABOUT DARLENE CLANCY: 

Growing up in New York, Darlene earned a successful career in special events and sales before relocating to Jacksonville, Florida. When she arrived, Darlene tried her hand at becoming an NFL Cheerleader, and made it! This accomplishment changed her life and shaped her passion. 

After three years cheering for the ROAR Cheerleaders of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Darlene began coaching and developing other performers, something she loves to do. As an NFL alumna, Darlene was asked to join the non-profit performance group Sweethearts for Soldiers and later became their Marketing Manager. She became active in Jacksonville's alumni group and continues to coordinate training programs for up and coming NFL cheerleaders as a member of PCA. For the past few years, Darlene has traveled with her team to attend classes and network at the All Pro 3 convention in Atlanta. 

Darlene truly cares about the professional cheerleading industry, which led her to become a Style Pro for Angela King Designs and Go Wild! Wear in 2010. Her customers have included Rollins College Dance Team, Saginaw Spirit Ice Girls and her own team the Axe Maidens. Darlene resides near Jacksonville with her husband and two children.

View the Style Pro Directory

Congratulations to the 2013 AKD Sports Model Search Winner!

Angela King Designs is proud to announce the 2013 AKD Sports Model Search Winner is Alexa Kobylarz of New Orleans, Louisiana!

Originally from the Jersey Shore, Alexa is a captain of the New Orleans Hornets "Honeybees" Dance Team. At the age of 21, she will soon complete her bachelor's degree in marketing from Tulane University. Recently she was cast as a featured role in a Spike Lee film and danced onstage with Beyoncé during the Super Bowl halftime show.

As the 2013 AKD Sports Model Search Winner, Alexa will appear in an upcoming photo shoot modeling the latest fashions by Angela King Designs, the creator of costuming for NBA, NFL, NHL and other performance teams. She will be the featured cover girl on Facebook, Gowildwear.com, and numerous marketing campaigns in the coming year. Alexa will also have the opportunity to serve as an AKD and Go Wild! Wear brand ambassador at dance and cheerleading events.

Alexa noted, "It would be an honor to be chosen as a model for Angela King Designs to not only positively represent myself but my entire Honeybees dance team. We all put in so much time and effort for our team, and I think that our love for our job shines through, from performing on the court to interacting with Hornets fans at appearances."

Alexa's commitment to her team will be rewarded as well. Not only will Alexa receive a $500.00 personal Go Wild! Wear merchandise credit, but her team will be outfitted in Go Wild! Wear practice attire. Alexa and Honeybees Manager Ashley Deaton will work together to create a new rehearsal look for the 2013-2014 season.

Alexa was selected over a two month process with over 165 applicants taking part. Applicant criteria included women over the age of 18 residing in the United States or Canada who are currently or have at one time performed on a collegiate, semi-pro or professional performance team, typically athletic organizations and educational institutions. Applicants hailed from numerous states and leagues.

In round one, the public voted based soley on applicant photos, narrowing the pool to 60 Semifinalist candidates. In round two, Semifinalist photos and applications were presented to a panel of AKD Celebrity Judges including producers of sports entertainment, reality television, film, modeling, pageantry, fitness and professional cheerleading. These judges selected 30 Finalists to advance to the Video Round. In this round, candidates submitted short personal statements by video, which again were viewed by the judging panel. After much deliberation, the National Top Ten Winners were introduced, leading to the announcement of the 2013 AKD Sports Model Search Winner!

"I was won over by Alexa's energy and charisma. She has a defined style that's really appealing. Alexa will represent the AKD line beautifully," said AKD Sports Model Search Judge Fred Gaudelli, Producer of NBC Sunday Night Football and multiple Super Bowls.

AKD Founder and President Angela King-Twitero remarked about the 2013 contestants, "I am impressed beyond words. The strength of talent and intelligence, in combination with beauty, is rather amazing. The cheerleading world needs to take notice! This industry is made of high achievers! Thank you all for being role models and caring about the legacy you are creating."

Congratulations once again to winner Alexa Kobylarz! YOU are the 2013 Face of Angela King Designs!

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Visit the Model Search Website

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