Live your True Life by Ashley Berges

Dabbling with writings in philosophy, poetry and scribbles on social values since her elementary and middle school years, and standing out as a strong debater in high school and as a Hugh O’Brian youth leader after that, Ashley Berges has turned every experience in her life into a building block that shaped her into a seasoned modern times philosopher with a mission. Her mission – guiding people along the path of self discovery and social survival. Her tool – practical philosophy.
 
The name “practical Philosophy” is Ashley’s own depiction of her sensible yet inspiring brand of social principles, all revealed in her newly released book “Live Your True Life”, and summed up in three words – Truth, individuality and presence.
 
Meet Ashley in person, and you’ll see her philosophy come to life. Ashley Berges is a happy, outgoing woman who exudes confidence. Trust the ice to break seconds into your first encounter with her, and if you’re even slightly open to new personal connections,  know that you’ll walk away from your encounter with a tiny seed of a promising friendship in your pocket.
 
Capturing the essence of Ashley’s vibrant yet temperate character for her latest book launch campaign was a photographer no less intense and passionate himself. Fashion and celebrity photographer, William Bichara of Dallas, has recently photographed Ashley Berges and produced portraits most reflective of Ashley’s depth and spirit. Known and valued for the deep connections that he so quickly and effortlessly forges with his clients, William sought to know and deeply appreciate Ashley’s character and philosophy prior to their photography project. The result was an image so captivating and so telling of Ashley Berges’s depth and style that in itself spoke volumes of who she is and what she stands for.
 
William Bichara has a distinctive talent at delving into the depths of his subjects and bringing to life their innermost self. On top of being glamorous and enchanting, his end photographs are tasteful and true to character. Every client, artist or otherwise, who has booked William Bichara Photography to capture his or her personal images has been nothing less than overly pleased by the experience of working with William the person, and enjoying the product of William the photographer. The lasting working relationships and often personal friendships that are forged by fashion and celebrity photographer William Bichara with every new booking, make him one of the most unique and sought after photographers in Dallas.
 

Lina Bichara

The Beautiful Bailey

I had the pleasure to capture some amazing pictures of the beautiful 5'10" model Bailey, who has been working extensively in Milan and Germany as well as Dallas and NY. We shot many rolls, and when looking at them, Bailey actually delivered lots of charm in front of my lens in every single exposure.

Stylist: Candy Eye
Hair: Ali Hasan
Make-Up: Shilpa Koshy
Model: Bailey

The young, handsome American Tenor

The most handsome tenor of this age: JAMES VALENTI, photographed by William Bichara

"appears like model, but on top of that sings wonderfully well..."

Dallas' Rising Star Designer....PRASHE!

Dallas' Rising Star Designer....PRASHE!

OK Fashionistas if you missed the Prashe fashion show last night produced by Jan Strimple here is a brief rundown of the festivities of the magical evening!

The Red Carpet lead you into the modern warehouse where the event was held at the Dallas Contemporary in the Design District in Dallas! Luxurious white sheer drapery and red lighting were surrounding the venue. Hostesses Fashionista’s Heidi Dillon and Terri Provencal of Provencal Consulting wore beautiful saris designed by Prashe.

First down the runway was Prashi’s Society Language collection. Boho chic silhouettes, bold patterns, and silk charmeuse which brought together a collection of fabulous frocks, tops, and skirts designed with ethnic embellishments such as tone-on-tone embroidery and beading. Indian American designer, Prashi Shah created the line to encourage American women to try fashion influences from other cultures. Combining elements from her original couture label with Society Language allows all women to experience the beauty of Indian designs without being intimidated. You could wear this line more everyday. She says, “Diversity cultivates fashion! “.

Next down the runway was her eclectic elegant yet steeped in tradition collection, Prashe, which features hand-embroidery and unique adornments like Swarovski crystals and Indian Zari work on fine silks, brocades and tulle. Prashe is the brand which earned designer Prashi Shah the Fashion Group International Fashion Design Award. Prashe is the leading couturier Indian women seek for their most special occasions but appeals to women of every culture. The line includes a children and bridal collection along with party wear.

The grand finale came when four men carried out a carriage with a beautiful women dressed in a sari down the runway, adorable little girls wearing her designs, a sari clad woman in green with a parrot on her shoulder and finally Prashi Shah herself.
Oh and did you want to know what was in the “SWAGG” Bag??? First of all it was a beautiful hand made bag all of different patterns with a sheer pink ribbon, very cute! My favorites in the bag were the Kiehl products and best of all was a beautiful gold Prashe Indian bracelet with beautiful stones of red and green, I‘m wearing it now!


By: Elizabeth Humphreys for SWAGG Magazine Dallas


Designer of Prashe

Great show! Well Done!

Visit The Prashe Showroom at 13645 Welch Rd, Dallas
972-980-4438

SPECIAL THANKS TO SWAGG'S WONDERFUL AND TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHER FRIENDS:

WILLIAM BICHARA OF http://www.williambichara.com/
&
QG CONG OF http://www.qccongphotography.net/

Endorsements

"With the masses having access to high tech cameras and even cameras on cell phones, the title 'photographer' seems to have been diluted in the world of art. As a recording artist and model, I have the great opportunity to work with photographers all around the world. But the tastefulness and elegance that your work exudes will always make you my favorite. When I look at your archives, I am always moved to want to know more about the person you photographed. I think that is what makes your work so distinctive. Your photos stir the emotions and make the viewer want to take action in some way. When we look at your art, we are not just looking at a photo. We are seeing it. I feel that I get to experience a glimmer of the subject's soul when I look at your work. Whether it is the beauty in the delicate lines and battle wounds from a gentleman's face or the simple glow of a woman's body, you are able to translate your perception of beauty into an image. Today, a beautiful picture is just not enough and I love that you really believe that. Your portraits capture intensity, grace, elegance, strength and beauty into timeless images. Ansel Adams said that there are always two people in every photo; the photographer and the viewer. I'm so honored to have had the opportunity to work with such a gifted photographer.

