Couple of my older dress designs

The old becomes the new

I've been thinking alot lately how fashion and culture is consistently reinventing itself and being informed by past movements. As we emerge into the 21st century people like John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld move backwards in terms of fashion by channeling the elements of what remains a sophisticated "classic" beauty.



I think becomes a factor in music and culture as well. The 80's which was considered a period of innovation and futurism is uprising once again as we bask further into what is considered "the future". Bands like The Killers and White Lies are bringing back that new wave sound and synth that we've heard in the better bands of the 80's like The Smiths and The Cure. Yet people still long for that classic simplicity of "the past"; this seems to be where fashion comes in line.



The 20's have been channeled alot this season with the return of feathers, sequins and bobs. As well as other periods such as the 40's, 50's and icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. 2009 seems to be emerging as a time of integrated periods, we are constantly referring back to the past and clashing time periods together - what the future beholds i'm oblivious to.

A Family Fashionista

My great grandmother was quite the fashionable lady. She loved bags and scarves the whole works. It is not often I look at a family member and see myself in them, I barely resemble anyone in my family besides my father. However by looking at this picture I can see a resemblance of her to myself.


Beauty is ageless it really is, when you age Gracefully. From the time she passed I have collected and carried her bags, those vintage bags have really become a sentimental element to my wardrobe and individuality. I think that is the beauty of fashion, modernizing the old with the new, vintage elements derive so many stories from people and their heritage. A classy woman doesn`t come with an number, she comes with elegance, sophistication and a timeless appeal reflecting her true identity, inside and out.

Commercial "Video Art"

Those who know me well know that i'm a huge fan of perfume commercials. The Chanel ones a particularly theatrical and beautiful. I'm not sure how many of you have seen 2008's Chanel No. 5 with Nichole Kidman, that hot french guy and the brilliant string version of Au Claire De La lune - my favorite I swear. However the new one with Audrey Tautou also gets me a little teary eyes... I LOVE PERFUME COMMERCIALS OKAY?

Fashion Bells

I've been debating alot about what I could do for my fourth year work, it's soon the time to think about it. I'm not sure when in the history of VA a fashion show has been held, but it's something i'd love to do; Little girls grow up envisioning their perfect wedding, f*** weddings, I have my fashion show envisioned:
-A white catwalk with red rose petals scattering the stage
-a fog machine
-feathers, lots of feathers
- music perhaps sigur ros, emmy rossum, edith piaf.. OR some melodramatic death metal like Novembre.
- I was thinking about displaying video art on huge screens :D
- and then, the models will enter dressed in lace chiffon with an 1800's French look, modernized by the outfits with a little leather but mostly softness.
-the fog machines will go as they enter and the whole thing will be like a big, BEAUTIFUL dream.

So that's it, the plan for the best day of my life (which will not be my wedding day)

Agless style, Ageless yearning

Jewelery designer Maryam Keyhani and I seem to share similar relations as 20 somethings not yearning to conform, party or whatever is expected of this particular age group. In her excerpt from Fashion Magazine she quotes: "I use to draw Balenciagas 1950's dresses instead of studying Michelangelo when I was in art school." Wow Maryam were we separated at birth or am I the only one that feels that I don't fit into the typical art school enviroment - or typical enviroment for that matter. It seems my mind is always somewhere else, wanting more for myself, everything I do draws towards that not so cliche dream of living in a century home near italy and venice, spending the day with my 5 parisian cats, designing for paris fashion week while enjoying the busy life of the markets and kiosks. no kids, no husband, no stress.. perhaps a lover?... no stress. Lotto 649, please. Keyhani's view of fashion as an important artistic form that is very much neglected by the contemporary art world is so accurate! I feel like i've just got a new inspiration of independance as a women, I don't need a picket fence white house with a husband and kids. no. not happening ever. Times are changing, organized religon is fading, we should be following what WE aspire for, not what god wants, not what our culture wants, not what our great aunt glenda from trout cove wants. I'm not living by anyones standards anymore.

