The Surprising Struggle

"Would you like to try on Men's sizes?"

These words were said to me at my local Target on December 7th because THERE WERE NO MORE WHITE DRESS SHIRTS. In case you don't know, I am a choir nerd, and our uniforms require white shirts. I accidentally gave mine away, so I went to Target hoping to find one. I asked around and the woman led me to TWO SMALLS. Me and my body are NOT fitting into a SMALL/. So, she asked me if I wanted to try men's.

Now I understand why some men hate suits.

First off, the shirts were folded nicely with the packaging and clips, so there was my first struggle. Second off, THAT FABRIC IS SO STIFF. It hurt my fingers just BUTTONING A SHIRT.  By the time I tried on shirt number three, I had to ask my mom to button me up because MY FINGERS WERE RAW. The biggest puzzle of the experience was putting them back together. THERE WERE AT LEAST SEVEN DIFFERENT THINGS HOLDING THE SHIRT TOGETHER. It was like that game where if you clicked on a mine everything blew up. One wrong move and everything goes to crap.

Now the real question is HOW ARE THERE NO DRESS SHIRTS. HOW?!

The Green McQueen!

Note: This interview was one of my favorites because I got to see a new side to the PR story. And Timothy was really easy to work with. Thank You Timothy!

General Information

1. Hi Timothy! could you start by telling me a bit about yourself?
1. Who am I? Well, when I was little, I actually couldn’t pronounce my full name so I would say Imphy woois. My middle name Louis, I would say “Luigi” “stylin tim” Intern at costume shop. Positive. Worked at pro level. When I was in High School, I was the only HS in our costume department and eventually became the manager. Some of my nicknames at this point were “sassy britches”, “Little T” and “Luigi.” I used to use just Tim in college. I started to use the full name Timothy at my Artist Residency. I was 14 when Project Runway started. Not many people watched it because it was only the pilot season. I Religiously watched it. I had said that Project Runway junior needed to be a thing. I was Inspired by Tim’s “It gets better” speech. I was crying after I saw it. When fashion illustration started, Jessica Rabbitt was an inspiration of mine. I was a big believer in sustainable fashion. You can make normal fabric become anything else. The dress Liesl wore in the sound of music was one of my inspirations, as well as in the movie Titanic at Rose’s grand staircase entrance. I had designed dresses for my sister’s Barbies. I built a small city for the barbies as well. 9&11 were the real moments that I wanted to become a designer. I went to the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T) and they said “If you spend your afternoon playing with barbies, We’re for you.” I felt like this was very inclusive. I went to Syracuse University. I walked in to class on the first day and somebody said to me “I love your sweater.” Last time going to JoAnn was 2008. I used old scrap fabrics and made them into new garments and fabrics.When I went on Project Runway,  the nastiness came from the lack of convention of my looks. The models were all so sweet. I have said a number of times “Can we all be friends?” In my junior year of college switched to Fiber Art. Maria Abromovich was an influence of mine. If Alexander McQueen and Pixar had a lovechild, that’s Timothy.
2. When did you realize that you liked to design clothes?
1. I think 9 for sure. 2 and 3 was the dress up time. There are actually photos of me in dresses as a three year old. I HATED diapers, loved silk scarves. I was definitely a sassy baby.
3. Who inspired you to get into fashion?
1. My mom set me up with sewing lessons when I was 9.I went into Fiber Art because I felt like was more of a challenge. One of my nicknames was “Green McQueen.”
4. What is one thing people may not know about you?
1. To deny the crazy is crazy. They don’t know Timothy Westbrook, they know #designertimothy. People would not give the time of day in Wisconson. People were awful. People needed to be more tolerant. “You call me crazy I got your crazy.” The giddiness and silliness you see is coming from a serious place. I take responsibility for what was seen on TV,  but it was out of context. I still love unicorns, I am a tree hugger,a big homo. My family and I are very close and I honestly feel like I live a charmed life. I’m lucky and my parents are so supportive.

Favorites

*When told this part of the interview, the first question was, “Unicorns?”

