Smashing Darling Blog

Today’s interview is with Designer Rachel Park. A very self motivated designer with a no fear, just do it attitude. Rachel has been with Smashing Darling from the very beginning. We love that we have a designer that has taken on the challenge of spicing up the run of the mill menswear accessory market. Her ties are gorgeous. It is only a matter of time before someone on the red carpet says,”The tie?, Rachel Park.”

One last thing, this holiday season don’t just go to the mall and buy any old tie. Buy a Rachel Park and give the recipient a real gift they will swoon over.

SD: What inspired you to start a line of men’s ties?
RP: Women have more creative freedom with their clothing–more pieces and styles to choose from. Menswear is really restricted to very few options, but the tie is something that can really express personal style. When I began, it seemed the only ties I saw were uninspired, lacking color or adventure. Yes, it’s a traditional piece, but it doesn’t have to be boring. You can wear the simplest suit, but a fabulous tie will make all the difference.

SD: How do you decide what textiles are right for the ties?
RP: I like to select something that you wouldn’t normally think would make a tie–such as an interesting texture, bold print, or rich color– but then it becomes the coolest tie and the focus of the whole look.

SD: I know that you were originally from South Korea, tell us the story of how you came to settle in NYC.
RP: I was born in Seoul but raised in Illinois. I moved to Chicago after graduation and lived there for many years. My business was born there, but I knew in order to really thrive in fashion, I would have to come to NYC. So, I finally got off my a#@ and just did it–no job lined up nor living arrangement beyond the first month. I just knew once I got here, I would be fine. I was right.

SD: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
RP: NYC itself is very inspiring. Yeah, it can be loud, overcrowded, and dirty, but it is also has an energy like no other place. I also love the cultural diversity–something lacking where I was raised. People here know their style, and they aren’t afraid of it. I love that.

SD: What does your average day entail?
RP: Coffee, work, and The Daily Show.

SD: Describe your personal style?
RP: I’m small so I have to be careful with certain things, such as big prints, bright colors, or stuff that doesn’t fit right. I tend to wear clean, fitted silhouettes and solid colors. I’m not really a fan of prints for my clothing, so my accessories are where I can really have some fun with color and give my outfit that extra something. I also think that’s part of the reason why I design accessories–they always fit.

SD: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
RP: When I began fashion, I loved what Gianni Versace was doing. His cut was impeccable–he really knew a woman’s body. I was very sad when he passed away. Such a tragedy, especially the way in which it happened. Also, Issey Miyake has always been a constant source of inspiration. What he does with fabric, pleats, and space is amazing. He takes design to a whole other level. I don’t really have the shape (or budget, for that matter) to wear their clothing, but I am always excited to see what’s next. They definitely showed me what the art of fashion design could be.

SD: Do you have any current fashion obsessions?
RP: I also design a line of women’s scarves. It’s still a little too warm to wear them around my neck, but lately, I love wearing them in my hair. I try to wear a different one every day.

SD: What advice would you give someone just starting in your field?
RP: Just do it and never give up. Ask questions. Know your market, and promote, promote, promote. Never give up.

SD: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
RP: I always have holiday show, so I am busy getting ready for that. It’s about that time again already!

SD: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
RP: Naik Fur, your stuff is amazing. Incredible pieces.

SD: Other Than Smashing Darling where do you sell your ties?
RP: I also have my own site, www.rachelpark.com. Soon, you’ll find my scarves there, too. A new and improved site is in the works…

Congrats to Julie Lake her Pantaloon earrings are in the Style Hive Blog as one of the ten best earrings on their site.

Join the Smashing Darling community in the Hive here.

>> I love the 3-D product shots by Naik Fur. She has done some videos of her hats. You can also watch her fashion show too. They are in the video section of her profile.

>> Boaz has put up some great new rockin’ trousers for fall/winter. I love the stretch velvet hip huggers. Definitely check out all of his inventory.

>> Look for interview with Rachel Park tomorrow Hot in the BLOG.

>> Check out Style.com to get the runway review of the not so indie Alexander McQueen. Do yourself a favor, take the time to watch the slide show.

>> Take a quiz to find out what kind of shoe you are.

>> For the latest updates from your favorite designers on Smashing Darling, click the subscribe icon in their store. It is the envelope in the up right above the designer profile.

