A Quick Forecast

As most designers will tell you, knowing what is going to be in style in future seasons is very important to the success of a line. In college we had access to WGSN, short for the World Global Style Network, which basically forecasts everything- colors, silhouettes, fabrics, prints, accessories, etc. Since graduating I've still, by some miraculous gift from the gods, been able to access WGSN which is infinitely priceless because I've been able to accurately forecast all of the above things for my Spring/ Summer 2012 capsule collection. The silhouettes have been finalized, as of about 15 minutes ago, and now it's just a matter of finalizing the colors and fabrics. My color palette is based off of Rihanna's Only Girl (In the World) video with what I like to call electric pastels.



I knew I wanted to use these colors early on and the forecasting confirmed they would work out. Now it was just a matter of figuring out which prints and fabrications to use. Luckily for me florals, vintage prints, stripes and all things kitschy are on trend for Spring/ Summer 2012. So immediately I started scouring Etsy for a little inspiration and I found some amazing stuff. We'll see what makes the final cut but I think this is an amazing start! Happy 4th of July!

From top to bottom: Screen Printed Vintage Silk from EmilyMe, $55; Blue Floral Linen from admiredhistory, $23; Purple Floral from LittleCabinVintage, $14.50; Pink and Orange Floral Knit from thriftypyg, $15.

Top Crop

I think we've seen that all my favorite trends are inspired by all things retro and this one is no exception.  Crop tops first became popular in the 1960s during the Free Love movement and again during the 1990s with, I guess, the Baywatch movement? As of recently I've been attracted to almost any and all crop tops I set my eyes on, just like I tend to fall in love with a good pair of short shorts.  But I digress. I've picked out, as always my favorite crop tops for this summer.

 From top to bottom: Sleeveless Scoop Neck Polka Dot Printed Scalloped Tiered Tank by American Rag, $39; Georgie Cotton Top by French Connection, $138; Sweater Crop Top by RACHEL Rachel Roy, $59.

A City Made Prominent By This Medieval University

WHAT IS OXFORD?! And you know what Alex Trebek would say? Chelsea, that is correct.

There is something both feminine and masculine about oxfords that I adore. The shoes that is. Now, I have no idea what the difference between oxfords and saddle shoes are but I, personally, think they're all the same so please bare with me shoe aficionados, this is just a fashion blog.

My obsession with oxfords began a few days after I moved to New York City when my friend Olivia's sister Amanda took me with her to Garden State Plaza in New Jersey and we walked into an Aldo. I had always thought Aldo was kind of a joke but they really do have amazing shoes and their ad campaign is shot by Terry Richardson, who is by far my favorite fashion photographer.

Basically I bought myself a pair of simple black matte oxfords that I wore until the heels and soles were falling off. In April, my Mom came to visit and bought me a brand new pair of shiny black oxfords from Nine West which I have already worn out in the three months I've owned them. The time has come for me to purchase new oxfords and while I feel like I should just go to Soho and get a crappy $25 pair since I know how fast I'll tear through them, I can't help but fall in love with the Bass Loves Rachel Antonoff collaboration. Here are my favorites for you to enjoy as much as I did!

From top to bottom: Lady in Cream/ Black, $109; Alice in Navy, $129; and Odette in Cream/ Red, $109.

It's Not Cuffing Season Anymore!

Which means that us girls have to look cute everyday because of all the dates we're going on! (As a side note I've learned a couple things since moving to New York: 1) East Coast slang is about 1 year ahead of West Coast slang and 2) women need to look cute everyday, in my opinion, because the women to men ratio here is about 2:1, meaning twice as much competition!) Cuffing season can be defined as the period of time during the Fall and Winter months when one is in a relationship and/or "handcuffed," just so you know.

