A Vera Wang ad I tore out of my magazines this month.  It's whimsical with a rough edge, just how I like it  :)

WTF?

This is another sign of the apocalypse...

I was reading on big-time blogger www.bryanboy.com today and a company called Lubber has decided to use the infamous footwear Crocs as "inspiration" for a new it bag.

The bag comes in eye-catching hues and if you really want to look stylish, the straps are interchangeable!

Ummm...seriously?  It's bad enough I have to see these on people's feet everyday, when I can just look up and avert my eyes.  But now they have to be swinging in my face too?  I mean, I usually try to be nice when it comes to other people's style, but these just don't even seem practical.  There are holes in the bottom!  Millions of lip glosses and spare change will be lost around the globe.  Of course, that's assuming anyone will actually buy this "it" bag.  

Come One Come All!!

FMDS at Virginia Tech's Fashion Show is NEXT WEEK!!  The theme this year is "Free the Beat", and all about freedom and rebellion, inspired by the cultural revolutions and upheavals of our past.  Absolutely everyone should come out to this, because there is only one word to describe it: epic.

The show is Thursday, April 8th. The show starts  at 8:00pm in Squires Ballroom, but get there early so you get a good seat!  

Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 day of. They can be bought at Squires ticket booth or online: http://www.uusa.vt.edu/eventservices/ticket/eventlisting.php#others

Oh did I mention I have garments in the show? I do!  In fact I just finished my challenge

 garment this afternoon! Tonight we have model fittings, so I can't wait to see it on one of our lovely ladies!  More pictures will come, but for now I'll just leave you with a little teaser...

Cha-Ching!

This is a heads up for all my fellow local Blacksburgers!  Next week, April 1-3, Jo-Ann's Craft and Fabric Store in Christiansburg is doing an Easter sale, which includes 99 cent Simplicity patterns!! I am always on the lookout for these $1 pattern sales, they are a great deal as they usually run between $7-18, and as far as I can tell, all Project Runway and Cynthia Rowley patterns are included as well, so there are sure to be great finds!  I know I'm definitely going to stock up!

"You know, I blame Beyonce for everything that goes wrong in my life. There is just something about her songs that make you think you are a size 4 and can just conquer the world."

I am going to miss Anthony sooooo much on Project Runway!  I love his personality, his point of view as a designer, and the way he can always make me laugh!  

What I'm Craving

Today was a drizzly day in Blacksburg, typical in the spring.  It would have been a perfect day to wear this amazing MICHAEL Michael Kors trench coat I tracked down on Overstock.com.  I specifically like it because of the hood and all of the button details on the back.  It is a beautiful example of this staple classic!

Take a look! www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-Womens-Petite-Single-breasted-Trench-Coat/4583292/product.html

Wishlist

Here are three tools I wish I could have in my sewing studio:

Lazy-Susan cutting table: I don't even have a cutting table to begin with, I have a 6x6 foot space of floor, so most of the time I'm walking (or ninja-rolling, more like) over all the pieces and fabric in order to get all the right angles for cutting each piece.  But cutting on a regular table is no picnic either, especially if it is backed up against a wall, or even worse a corner.  But imagine this- you just spin the tabletop to get to that other side to cut out the remaining half of the pattern piece, hassle-free!

Patterns with markings that press onto the fabric: No tracing paper, chalk, no nothing, ever again!  Everything just transfers from paper to fabric!  I feel like this could really work, maybe with iron-on technology?

Voice-automated sewing machine:  Ha, this is one me and my sewing class have talked about.  You could just say "sew seam" and it would do it, and if it started to go wrong, you could simply say, "stop messing up!".  Makes sense, right?  ;)

Oh My Clog!

So as it has been growing increasingly apparent since last fall's shows, clogs are about to be in the spotlight this coming year!  After showing up on runways such as Chanel, we will see if the public will follow in these foot-stomping steps.

Interestingly enough, in the store I work at here in Blacksburg we carry shoes from 

the company Dansko, which, believe it or not, manufacturers clogs galore!  All year, every year too.  I'm already scoping out a pair for me to snag for the summer, and I've caught a sneak peek at the fall lineup as well.  Trust me, if you want to pick up this trend this is the company to buy from!  They have great quality, so your shoes will last through this clog revival and the next, plus Danskos are known for being superbly comfortable!  Just letting you know...

Challenging Stereotypes

The fashion world is always in the spotlight for their controversial use of pin-thin girls for models.  In recent years many fashion weeks councils and governments have instituted minimum BMI standards for models, and many magazines now make an effort to regularly feature "normal-sized" women.  Here is another story, from the recent Paris Fashion Week, indicating another step away from the stereotype.

omg.yahoo.com/blogs/a-line/thin-is-not-in-at-paris-fashion-week/402?nc

Another Reason Why...

