Tea Party Fashion Show- April 25, 2010

Despite the show starting a bit late and the few snags we encountered in the beginning, the show was a great success! Here a few pictures from that event. Thank goodness there was no video to catch the chaos that was really taking place leading up to the show! But it's all part of the fun....
I have to say Thank YOU to the following ladies who took time out of their busy day to help out- Maychel Platero- Hair for ALL 10 girls! Maychel is amazing! Margaret Ortega- for EVERYTHING! Liesse Morreale-Jones and Yvette Zamora - for all your hard work and dedication. Crystal Sims- for the photographs. All the models: Alissa Ferguson, Kira Hirschfeld, Mandi Hinojos, Julia Gallegos, Alexandria Morrow, Jane Kasning, Bonnie Mason, Elizabeth Dyer, Hayley Berry, Nikki Zabicki, Missy Auge. The ladies and gals who helped at the tea house, Michelle Otterness for allowing me to use The Mas Amis Tea House, and MOM of course!

Inspiration: The Making of a Chanel Haute Couture Outfit

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day- Do not Procrastinate!

Unfortunately, I've been unable to keep up with the Tip of The Day!
We've been frantically working on a small Lingerie/Lounge Wear Line, I know, not a good excuse!  However, since I have a tendency to procrastinate I thought it be wise to warn others of this terrible downfall. 
By procrastinating I've now subjected myself to sewing all day and all night, my social life has gone out the window, taxes were late, and very important tasks (such as the bills) have been set aside.  Luckily, I have a hand crank sewing machine so if the electricity gets turned off, I can still keep going!
Despite the laundry piling up, and the starving chihuahua (just kidding, she's still getting fed!), I am proud to announce the launch of this new line, taking place Sunday at the Mes Amis Tea House;  a small tea party-fashion show for a few local ladies. Pictures will be posted soon after and the line will be available for custom orders.
The Designer's Tip of The Day will resume after Sunday!
Thank you for your continued support!

✂-The Designer's Tip of The Day- The Birth of Haute Couture

The Birth of Haute Couture
Charles Frederick Worth is credited with founding and formalising the modern Haute-Couture industry, crystallising the role of the designer as an arbiter of style and raising the status of dressmaking form anonymous trade to artistic endeavour. His superior skills, business acumen and cultivated air of exclusivity afforded him a status unseen in the fashion industry.
In contrast to existing dressmakers he elevated his own status to that of an artist to whose judgment his customers were forced to differ. Coupled with his unparalleled dressmaking skills, this earned his creations the name 'Haute Couture'- literally, high dressmaking.

Source: ...isms, Understanding Fashion by Mairi Mackenzie

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Pins!

There are many different types of pins to choose from, how do you know which pins are best for which project?

Glass Pins- Usually a finer point, best to use with fine fabrics such as silk chiffon or silk charmeuse.  These pins won't melt if passed under the iron.

Quilting Pins-  Quilting pins are much longer than the basic pin.  They can be used for making garments but harder to use on small curves.

Dress maker Pins- These pins have no ball at the end and are used in draping so that they can hold fabric in place on a dress form for marking.

Oh.... ever wonder what the little tomato is used for?  Sharpening the pins!

Happy Friday! ♥

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day- What is Brocade?

Brocade [broh-cayd']
Rich, heavy, jacquard woven fabric with raised floral or figured patterns emphasized by contrasting surfaces or colors.
Brocade was originally an elegant, heavy silk fabric with a floral or figured pattern woven with gold or silver thread, produced in China and Japan. Currently, any of the major textile fibers may be used in a wide range of quality and price.
Can be used for- evening dresses, jackets, wraps,draperies, upholstery, decorative purposes, and anything else your imagination could come up with!


Source: Fairchild's Dictionary of Textiles 7th Edition by Phyllis G. Tortora and Robert S. Merkel
Fabric: Currently being carried at The Designer's Lounge.

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day-Words of Wisdom

I have always found inspiration from those who have "been there, done that", the wisdom that comes only from life's experiences. Some words of wisdom.....

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different" - Coco Chanel

" Coming from a free-thinking art school that encouraged creativity, I very quickly learned about the constant battle between art and commerce and had to find the balance to survive. There are many ways to find your own balance and to learn both sides of the business. Once you learn the rules, I think it is very important to take chances and push the envelope as a designer- sometimes ideas work; sometimes they don't, but the most important thing is that you roll the dice. The fashion industry is forever evolving and so much of being successful is changing and adapting while remaining true to your vision and maintaining your integrity." -Cynthia Rowley

"The important thing is to believe in what you do. Have a big dream and take small steps." -Diane Von Furtsenberg

"If I may give one word of advice, it would be this: leave, and always leave, your imagination above everything else; technique should always serve imagination, and not the opposite. To be a good technician is only a help, but should never be a priority. Why? Because technique can shrink your creation, and creation is everything, and the rest should gravitate around this. The more you are free, the more you design will reflect this sense of liberty, which is after all, one of the essences of fashion. Fashion tends to represent different points of view and meaning, and at its best should reflect individuality, eccentricity, and wit" -Christian Louboutin

"About half my designs are controlled fantasy, 15 percent are total madness and the rest are bread-and-butter designs." - Manolo Blahnik

✂-Designer's Tip of The Day- Cultural Influences

Cultural Influences can be anything from appreciation for literature, arts and music from your own country to the appreciation of the customs and civilization of another. Looking at another country for ideas can provide you with a wealth of inspiration that may translate itself into color, fabric, and print and garment shapes.
Current art exhibitions can also have an influence on the research you gather and creations you design.

Source- Basics Fashion Design 01 Research and Design by Simon Seivewright