Bring Out the Child in You

La Casita de Wendy. So inspired by this clothing line I find it to be simple and it brings the remembrance of being young.

Website: lacasitadewendyshop.com

Love is a Battle-Field

My friend Katie designed an outfit that I modeled for her. The whole concept was to design and outfit around a particular song and their outfit had to be remade from clothes chosen out from the thrift store St. Vincent De Paul. The final product that Katie made came out GREAT, she did a fabulous job capturing the whole concept of Love is Battle-Field. I was so thrilled to be able to model for her.

Zipper Skirts

gotta love those zippers (please don’t actually unzip them though)

GET THIS LOOK

skirt $995 - justoneeye.com

Sewing Class: Pencil Skirt

This is my skirt the first finished item made in my sewing class.  Over all I am happy with the turn out of the skirt but the only down side is it had to be made out of muslin because we are just learning the basics of making clothes for this class. 

Front of the Skirt (need to be ironed)

Back 

Outfit of the Day

OUTFIT OF THE DAY

I wore a high waisted black knitted skirt with a very light pink lace shirt over a white camisole. For my accessories I wanted to make sure that they were also muted colors but a bit brighter so I paired a belt that mostly incorporated all the colors that appeared in my outfit around my waist. My shoes were closed toed wedges in order to balance the length of the skirt so I didn’t appear short since the skirt hits mid calf. 

Fabulous Shoes

These shoes are fabulous with the fine detail crochet fabric used down to the wood heel! So fresh for spring and summer. They would be great to add to anyones closet because they can easily be matched with any outfit with the neutral tones of the shoes. 

Shoes: Hinge $99.95 - nordstorm.com

Studio Visit to Designer Lindsey Luisgnolo

Studio Visit: Designer Lindsey Luisgnolo 

Background Information: Lindsey graduated from CCM at the University of Cincinnati for theater and right after attended and graduated from DAAP at the University of Cincinnati for fashion design. She showed her collection from graduation at DAAP at Cinci Fashion Week. The feedback was big and lead to her being able to start her own business in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Designs: Custom Couture Bridal and Evening Wear

Lindsey showing her dress she made that was featured on the cover of the magazine Venue 

Advice from Lindsey 

Lindsey big advice was to “diversify your co-ops.” Also to try and interview everyone you work with, this is a good way to get your name in and also learn the ins and outs of the fashion business. She recommended making a blog or thought leader because it shows how you think and really can help make clients feel involved along the process of their outfit (it's important to make the client feel they are this great experience with you). This is good to show when applying for jobs for the companies to see your creative process or get to know you a bit better.

            Figuring out who your clientele is very important. Lindsey’s big market is 35 + for socialites and also a younger market where she makes them cocktail dress. She begins the process of making these custom made dresses by sketching out a dress based on the client’s personality, wants and needs. Once she knows the dress she is going to make it goes into muslin production and pattern. She uses the couture method which is detailing by hand and than run through a sewing machine. An eveningwear can range anywhere from $2,000-4,000 and a cocktail dresses range from $1,200. All of Lindsey’s fabric is 100% silk and all comes from Italy and France. To further the experience for the client Lindsey even helps style and fit them. Lindsey’s great way of running her business as lead her work appearing on the cover of Venue Magazine. This sure is one designer who is going to keep on growing.

Bicycle Shorts Please

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” 
― Anaïs Nin 

I was reading a Nylon magazine while at friends house when I came upon this ad that SO captured my eye. Who knew bicycle shorts could be so cute. I am in love with these VPL bicycle shorts and want a pair myself!

Easter Colors

Artist: Jean-Honore Fragonard

Title: The Swing 

Date: 1766

Medium: Oil on canvas 

Learned out this photo in Art History and fell in love with the painting as soon as I saw it. At the time this picture was painted it was considered a big scandal because it was very sexual. Occurring in the painting is a young noble man getting a view up the woman’s dress who is being pushed on the swing by her priest lover. 

The colors of The Swing are just memorizing. Here is an advertisement on the Stella McCartney’s website right now advertising their new summer 2012 line using a similar color platte for the background. 

EASTER

Happy Easter! I knew right away today I was going to wear a dress with floral print. I paired my dress with one of my favorite pairs of heels by Vera Wang and threw on a blazer. 

GET THIS LOOK

dress $302.59 - uc.asos.com

blazer $59.99 - piperlime.com

shoes $295 - shopbop.com

Arch Ways and Pleated Skirts

Took a walk with one of my friends where we came upon a house with a random stone arch on the side of it. So I needed to pose and take a picture by it of course. I loved the contrast of my shirt in the photo. I got it at Forever21 a couple of years ago when they had the twelve by twelve brand which was a line that had a vintage style to it. 

