legend in my living room

Fashion Industry Career Advice

2009-06-27T13:58:00.001-07:00

I always knew I loved Andre Leon Talley!

Blown out of proportion.

2009-05-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

I have a LOT of work ahead of me if I am going to be the artist I want to be. I am "old" , but I'm not dead. Man, yesterday I went outside feeling good , I made this cute shirt (oversized ala 80's) and so I went outside with this casual, but put together look. I technically know that I have gained alot of weight, but when I saw my reflection in a store window I could not even take a second look. I remember when I used to shop in plus sized women's shops to get oversized baggy stuff and now I can actually FIT this stuff! I mean I used to get a giggle about how these women used to look at me hatefully and now they look at me like I'm one of them. People, I am going to call my cousin pronto and get on her diet. I have many friend who are curvy who look hot, but most of my friends like that are either porportioned or Jessica Rabbit. Not much of a problem design wise. All this time I have intentionally not made any new clothes for myself because I keep figuring that I will wait until I lose weight. The problem is I get invited to so many things that I don't wind up going to because I didn't have any clothes and now I go to try on clothes and now even my fat clothes don't fit. Uggh.
Here's the truth, you have to have real skills and resources to dress a plus sized woman. Most fabric is 60 inches wide while many silks and fine linens are 45 inches wide. If you have 1 yard 45 inch fabric you can make a cute skirt or a pair of pant or a dress for a shorter woman. That same yard of fabric might make a scarf or a legwarmer for a plus sized woman. Believe me, I used to be able to make a fully pleated skirt with what I now have to use as a straight skirt and lord help me if I want details! Then if you design for a plus sized woman you have to think of her as an individual, you can't just make something and go. Some plus sized women have wide hips, some have huge breasts, some have huge stomachs. Most are not well porportioned. So this requires to to put more thought into the dress than you normally thought. Uggh.
One of my friends suggested that I make good quality basic clothes and just start taking them in which is what I am going to have to do. I have to live my life.

The button knows

2009-05-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

I remember when I first started designing I really wanted to stay away from buttons. I would do plackets and zippers only and maybe frogs and loops occasionally. When I finally got past my fear of not spacing them perfectly and the like, I couldn't get enough of them. I bought so many on ebay, I think I payed someone's college tuition! The great thing that comes from ebay is that you always finding some kind of vintage thing. I found something that was popular for a moment. I mostly saw them on infomercials though. Button covers.

It's not sliced bread, but it is FABULOUS. I accidently bought from ebay because they were the exact design I wanted but now I found a new addiction! You can sew a plain white button on your shirt and the put these on top depending on the look you are going for! Soooooo much better than dealing with that nightmare button cover kit when you are trying to make exactly what you want AND you can change them when you choose. You just snap! and you have a whole new shirt. If there is someone out there who will make them, I will buy them all....

Honest clothing

2009-04-19T20:33:00.000-07:00

'The time has come,' the Walrus said, 'To talk of many things:Of shoes -- and ships -- and sealing wax -- Of cabbages -- and kings --And why the sea is boiling hot -- And whether pigs have wings.'

Every time I hear that quote I think that it means that it is time to cut the crap and do whatever it is that you came to do.

I started this blog about 2 years ago, have been inconsistent, and I reap what I have sewn. I think that now it is time that I cut the crap and be honest with myself. I am writing this for myself, but if anyone reads this, read at your own risk.

I am looking at the 80's fashions come back and I am happy, but I am pissed. At myself. So often I talk about how I miss the innovation and the daring about the 80's and early 90's. To me, then it was about excess, experimentation, and rebellion. Now it's about boredom and not having anything better to do. There are no new ideas so we are recycling the old ones - without the reasons behind them.
I am pissed at myself, because for all these years I have been waiting for someone to "get me". I have been waiting for the "right time" , the right amount of money, the right size, the right feeling to come my way. I have correctly predicted trends for years now and have not made any money off of it. Fifteen years since I got messed up by a screwed up fashion school, fifteen years since I worked for someone who pissed on my ideas (which people have made lots of money one since then) I kid myself , I have not been a designer I have sat on the sidelines. While I have been sitting on the sidelines, someone has died, someone I did not expect is going to school for fashion, someone who did not know how to sew is now sewing and making money. My favorite designers, Mizrahi, Miyake, and Mugler have now all triumphed and failed and are triumphing again.