1. Favorite Fabric?
1. My favorite fabric… Unidentifiable. I like to make sure the people are mindblown. I like to make my own fabrics from actual items and old fabric. I am actually making a contact lens case dress. I am in love with any fabric that is transformed. For example, I love 15th century tapestries. I made raincoats out of old umbrellas.
2. Favorite Color?
1. Oh… Man...It’s like a gray and navy. When I was little, I LOVED PINK. I am in a white phase at the moment.
3. Do you have music playing in the studio? If so, what’s your favorite.
1. I have to listen to music that is relevant to the project. I watch a LOT of movies. Queen of the Damned was my most recent. My top 3 songs are Glee’s cover of “How Will I Know”, “I Don’t Care” and “Dark Horse”

Pre-Runway

1. Were you a fan of the show before your season?
1. I watched of the show but was not a fan. I never liked a structure or the end goal. Hot Mess or Make it Work are both phrases that come from the show (Runway). A lot of that came from WNTW.
2. What inspired you to do the show?
1. Okay… I applied just to do it. I had a residency that ended. I made an Elle Woods comment. My ex-BF loved reality TV, he thought it was crazy. One of my favorite professors told me not to do it. I went on to try and get to know my (at the time) boyfriend and he wanted to get to know me. So I said “Why Not?”

Runway

1. What were your thoughts on the first day you arrived for the official season?
1. Oh god… Um… You can’t talk to one another. I was the first drop-off (by Mom). My mom and I accidentally kissed on the mouth. In my very first confessional, the person running it said “Tell me about the Angelina Jolie brother kiss.” The day before taping was the memorial service of my Grandfather. When Nina tweeted here’s the unicorn  I was with my grandfather on his deathbed.
2. What was your favorite challenge?
1. I think my favorite challenge was the glamping one. There were so many “unconventional materials.” They actually required an unconventional look for NYFW.
3. What was your favorite design you produced?
1. I didn’t like any of them.
4. What was your least favorite challenge you did?
1. The Show; it was all a challenge. It challenged you in a non-beneficial way.
5. If you could go back and relive any moment, what would it be?
1. Um… My moment with Sophie. I really loved all of the models. There are no bad  mistakes.

6. If you saw someone that said they wanted to do the show, would you recommend it?
1. I wouldn’t discourage them. Simply because Dom had an amazing experience and won. Michelle didn’t have a good experience and won. I would say “What the heck, why not? Go for it.” If she (my boss) had realized who I was, she would not have hired me.
7. Do you still keep in contact with the other designers?
1. I keep in contact with some of them. I just saw Karen at her birthday party. Karen and Sophie (model) are by far the closest. in terms of the rest of us, we don’t really talk. And Kate… Kate’s husband and I are friends.
8. You and Miranda had an obvious conflict are you two on better terms now?
1. She is not a Timothy fan. I hate to say it, but hurt people hurt people. She tried 3 times to get on the show, and got in the third time. Here I am from NY, I tried once and got in. She was not a fan of me. She worked really hard to get in. She felt animosity. She did an interview and said “Some people go on as characters.” The publication she was interviewed by found a terrible photo of me and “shame pressed me” We were not close. There was a lot of manipulation. At the end of the day, I can’t blame her or forgive her.
9. ARE YOU STILL INTO UNICORNS?
1. Absolutely. Unicorns are my jam. They’re great. I am an Aries on the cusp of Pisces. Seahorses are the only mammal that have males giving birth. My motherly instincts are actually up. I was babysitting my nieces and one threw a rock up in the air and caught it while talking. I once said in an interview “I don’t believe in unicorns, I believe in the impossible.”