Pleated Skirts

Pleated Skirts! Absolutely love them I’ve seen so many people already wearing them this spring. Owning one is defiantly a must. 

Skirt: Kate Spade New York $368 - nordstorms.com

Late Night Jewelry

I had the urge the other night to make something before bed real quick. I just found some of my random beads and pieces to put the necklace together. It probably only took me 30 minutes to do. This isn't a very good picture though of the necklace since I took it with my phone. I'll probably re-take a photo of it later so the lighting is better and the details.

This is a really simple necklace just made up by vintage Vera scarfs. And it is finally a way for my scraps of fabric to come in good use. I am defiantly going to make one of these necklaces.

Nick Cave Fine Arts Artist

Exhibition: Nick Cave: Meet Me at the Center of the Earth 

Background Information: Nick Cave grew up Missouri in a struggling single parent where he would retransform his hand me downs from his brothers. He attended college at The Kanas City Art Institute in 1982 and during the summer would train as a dancer at Alvin Ailey. Upon graduating college Nick was offered a job for five years at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago. After Nick and his friend made limited editions clothing for ten years. Nick ended up going back to School of the Art Institute in Chicago to be the director of the graduate fashion program where he still is currently working today. 

Inspiration: Nick Cave’s work is inspired by the event of the high-speed chase and beating of the Rodney King. Nick looked at himself and realized that this could happen to him because he is African American. His looks are about identity, disguising himself in works that if you put it on you wouldn’t know who he is. Being raised in home that struggled Nick didn’t have enough money to by materials for his art so he would reuse materials. This is where the use of castoffs in Nick Cave’s work comes from. Nick’s work ranges from being eight to ten feet high and he uses a lot of different materials consisting of sequins, glitter, buttons and hair extensions (he doesn’t hand dye them). He does a lot of layering of different pieces to bring all these different cultures and countries together.

Made with Hair Extensions

Spring Break

Recently went to Florida with a friend of mine that goes to school with me. The weather was BEAUTIFUL. While there we just did a lot of relaxing by reading and of course shopping. Summer just needs to get here.

I highly recommend buying Alexander McQueen’s book “Savage Beauty.” It’s a wonderful gift I received from the holidays and I’m always still constantly looking at. It contains pictures of his work and quotes that are just captivating.

It's Spring Time

Ah, it’s already SPRING! If you’re looking for some spring flare Madewell’s spring collection is great. These are just a few of my favorite looks I’ve found on their site. Be sure to check out more looks atwww.madewell.com 

What's the Weather like Today?

It was finally a nice day outside today! So, my friend Chelsi and me went around taking photos. This is one of the final photos that came out that Chelsi took of me. Just amazing!

The weather was a bit chilly yesterday and I didn’t want to wear a jacket. So, I was in need of wearing a sweater. I decided to wear my English flag sweater that I so happen to get when I was in England. 

Ocean Trend's

Work it girls! A big trend in fashion right now is ocean theme and I’m so in love with it! 

Paco Rabanne 2012

Alexander McQueen 2012

This is a piece of art work I did just last year because I love the ocean and sea creatures. 

 

Title: King Titian’s Beard

Material: Wool rovings that are felted, wire and beads

Model: Devin Owsley-Aquilia 

I really enjoyed making this necklace. It took a long time to make because of all the detailed beading but it was well worth it. 

Mad Men Hair

This weekend I attended a Mad Men event and had no idea how I was going to style my hair. I was luckily able to have my good friend whose currently attending Aveda Cosmetology School do my hair. It turned out fabulous. These are a few pictures of my hair so you can get an idea. (excuse me for the bottom pictures I was in the middle of brushing my teeth) 

Sebastiaan Bremer Photographer

Sebastiaan Bremer is a wonderful photographer. His works seem very personal and his photos are very experimental. Be sure to check out some of his other works sebastiaanbremer.com

Macy's Fashion Show for School

Last week I attended a fashion show at school from Macy’s. The presentation was to show how to dress successful to land a job. I really liked the outfit presented here, especially the pants. They were great fitting with a slit high rise and flare. Overall I was not very impressed with the presentation of clothes shown because they were not anything special or eye catching. But they did fit the criteria of being clean cut and professional. 

I happened to run into my friend Anna after the fashion show. She is in fashion design with me. Her outfit had a great 70’s vibe to it which was created by her corduroy floral print skirt. The accessories really pushed her outfit further by having a tan influences of color and the fabulous touch of wooden earrings. 

“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”

— Coco Chanel