One good thing about working at Macy's is that I am constantly surrounded by fashion. It's not uncommon to catch me on a twenty minute break shopping the second floor women's section with my partner in crime, Norah (visit her website while you're at it, she's an enormously talented graphic designer who will have a major hand in revamping this blog and my professional website). Here are just a handful of my favorite summer dresses from RACHEL Rachel Roy, BCBGeneration, and French Connection.

From left to right: Sleeveless Sashed Dress by RACHEL Rachel Roy, $109;
Ruffled Neckline Polka Dot Dress by BCBGeneration, $128; and Fast Anna Lace Dress by French Connection, $188.

I Heart New York

Moving to New York has by far been one of the best decisions of my life. I feel like I've spent the last 7 months (down to the day!) just trying to absorb this new life that I've created for myself, completely independent of my family. November to December was spent just adjusting to taking the bus or subway to and from New Jersey or Brooklyn into the city and adjusting to a new job and finding an apartment and furnishing said apartment. January to April was a lot of dating boys, a lot of drinking and no sleep!

Since this is, in fact, a blog about my fashion adventures, I'll just cut to the chase. I started my internship at Aviva Embroideries at the beginning of March and have since been working 35 hours a week at Macy's and 13 hours a week at Aviva- hence the no sleep. In the past, when I apply/pick internships, I tend to pick ones that are a little obscure so I make sure I learn something I would never learn in school. Alchemy Goods used recycled bike inner tubes to make messenger bags; Sheer Style did a lot of design, sourcing, and production for start-up design companies; and Crescent Down Works made down-filled outerwear. When I saw the ad for the internship at Aviva on Craigslist, it was no different. I soon found out at my interview that I would be helping to design swatches with beaded and sequin motifs, combined with fabric flowers to create pieces that would then be sent to designers to be chosen and used in their collections. In the nearly 3 months I've been there, two of my swatches have been chosen by Reem Acra and Monique Lhullier to be used in a future collection! (Pictures to come if I get permission.)

This past week, I made a very important decision in regards to working on my own line. For a long time I told myself that I wouldn't try promoting my own line until I had AT LEAST 5 years of real industry experience. Working at Macy's has made me want to break away from upper management authority a little and has made me realize that I'm only young once so why not just promote my own line while I'm young and crazy and can get away with it?! I even tried out for Project Runway last month at the open call here in New York! In light of recent events I've realized that while I may get distracted by a lot of things in this enormous city, I really came here to do one thing: advance my career in fashion. So I made a big decision last night that I plan to stick to: show my Spring/ Summer 2012 capsule collection during New York Fashion Week. NOW, an important thing to remember is that when I say "show my collection during NYFW", I am not under any sort of sick delusion that I will be showing at Lincoln Center alongside Anna Sui or Oscar de la Renta. I simply mean that I want to, either be involved in a fashion show with a number of different up-and-coming designers, or find a venue to have a viewing party during NYFW.

Since I wrote about my big plan on here, that means that you, my MANY (cough) followers, are now being held accountable to make sure that I follow through! I will update, step-by-step, my design process here (complete with pictures!) so no one can make a liar out of me!

And since my Blogger visits seem to get further and further apart, I will leave you with photos of a couple projects; an illustration of a blazer I recently designed and a little something I made for my Project Runway audition:

Stay tuned!

Band of Outsiders Spring Lookbook

Before the holidays, my Mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas. It took me a few days to come up with exactly what I wanted aside from her mailing me some of my stuff from home and then it came to me: a Polaroid camera. Since then I've been taking it with me every time I explore a new place in New York or go to one of my favorite places. But anyway, my obsession with Polaroids goes on and when I saw that the new Band of Outsiders lookbook, featuring Kirsten Dunst, was taken in Polaroids I got very excited. Two of my favorite things: fashion and film!

Sofia Coppola Inspires!