Thank you for embracing all of the challenges and sharing your creativity and passion with the world. " -Mina Chang, Artist, Model

Endorsements

"Why does a photograph have such a powerful effect on our emotions? We can be transported thru an image into our imaginations to stories that convey deep messages of happiness, sadness, triumphs, or distant lands or even the exotic, grotesque, and the all too expected simple beauty.

William Bichara's photographs wonderfully capture emotion, and you cannot help but wonder: what is on his mind when he looks thru his lens? What takes over his thoughts and grabs his spirit to press away at the shutter? There is no doubt that his sentiment is portrayed and his message is clear.

All photography captures a moment, but Bichara not only captures moments but the spirit of the subjects he photographs, it may be a living or a still life, but it becomes emotional and thus we become a part of his subjects.

I had the privilege of being captured by his keen eye and sensibility with his camera. The truth is that it was a photo session with no aesthetic direction except a beautiful, Indian saree that I wore. It was simply the mood and romance of the moment that was to be photographed. I was just the carrier of that mood. He was briefed on the sentiment , and he captured what he felt and his reaction of those feelings. The results are stunning, poetic, and beautiful. The story is told, and once again without fail the emotions are conveyed. Bichara proves to be an artist and his medium: the camera." Leticia Alaniz, Actor, Writer, Photographer

Nhã Khanh Fall 2011 Fashion Show Photographed by William Bichara of Dallas

Founded by Khanh Nguyen and featured in some of Dallas’s top magazines such as Dallas Morning News, Modern Luxury of Dallas and Houston, La Mode magazine, D magazine, Grand Luxe, and several others, Nhã Khanh focuses on women’s wear that is inspired by three main driving elements - art, architecture and nature.

Now, Nhã Khanh in its current state is a collaboration between two talents. That of its founder and head designer Khan Nguyen whose feminine, elegant and fluid style shapes the Nhã Khanh apparel designs, and its Creative Director Nini Nguyen with her natural talent at putting together bold and edgy pieces that best fit and enhance a woman’s appearance. The partnership between the two started when Nini, a big fan of Khan’s work at the time, reached out to Khan to design Nini’s wedding gown.

As best told in Nhã Khanh’s very own home site “Nhã, in Vietnamese, is a feminine word implying light and delightful while the name Khanh means success and victory. The simple concept of opposites attracting creates a balance of unison, while the words fused together allow both worlds to collide and coexist in harmony. This is the fundamental philosophy and creative driving force behind the Nhã Khanh label”.



On March 25 at the fabulous Hall of State in Dallas Texas, Nhã Khanh held its Fall 2011 fashion show. The buzz as summed up by Dallas Modern Luxury Magazine, is that the collection inspired by Josephine Baker “oozed with sultriness and sophistication”.

Capturing all this glamour at the Hall of State was portrait and fashion photographer William Bichara of Dallas, Texas. Having photographed countless fashion shows and runway events, William’s coverage of the Nhã Khanh’s fall 2011 fashion show was naturally flawless. With striking images capturing the sensuousness of the designs against the grandness of the setting, William has yet again wonderfully captured lasting images of a unique and fascinating fashion experience.

William’s distinctive talent at producing impeccable images of designs as they breeze through the runway is unmatched in the Dallas fashion landscape. On top of being rich and breathtaking, his end photographs are true to the designer’s fashion pieces in form and color down to the smallest detail. Every designer who has booked William Bichara Photography to capture their designs, either on the runway or on set has been nothing less than overly pleased by the experience of working with William the person, and enjoying the product of William the photographer. The lasting working relationships and often personal friendships that are forged by fashion photographer William Bichara with every new booking, make him one the most unique and sought after fashion photographers in Dallas.

Sutra Indian Restaurant in Plano Photographed by William Bichara

Situated in the heart of Shops at Legacy in Plano, next door to Sambuca and only steps away from the Angelika Film Center, Sutra is a newly opened restaurant featuring modern Indian cuisine. With this new addition to the Dallas hot restaurant scene, former Hyderabad-born Samar chef Vijay Sadhu goes solo.



Designed by Robert Romano, Sutra features an open kitchen with a full view of the Tandoori Master preparing kabobs and fresh naan. It’s ambiance is warm and inviting, and décor is modern with Indian accents. Differentiating Sutra from most Dallas Indian restaurants is an active bar scene with exotic cocktails prepared with an Indian twist and house specials such as Sutra, Jaipur and Tamarind Margarita. Some of Sutra’s most mouthwatering dishes include goan scallops cooked in coconut and tamarind kari sauce, onion seed tandoori prawn and Punjabi chicken masala.



Short of capturing the inviting aroma of Indian spices and sandalwood, photographer William Bichara of Frisco has captured the originality of everything Sutra – its distinguished chef, its cozy atmosphere, it’s appetizing dishes and much more. Guilty of being a gourmet food enthusiast himself and having shot some of Dallas’s most celebrated chefs like Stephen Pyles of Samar, John Tesar of The Commissary and others, William was an obvious choice by Vijay Sadhu for a most alluring portrayal of his new venture into the Dallas restaurant scene.



William's photographs of Sutra are now featured on the restaurant’s new website and take-away menu. If you’re ready for the sinful temptations of wonderfully captured gourmet Indian dishes, sneak a peek at William’s photographs of Sutra Restaurant.

Now, if your mouth is watering and all you can think about are these tandoori sauce smothered prawns , you’ll know who to book for your next photography needs.