LOCAL Houston | The City Guide November 2017 | Page 57

FOOD | ARTS | COMMUNITY | STYLE+LEISURE
THE PROFESSOR IS IN (STYLE)
A CRASH COURSE ON ANDREA BONNER
Where are you from and what brought you to Houston?
I’m originally from the small town of Floydada, Texas (I know – you’ve
never heard of it) in the Texas Panhandle. I used to spend every summer in
Houston with family, so when I graduated from college (University of North
Texas), I moved here permanently. I love home, but unless I planned on
being a farmer, there really was no career path for me there. Who are the designers that influence you?
Diane Von Furstenberg, because I think the wrap dress was one of the single
most important inventions in the world of fashion. I collect vintage DVF wrap
dresses and what I love about them is that women of all sizes and shapes
look good in them. Diane has also lived her life with passion and intent,
which I admire.
When did you discover you had a passion for fashion?
I’ve loved fashion for as long as I can remember. My first magazine subscrip-
tion as a teenager was to Seventeen, where I would comb through and tab
all of the clothes that I loved. I would also look at the celebrities in Ebony
magazine, as they were glamorous representations of what I wanted to look
like. I got to do my back-to-school shopping in Houston at stores like Joske’s
and Craig’s, so I developed a love for really well made and unique clothes/
design. Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld – I say them together because she was
not only a trailblazer in the world of fashion, but I admire her strength and
independence, and Karl, because he continues to keep the house of Chanel
current, yet has stayed true to the brand’s aesthetic.
How did your career path bring you to your current position?
Growing up, although it wasn’t discouraged, having a career in fashion
wasn’t really discussed. So, I majored in business in college and worked for
the majority of my career in healthcare sales, marketing and PR. I always
longed to do “something” in fashion, so while I was in between jobs about
10 years ago (and after much prayer and planning), I started my own per-
sonal shopping/styling company, Style on Demand. I also began working at
J. Landa jewelry in Rice Village as a part-time Assistant Manager to gain addi-
tional experience in the retail industry. I joined Fashion Group International,
a professional organization for members of the fashion, home and beauty
professions. FGI gave me exposure to fashion professionals working locally
and around the world. What do you think is the most important thing you can teach your
students?
I think the single most important thing that I can teach my students is to
have a strong work ethic, regardless of the task at hand. People will always
recognize and respect that in you.
In 2012, I began teaching as an Adjunct Professor at Houston Community
College in the Fashion Design and Merchandising Department and in 2016,
became a full-time. I now serve as the Program Coordinator over Fashion
Merchandising. I absolutely love our students and think that HCC has a stellar
fashion program (shameless plug…) that can compete with other better
known schools across the country.
By Tim Moloney
I’m also inspired by many of Houston’s up-and-coming designers – 86&90,
Chester Paul Roberts and Deanna Laster, to name a few – who are all fresh
and innovative in their design approach.
A strong second: Always look the part…because you never get a second
chance to make a good first impression.
How would you describe your fashion sensibility?
Complex yet also measured, just like me. I love a sporty look such as Adidas
track pants and a cool t-shirt, but I also love dresses (I wear dresses over
slim-legged pants a lot) and eclectic pieces such as caftans and statement
jewelry. Classic, but always with a twist.
Biggest fashion regret?
Acid washed overalls from the 90’s. Somehow pictures of me in them keep
resurfacing on social media when I thought I had destroyed them all!
| Photography by Jenn Duncan | Makeup by Raketta Emanuel
11 . 2017 | L O C A L
57