When Beauties Meet the Battleship USS Iowa – Veteran Couture by Carolina Hernandez By Arturo Garcia-Ayala
When Beauties Meet the Battleship USS Iowa – Veteran Couture by Carolina Hernandez
By Arturo Garcia-Ayala
A fashion designer exhibited her new collection at a Veterans Day celebration along the Battleship Iowa.
Haemy Chung, displaying a shimmering purple gown resembling an iridescent cosmic nebula — a birthplace of stars.
A day of ceremony, cheering and gratitude for generations of U.S. military veterans. From a widewaging presence of blue cavalry hats, white sailor caps and green jackets seasoned with personal decorations was further enhanced by the presence of four fashion models in designer outfits.
Nataliya Katsalap, modeling a sparkling burgundy gown perfect for a gala event or a night at the opera.
Carolina Hernandez is a fashion designer and U.S. Navy reservist whose brand Veteran Couture Inc. reflects the swirling duality of military analytical and the creativity of the fashion world.
Shuuderheen, the dual reigning Miss Mongolia 2021 and Miss USA Asia 2021 radiating in the sun wearing Carolina Hernandez’s gown in two toned teal with golden hints.
“This is my way of showing my appreciation by bringing something elegant, something shimmering — a pop of color to embellish the ship,” said fashion designer Carolina Hernandez.
Many veterans in attendance including the ceremonial color guards in their formal service uniforms posed for pictures next to the four models. Eventually, a firing squad of cellphone cameras from family members gathered to capture the mingled moment during the speeches from the main stage. After every picture, the models would sincerely thank the veterans for their service.
Fiona Huang, displaying a shimmering cool silver skirt with the fabric manipulated to contour to her silhouette to bring out her exuberant, energy transforming the sparkling garment into a living outfit.
Carolina’s new collection is labeled as Luminous Boutique which is an arrangement of two-tone shimmering gowns inspired by outfits from the Victorian-era modernized with shorter skirt lines and brighter colors of Mexican influence.
Carolina Hernandez is the founder and C.E.O. of Veteran Couture Inc. you can follow her Instagram @veterancouture
Fiona Huang is a model and nursing student, you can follow her Instagram @fionayy23
Haemy Chung is an experimental artist, you can follow her Instagram @haemyc_creative
Nataliya Katsalap is a model, actress and Miss Ukraine 2021, you call follow her on Instagram @sunmoon_fire
Shuuderheen is a model, actress, Miss Mongolia 2021 and the newly crowned Miss Asia USA 2021, you can follow her on Instagram @shuuderheen
Arturo Garcia-Ayala is originally from San Diego. He served in the U.S. Army for six years as an Infantryman, being deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Currently, he works as a freelance photojournalist for various media organizations in the Los Angeles Harbor Area and as an event photographer for private events and commissions. Winner of the 2019 Point Fermin Lighthouse Photo Contest in the category of "Lighthouse and Ocean." A proud member of the San Pedro Photographers Association.
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