I realize it's been a while since I've posted anything about my fashion life but I'm back now and my new topic of inspiration is Sofia Coppola. Personally, I feel there are only a handful of directors that are completely hands on when they do a movie i.e. writing, producing, casting, directing, etc. Not only do I love the way her films portray young women and exactly how they feel, I especially love her distinct color palettes. Marie Antoinette is a perfect example of this:

As is The Virgin Suicides:

And with Lost in Translation:

Lately I've been obsessed with Sofia Coppola movies and the topic of distinct color palettes is particularly relevant to me right now because the Spring/Summer 2012 line I'm developing is going to have the strongest color palette I've ever worked with.

Pictures to come soon!

BLACK FRIDAY

My shift started at 5:45 this morning and there was always someone waiting in line to pay. Good for my paycheck, but bad for my sanity. And afterward, I headed to the Toys R Us in Time Square to pick up a gift, which also proved to be bad for my sanity. HOWEVER, I have never been happier to be in bed. 

With this post comes yet more belated pictures. But one of the more exciting moments of my life is presented below:

Picture it: Nordstrom. Downtown Seattle. October 15th, 2010. I had just finished interning at Crescent Down Works on Capitol Hill when I took the bus to meet my dear friend Alex, because we had plans to meet one of my very favorite designers, Betsey Johnson. We laughed, I cried (almost) and ended up getting her work phone number on the back of my business card.

BEST DAY EVER.

Farewell!

Hello faithful followers!

You may have noticed that I fell off the blogging radar for a hot second. Well, rest assured I'm back and ready to share my fashion favorites. The reason of my prolonged absence came for a number of reasons:

1) After graduation in September, I took a trip with my alma mater to New York City for a week in October.

2) Upon my arrival in New York City, I went to an interview I had previously set up with Macy's and got a permanent job in Men's Collections, on the spot.

3) After the New York trip, I spent the following two weeks buying suitcases, one-way plane tickets, and black clothing because:

I NOW LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY. 

Well actually, New Jersey for the time being but close enough for the purposes of working in New York.

Just a few highlights from the trip: I met Anna Sui and Robert Savage (Nanette Lepore's husband) and was in a photo in Women's Wear Daily for an article about the rally to Save the Garment Center.

And because I'm so behind on my Spring 2011 coverage, here are my final two favorites that got left behind in the whole picking-up-my-life-and-moving-across-the-country thing.

Betsey Johnson took my favorite theme of all time and went faux luxury with the gold accents and gaudy jewelry.

Christian Dior's John Galliano took that same favorite theme of mine and took it 1940's South Pacific goddess.

Enjoy!

Moschino May Be From Italy...

... But I want to run down the streets of Paris in nearly all the Moschino Spring/Summer 2011 collection! Moschino is known for being fun and flirty and I feel like this collection really represented so many parts of my design aesthetic: primary colors, polka dots, stripes, a-line skirts, and belts; it's like an amazing pin-up dream! Beloved pieces below!

A Sweet Melody

As a person with a lot of respect for "streetwear," Karmaloop is a website I go to often just to take a look around. On one of my many trips to this website I stumbled upon jewelry designer Melody Ehsani's work.  Most of her jewelry is made using laser cut plastic and Swarovski crystals and her inspiration seems to come from some pretty iconic imagery that maybe wasn't iconic, at least to me, until I saw it in jewelry form. As always, here are some of my favorites:

It's Smythe, Not Smith Dear.

Except in reality, or in this case at least, it really IS Smith. Paul Smith. Paul Smith Spring/Summer 2011 to be exact. Personally I'm a big fan of his menswear anyway because the tailoring is always perfect. And surprisingly his womens collection is more of the same. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw a menswear vest tailored romper/leotard combination on the runway (and when I say runway I mean the runway pictures from Style.com). Please, PLEASE enjoy some of my favorite looks below!

A Little Portfolio Teaser...

As graduation looms over my head with only 3 days to go, I've been putting the finishing touches on my portfolio and still have quite a few things left to do. One of the things I needed to do was make an "intro board" for my portfolio. Basically it is a concept board for what inspires me as a designer, not necessarily for any one particular collection and I wanted to share it below!