Ahhh wtf, I am going to stop bitching in this post. I won't say what I am going to do. I am just going to do it. If you appreciate it great, if not, great, but all are invited and are welcome.

ISSEY MIYAKE AT FIT

2009-04-08T08:52:00.001-07:00

Some of the best models of the time and one of the greatest couture designers of all time.

Weird clothes though for these time, neh?

Becoming unzipped!

2008-08-13T05:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, after being scheduled to meet a NEW client after missing several appointments for personal reasons , I am on my way to bring the client their garments and one of the zippers completely bust open on me! AAAAARGH! No one wants to hear excuses and I HATE giving them. Hopefully my work will allow me to to able to have one more chance (again!)

Unfortunately zippers breaking is not all that uncommon in life. On the coldest day of winter your zipper won't open, won't close, breaks a tooth, or simply causes you to become exposed. Sometimes you won't have time to have your local tailor replace the zipper. You are on your way to work or late for an event and you have to fix it. Here are a few links to suggestions on fixing a zipper on the run:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Fix-a-Zip-With-A-Broken-Tooth/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Fixing-A-Zipper/

http://www.ehow.com/how_2302669_fix-broken-zipper-.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

http://www.ehow.com/how_116322_fix-stuck-zipper.html?ref=fuel&utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ssp&utm_campaign=yssp_art

If that doesn't work you can

pin the problem and cover it with a jacket , shirt, or scarf. Please make sure it looks like you MEANT to do it as a fashion statement!

Reschedule.

Announce that you have had a problem with your zipper so there is not an "elephant in the room" , then dazzle them with your smile. Hopefully you wore your good underwear underneath your clothes.

Someone is smocking me!

2008-08-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

After years of procrastination, I am starting to do those pet projects that take forever to do, but are things that I have in my head. If I had my way I would be a seamstress in the house of Chanel doing handwork all day long and LOVING it. When I do embroidery or other techniques by hand I think of rich ladies in centuries past who were thought of as accomplished when they could do great needlework. Anyone who knows me knows how I feel, we as women threw away what we DID have and now we have to pay others for the privilege of doing what we used to do ourselves (with better materials and better quality).

The thing is , if I could get paid to love quality fabric by fashioning it with needle and thread I would be in heaven. Even when the needle would prick me I would just be thankful and keep it moving. There is nothing finer than a quality hem, or intricate beading. I could go on and on about the subject, but I am just hoping that this will inspire someone to do what they love and what they believe in NOW and not wait for the "right time" to do it.

In need of a slash?

2008-08-10T03:30:00.000-07:00

These days, you have to do more than one thing to get ahead or even survive. It seems these days you need another job just to pay for the gas that goes into your car. In fashion (once again , thanks to Project Runway ), no one is impressed with someone who only knows how to design or sew. You have to be a Designer/Model/Basket weaver/Illustrator/Sewer/Rock star/Movie Producer/ Bungee Jumper JUST TO GET A JOB. Got help you if you actually have responsibilities like rent, children, or maintaining your Jimmy Choos. You need to do more to survive, be noticed and stay ahead of the game. I don't care if you are sweeping the floor at Issey Miyake. You need that extra slash and you need to let people know you have it. Personally, I recommend How to handle 1,000 things at once by Don Aslett. The man is funny, real, and addictive. People, If he can get MY right brained, artistic, never organized self into gear in a week AFTER 30 there is hope for everyone. Trust me, stop waiting around for a benefactor and get it done yourself!

Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel

2008-03-03T19:23:00.000-08:00

Ok, people I just heard of Signe Chanel which is available to watch on youtube.com. It's a look into what goes into running a haute couture fashion house. Unfortunately it is not available on DVD in the states, so we have to take what is available.
Oh, and for those who have something to say about Elisa Jimenez of Project Runway watch this and be GRATEFUL for her spit!

