American Boutiques LA Hosting Fashion Show Featuring The Collections of 20 Teen Designers

Online, March 18, 2010 (Newswire.com) - American Boutiques LA, a clothing store in the Burbank Media City Center Mall, is hosting a major fashion show this upcoming Saturday, March 20th, to kick off its Spring drive in honor of its unique young designers' program, The Fashion Incubator. The show will feature the original designs of over 20 teen and young adult designers who have worked with the program that is set up to help troubled area teens and others use their creative talents while developing the tools and skills necessary to go on and make a career in the fashion and clothing industry.

The Fashion Incubator, sponsored by American Boutiques LA, is in the process of wrapping up its official non-profit status and is a stand-alone entity. Its relationship to American Boutiques LA is one based on mentorship and providing an outlet for the young designers to have a place to sell their merchandise outside of their schools and friendship circles. American Boutiques LA and The Fashion Incubator, are the brainchild of the store's owner and the organization's Executive Director, Glow Rivera, who is a fashion designer herself.

"I have always enjoyed working with young people," Rivera said. "And I got this idea of how I could combine my love for fashion and my store, with a way to help young people, especially troubled teens, find an outlet for their energies and creativity. And that's how The Fashion Incubator was born."

The goal, according to Rivera, is for the teens and young adults in the program, who come from all over the Valley, is to gain confidence in themselves while learning a skill that could lead them to being their own fashion designers and owning their own stores one day. American Boutiques LA provides everything the young designers need, from the materials, to the inks, to the design help, to the computers and equipment. There are no fees for participating. Designers do agree to pay back the store with a small percentage from any sales they make to their friends and other customers.

"That is one of the reasons for this upcoming fashion show," added Rivera. "Since we don't ask the kids for money, we are hoping to raise money from the show that will allow us to provide materials and other items we need to keep the program going and to expand, buy more and better equipment."

The Fashion Incubator has already seen great success with its program. Rivera recounts many examples of kids who have been in trouble elsewhere and at school, who have found the program and who have been able to find success with their designs, giving them a sense of confidence for the first time for many, and proving to them that they can make it while being productive citizens. And even surprising to her is the level of talent that many of these young people bring, creating designs that are truly interesting and exciting.

"Who knows better than them what young people want to wear," she asked.

American Boutiques LA and The Fashion Incubator are located on the third floor of the Burbank Mall and the fashion show will take place in the store itself this Saturday. The event begins at 3 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m. The Burbank Mall is located at 201 E. Magnolia Blvd.

For more information contact Glow Rivera at 818.563.4230.