Post-Runway

1. How have things been for you after you left the show?
1. At first awful then better. I went into a dark place, I saw one of those buzzfeed-style “27 Celebrities who committed suicides” There is no support system and you can’t hide from the harassment once you get out. Being a silent crusader for those who hit this dark place is something I want to do. I went to this concert in Milwaukee called “Jazz in the Park” and this little girl was running to a porta potty and she said on the way “It was my birthday and I like unicorns.” I recently moved to New York and a lot of the mothers called me when I moved saying their daughters were crying because I was leaving. I didn’t have the capacity to benefit from doing the show. People have said to me “What’s up with the emotions?” Well, You have to lose yourself to find yourself. My mom always says that” our worst teachers are our best teachers.” I don’t think I could live without the show because I would not have gotten to where I am now.
2. Are you watching this season of PR? If so, what are your thoughts?
1. I’m not watching. It’s hard to watch.
3. Do you think you have changed after the show ended?
1. Absolutely. My self-awareness went through the roof. “For Good”
4. What is your favorite thing you like to design now?
1. Gowns. I Loooooooooooooove gowns. i love i love i love gowns.
5. You recently designed Condom and birth control case brooches for an event. What was it for?
1. Planned Parenthood Wisconson. All of the brooches were auctioned off and proceeds went to the charityI have a big project for Skate America for their “Grand Prix” competition. I am making a costume for the featured performance.
6. If you could give advice to the next generation of fashion designers, what would you say?
1. Hmmm. “Make all of your choices with the world in mind” It’s not about production or the bottom line. You need to take care of the planet so there are people here to wear your clothes.

Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Do you wear Jake?

General Information
1. Hi, Jake! could you start by telling me a bit about yourself?
a. I would have to say I am just your everyday type of creative guy who happens to be a fashion designer. I live and work in San Francisco which is a big part of what makes me who I am even if one doesn’t necessarily think of San Francisco and fashion in the same way that one thinks of NYC and fashion. The city is home to me – it is where my family is from. And with the loss of both my parents and my grandparents, it is interesting how a place can take on even more personality and serve as a reminder of so much. I am a California native who has a bit of an addiction to education and knowing how to make things – I went to school at UC Berkeley, DePaul, Pepperdine, and Oxford for a variety of different things and specialties. I’ve most definitely evolved along the way starting my career out in marketing and now arriving here as a fashion designer. I have a soft spot for babies, big dogs, and comic books. I’ve read comic books since I was six years old and I still go every week to my local comic book shop – Isotope Comics right here in San Francisco – and get my “funny pages.”


2. When did you realize that you were into fashion design?
a. That’s both a fun and funny question in its way as I am not sure I really had “that” moment in the conventional way. My mother always imparted to us kids that we should always dress like the day matters because one never knows when it will or won’t and we should never be caught ill prepared either way. She was a clothing and gift buyer for the local college all through my childhood and so I grew up in the retail and clothing world with my after school time spent doing homework and when I wanted to take a break… I was given the “treat” of helping out around the store with things like tagging, pricing and hanging sweatshirts and t-shirts. My mother’s job was to keep on top of fashion and so it was a common topic that was baked in to almost everything we did and so I don’t think I ever really had that “A HA” moment that some have. Instead, I would say that I was raised this way… fashion is just part of my upbringing.


3. Who inspires you?
a. Inspiration is everywhere and so asking me who inspires me is fairly open-ended. If you are asking what designers inspire me, I would say that in contemporary terms Tom Ford inspires me and from fashions rolodex of amazing past designers, Marc Foster Grant of Jeanne Marc Clothing really makes me smile and think as Jeanne Marc Clothing made a lot of the luxury and designer dress clothes of the 80s that the women of “Dynasty” and “Designing Women” and “The Golden Girls” wore on TV and that really trickled down to the consumer and dictated a particular perspective for a decade. I would love to one day be responsible for a decade (or more) of decadence in fashion.

However, as your question is open-ended as to who inspires me…. I would have to take this further and say that inspiration comes from all people famous and otherwise in my life. For example, my business partner Nathan plays a role in my daily inspiration not because he is on the vanguard of fashion but instead because he is the opposite. Nathan is more like the “everyman” and so when I see a trend or a color or an idea make its way into his wardrobe and “style story”… I pay attention. Thanks to his proximity to me, I am always pushing him to be a bit more cutting edge… but he is my reference point for when “the world” might finally be ready for the adventure that I want to bring to it. And I find that so inspiring because at the end of the day if I don’t have a customer. If I don’t have someone who really wants to buy what we do at JAKE… then I am not really doing anything more than making pretty pictures and that just won’t do.