Signe Chanel: Episode 1 Anticipation Part 1 of 4

2008-03-03T19:12:00.001-08:00

My favorite fan waving fashioner!

Commercialism KILLS art

2008-02-28T18:19:00.000-08:00

Project Runway sucks. Don't get me wrong, I still get inspired by it. The problem is that it's now a packaged product instead of a revolutionary and innovative idea. Of course since it is television it was always about getting money and ratings, but it has lost the magic because the contestants know what to expect. But that is what happens, when art and money collide. Money starts to dictate the art.
Remember when musicians and singers were normal looking nerds who made it big based on their talent? Janice Joplin? GrandMaster Flash? Back in the days where children still wanted to be doctors and lawyers and engineers and then you had those strange loners you made fun of who were artists because their spirits would not allow any other choice. People who suffered society's disapproval as well as poverty to show what was inside them. People whose work you could feel as well as see and hear. Seems like a lifetime ago.
These days people actually get real degrees in bellydancing, their parents don't scold them about becoming guitar players, and fashion design is taught at almost every school. While this is great for the artist it sucks for the art itself. I am happy for myself and other artists because we do not have to die penniless. We don't always have to wait our whole lives to be known. The problem is the art suffers and the viewers go on to the next thing because you are not their only entertainment. Talentless hacks with outgoing personalities will replace your moody, crazy behind in a minute! Corporations and industry giants are so afraid of missing or capitalizing on the "next big thing" that they will give anyone a chance these days. Even the true artists are scrambling to make money in this brave new world to keep their heads above water and keep the sharks at bay.
Personally , I wonder what Andre Leon Talley has to say on the subject. In 25 years, I am sure he has seen the greats and the "taints" in action. Jennifer Hudson is fortunate...
Hey money is not a bad thing, it keeps my computer on, but I am sure you know what I mean.

Stretched to the limit

2008-02-27T21:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, NOW I get the fascination with knit fabrics. It's all thanks to the whole reconstructed T- shirts "revolution".
When I was taking classes for fashion design Paris was still the fashion capitol of the world and couture was still the goal. Clothing that cost $10 looked like it cost, with no detail. And Kate Moss was the last of the Supermodel era before every person that walked a runway started calling themselves that. Of course I am kinda telling you my age, but...
The whole point is I used to want to use only the best quality fabrics, use the most difficult techniques and be this snobbish, pretentious, person who adopted a sort of artistic accent saying crap that ordinary mortals had no idea about. Life happens around your intentions.
Now New York says that it is the fashion capital where everyone with an idea can be a designer, they are working those people from Third World countries to death trying to get us clothes that look like something, I have no idea the names of these "spoiled , stupid little stick figures with poufy lips who think only about themselves", and I am still trying to earn my respect as a designer.
Althought I learned quite a bit from the person I interned with after school, I always secretly snubbed my nose at him because he used to work mostly with knits. Now don't get me wrong he would work with silk and his favorite was double knit wool jersey, but I always thought he took the easy way out. Something that cost him almost no time to make (especially since he would take short cuts like a champ) would cost his customer at minimum $500. I could not understand it. Where was the art? Where was the craftmanship?
So many, MANY, years later after going on my local freecycle.org I picked up a couple bags of clothing from someone who did reconstructive T shirts and jeans. For those who don't know about the practice, teenagers have started expressing their inner designer through taking old t shirts and making something new with it in the same was some of us used to redo sweatshirts for years after the movie Flashdance. When I first recieved the free stuff I just thanked the guy and put the clothes to the side. About a year later I had some lingere I wanted to design and could not figure out how to do it. I remembered the lycra and knit fabrics I had in the basement and decided to use that stuff to work on since I ran out of muslin and did not feel like running to the store and I found freedom! I could do stuff with knit fabrics that I could never possibly do with that silk shantung I bought and it was way more forgiving! I could experiment and in ways I never thought possible and it took almost no time for me to do it since I did not have to worry about it. I felt like a guy who used to date an old fashioned debutaunte and learned how fun a street wise girl could be! I could do things to the knits that that cashmere wool would never let me do! And, I could do it in much less time! What more could one want?
Hey, I still have a love affair with the hand made imported linen or the egyptian cotton, but I now know not to poo poo the t shirts. Especially if they are the onces bringing in the dough!

