Denim Visions

    Lately, I've been on a sewing spree! I have a bunch of t-shirts that I never wear and I'm intending on cutting and stitching them up into original creations. So far I've finished the denim vest I mentioned a couple posts ago and I'm quite happy with how it turned out. As you may remember, I was a little skeptical about it in the beginning. This is because I wasn't going by any pre-made patterns and I never took a single measurement...truthfully those are the steps that make sewing tedious for me, so whenever I make clothing I eliminate them completely!    

  I made my own pattern (well, you can hardly call it that) by drawing out a simple shape on paper, holding it up to me, tweaking it, and repeating these steps until I came up with two pieces that looked like they would fit. I traced the two pieces onto old pairs of jeans, and cut the basis of what I built everything else off of.

   After I stitched the four pieces together, I let my creativity lead me. My favorite part of constructing any piece of clothing is building off of each element I add, just as an actor learns to do when they're improvising. I never draw my designs beforehand, I formulate what I want to create in my head and put it directly onto fabric. I then make changes based on instinct. It's definitely not the most full-proof way to sew because I never know how something will turn out until it's finished, but I like the thrill of experimenting and I normally feel more satisfied with the end product than with what I had originally imagined it would be.

Hopefully, this will be one of many unique creations

I'll be making over the course of the summer.

So stay tuned for more to come!

Galliano Never Ceases to Impress

  

   I know the spring runways are a little past their time now and everyone's talking about fall, but can I just say how AMAZING I thought John Gallino's Spring 2010 fashion show was?!! I watched it on my iPod while on my way to NYC last week and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. He always makes such awesome productions of his runway lines and every season uses a new way to creatively present the clothing. This time, he had the models go down a red, glowing runway lit by lasers. As they walked, they were surrounded by balloon-like bubbles. But you soon realize they aren't balloons because they hit the floor and make clouds of vapor! Of course, the clothes themselves were just as magical as the presentation. The collection was inspired by old-fashion cinema and silent-movie actresses. Layers of light-as-air chiffon were paired with lace and floaty dresses were worn with structured jackets. Every outfit had a special headpiece made to accentuate each look.

(video credit-http://fnetwork.com)

 (photo credit-http://style.com)

Odds and Ends...

   I don't know about you guys, but I am so happy about Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom's engagement! I never would've seen it coming, but the more I think about it, the more I realize how they could possibly be the "it" couple of 2010! I never even knew they were dating until I found out they were getting married. Either they did a good job keeping their relationship low-profile, or I am just really bad at following who's dating who in Celebville! This may be a little premature, but I can't wait to see how adorable their kids will be! With her dimples and his curly hair, they are sure to have cute ones!

Pictures from NYC...

The night before we left for the city, we stopped in North Adams were my uncle lives. We went to his gallery opening and Maddie and I were bartenders for the evening!

The art behind us in this picture was my favorite because each drawing built off of another. You could see the process the artist was going through when you compared them all.

I loved the shadow cast by this sculpture, but unfortunately you can't see it very well in this picture.  

(To see more of Weronika Zaluska's artwork, you can go to her website.)

The next day we took a train from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central Station. It was my first train ride ever!

The view from our taxi on our way to Naomi's concert.

It was my first taxi ride too! I know...I need to get out more!!

After the concert, we took lots of pictures outside of the Lincoln Center.

(From left to right-Maddie, my grandma, Naomi, my grandpa, and me)

Maddie, sitting pretty!

The water fountain was so refreshing to sit by because it felt like it was 90 degrees outside!

Passing the time while waiting to get back into air-conditioning!

After everyone had taken a gazzillion pictures, checked into their hotel rooms at the Westin, and freshened up, we all headed to Patsy's, a great Italian restaurant. The waiters were friendly, my gnocchi was really tasty, and the water was the best I've ever had!!

That night, my uncle took the three of us to Time Square. I didn't want to leave!!

We didn't go into Madame Tussaud's so this was the closest I could get to Johnny Depp!

You can tell Naomi doesn't have the same opinon of him that I do!!

The lights were spectacular!