Anjelica the Muse

Watching Wes Anderson movies, in this case more specifically The Royal Tennenbaums, always makes me think of Anjelica Huston in her younger days running around modeling, acting as muse for designers Valentino and Halston and being photographed by the most iconic photographers of the seventies. She was discovered by Diana Vreeland and her career rose from there. Not many people knew she was a model before she was an actress and these pictures are too good to not show. Enjoy!

Clockwise from the top left: In Vogue 1972, with Halston in his studio, photographed by Gian Paolo Barbieri in Valentino and for Walter Albini, by Bob Richardson (Terry's Dad), and by Richard Avedon.

My Lookbook!

Sheer Style

I just finished my last day interning at Sheer Style yesterday and it is very bittersweet for me to leave there! It's a small design business based out of Seattle but we've had and have some high profile clients that we work with. I started there in April of this year and really learned a lot about the whole design and manufacturing process which I feel has given me enough knowledge to enter the fashion industry with confidence. My friend Shannon offered me the position and I am forever grateful because of everything I learned. But while I was there we were working with a brand called Society of LES and a vest that we (Shannon, Alyse and myself) worked on for them is in this month's issue of InStyle, something we were all very excited about and that I had to share with you! It's something I am VERY proud of so please enjoy!

The 3 RRR's

This past Friday was a culminating point in my fashion design existence; I had my very first photo shoot (EVER) and my senior collection was the subject at hand, plus a few garments that had never really been in front of the camera before. My FANTASTIC photographer AJ Ragasa does amazing work so I knew from the start it would be him to shoot my work. I also enlisted my equally talented friends Alexander Aesthetic and Jake Treat to do makeup and hair respectively, and the looks are modeled by Kaylee Petter and Christina Wu-Martin. The shoot took a little over 9 hours and I am so thankful for everyone there to help! This collection is designed for Spring/ Summer 2011 and I hope you enjoy seeing my work! (Please be aware that if you click on the photos below, they will become larger and clearer!)

This is the first delivery called Revelation. There is very little structure, lots of draped fabric and pastel colors.


The next delivery, Reformation, is all about illusions with fabric layering, cut-outs and bright colors matched with muted colors.


Revolution is all about the bright and metallic colors, structured silhouettes to the extreme with a serious Lady Gaga influence.

Pin THIS Up!

I know, I know. I am so clever with my post titles. In any case, pin-up retro fashion is officially back! Flipping through this month's issue of Vogue introduced me to the most amazing editorial I have ever seen! Titled "Sweater Girl", Grace Coddington was the fashion editor for this spread and her taste is impeccable. The styling perfectly replicates every photograph from the fifties EVER. Not really but you'll see what I mean:

Model: Lara Stone

Photographers: Mert and Marcus

Slick BP

So I don't know if you've heard but there was this big oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico a few months ago... just kidding of course we ALL know about the BP oil rig explosion which sparked a massive hemorrhage of oil that is basically going to kill the seafood industry in southeast America. In the August issue of Italian Vogue, Steven Meisel shot a 24 page spread of Kristen McMenamy as a wounded animal covered in oil. I feel like she interprets the effected animals really well and that this editorial was such an unexpected yet effective way to illustrate the effects of the Deepwater Horizon explosion. My favorite images are below:

Sevilla Squared

During spring break this year I took a really quick trip (like 6 full days quick!) to Spain and Morocco to visit my friend Sarah who was studying abroad in Cadiz. The first and last days of my trip were spent wandering about Sevilla and more specifically at Plaza de España. While flipping through this month's Harper's Bazaar I turned a page and there was Jessica Stam posing at the very same Plaza de España I had been at a few months earlier!

Above (from left to right): Jessica Stam just looking natural and me striking a fantastic model pose!

Just had to share and say "I'VE BEEN THERE!"