Transferring your pain into art

2008-02-26T19:34:00.001-08:00

I have never really transferred my pain into my art. I would shut down and not be able to do anything and use that as an excuse for not doing what I love.

A couple of months ago . after reading "The Game of Life" I started putting my spirit into my work, trusting my instincts and letting go. Second guessing myself based on what I thought others would like is no longer an option. I put my happiness, my seriousness, and my spirituality into my work. I never put in my pain or sadness and I was just put to the test.

"If I put it in my poetry , someone might read it" Or " I just don't FEEL like sewing. " or " I can't think". I have a million excuses. None of them bring me happiness, health , or money! So, for the first time I finally continued to work through the pain. I thought about how sucess and self accomplishment can be the best revenge for the hurt.

Besides, wouldn't it be delicious if those that hurt you were wishing that they knew you were going to have recognizable success and wish that they had it too? Too Funny. Thank you Frida!

Inspiration

2007-09-22T02:01:00.000-07:00

Well, my prayers have been answered , so let's see what I can do with it. I have always been a fan of hand work. The intimacy between your hand and the fabric is amazing. I recently (through the PSC of course ) found a woman who is brilliant at handiwork and I hope to learn great things from her. She and here husband are amazing.

A little RUSTY

2007-06-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

Personally I am not a hands on kind of gal. If it were up to me I would sketch all day and let others deal with the construction. (Diamond dreams , right?) Now that I finally have that little situation with the dressform almost done , I have started to fix it. I am reminded that while in theory it is noble to be able to do things yourself , who wants to be that noble?

One of the original things to be fixed was the rust on the base. Most of the time, you are instructed to use either sandpaper of soap free steel wool balls or a wire brush and scrape , scrape , scrape until you don't see red. It's a good thing the old housekeeper brought the wrong Brillo pads a year ago, so now I could put those to use. After 5 minutes of that I felt like Cinderella and I couldn't do that. I went to True Value and told them my problem and they gave me Rust-Oleum. After a MINOR scraping I painted this stuff on top and in minutes the base looked BRAND NEW. I loved it. Use it and let me know.

Dressform Drama

2007-06-05T15:01:00.001-07:00

Ever sell anything on eBay? It's perfectly respectable these days for just about everyone to sell there and make a decent profit. Until you have to ship it! If it is a semi large to large item the rules and the rates keep changing on how you can ship things and I sometimes wonder if it is worth it.

To start, with I FINALLY got a dress form close to my size at a reasonable price. Anyone who has ever lost a bid on eBay would know how glad I was that the person put the "buy it now" option for the item. I begged the person to ship the item quickly so that I could use it right away. That was not to happen. Whichever way the small town UPS authorized mail supplies company packed the item, it was not the right way. When it arrived the UPS driver was scared to ask what it was because there was a big pole sticking out of the box and that was not the worst of it. The pole ripped up the antique dress form , the stand broke at the wheel, and the pole cap was missing. The ha ha ha of it is that I can not use the dressform until they investigate what happened and who knows how long that will take. So no dressform for me for now.

The next thing is that I sold my Uniquely You dress form to partially pay for the Wolf. *sigh* I printed out the Paypal label used for eBay sellers through USPS and went to the post office. The main post office did not have a box big enough for the package, but they told me I could wrap her in a garbage bag with the clear packaging tape and send her to save on packaging costs. The price they quoted me was great because it was even less than what I already paid for the Paypal label and less than what I charged the buyer. So I took her home, packaged her up very professionally and took her to my local post office to be shipped. They said that although the weight was only 9lbs, it was an oddly shaped package and since May 14, 2007 there is a new rule that the post office has to charge customers more for oddly shaped packages since it might take up more space on the truck. The difference between what I originally paid for packaging and what they wanted to charge me is an additional $30! The postal worker said if I put the dressform in a box it might be less. We will see.

