Cloche

Cloche, which means bell in french. These hats are named this because they look like bells. I just purchased one of my own from Urban Outfitters that looks similar to the one in the picture to the left. I have wanted a 1920s inspired hat for so long... like for 5 or more years! I also admired knited hats like this red one. I think would like a white, black, or grey one. I like this 1920's look, it is cute and feminine. Even though I have liked this look for a while it didn't seem like this type of hat has been sold at retailers until recently. This hat has to be in style for a buyer to pick it for the season lineup. I guess it is finally in style! :] This felt hat is a great accessory, brings personality to a look, makes a look go from good to unique and somewhat edgy.

I am really enjoying shopping for interesting accessories that bump up my wardrobe! In my history class we have a design project and I picked the cloche..how surprising :P I'm really excited about where my will imagination taked me!

L' Officiel

I had a French fashion magazine presentation in my History of Dress class. I spoke about various fashion magazines that were created in the 1920's. L' Officiel was one of them.I was very impressed by how it was so influential and prosperous. When created it brought together many artists, models, and fashion designers of that time who were talented and famous. This move and others made this magazine made it the success that it was. By the 1950s Americans reffered to this magazine as the fashion Bible. Max Brunhes was the creator wanted to make it and dedicate it to, Andrée Castaniée. She was, "...young woman who was wild about fashion." and he was in love with her.

My Pick

These pairs of shoes are examples of my fall must have. I don't know when I will have them but they are gorgeous and a girl can dream! :] The ankle booty is very in and looks great with skinny jeans or leggings. The pumps can be worn with almost anything. I would wear them with skinny jeans, or a dress pant or even a pencil skirt or a form fitting dress.

Ugly Betty Revamped

I have been a fan of Ugly Betty from the beginning. I would love to get the seasons on dvd. This show has been a source of fashion and cutting edge looks, and also not so fresh, but odd color combinitions, mismatching patterns, and garments that just don't go together! These unusual looks are a Ugly Betty signiture. Now at the forth season...Ugly Betty ..little by little is becoming more chic! New glasses, a new hair style and the clothes are even matching! The new look came with the character's new confidence, sense of place and belonging and promotion from a desk receptionist to an editior of the magazine she works for. I will keep watching to see what comes next and what new adventures Ugly Betty gets into.

Garments Re-done

I tailored both of these garments. The little black dress was actually my sister's homecoming dress, the length of the dress that went all the way to the floor. It was bought about 9 years ago...and it looks new :] I gave this dress a new use and life. I was really happy with this, I finally have my little black dress without spending a single dime! It is a classic look that I am excited to wear. The skirt was a dress, that I re-made for a client of mine. She can now use it in a new way as well.

Room Curtains!

At the beginning of the school year it didn't take me too long to get fed up will my very plain dorm room. Within just a few days I decorated my room so I could feel right at home. I brought color to the walls, rearranged my furniture, soft lighting ...instead of harsh office cubicle lighting, and a little plant of my own. Being a life to my room was the best choice. After a long day in class I can come back to my comfortable living space! What was a big contributer to this feeling and lovely ambiance was my creation! I made these lovely curtains on the left. This touch brought personality to my place and a sense of belonging. I am satisfied with them and I have recieved many compliments and now I am working on my friend's set of curtains to freshen up her room as well.

1920' dresses

In my History of Dress class, we are studing the 1920's era. Every once in a while my professor brings in clothes from our school's collection of historical clothing. These three dresses are from that collection. Unlike some more elaborate clothing of that time that is an avant garde style and Art Deco these garments were for the everyday woman. These dresses were worn by women in middle class. Two of the dress may be for a more formal occasion but the linen blue dress is more like a house dress. Back then women wore house dress while they spent time at home rather than sweats or pjs that women today wear. Today I was fortunate enough to see all the clothes in the room these antiques are kept in! There was basically a classroom of rolling racks full of garments from various eras. There was even garments from the 1700s! It amazes me how old some of the clothes are and that they are kept at my school and not at some fancy museum.

Tim Gunn's words of wisdom

A few months ago I read this article featuring Tim Gunn and I was impressed. It gave his professional, family and educational background and some info about Project Runway. What impressed me the most was his wise words. They are inspiring and something I want to look back on for future reference. :

-"There's no greater calling than design," he says. "Whether you're designing a jacket or designing tablewear, you're making the world a more beautiful place and better place hopefully."

- "Tim Gunn's fashion mantra: Sillouette, proportion and fit. When you have those, you'll look fabulous, no matter what you're wearing."

- "Part of what was so unshackling was the whole aspect that when you're studying art and design, the answer is not in the back of the book. The answer is in you somewhere," Gunn says. "It's a matter of tapping into the resources you have and being creatively untethered."

- "Whatever's happening in politics, with the economy, with popular culture, with our environment - all these things figure into good deisign and good art," Gun says. "It's why I taught for 29 years: I loved watching other people feel the same sense of academic liberation, risk taking and creative recklessness that allows you to do good work."