We went to the four-floor Forever 21...it was mere shopping paradise!!

To end our lovely night of traipsing around Times Square, we bought gelato!

The next day, my grandparents took me and Maddie to the Time Warner Center to get lunch at the Whole Foods store there. I loooove that place! You can find just about anything there! We had a nice picnic in Central Park eating the Indian food we got.

We took a stroll around the park with my grandma and rode on the carousel.

We finished off the day with a trip to the Guggenheim Museum and one last visit to Grand Central Station before we were back on our train home.  

Some inspiration for my current project...

   I'm trying to make a denim vest, but I'm a little worried it'll come out a bit tacky, but we'll see! I really need more pieces like vests in my wardrobe because they add more to summer outfits and keep you looking put together, without making you too hot.

Finally...thank you Gina from Anything Imaginable for the lovely blog award!

I'm flattered to recieve it and I think you have a great blog too!

Rules:

-Post the award on your blog.

-Link the person who has given you the award.

-Pass the award to 15 other blogs you've discovered.

-Let these 15 people know that you've given them an award.

The following are the blogs I've chosen to pass on this award to:

1. Chai, Cinnamon, and Couture
2. Couture Carrie 
3. Fab Blab
4. Fashion Cappuccino 
5. Foxy Following
6. Glisters and Blisters
7. Her Armoire
8. Hi Fashion
9. La Petite Fashionista
10. Lions, Tigers, & Fashion OH MY!
11. Roll Up Your Sleeve
12. Stellectism
13. Take Me Out to the Runway
14. Teen Fashionista
15. Versicle

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Recreating Spring RTW

   Hey guys! Sorry I haven't been posting very frequently...but starting next week I'm hoping I can post a lot more often! This weekend I'm going to NYC so I might not post until I get back, but I'm gonna try to at least post some pictures. I'm soo excited for this trip! My cousin is singing in a concert so my family is going to watch her. We're going to be staying in the Westin at Times Square! I've only gone to NYC once, so I'm thrilled I'll be seeing more of the city!

   Anyway, there were many great trends from the spring shows this year and I thought I would do a bit of my own interpretations of the runways. I've chosen a few of my favorite designers and came up with some cheaper ways to achieve the high-fashion looks.

MARC JACOBS

classified fresno flats $16.99 cutesygirl; urban renewal linen cutout bandeau dress $58 urban outfitters; josefine dress $58 lulus; faux-leather zip hobo $24.50 old navy

STELLA MCCARTNEY

petite floral dress $22.80 forever 21; pastry shell wedges $160 anthropologie; kimchi blue marilyn dress $29.99 urban outfitters; foldover boyfriend belt $24.99 gap

VERSACE

gridiron tunic $33 lulus; f3900 sunglasses $5.80 and colorblock knit skirt $12.80 forever 21; silver filigree flower cuff $4 charlotte russe

ZAC POSEN

rainbow snow cone dress $39 lulus; carlos by carlos santana tropicana white leopard pumps $75 zappos; lips outline brooch $10.99 jewelrymix.com; gauze floral-print scarf $12.50 old navy

First Impression

  
   This morning I was catching up on fall shows via podcasts on iTunes. I was in the middle of “Edition by Georges Chakra Fall/Winter 2010” from Fashion Network when I saw a model come on wearing what looked to me like a bulky blanket wrapped around her torso. “That’s the most hideous sweater I’ve ever seen,” I thought to myself. But as the model turned around, the back of the sweater caught my interest. It draped down the back and tied with a metallic bow. What really make it a revelation was that this overwhelmingly sized sweater, that covered so much in the front, exposed the right amount of skin in the back to make it sort of sexy.
   At first glance, this garment may seem ridiculous and awkward, but after looking at it from every angle, I find it pretty practical. It’s made out of mohair so I imagine it would be plenty warm for winter months. I would wear it with skinny jeans or leggings so that it wouldn’t overwhelm my figure too much, though. It might even look cute tucked into a high-waisted skirt and worn with over-the-knee boots. Although my first impression was that I would never wear something like this, my second impression is asking myself if I could make something like this my own!