4. When designing, what do you use as inspiration?
a. I find inspiration from everywhere and everything. With this in mind, many of my collections are heavily influence by my love of cinema and pop culture. I find that as I approach each season, I will really find myself immersed in one particular film or another for whatever reason. It usually happens without me even realizing it and it will be a movie that I either own and that I might happen upon on Netflix, but I’ll watch it almost on repeat and have it on in the background while I am doing a myriad of other things without even consciously thinking about it. Then one day it will hit me how much it is something that is playing into my “current” sense of, well, everything. And once that moment happens… I will start to sketch.


5. What is your favorite kind of fabric?
a. My favorite fabrics tend to change from collection to collection or from season to season. Right now, I am still loving the ways we are able to play with denim and create things that people don’t typically think of when you think of denim and jeans. I love leather and interesting uses of leather combined with other textiles. And I am currently plan some interesting things with python for the 2016.


6. If you could work with ANY designer, who would you work with?
a. I know what question you are asking here and I am going to use the “looseness” of your language against you. You want me to pick a fashion designer… but instead I am going to pick Ken Fulk – a San Francisco based events designer and decorator – as I think we would make for amazing collaborations.

Education
7. When you realized that you could design clothes, did you want to go to school for it, or did you have another career path in mind?
a. I ventured down a different path when it comes to fashion. In 2010, I quit my job in Internet marketing and went on a bit of an “eat, pray, love” –like journey. Coincidently, I was listening to NPR one day and heard a great story about the lost art of bespoke tailoring and suit making and as I was looking at my travel
plans, I decided to take some time in Hong Kong to have a suit made in the true “old world” sense. One thing led to another and what started as just a single order evolved into an informal apprenticeship. I like to know how to make and do things and, really, this was all I was doing. I never imagined I would come back to the states and find myself making suits for a living. But fast forward five years later and here we are.


8. Where did you go to get your degree?
a. When it comes to education in the traditional sense, I hold degrees from UC Berkeley, DePaul University, and Pepperdine University.


Project Runway
9. When did you realize that you wanted to be on Project Runway?
a. The team at Project Runway reached out to me and expressed interest. I most definitely didn’t have the same “road to the runway” as most. Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor and I am never one to turn down a phone call or meeting with people doing interesting things, but Project Runway was never something on my radar and even going through the application and interview process with casting and the production company, I really thought of it as more of a networking opportunity. Before I could really fully comprehend the rollercoaster… the next thing I know, I was part of the cast for Season 14.


10. Did you audition for the show before, or did you go on once and get in?
a. They called me for Season 14 and the rest is history as they say – it’s a true exception to the traditional Project Runway experience as I understand most audition multiple times.


11. What was your favorite challenge from this season?
a. My favorite challenge from the season is the team paintball challenge. I love working collaboratively with amazing people and that is exactly what I had the opportunity to do with that challenge. Being able to create that amazing textile for my fellow designers which allowed each of them to have their own strong voices highlighted on the runway and yet still have six looks walk down the runway that were completely cohesive… it still makes me smile. And having Nina Garcia note that is was the best and most cohesive team presentation in all 14 seasons of Project Runway… well that just is the cherry on the sundae.

12. How did you feel when you saw the outpouring love after you left?
a. I am grateful each and every day for the 8 amazing years that I had with my dog Chance. He was truly this man’s best friend as he got me through the loss of both my parents and so many other things. He was there for the good and the bad. Words don’t quite do it justice to explain how moving it was and is as people reach out to share their feelings and often their support of the decision I made. It was a hard moment but one I don’t regret for a minute and the amazing
outpouring of people sharing their support and kind words really lifted and continues to lift my spirits. People are amazing and if there is one thing I will take from all of this, I will just say that we are so much better when we focus on supporting and building each other up rather than breaking each other down… so I will take this opportunity simply to say: thank you for the love and support, it means the world.