"Fashion is in Art books, flea markets, museums or your boyfriends closet, you just have to look for it."

And so concludes my Galliano obsession..

S/S/F '09 - Whats Out

Maybe these are Just pet peeves of mine... but otherwise....




1. Banded Tunic Dresses- You, I and my moms best friend's cousin have all owned one of these. Easy to say this is the most overdone, over worn trend, so tired of seeing this, and shirts without pants.. or even leggings! But I will admit I am guilty as charged for owning a couple.



2.The Ubiquitous Scarf- "Dear Lil Wayne, Kirsten and Pete, Please put the scarf down and walk away. And that goes for the rest of you, too."





3. Giant Face Smoldering Sunglasses- I love Jackie O as much as you do, but this has been overdone. Ever see that movie The Fly? Nichole Ricci looks like a fly! sunglasses should refrain from making one look like an insect!




4. Uggs- No, just no.



5. High Waisted Jeans- In First year VA I did a drawing for Micheal Coyne (holla!) demonstrating the worst invention ever: the high waisted mom jean. Your mom doesn't look good in them, your cousin doesn't look good in them, hell even Jessica Simpson or Mischa Barton don't look good in them. This trend should never be reborn again..... EVER.

Janice Dickinson and Finlands next top model messup

Janice Dickinson makes an appearance on Finland's next top
model, and appears to be whacked out on pills and booze
while spazing at a bunch of models who don`t speak English.
Oh Janice, how we love thee.

Meet the King

John Galliano talks menswear and 18th century inspiration.
About FW 09/10 Homme Collection, and the various artistic developments
Galliano has taken as a designer by borrowing knowledge and
inspiration from the past and 18th century inspiration to
the modern day gentleman

Top 5 Trends of Summer `09

1. Feathers: Considering eco-friendly is familiarizing itself with the runways why not channel this Nina Ricci, boho inspired look by ditching the animal print (as much as I love it... cue my leopard wardrobe) and embracing the Woodstock generation from Spring into Autumn `09.


2. Bondage, sex and Rock and Roll: Ahh yes, Herve Ledger really had something going for him when he created that ever so popular bandage dress. This doesn`t mean buttless chaps ladies and gents, Think Dsquared meets Marilyn Manson at a Rhianna concert while
partying with Sid Vicious.

3. The infamous one shoulder. We seen it in the late 90`s early 2000`s in many don`t forms, but those such as Zac Posen have returned it with class in a beautiful architectural, classy form.

4. Cutaways: `08 Brought Romantic lace and chiffon fabrics, a rather lady-like effort in baring a bit of skin (trust me I bought my share of chiffon dresses from Korea last year.) However for `09 and `10 we`re seeing much more of an edgy take on modernity mixed with rock and roll, channel your inner Jim Morrison ladies. Haute and not Hoochie.


5. After the Goldrush: Last but not least something Donna Summers would appreciate Marchesa so much for. GOLD, whats better than letting the summer sunshine reflect off your gold dazzling smock and giant gold gladiator sandals.. ( haha jk). Certainly not something you`d see being sportted in a small town (like mine for instance haha) but the Parisians would appreciate it. magnificient. oui.

Hollywoods covergirl takeover

This months issue of Vogue Featured a glamor stripped photo of Cameron Diaz basking in natural beauty and brilliance as a ``Hollywood Starlet.`` The once editorial model that grazed the cover of vogue is now replaced with the singing, dancing, modeling multiple talents of Hollywood stars. The credibility of the super model is not something that arrives as frequently as it once did; although we have a Gisele here and there, the famous faces like those of Cindy Crawford and Janice Dickinson have replaced fashion magazines with 16 year-old Disney stars who ar daughters of one hit wonder country singers with gimick hair, gimick smiles and the whole works. The word Vogue has been stripped down to what is modern, eco friendly as Diaz states, or ``eco chic`` seems to have played a large role in the fashion industry this coming year.