Just like Barbara Streisand told James Lipton that she worked hard to become rich and famous so she would not have to make her own bed, I am going to work extra hard to be wealthy so I do not have to ship packages! (Or wash dishes.)

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

2007-05-21T12:32:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-17T07:04:00.001-07:00

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

Book Recommendation!

2007-05-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

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)

2007-05-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-07T04:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-03T19:34:00.000-07:00

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.

When should I move on?

2007-04-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

The other day, I made my occasional visit to one of my first fashion mentors that I worked for and it inspired me to keep up with the blog that I have abandoned this many months. I wish I heard of Suze Orman years ago. When you are in fashion you have to move on or you die. Although my leaves have been wilted for a long time I am not ready to die yet.

LOYALTY VS LIVING...
Anyone who knows me knows that I have stayed in some relationships with the pretext of "loyalty" all my life. It did not matter when it was a dead marriage, dead friendship, or dead career. I always stuck around telling myself that somehow if I stuck around long enough things will start to get good. That HAS happened once or twice, but more often than not, I have been left with the scissors in my hand and nothing to cut. It's funny, I am getting more out of my short accociation with the PSC than all the years that I have know my mentor. So I have come up with a personal guideline to know when to move on or at least make sure my ducks are in a row....

1- Know what YOUR goals are. Are you a worker or a leader? Do you want to be a top designer or couturier in the company you are with or do you want to start your own label? Does the person or company you are with have anything to teach you based on where you want to go?
Know who YOU are professionally.
I can't tell you how many times I stayed with a company that have NOTHING to do with my chosen path. Not only did I stay, but I jumped through hoops and I did not even really want to be there.
2- Examine if the company / person meets YOUR GOALS.
I have been in situations where although the designer made many accomplishments they were both unwilling and incapable of letting me know how to acheive even part of what they achieved. Also, their sewing techniques did not match the level I couture I wanted to learn.
3- If you offer ideas, are you at least listened to? If you are not respected you NEVER WILL BE. This question requires you to have a sixth sense. Sometimes the designer does not listen to you because they are threatened by you , but if they are the best you might stick around for a minute since it will be good on your resume. Sometimes they respect you but they are trying to seem like a jerk to uphold some image. Regardless, I must repeat. If a person (parents not included) does not respect you, they NEVER WILL. Not really...
In my situation, I was naive about how much I was worth professionally. Therefore it was easy to take advantage.
4- Are people around you being promoted and you are being passed over? Sometimes your boss wants to keep you in your "place".
With me, there were two jobs I had where the boss loved that I was willing to do extra for them so they never recommended me for the better situations and were surprised when I quit.
5- Is the company bad for your health? Are you gaining weight, losing hair, losing money, etc. because you are working for this company? Prestige means nothing if you are not able to enjoy it.
I had a situation where I let a designer pay me later since I felt they were good for it. Big mistake . After all was said and done I wound up getting goods in lieu of cash. In that situation, not only was my money wasted. My time was wasted. Even if they HAD paid me , it would have been considerably less than if I did my own thing.

THIS IS NOT WORKING FOR ME , NOW WHAT?

1-If you are getting paid, start saving your money. If you are fired or have to quit before you are ready you need to be able to pay your bills.
2-Test the waters. Ask for the raise or promotion of training that you want from the company you are dealing with. Maybe they did not realize what you wanted.
3- Be professional. Many companies in the same industry know of each other. Give two weeks or more notice and write a respectful exit letter. Do not burn bridges.
4- Do a little scouting. Start reading the trade magazines and periodicals , find out who is doing what. Make friends in the industry. DO NOT confirm that you are unhappy until you know who you are talking to.
5- Hold your head high. Just because you were shafted at one place does not mean that you are not going to be on the top SOMEDAY. Brush the dust off and keep moving.

HERE IS THE THING:

You are your most valuable asset and you have to take care of yourself. No apologies, No regrets. No lying to yourself - even if you lie to others to get ahead.