13. Is there a challenge you wish you could have been a part of?
a. I wish I could have been a part of the makeover challenge. At JAKE, we built our entire model first around custom clothing designed for individuals rather than ready-to-wear. I think I would have really been able to excel at working with the individual client – in this case a crew member from the show – and creating something amazing for her (or him).


14. What was your favorite look you designed this season?
a. Well, I would have to say that I loved my Hallmark Signature greeting card dress because it was the first unconventional materials challenge and I really enjoyed the entire process from start to finish and I think that what I created really looked like a dress and something you could wear out rather than paper. I love unconventional materials challenges because they make you “stretch” as a designer and, at least for me, realize how much I really am capable of when you remove “rules” and conventional guidelines and instead are forced to do and to “make it work.”

15. Who was/were your favorite designer(s) this season?
a. Easy answer… everything that my team created for the paintball team challenge. Each one of those designs was ON POINT in my opinion and the fact that Kelly Osborne said she could see herself wearing each and every one of them at a different moment and event just “sells” the validity of each of them to me.


16. Have you kept in contact with anyone after you left the show?
a. Absolutely. That’s one of the best things about Project Runway to me… it gifted me the opportunity to meet and get to know people that I would never have likely crossed paths with otherwise. Most recently, I reached out to Blake Patterson from LA and Joseph Charles Poli from Las Vegas to team up with me for a project with Macy’s. As part of their big Macy’s presents “Front Row,” the boys and I teamed up for a different kind of unconventional materials challenge where we pillaged the trash cans in their visual presentation and displays department to make six looks and, just like Kelly Osbourne, the evening’s host Guiliana Rancic found herself loving each and every one of the looks. I look forward to more moments like this if I am lucky – just because the show is over doesn’t mean the friendships and collaborations are.


17. If you could change anything, what would you change?
a. Well, this is an easy one, I would change the fact that Chance got sick and needed to be put down. But such things are outside my control and so the best I can do is live life and do the right things. So with the understanding that I can’t change that… well then, I would tell you that I wouldn’t change a thing.


After the Show
18. How have you been doing since Runway?
a. Life keeps me busy and being the creative director at my company JAKE is a big part of that. Since getting back to “the grind” here in San Francisco, we have been busy with special projects like our collaboration with Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Westfield here in San Francisco. At the same time, fall has arrived and we recently launched our Fall/Winter 2015 Bespoke Collection “BLVD” [ you can see the collection here: http://www.jake.clothing/blvd ] to much fanfare at our annual charity fundraiser and fashion experience -- JAKE presents BESPOKE in RED: A benefit for American Red Cross. This season also marks the release of my first limited edition ready-to-wear collection – Jake by JAKE [ you can see the collection here: http://www.jake.clothing/ticktock ] – which is five easy pieces for men and fives easy pieces for woman and, although it is unseasonably warm here in San Francisco, we are almost completely sold out of our first run. As my father used to say… it truly is no rest for the weary around here.

19. Just looking through your website, you seem to be into suits. What do you like about suits?
a. I got my start in hard tailoring and constructed menswear. It is “home” for me. Always has been and always will be no matter what other directions I might find myself adventuring in every now and again.



This or That?
20. Clean lines or flowy and loose?
a. Each has their place, but for now… clean lines.


21. Kors or Posen?
a. Why can’t I have both? Life shouldn’t always have to be about making a decision.


22. Urban or Rural/natural?
a. Urban.


Closing Remarks
23. Do you have any advice for the next generation of designers?
a. Remember that fashion is a business not just a creative art. Muses are amazing and we should all have that amazing “inspiration” personified to help us create
but at the end of the day you need a customer. You need a living breathing person with the disposable income to buy into your creativity. Find that customer and do everything in your power to keep them entertained because at the end of the day fashion is about entertaining people or better of for worse.


Check Him Out!
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YNOT Award Special

So... I apologize for being gone for so long. I have been REALLY busy since our production of Aida in March. I went to Nashville two weeks ago, and Penn State last week. I will be back with the YNOT Awards special, which is our theatrical awards ceremony. The special will feature how to go through the process of awards season. The dress is already picked out, and it's completely different from anything I've worn to a formal event.

