Outfit Details

First of all, this isn't a personal style blog...I mean that would be pretty fun if it was, but I don't have a super gifted photography boyfriend who follows me around as I gaze into the distance looking distraught/mysterious/surprised while pouting my lips (this seems like this is every girl with a decent personal style blogs life lol).

Yeah i've blogged outfits before, but that involves me setting a timer on my camera, running across the room, posing like a fool, and hoping no one walks in while I'm having a photo shoot with me, myself, and I. Also, since I'm not looking through the lens controlling the picture the result is always just a lucky accident if it turns out at all.

This all being said ever since I started working at the Anthropologie home offices in Philly I've really enjoyed getting dressed...I mean I always have, but Anthro/Free People is so my style, so I feel excited each morning to just be bohemian vintage girly me.

Here are a couple little snapshots from monday and tuesday this week as I attempted to document my outfit. Taking photos of yourself sucks. I need a photography friend to be silly and vain with (DYLAN WHERE ARE YOU!?!?!).

Monday. It was a bit chilly so I layered my mint sweater and oversized crocheted vest.

Also...handmade Native American leather pouch and deer vertebrae necklace I found in the woods.

Found a robin's egg shell that matched my sweater perfectly :)

Tuesday. Trying to take selfies but my camera wouldn't focus (but I liked the pictures anyway)...chartreuse skirt.

Moms old belt front the 80s/90s and my turquoise Buddhist box necklace.

Thats all for now....

Quilted Hot Air Balloon Conceptional Design

The assignment was to create a capsule conceptional design collection, which was interesting because prior to this project I had never considered myself a conceptional designer in the slightest...but after a little thought I realized how many ideas I had within the category.

My professor told us to be really creative with the assignment and not think as the clothes as 'clothes'--to think of them more as art, which really helped me not limit myself. I went a little crazy...but it seems like the times I just go for it are the times I create my best work.

I first did a lot of library research on basket making, macrame knotting, and many forms of weaving. My goal was to create human-esq/fashion-forward/sculptural-art hot air balloons.

I looked at the structure of large baskets and thought about how those techniques would react to a human form.

These two photos, that I found in an old 1970s macrame knotting book, were on my mood board (along with a bunch of quilting pics...but for some reason I never scanned that board).

A couple different techniques that I would use if I were creating the designs in real life.

Balloon #1

I was going for a body cast/weaved basket look.

In my presentation I said how hypothetically these wouldn't be on a runway because they don't allow movement, but simply would be sculptural fashion art hanging from the ceiling in a gallery. The weaving material would be a really sturdy cord, and would hold a human shape, with obviously no one inside.

Balloon #2.

If you can't tell theres a lot of detail in each of the body baskets...during my class presentation everyone was sitting too far away and couldn't see any of the weaving stitches which I tirelessly drew for hours, I guess this is the one exception of something looking better on a screen oppose to a mounted board.

Balloon #3.

Balloon #4

Balloon #5.

#6.

All the balloons and stitching I drew by hand/on a tablet computer, and all the fabrics in the balloons I scanned from vintage fabric books. I also photographed Sea Zeda, my lovely model. Thank you Sea for doing backbends for me :)

Embroidered Shorts

This past fall I started embroidering a pair of old black linen shorts whenever I had downtime (which was hardly ever so it took over a half a year to finish).

I finished the shorts complete with white fringe a couple of months ago and ever since they have been my favorite thing to lounge or romp around the woods in.

The light was really glowy when I woke up yesterday so I thought it would be a perfect time to finally photograph them.

The embroidery goes all the way around the front and back(:

Had to sneak this last pic in...me last month in Maine at Acadia National Park. Fun times hiking in the woods on a perfect spring day!!

Pratt 2012 Senior Fashion Show

This years senior fashion show was so inspirational!

After the show I felt so good about being a fashion major and going to Pratt because it was an awesome reminder that I will be able to create work on this level in just two years!

I brought my camera along and obnoxiously took photos from my seat in the corner...aka these photos are shit, but I just wanted to give the seniors a huge bravo and brag for a min. saying this is where I go to school! I mean you can see for yourself...these collections are phenomenal...my photos do not do the clothes justice at all but anyway....enjoy!

Designer: Tersea Decker

Tersea and I did yoga together last year, and I've always admired what I've seen of her work. This collection was made of all eco friendly materials and hand painted. The silhouettes were pretty simple, but so unique at the same time...definitely one of my favorites collections!

Designer: Ping Hatta

Ping made this clever collection with intense black cups and intricate backs to showcase a specialization in lingerie and also evening wear techniques.

Designer: Kelsy Carleen Parkhouse

Oh my gosh this collection was one of the best things I've seen in a long time. It was with out a doubt my favorite of the day and won the 'Liz Claiborne Award-Concept to Product,' winning a $25,000 prize to help cover costs to create a collection to show during New York Fashion Week.

Kelsy was inspired by American quilting and the Grand Canyon, merging folksy with sophisticated, and um she did an amazing job. Its rare I see clothes on the runway that have the same/similar aesthetic to my own designs but this hit the nail on the head.

My favorite look....

....and more Kelsy Parkhouse

Designer: Huner Aldemir

Huner did a really successful job mixing fabrics...leather, chiffon, wool, and everything in between in one collection!

Designer: Kate Wilkoff

This evening wear collection was gorgeous and so detailed! Everything was micro mini pleated and tucked...so pretty!

Designer: Meredith Lyon

Meredith did this fun anti-smoking collection with asymmetrical silhouettes and bold cigarette prints. The styling was also well done with round no-smoking glasses, cigarette knee socks, and cigarette stained shoes.

Designer: Kate A. Gross

This collection was another favorite. The entire thing was hand tailored (aka millions of catch stitches in each piece...makes me dizzy just thinkin about it) and brilliantly classy with the pairing of mustard and fur!

Designer: Elizabeth Ammerman

I'm not entirely sure what the inspiration behind this collection was, but I'm pretty sure its a costume collection and it ROCKS. There is so much detail in each look. I'm especially a fan of the colored fur strips under the plastic skirt...so creative!

Designer: Emily Kauffelt

Hellllllllo black leather and sheer!

Designer: Beatrice Weiland

Beatice used knits, camo, and her very own name to make a loud statement. I think branding yourself in your senior show is a risk to take, but one she pulled off. She also incorporated both mens and womanswear in her collection which I feel like would be hard to do.

Designer: Stephanie Parks

Stephanie did all green seaweedy evening dresses...

Designer: Ruby Gertz

I love this deep deep back V-dress. All of Ruby's dresses had subtle LED lights in their crevices and were suppose to be futuristic, which I wasn't really a fan of but you can't tell from the pictures which I think makes them look better.

Designer: Lily (Xi) Li

Simple grey/blue/purple evening wear with pretty braided detail. Would make gorgeous prom or special event gowns!

Designer: Juan Pozo

This menswear collection was so well done! Awesome colors and really unique silhouettes, this collection was another favorite.

And last but certainly not least designer: Dana Hurwitz

This collection was another amazing one. Ombre green feathers (thats right feathers not fur!), sheer pants and layers, and her handmade statement jewelry...I could definitely see this collection at fashion week!

I know its been a few weeks since the show, but still I can't congratulate these seniors enough. I'm also excited to keep an eye out for them at fashion weeks in the future :)

P.S. This is my 100th blog post!!