So here is another reason I love my major and being here at Tech...Wallace Hall, where most of my classes are, has the most amazing couches!  Seriously, you will never have a better nap than the ones I take (often a couple of times a week) in the Atrium!  You know you're jealous...

Cool Find!

So as a poor college student living the glamorous starving artist life, I love searching the internet to find patterns and projects that don't require shelling out a lot of cash.  This week I found this amazing site, BurdaStyle.  It's like a Facebook forum for sewers!  You sign up and create a profile, then peruse the site where you can check out other people's latest creations, download project instructions and patterns, and add your own genius ventures too!  Totally worth a look if you are a buzzing craft bee like myself!

www.burdastyle.com

Blue Skies Ahead

So I've been celebrating the near-return of spring by hopping around on American Eagle's site. So many cute things! Maybe the warm weather will spark a money tree to grow in my yard...

Where Am I Going?

So the first question I always seem to get when I tell people I major in fashion is "So I guess you want to start your own line, huh?"  And about 95% of the time they throw in a remark about starting an expensive, or "overpriced" line.  But there is such a myriad of opportunities in my field!  In my class at Virginia Tech we have future buyers, event coordinators, designers, boutique owners, PR reps, magazine editors, fashion columnists, trade association workers, creative directors, personal stylists, and the list is endless!  Here are a few of my dream careers.  Sure, some of them may seem like sky-high goals, but since when has my breed ever been one to think inside the lines?

1. Wardrobe Stylist for CW's Gossip Girl:  Duh, what girl wouldn't jump

 at the chance to walk through this costume closet?  I love styling anyone and everyone, if you ask me to take you shopping, trust me you have no idea what you are in for!  And this cast has so many fun characters with distinctive personalities, it would be an honor to help illustrate them!

2. Co-host on E!'s Fashion Police:  As evidenced by my blog, I always

 have a lot to say in the world of fashion and style. So why would I turn down such a great platform for doing what I do every day anyways?

3. Designing Band Tees:  I LOVE music.  Seriously, my iPod is on 24/7 and in yoga, when envisioning my happy place, it's a concert with standing room only.  And to be able to contribute to the branding of the bands and musicians I love, *sigh*, priceless!

4. Wings Designer for Victoria's Secret:  No joke. I have been saying this for years.  Their annual fashion show is the jaw-dropping event of my year.  Anyone who watches it with me can attest to that.  And if you happen to have the misfortune of watching it with me while I'm DVR-ing it...trust me we are going to watch each walk about 3 times.  And my dad has always been joking that I could pick up a second major in Engineering.  Well...maybe so!

Oscar Faves!!

Ok, so I knew this was expected of me so here we go...my top five fashion picks from Oscar night!

5. Molly Ringwald- She wasn't mentioned much in any of the fashion commentary shows, but I thought she was gorgeous! What I love most of all is the contrast between her bright hair and the deep saturated purple of her dress.

4. Amanda Seyfried- This dress just created fantasies for all prom-bound  high schoolers and fairy-pretending little girls everywhere!  Definitely appropriate for such a dream-come-true night.

3. Anna Kendrick- So beautiful! The blush tone is fabulous and glamorous as it echos of that old-style Hollywood we all know I'm crazy about.  I loved how she carried herself with such poise the whole evening too (hear that 

Miley?!).

2. Rachel McAdams- Really Rachel and Anna tie for 2nd, but I couldn't

 understand the criticism some people were giving Rachel for the print on her dress. Hello??  The brushstrokes and melting into the background are so dreamy and whimsical, and the effect of the volume in the skirt is priceless.

1. Sandra Bullock- I mean, the chic loose hair, the molded fit, the beautiful gold champagne shade, the stunning red lip...are you really going to try to argue with me?  Congrats Sandra!!

All photos were obtained from www.oscar.go.com.

LOVE. period.

Like my Audrey Hepburn obsession, I love 1967's Bonnie and Clyde.  Aside from the enticing story line and its historical roots, already a sure to drive me wild, if I had to choose one movie that was a fashion inspiration for me, there is no contest.  The classic silhouettes, the perfect makeup and styling, and the tailoring that is obviously impeccable even through the TV screen!

So of course I love Love LOVE the Bonnie and Clyde fashion spread in this month's Harper Bazaar, Most Wanted.  It is absolutely breathtaking, I had to keep flipping back and forth before I could finally decide on which picture to include in this post!