When You Can Fit Your Head in the Leg...

This title may sound all sorts of weird and potentially kinky, but trust me, it's not. I just heard some rather... disturbing... news, and here is a hint.

Yes, JNCO jeans are making a comeback. You may be thinking to yourself "You aren't even from the 1990's... HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS?!?!" Like any normal human that doesn't know about something, I googled it. I did know a bit about these jeans from seeing them in pictures such as the three above, but I never knew what they were even called. From my research, I learned that these jeans were popular among rave, hip hop, and goth culture, and that there are three styles:

1. Guys
2. Girls
3. Mammoth
1. The mammoth jeans, as well as the guys jeans, have leg holes so big, you can fit your head 100% in them.

 Of course, I still see my fair share of people (unfortunately) walking around in these jeans/fit of pants. It is rather fascinating how  in a span of 20-25 years, we went from loving these jeans, to being confused by them. As you all are probably thinking, I was one of the people that was confused, and had questions such as:

• Why would someone want to wear these? they don't flatter anyone.
• How were they made, did the designer just cut a trapezoid and cut a triangle from the base opposite of the waist 
• What was the purpose of the wide legs? Was it the "bigger is better" theory?
• Who within each of these crowds would wear these pants?
• What was the purpose of the enormous pockets? 

And lastly

• What caused a change of taste? We went from the wide jeans to skin-tight jeans. 

I am curious as to how today's teens will handle the potential comeback of these pants, and will the same groups be wearing them as they did in the 90's. 

Nehebka 2.0

Nehebka 2.0 by abby-ensslen featuring couture gowns

Couture gown / Steve Madden black high heel pumps / Tkees brown leather shoes / 14k necklace


Aida's best friend is making a comeback in the iconic gold and purple. This time, I let the gold dress dominate the look to show cohesion between her and Aida, but show difference.

Mereb 2.0

Mereb 2.0 by abby-ensslen featuring suede flats

Elizabeth and James loose crop top / Monki oversized jacket, $74 / Polo Ralph Lauren blue skinny jeans, $250 / Suede flat


With this look, I focused on the Orange and neutral colors. I added the blue pants as a compliment to the dominating warm colors.

Zoser 2.0

Zoser 2.0 by abby-ensslen featuring tory burch shoes

Strapless dress / Tory burch shoes / High heel pumps / Charlotte Russe collar necklace / NYX lips makeup / Makeup


Everyone's grouchy father is back with a feminine twist. I still kept with the simple black dress and shoes, but added a black necklace (Like Son) to keep unity. In our show, we had the Eye of Amon Ra on Zoser and Radames. 

Amneris 2.0

Amneris 2.0 by abby-ensslen featuring suede shoes

Long evening dress / Jessica Simpson suede shoes / Express bead chain necklace / Makeup

The conceited daughter is back with a bridal-inspired separates look, nude makeup, and a headband braid.

Radames 2.0

Radames 2.0 by abby-ensslen featuring black skinny jeans

Toast short sleeve shirt, $87 / Black skinny jeans, $19 / Vans black shoes, $71 / Charlotte Russe chain necklace / Masquerade bridal eye makeup

I gave Radames a more masculine vibe, but still kept with the feminine portion. He keeps in the same color scheme as Zoser, but I made the red more of a priority with the red crop top. The necklace is similar to Zoser's to show unity in the family.

Aida 2.0

Aida 2.0 by abby-ensslen featuring cocktail dresses

Cocktail dress / Wet Seal summer sandals


I wanted to keep with the similar clothing styles in the show. The "Aida" is wearing a purple maxi dress with a strappy gladiator flat. I decided to keep the hair and the makeup simple and realistic.

Apologies for being gone

I apologize deeply for being gone for so long! I got lazy one week and didn't do it. The week after that, I was tied up with a show (Aida) and my router went out. The show was successful, and in honor of the success, I will do a Polyvore spread on Modern-Day Aida, except I plan on reimagining the men as women (to make it easier on myself). Also, some dates to look out for are below.

