A Few Chapters into... Tim Gunn's Golden Rules

I'm currently reading Tim Gunn's "Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making it Work," and I have to say, I'm having a hard time putting it down. I'm only a few chapters in and already dreading that it will end in no time at all. He talks about people in industry behaving badly and uses real fashion personalities as examples... quite a bit of toe-stepping! Yikes! But his overall theme, is "be nice." "Take the higher road!" He seems both wise and humble and I can't get enough of the sweet but stern uncle tone. I've also read "Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, taste and Style," a book full of nuggets of advice I've been meaning to reread. He's one of my favorite Project Runway constants and although his critiques don't always align with the judges, he's really only trying to help. It seems that he identifies with being a teacher above all else and you can't fault a guy for that. Lots of love for Mister Gunn!

A Review of the Rodarte Exhibit at the MOCA PDC

I always liked Rodarte. Given the Mulleavy sisters meteoric acendancy to international, fashion stardom, it was a pleasant surprise to read that they're from Pasadena. While the exhibition was small, it was set up in a way that you could get pretty close to the pieces and inspect them from all angles. The tutus were quite impressive and admittedly, I'm inspired to make one of my own and than prance around on tip toe as if I were a primadonna!

I tried to examine the pieces through the lens filter of an art critic rather than one of a fashion designer and upon reading the press release, the pieces began to make more sense within the context of the venue. This particular installation was intended to comment on the temporality and idea of fashion as art. Instead of being shown on plastic dress forms, the pieces were shown on what they call "a series of interrelated vignettes, both static and in motion, displayed off-figure and portrayed as charged sculptural objects. The installation will present inanimate objects in a state of flux, or animation, signifying the temporary states that material can assume."


It even began to remind of some of Robert Rauschenberg's works, a 20th century modern artist who's been featured by MOCA on numerous occasions. 

Robert Rauschenberg, Canyon 1959
http://www.westcler.org/GH/curlessmatt/arthistory/20/RauschenbergCanyon1959.jpg

What I'm buying for Spring - PART II: My Ode to Chambray

What began as the fabric of choice for French farm workers and where we get the term "blue-collar" is currently my must have Spring textile.

Oh Chambray... how do I love thee?   Let me list the ways...

I love you as a dress
I love you as a shirt

I love that with you, I can roll around in the dirt.

I love you as a pair shorts.
... as a shirt-dress.

I love you in all your manifestations and                
even more when you withstand duress.

Oh Chambray... how do I love thee?
Let me list that ways...

Cannibalizing IKEA... Loving It!

XL Cutting Table
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2008/10/xl-cutting-table.html

Bedroom dress boys

http://www.ikeahackers.net/2010/11/bedroom-dress-boys.html

While looking for a cheap alternative to an industrial cutting table, I discovered Ikea Hackers, a website dedicated to redesigning and repurposing everyday Ikea funiture and knick knacks and making them personal, special and most importantly, FUNCTIONAL. To me, this is an impressive example of how creative and clever everyday people can be. Ikea Hackers has 100s of idea, all submitted by design conscious people who had a need, a budget, and a little bit of time and elbow grease.

http://www.ikeahackers.net/

Hamster Home
http://www.ikeahackers.net/2009/12/expedit-hamster-home.html

What I'm Buying for Spring... PART I

As a fashion design student, I have to navigate the tricky waters of frugalism and yet still look like I have my finger on the pulse of the fashion zeitgeist. Thusly, prior to every season, I start obsessively shopping for those few key pieces that will make it seem like I have an endless wardrobe even though I’m really just shopping my closet. For me, this spring is all about light, airy, pretty and comfortable.

PART I is about the wedge. I use to think they looked like big blocks strapped on to feet,  but I’ve really come to appreciate how they can be both very pretty without trying too hard because I’m really not a fan of girl’s wearing sky-high stilettos on campus. It’s just too much effort!

BUT!... a casual wedge will elevate (no pun intended) an outfit’s degree of dressiness without looking out of place on a sprawling California college campus. The shape of the wedge is very important. I’m in favor of something simple and sturdy with a reasonable arch. While I love an architecturally sculpted and severe arch, it’s just too sexy and inappropriate for walking great distances and schlepping books and supplies. Check out Jennifer Aniston. I really love the way she does casual! Stay tune for PART II and III

Can't make it through the day without...

Penis Envy? H&M Menswear for Women

Still riding on the "borrowed from my boyfriend"trend, I decided to literally borrow from the boys and gave the men's department of H&M a try. Like the women's section, the men's garments are cut slimmer than their American counterparts which makes H&M men's perfect if their women's cuts already work for your body. I tried on a basic henley and a pair of linen trousers in the smallest size available. It turned out better than any menswear inspired pieces I've found for women. I'm in love with the proportions - oversized but not overwhelming. Some things to consider when shopping in men's:

• instead of hemming sleeves and pants legs that are too long, just roll them up 
• paper-bagging the waist is great, just make sure the fit doesn't give you camel toe or diaper-butt syndrome
• where the shoulder falls is extremely important in making the outfit look casual but not sloppy
• open-up the neck and collar region to keep from looking out of proportion and mannish

You can still look very feminine in menswear!

H&M Cotton Henley                                  $9.95
H&M Linen Trousers                                 $24.95
Ralph Lauren Collection Penny Loafers*   $50
                                                                _________
Outfit Total                                                $84.90

*Purchased on eBay