2006-10-31T22:07:00.000-08:00

A thinly disguised Anna Wintour on the fashion industry

I think this is the best definition of what is going on in fashion in America

A NEW CORSET IN MY LIFE.

2006-10-26T00:02:00.000-07:00

The other morning my grandmother said that she can't wait until I have the baby so that she can play with it. I am not expecting a child! So despite the fact that I have to excuse there verbal diarrhea since she has been diagnosed with dementia, it still does not excuse the fact that she saw what I was in denial about. I look like I came from Whoville.
Yes I know that I need to keep exercising despite the fact that it does not feel like it is working, but if you want to look better immediately you need a corset. Not one of those elastic girdles that only give you the same shape only smaller, not one of those slimming and shaping things that work well until you have to go to the bathroom, but a real corset with lacing and steel.
I browsed my closet to find a corset. I knew I bought some from Passional here in Philly, but after a few hours I remembered that my aunt begged me to sell her those. Then, I remembered that I made a corset sometime back when I had a thing for Victorian clothing (As if I don't wear period clothing already). So after rummaging for a few more hours , I find this beautiful piece of work. The problem is now that it is way too small. Since I promised myself I would not wear anything unless I made it, I guess I have to sew.
I found my hammer, I found the metal thing that makes the holes, I think I have some great dupioni silk and the muslin to back it. I just need the pattern and the busks. Yes, I COULD make the pattern myself, but I think I should go with a pattern based on what was used at the time when ladies actually wore corsets instead of problem solving myself. The question now is I what type of style will fit my body type and the kind of clothes I wear? This could be interesting since I do not wear suits too much any more.
Anyway, when I find out what I finally come up with something I will post it.

Laura Bennett , Queen of the Cloth

2006-10-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

Say what you want about Laura Bennett. She is IT. Think Joan Crawford, Shirley Mclaine , Glenn Close , Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, and let's not forget Coco Chanel. Now, once you have that in mind think Laura all the time.

Oh Laura, you accusation throwing, heel wearing, bead sniffing , bi...! From the time Laura made us love her with her fabulous chandelier and rug coat, we were watching her. She showed us that you CAN be a breeder and still know about clothes. She did not come out as a housewife. She came out as a contender who showed you could have swollen ankles and still wear stilletos. Even when she was casual, she was elegant.

Even though I do not believe that she should have won, I certainly believe that she is my favorite and I personally will from now on use her as my yardstick. She has a CLEAR point of view and no one could say that she should not have been on the RUNWAY. Despite the fact that she did not have any formal training in sewing it was clear that she knew what she was doing. I love Laura because she did not apologize for anything that she did. (Except maybe when the hormones really kicked in). She did not expect you to feel any sympathy for her. (And not that many did, why?) I love Laura because she spoke her mind.

Because of Laura:

1) Even in the midst of turtle poop I will keep my calm and wear my best.

2) Even in trash I will not wear jeans

3) I will add beads to most of my clothing

4) I will call a cheater a cheater even if he has tatoos.

Project Runway is OVER, can I move on?

2006-10-20T16:45:00.000-07:00

PROJECT RUNWAY is over, can I move on?Many people who have never been a part of putting a fashion show together have no idea of it's highs and lows. IF they see it at all they see the final result. thank you Project Runway for showing people that clothing is not as easy as one might think. Many people have no appreciation for what I do. The show has helped me emotionally and professionally as a designer. Professionally speaking, I stopped making excuses. Some of the people do all of the sewing themselves, live at home, have other responsibilities, have no formal training, and the list goes on. I came up with so many excuses over the years and I have no more.
But you still won't see me trying to compete with them drunken folks...

WHY MICHAEL, WHY????!!!!!

