Houston Philanthropist Jo Furr Sparkled in Jonathan Blake Rose Gown at Houston Ballet Ball

Many entry level fashion designers recognize that they might not sell even one piece from their first collection, but such is not the case for Jonathan Tinkle, 22, founder and chief fashion designer of Houston-based Jonathan Blake LLC.

Tinkle, who was 21 at the time he launched his 2013 Spring/Summer Bella Donna Collection in Houston last October, ended his first runway fashion show with a stunning "Rose Gown" worn by Miss Texas 2012 Brittany Booker. The Jonathan Blake Rose Gown named for Tinkle's maternal grandmother, Rose McCreery, and Jonathan's younger sister Amanda Rose Tinkle as originally designed is made of 50 yards of red silk.

The Jonathan Blake Rose Gown captured extra special attention from Mary Jo "Jo" Furr, who was one of approximately 325 guests at the invitation-only fashion show in Houston. Jo's husband, Jim Furr, accompanied her to a Jonathan Blake trunk show a few weeks later where Jim encouraged Jo to try on the Rose Gown. Made as a sample in size 2, the gown fit Jo so well that it appeared to be "made for her" and Jim ordered it on the spot. Jo then requested that the gown be made with a slightly shorter train to facilitate wearing at The Houston Ballet Ball on Feb. 16, which coincided with her birthday. The Furrs, long-time supporters of The Houston Ballet, have chaired The Ballet Ball in past years and contribute to many other charitable causes in the greater Houston area.

"Wearing Jonathan's premier 'Rose Gown' to The Ballet Ball felt almost magical. As soon as I exited the elevator into the beautifully decorated Wortham Theatre foyer in downtown Houston, I began to receive lovely compliments, such as 'Your gown is truly elegant and a classic design.' In fact, the magic began on the Saturday morning before The Ballet Ball when a florist arrived with a dozen magnificent very long-stemmed Ecuadorian red roses from Jonathan, wishing me a Happy Birthday and thanking me for choosing his Rose Gown. Plus, the fact that my sweet husband, Jim, had bought this gorgeous gown for me to wear on my birthday to The Ballet Ball made the evening all the more special," explained Jo Furr.

Molly Glentzer, in her column "Houston Ballet Ball Was a Designer-Dress Dream" published Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013, in The Houston Chronicle, wrote: "Jo Furr rocked a red strapless gown by young Houston designer Jonathan Blake...."

Tinkle is somewhat in awe of the fact that anyone chose to buy his Red Carpet-caliber Rose Gown, saying: "I just created it to make a statement, to show the level of design I was capable of. I honestly never expected anyone to actually want to BUY it! I am thrilled and thankful that Mrs. Furr and so many others like it."

The Jonathan Blake Rose Gown has been so well received that media outlets such as Culture Map, Houston Modern Luxury Magazine, Hum Magazine and The Chic Sheet fashion blog, among others, have featured it in their fashion coverage.

"I have gotten so much positive feedback on the Rose Gown and so much encouragement about offering it in white and cream as a bridal gown that I am open to accepting inquiries and orders from brides. I have also gotten requests to offer the Rose Gown in black and navy," Tinkle explained.

Complimentary consultations related to Jonathan Blake's Rose Gown and other items in his Spring/Summer Collection are available via info@jonathanblake.net. The Jonathan Blake Fall Collection is in development and will be featured at a runway fashion show in Houston on Wednesday, April 24.

For more information, please see www.jonathanblake.net.