>> Enjoy you day today, and let me know where else you get your fashion fix from.

1. Walk a marathon! I am giving a BIG shout out to my girlfriend Shelly! She along with thousands are walking a marathon this weekend for the cause.  There is a big one coming up in Florida. The National Breast Cancer Marathon, February 17, 2008. Benefiting the Mayo Clinic and women living with breast cancer.

2. A fun company that sells tees. Portions of the sale goes to breast cancer research.

3. Donate directly to a foundation raising money for research. Check out Charity Navigator to get a rating on the charity you are considering giving to. If you don’t have one in mind you can find the top rated breast cancer charities there as well. You can also contact a local hospital to for an organization close to home to donate to.

4. Get More Sunshine.
“Recent studies reveal that sunshine is a free treatment for breast cancer that women everywhere can avail themselves of. Stimulated by direct sunlight to the skin, the body produces Vitamin D, an essential nutrient in the function of the immune system. Additionally, a number of studies have shown that Vitamin D inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and other cancer cells and tumors in the body - making it a natural prevention of breast cancer. The body makes vitamin D from sunlight and although sun exposure is a little controversial in some quarters because of the risk of skin cancer, many health experts see little harm in 15 minutes of sunshine several times a week”. Click here to read the 14 tips to help prevent breast cancer.

5. Volunteer, local organizations can always use an extra pair of hands to help in their fight for the cure or to help women fighting the battle.

OK, I have to go now, if you read all 14 tips to prevention, you will read why I have to keep my Ta Tas away from my computer! Everything in moderation!

A HEAD in fashion … get it???!!!

OK, so we’re better at fashion than at humor,

but we know this much for certain … great looks start at the top.

Here are some flavorful, foxy adornments for your coiffure.

(That’s hair to you and me.)

Links to shop:

1. Madge’s Diva Shop, $250.00

2. foundling, $5.00

3. onegirliegirl, $9.00

4. Yosifa-Penina, $9.00

5. Anne de Pasquale, $38.00

6. lake, $32.00

I saw a funny quote today, although I have no idea where it came from. So funny though, I want everyone to pass it on! Comment back to me so I know who got this quote and the person that lives the farthest from me in Chester CT. I am going to send a Smashing Darling tank to. These babies are hot and I am in a mood to give them away! Comments must be in by Monday @ 5:00 to be in the running for the tank. Don’t forget to say where you are from!

Here is the quote:

“I can only please one person a day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow doesn’t look good either”.

You have to admit, you are going to use this one on someone today!

Comments must be made at the Smashing Darling Blog.

Something very odd has been happening lately. People keep coming to me asking if we have advertisers on our site. I tell them no and go about my conversation.

Inside my head I am thinking, that is sooooooooooooooo weird. Why would anyone care if we have advertisers? Not that there is anything wrong with that…..[first person to leave a comment revealing the source for that line gets a smashing darling tank top].

Anyway, why all of a sudden are people so curious about whether we have advertisers or not?

The simple fact of the matter is, we really don’t want to have advertisers. Not because we don’t like advertising. It is a very conscious decision NOT to have outside advertisers on Smashing Darling. We want the DESIGNERS to stand out, not the flashing ads above the header or in the side margin.

Before building this site we did A LOT of research with independent designers and one of the biggest complaints was about product placement and trying to stand out. How does someone with an independent label stand out next to a GAP ad? Big stores have big advertising budgets. Brand recognition is already on their side. We want to help independent designers build up their OWN brand recognition. We think the easiest way to do that is to leave traditional advertising out of it. Sorry, and again, not that there is anything wrong with it. For me, it makes shopping so much easier too. The pages are uncluttered and clean. It makes it so easy for the product to stand out.

Maybe it is a little uneasy for people to be in a place where they don’t recognize a name or a familiar face. Give it a chance and take the journey. Don’t you want to be the first to discover something new? Open your eyes to all of the amazing designers in our community from across the country. Visit us, shop with us so that we can continue to remain advertising free….not that there is anything wrong with that!

We’ve all been there. Well actually I haven’t. I never had the right hair for a headband. Maybe it was that I didn’t have the right shape face. Either way, they never were my fashion accessory du jour. So I have brought in some help on the topic. Here is Alyse’s solution to the woes of headbands that just won’t stay on.