2006-10-18T22:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Jeffrey, I knew you would win! (I don't have to like it though)

There is a big difference between who I thought would win, the who I hoped would win, and who I think should have win. *sigh* .
Just like most of America, during the whole show I was rooting for Michael. His pieces were beautiful , modern, and thoughtful. His claim to be straight did not hurt either. (Cutie pie) The problem is that if you saw his collection, (which most people who were not at Bryant Park saw on the internet weeks before the Finale aired on BRAVO), you looked at it like a parent at music recital whose child couldn't play. You still loved Micheal , but you couldn't lie to yourself. Some of the pieces were good, but it was not a collection. What I hate is that you left room for Jeffrey.
Oh Jeffrey you rude, unapologetic, Angela's mom hating, tattoed freak! Now matter what any one says about you. You did a great job. My eyes actually teared up when I saw one piece. Some of your pieces were both edgy AND soft at the same time. Very Japanese samurai. Like the balance of the warrior and the artist. I loved it. The thing is though, I really did not want you to win. Yet, you gave everyone a wide range to look at. Everything had the perfect details that many others might not have thought of. You had what Santino lacked in his final collection, the marriage of your personal style and the knowledge of what the public wants. Of course, you have been doing this for a while. You are a true designer. That is hard to be in a time where you can stamp your name on a t-shirt and call yourself a designer.

P.S.
1) I understand how Tim might have been overwhelmed by Jeffery's work, but Tim seemed to be loving Jeffrey a little too much. LOL
2) I miss the fact that most people did not get to see Kara Janx's Project Runway decoy collection in Season 2 . I was the best. I think that is why they had the final four this year.
3) I assumed the fan favorite contest would be based on personality only. I would have picked Kayne. Michael had it all though.
4) I hope another female wins in the future. (Cloe does not count)
5)Uli, Good Luck. I would love a dress from you.
6)Laura, you are IT.
7) Michael , kiss your family for me. You deserve the best.

2006-10-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

GINGER , SPICE and everything nice.

Ever love an idea so much that you were anxious about making it?
A couple of months ago my brother came up with this great idea about this travel bag and I absolutely love it. Unfortunately, sometimes when something is so great I get anxious about it and I procrastinate. So his idea has been sitting for a couple of months. Why is it that we can do so much for others but when it comes to our own stuff we get crazy?!
Thanks to one of my friends at the Philadelphia Sewing Collective, I found this cute site Called Wild Ginger . This site lets you print out patterns for simple bags, hats, and other stuff. Less drafting for me! Yay! We will see how everything turns out. This guilt is killing me.

2006-10-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

SEW ON, AMERICA!

I remember at looking in the label of my burnt orange sundress and thinking how cool it was made in the same country of my brother's cap.. So, of course I knew that there were clothes made in other countries but I never knew what that meant before. To me, it now means that we as American women have put control in other peoples hands...
I was only a child during the age of protests and sit-ins (where ARE those people now?), but I think that American women made a mistake when they threw away their sewing machines at the same time they burned their bras. We thought is was cute to not know how to cook, but we put our health in other people's hands. We thought it was brave that we were promiscuous, but now we made our bodies as valuable as cubic zirconias are compared to diamonds. We thought we were doing something by shedding the old. but instead we are told what to wear by people who do not care about us and are wearing things made by people who want to be us. You do not gain power by throwing away your traditions. I believe you gain power by keeping what is good , you just have to redefine it once in a while.
I think about this more and more when the people I know who sew complain about lack of sewing jobs. I hated when the place that made covered buttons and pleating in Philadelphia closed down. Now I have to go to NYC. A guy who at my favorite notions store in NYC said that as things become global more places will shut down. The ironic thing is that the some of the same people who used to benefit from sewing factories being here in America are the same people who buy the $10 pants that were made in India. We do not pay attention! I just hope that I personally will be where I need to be and not be the one who did not make it when the pied piper played his instrument.
Does anyone look for the "made in the USA" label anymore?

2006-10-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

Hi people, I am a 34 year old female who wanted to be a fashion designer since I was 18 years old. I have always allowed things to get in my way. This blog will have my thoughts about the whole process being on the bottom rung of what you want. Hopefully my journey will help a person or two who wants something but it keeps eluding them.
My design mentor "jokingly" said that the song by Annie Lennox " Legend in my living room" might apply to me . Maybe he is right. Maybe not. We will see...