So I think that everyone needs to go out and get a copy of this magazine, so that you can see this for yourself!  The color is particularly not showing up as well on screen. 

Major props to photographer Peter Lindbergh and the entire crew who worked on this amazing contribute to fashion..and my bedroom walls haha!

So True!

"I think women dress for other women to let them know what their deal is.  Because if women were only dressing for men, there would be nothing but Victoria's Secret.  There would be no Dior."

~Tina Fey, in an interview featured in this month's Vogue magazine

Update

So if you were interested in my last post, here is some more good stuff!   The film Alice in Wonderland has sparked two new clothing lines.

The first is a high-end collection, designed by Sue Wong under Walt Disney Signature.  It is retailing in several department stores, including Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Lord and Taylor, and Nordstrom's, and Macys.  These pieces are truly inspired, and simply to die for!  I would definitely brave a walk through Wonderland if I got to wear them!

The second is a more accessible line to those of us more limited on funds.  Avril Lavigne, who wrote the title tune for the film, has brought the Lewis Carroll/Tim Burton fancy to her Kohl's line, Abbey Dawn. This line is a bit less whimsical and a bit more rock-edge than the looks of Sue Wong, but I am sure it will find more than a few takers. I love the wording on the inside of the blazer, I may just have to wear it inside out!  It reads: "Please be advised that this garment may shrink if you grow up suddenly, and vice versa"

Inspired

If you have a Facebook, check out the Women's Wear Daily fan page and their latest post on the costume design of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The image on the left is from their slideshow.  I totally cannot wait to see this film now!

www.facebook.com/womensweardaily?ref=nf

Don't Be Square!

So just a little something I learned in my History of Costume course-- in the late 1700's to mid-1800's, fashionable men's shoes had heels, buckles, and square toes. Then this style went out of style, but was continued to be worn by older, more conservative men who rejected the styles the young whippersnappers were picking up.  Thus, these men began to be called "square-toes", which has since evolved into our slang term of "square: a boring, stifling, inside-the-box person."

Who knew?! 

Things are pretty, graceful, rich, elegant, handsome, but, until they speak to the imagination, not yet beautiful.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.  It is the source of all true art and all science.  He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.

~Albert Einstein

Fast Fashion Forecast

So during my lunch break I have been perusing the slideshows from fashion week in Milan and thought I would give all of you some tips on what to look for this coming fall.  

1. There is an overwhelming amount of retro!  Think 40s/50s secretaries and the 70s looks one would find in The Graduate (especially in the Berkley campus scenes!).  Stemming from this trend are the points of menswear and exquisite tailoring and fitting.

2. For outerwear, a classic double breasted coat would be a key investment to keep things fashionable.  But that is always good advice! To be a little bit more on the wild side, experiment with capes or more billowy, open pieces that dare with asymmetry and may appear in fabrics that showcase a metallic sheen.  Another thing to bundle up in may be sweaters that fall off the shoulder into delicious folds.

3. For the most part, colors stay in the neutrals with mostly blacks and some browns, depending on the designer.  When choosing to play with hues, however, most designers turned to the primary colors of true reds and yellows.

4.  VELVET!!! This was hard to miss.  So if you find a wrap, dress, pant, any such thing, in velvet, buy it and you will be good to go   :)

One other thing I should mention is that the tights seem to be gone. I know, I'm sad too.  They were such an easy thing to warm me up without constricting me to days on end of jeans.  But it is the fashion cycle after all, so we shall see them once again sometime.

And sorry I couldn't really post many pictures.  The looks are very new and recent, so there is still copyrights galore about them!  

3 Shopping Experiences I Would Die For Right Now

1. Shopping on Magazine Street in New Orleans.  I love the funky shops and especially Buffalo Exchange-- there are a good number of locations nationwide, but who's style would I rather wear than the unique fashions of the Big Easy?  Don't forget the quick bus ride over to the French Market, too!

2. H&M, in CHARLOTTE!!  What a dream to have.  You don't realize the complete awesomeness of this store unless the closest one to you is a whole 4 hours away.  There is a storefront opening in Raleigh this year and possibly one soon to come in Atlanta.  But so many people I have met here at Tech know Charlotte because of its malls and "great shopping", so why are we still left without? I will never stop crossing my fingers for it, haha!

3. My number one crave right now would definitely be strolling down Princes Street in Edinburgh. They had everything from independent boutiques to an awesome department store by the name of Jenners.  Definitely my heaven on Earth, especially when you can take a break in their gardens and climb the Sir Walter Scott (author of Ivanhoe) memorial. 

*Sigh*  I guess for now its back to classes and only daydreaming for me...