Sew Thus is Life...

So I got my hand on a video of the show! You can see my stuff below. The full 2012 show can be watched here . Enjoy!

As the weekend winds down I can finally recap some of the events- basically the Annual Fashion Show put on by my school every year- this past Saturday in fact. My family (below) came to support me, as well as my boyfriend, roommate, my bestie and her boyfriend. As always it was a lovely affair, with my evening kicking off with a reception for the VIP guests being honored at the gala that was held later that evening. There I met Alan Sirkin, an alumnus and the President of PVH Co,(Phillips- Van Heusen) the parent company to many high name brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, Geoffrey Beane and others; as well as Francis Shammo, CFO of Verizon via his son and girlfriend who were very interested in what "fashion designers do". After a couple glasses of wine, two cheese plates and several rounds of mini-crabcakes  and chili chicken skewers, it was time to head downstairs to the show. It was very surreal as many of the girls will be graduating in two wee...

Upendo- Chopteeth Afrofunk Band  Oy. Collection officially kicked my butt this past week thanks to the addition of academic and co-curricular distractions and hangups. But its finished and off for Fashion Show judging whatnot. I'm happy with it for the most part, of course there's things I'm a little concerned about, but nothing so major; I think I have at least a 75- 80% chance in getting all 5 pieces in. Anyway, what's done is done. If you recall from my earlier posts I channeled West African wax prints (ankara to some) into Western society silhouettes (echoing a similar idea from my wedding dress). The whole process was a learning experience- from the fabric sourcing, to manipulation (including a temporary fear of color resulting into a heavy hand of black that eventually got nixed), to "industry" critique to actually putting the looks together. I even legit had a major brainfart the other day when my professor said we were supposed to keep a journal for...

So Collection is chugging along very smoothly... and I just fit my muslin on my model and.....IT FITS! ITS PERFECT! I've never made a muslin that fits so perfectly. unfortunately, my professor had to leave before I could fit... so I'm not sure if I can cut this weekend, depends on if we can all meet tomorrow. My fabric also came in yesterday so I'll let you see those in a bit. Back to the collection. My first look is a fitted semi- sheath dress (semi because it's technically strapless, but taking cues from Africa, its a "Sheath"). I'm calling it the Bantu Sheath dress, and it features side to back cutouts, and a twisted and knotted center front detail. I'm using the royal blue and orange wax print for this one. front, with knot detail back My next look, pending this ones final cut approval, will be a three pc pants set featuring skinny pants, a gathered bustier top and a large sweeping linen swing jacket. I said I would show you the fabric...

So the whole premise behind my collection is African wax prints. So in doing my fabric and color research I stumbled on a few textile trade shows showcasing the seasons upcoming fabric trends. One of them were the wildly graphic styles that I'm using in Collection. Below are the prints I'm tentatively using, we'll find out for sure tomorrow... blue/lime/orange Orange/ turquoise wax dynamic orange/blue/lime So that's my side. Stylesight, my fashion trend crack, have posted some good inspiration shots, some blatantly African-feeling or tribal. Maybe later I'll post more of the shows but for now enjoy these lil tidbits. Thanks to Stylesight for helping me stay inspired and making my life a lot easier, Brush Tribal Ok. Going to bed so i can "make it werk" tomorrow. Peace babydolls. P.S. as of 6:00 i got confirmation my lil African hookup has my fabric in stock and i should have it by Tuesday!

ahhhhh yes. What we all have been waiting for, the sign my college career is actually winding down. (or up, if you look at the workload). My grande finale part one if you will. Or the end of what little social life I had. Anyway, I have had some pre-thought on what I want to accomplish this semester with this. So here goes: 1. I crave, love, breathe, eat simplicity . However i like handwork... kind of oxymoronic. This semester, like spring 2011 semester and even last fall, I want the fabric to do the work and let the silhouette take a back seat. 2. I crave, love, breathe eat comfort . I want my "woman" to be comfortable. Not just in a "in her own skin way" because the styles I'm planning are very body conscious, but also just COMFORTABLE. Breathable knits, loose wovens. I want her to feel as if shes wearing her favorite legging/sweats/t- shirt combo, not a bandage dress (even if it is a bandage dress). 3. I LOVE AFRICAN CULTURE! and INDIAN CULTURE! and CARIBB...