1.     April 16-19

a.      I will be in Nashville, TN for a choir trip.

2.     May 20

a.      YNOT Awards (Red Carpet)

These days I may or may not miss, I apologize if I do. I feel terrible that I missed two weeks.

Season 13 episode 1

Also, below this, there is a little box that says "Season 13 episode 1" ignore it. It refuses to go away.

Hopeful Trend: Espadrilles

Hopeful Trend: Espadrilles by abby-ensslen featuring suede shoes

STELLA McCARTNEY white shirt, $360 / DVb Victoria Beckham boyfriend jeans / Dolce&Gabbana turquoise sandals, $420 / Mara Hoffman canvas espadrille / Steve Madden suede shoes / Mint & Rose flat shoes, $96 / Monki round glasses, $11


This trend should not really be called espadrilles, but Statement Shoes. I really like this trend because this such a summery and expressive trend. Thank you Mom for deciding this trend!

Colorblocked Bag

Spring Trend? by abby-ensslen featuring River Island

H M v neck t shirt, $9.02 / River Island blazer, $73 / Forever New black jeans, $71 / Oxford shoes / Pierre Hardy green handbag, $2,055 / Steve Madden white sunglasses / Converse black beanie / Smashbox palette eyeshadow


This trend was brought to you by Julie Baily. It features basic black jeans and a white t shirt. The main focus (The bag) is by Pierre Hardy. 

Christian Siriano FW15

As some of you may or may not know, I have been keeping in touch with the people at Christian Siriano to try and get an interview. I have been keeping in touch with one of his PR Reps Jonathon who is probably one of the nicest people who I have spoken to over this blogging journey. He gave me some of the original sketches for this collection, as well as a copy of the run of show. That's what is inspiring today's blog post.

“The deep, dark and mysterious creatures from the Congo Jungle in the Central African Republic were my main source of inspiration for my Fall 2015 collection. I was drawn to the home of the silverback gorilla along with other exotic and exquisite creatures. These animals echoed through sleek burnout wool textured dresses, bold animal printed jacquard coats and liquid
panther-like velvet evening looks. I wanted the collection to feel luxe and sophisticated but still playful through the ease and fluidity of the silhouettes. Inspired by plant life and the jungle itself are graphic oversized palm printed taffetas and bright citrus embroideries; petal appliques from the African tulip tree and Heliconia plant are a vivid splash of color that brings a dark collection to life. I wanted this collection to feel elegant, powerful, bold but still romantic for the Christian Siriano woman this season.”

Christian Siriano

When watching the show, I got the jungle vibe almost immediately. The collection had a balance between jungle and city. There was a camel-colored jacket with a red turtleneck dress that I liked because it was the first piece that broke up the jungle vibe. The 100% black and 100% red dresses were also interesting. My assumption was that they would resemble birds because the dresses were feathery, and also flowy. I also really liked the use of color. None of the colors and fabrics had that... "outsider" feeling. 

Overall, the collection was strong, cohesive, and of course, FABULOUS! Click  to see the run of show.

I was unable to get the PDF copy on here, so I attached the video instead. 

Please go check him out at www.christiansiriano.com

I just want to say again, thank you Jonathon for giving me these! Thank You!

Optimism for Spring

In case you may or may not know, most of the East Coast is under SNOW. We (Pennsylvania) have roughly 8 inches of snow and ice. People up in Boston have FEET of snow. All people hope to see is the grass and flowers and COLOR. In the mean time, to help ease the excitement, I will be making a series of Polyvore collages based off of what people hope to see. Feel free to tell me your thoughts if you're experiencing chillier/colder weather. It's going to be called


"Just A Springtime Trend"

Please, feel free to comment something.

Vibrant Color

Vibrant Color by abby-ensslen featuring a real leather jacket

Topshop ribbed shirt / Philipp Plein real leather jacket, $3,935 / MICHAEL Michael Kors black denim skinny jeans / Jimmy Choo royal blue high heel shoes