“Headbands seem to come and go through the fashion ages. I remember wearing wide, hideous lycra bands in a myriad of colors and patterns as a child. The chunky plastic headband had its revival, and gave way to slender, delicate evening headbands. We won’t even discuss those braided faux-hair headbands (I cannot be the only one who was scared of those).

She Complete’s line of headbands is anything but scary. She Complete is a new-ish accessories company started by designer Karen Cooper. The goal was to create a line of well-made, luxurious accessories that blur the line between classic and modern; elegant and edgy.I remember trying to use a scarf as a headband - tied around my head, with the tails peeking out from the ends of my hair. The problem with that was that the scarf would slip within five minutes of being tied, and I would usually give up and take the scarf out within an hour. The Kitty headband offers that same look - without the struggle. The secret is the elastic band at the back of the headband. The elastic holds the headband in place snugly, but with surprising comfort.”

To read the rest of this post and to see more from Style Maven Alyse at Spork Fashion click here.

For those of you that like scarves and want to tie one on,

read on.

I love the beautiful colors and patterns of the scarves that designer Rachel Park has to offer.

They would look so beautiful tied around your head like Jackie O or Audrey Hepburn. Don’t forget the big dark Glasses!

Or maybe really go vintage with a scarf from Vera sold at Hello Fabulous.

All of these headbands or scarves would just look so fantastic with a mod mini dress, tights, chunky shoes or boots. If you don’t trust me go look at French Vogue this month.

This was brought to my attention by our fabulous Jules Sherman designer for Yosifa Penina.
She emailed me today so if you are interested get your application in ASAP!

Reply to: d3prod@earthlink.net
We are an Emmy-award winning TV production company looking for two local SF-Bay Area Fashion Designers to participate in our next feature-length PBS travel documentary. It will be filmed in China over two weeks, tentatively from late-October to early-November, 2007. All expenses will be covered, including international airfare, in-country travel, lodging, and meals.

There are 56 ethnic minority groups living in China, each with its distinct fashion. The two participants will visit the southwest province of Guizhou, and learn about the unique and traditional styles of the Miao, Buyi, and other ethnic groups in that area. The project will document how the designers gain inspiration from local costumes, jewelry and accessories, and show how they incorporate what they’ve learned into their designs after they return to the U.S.

We are looking for fashion designers, roughly between ages 25-40, with 3-5 years of design experience, who are open-minded, adventurous, verbally expressive, willing to try new things, easy-going, in good health, enthusiastic, AND who have never been to China and are not that familiar with Chinese culture. We prefer you to have some international travel under your belt, but no prior experience in China.

Does this sound like you? If so, please email us at d3prod@earthlink.net to request an Application Form & Questionnaire.

Please include a recent photo of you, a very brief description of your design background, 2 photos of your designs, and your reason for wanting to participate in the documentary. (No long answers needed, as this will be covered in the application.)

We will review applications as they come in, and hope to make a decision by October 10, 2007.

We look forward to hearing from you.

D3 Productions, Inc.
Oakland, CA
www.d3mediagroup.com

• Location: China
• Compensation: None. But, we will cover expenses, including: international airfare, in-country travel, lodging, and meals.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

 The link to the original post came from Craig’s List.

Todays interview is not what we usually do but I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to someone we met while waiting in line at Laura Dawson’s fashion show. Her Name is Neda, she is the photographer for a blog called The Atlanta Creatives Project. It is a really cool exploration of Atlanta’s independent designers and artists. In their words this is how they describe it,

“The Atlanta Creatives Project is a photographic documentation of Atlanta’s creative core. For years, Atlanta has been home to many inspired individuals who enrich our experiences and everyday lives within the city. The project will serve the purpose of placing faces with the many names. All facets of the city’s creative underground will be explored by this a never-ending visual history of our great city.”

When we met she was just about to shoot the artist Dosa Kim in Times Square. He is a graphic artist that has been a part of Atlanta for 17 years. You can read his interview here. I was just on their site and was very excited to read that the project will interview and Neda will photograph a fabulous independent fashion designer Laurel Wells. We had the great pleasure of meeting her in line at the show as well. I look forward to reading her interview in the near future. This project is a great one to stay tuned into to keep your finger on the pulse of the indie scene in Atlanta.