In the days when models did not talk.....

Linda Evangelista to me is, was, and will always be THE perfect model. (All of the original "Supermodels" still are.) Her versatility has surpassed all of the others. When you dressed her in a persona she became it. She has been long haired and short haired, blond, and red. She has been dressed up like an ancient Egyptian and a perfect modern lady. She has been Mansfield and Loren. When I looked at her I could easily get lost and try to see the story behind whatever she was doing. OHHHH how she could wear those clothes! Then a few months ago I finally got my hands on a tape of "Unzipped" with Isaac Mizrahi and I was sooooo excited! I was so glad at the end to finally see the fairytale siren in action and hopefully I could hear the sultry words from her mouth just melt as powerfully as she could melt a camera lens. ... it was like finding out there was no gold at the end of the rainbow. She sounded like Edith Bunker! The horror!

Not all of my experiences with hearing my favorite models speak were all that bad though. Tyra, Lauren, Cindy, etc. The problem is when you had no idea who these fabulous creatures were you could picture yourself in the clothes you saw on the runway. You could imagine putting on those clothes and hope that you could look half as well as your favorite model. Now everyone is rushing to look like someone else.

As a designer, when you use a celebrity for your garments you get A LOT of attention, but your vision gets lost unless you had that particular celebrity in mind for the piece in the first place. These days it is all about getting press. Since everyone these days think they are designers because they took a class or because they can run a sewing machine there is a lot of competition for the spotlight and even the established designers have to fight to be seen.

Anyway, sometimes it's fun seeing a model's antics (especially the ones who know they own the runway), and it's always refreshing to see a beautiful woman who is intelligent, so I will just be happy for models these days who have more options than dating someone rich to keep afloat.

And hey, Linda still looks great!

Advice from Whoopi

Thank Goodness for Whoopi Goldberg. Regardless of what you think of her you can't say that SHE is not a go-getter. Hard work can even help you overcome dyslexia and an eighth grade education. Kudos to you, Ms Goldberg.

Why am I thanking the Creator for her?

Because of the advice she gave to Nick "Uncle Nick" Verreos. I love her for that. And the advice is simple:

ALWAYS HAVE BUSINESS CARDS TO GIVE OUT. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU WILL BUMP INTO!!!! IS THERE ANYMORE TO BE SAID ABOUT THAT? NO, JUST DO IT!

(AND MAY WE ALL LOVE WELL AND PROSPER)

Annie Lennox - Legend In My Living Room

this is the song that inspired the name for my blog. From the original chameleon: Annie Lennox

Book Recommendation!

Help is on the way! My biggest problem in my business is that I have so many ideas sometimes I don't know where to start. This book was a life saver and is the epitome of the KISS philosophy. (Keep It Simple Stupid). Just having it around keeps me sane. Besides, It's recommended my Tim Gunn! You can get it on the Project Runway site, or get it used from Amazon. This gives you a great starting point and it is up to you to take it further.

HELP! I need somebody! (no more artist's block)

The floodgates are open. You are no longer in the zone of writer's block. You have gone down the rabbit hole and successfully found yourself in Wonderland and back. You keep coming up with ideas and you certainly can not sew as fast a you would like to. On top of it your rent is due on your studio, the serger needs repair, and your client did not pick up their garments. Next thing you know time has passed and possibly time for you idea has passed also. What to do?

AFTER you scream.

My fantasy has always been to have other people sew my clothing while I illustrate and come up with ideas. HAH. The truth is sometimes even when you have someone they don't always get what you are going for and mess up your vision. So while I recommend always doing your own samples, here is what you do once you get the pattern down:

- Interns. I was one. :( Most fashion design schools have eager little bees who want to learn from you in exchange for working for you. For NO MONEY. Make sure you find the right fit though. Some might be more trouble than they are worth.

-Friends. Even if your friends don't know how to sew they can cut can't they?

- Barter. Find local sewers who might be good in an area that you hate and barter with them. Maybe they can do your zippers and you do their pockets.

I hope this helps. Now I have to figure out how to make this science fiction pattern I have in my brain work in real life. *breathe*

That was MY idea

Wow .

I swear, since I have been 16, everytime I see a "new" idea in the magazines, I can go back to an old sketch that I did. It's hard sometimes. Knowing that you know what you are doing and seeing someone else make the money from it. The thing is that you can not be crippled by it and you have to press on. Here are a few suggestions for the starving designer.
1- Make a portfolio. This can be the least expensive way to let people know who you are. Don't be too fancy at first in the binding and frills. Just make sure your designs are strong. Make sure they are about you and not about what you THINK the latest fashions are.
2- Make a few samples. Three complete ensembles should be enough to show what they can do. Make sure they are in the size of your ideal model. Industry norm is a size 4.
3-Pound the pavement. How can people know who you are if you don't tell them. Start with those easiest for you to sell and once you get up your confidence tell EVERYONE. (Except your competition) Your local boutiques, fashion houses, major retailers, etc.
4-Have confidence. If you people keep "taking your ideas" that means you are onto something. Keep it up.

DESIGNER'S BLOCK, searching for a muse

Sometime ago I searched for a muse to design a line around to no avail. One model that I thought was perfect loved modeling for a few pics, but the thought of her being on the runway made her scared. She wanted me to consider her sister. Since then I had looked and looked for that perfect inspiration to cure my designer's block and I found her. Her name is Life. Just when I thought she had abandoned me she breathed a life into me that I thought was gone long ago. She was right there in front of me a long time ago like Dorothy's glass slippers, but I had not even paid attention to her until recently. She is beautiful and I love her.
Last year this time I was caring for a loved one who has since gone back to the creator. I saw no end until the Creator saw fit to take her back home. My brother reminded me of those special things that I already had at my disposal and although I first did not hear it, I moved with the ferocity of a panther. It like the Creator was holding me as I was doing what I was doing. I still had all the same situations but all of a sudden they did not seem so difficult. After my loved one went back to the Creator I became ME again. Designs are constantly coming up in my head, I have help with what I need, food taste better and the air seems cleaner. The only thing I wish that I had was the ability to sew as fast as I think.
So here I am, embracing life both tenderly and tightly , paying attention to her every move. I grateful that she is inspiring me and helping me to be a better designer and a better woman.