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From the monthly archives:
February 2008
The first person to comment on the blog and tell me who said or wrote quote this wins a Student Smash Up item from Smashing Darling!
“Absolute freedom is absolute responsibility” -?
We had a winner for last weeks quote!
it was by Dewitt Bodeen.
He is probably best remembered for writing Cat People.
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This is a GREAT gift for us at Smashing Darling, The March issue of InStyle Magazine is live and we are in Deals and Steals! Why is this a gift for you, you ask? Well visit InStyle Deals and Steals, and you can register to win a Free Gift Card to shop on Smashing Darling. This give-away is only for new accounts, so, little hint…you will have to create a new account if you already have a Smashing Darling account! shhhhhhhhhhhh… don’t tell anyone you heard me say that!
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Our honorary darling friend Lesley Scott of Fashion Tribes has put an amazing recap of NYC Fashion Week together. Click Here to read complete NYFW 08 coverage.
Fall 2008 Fashion Week New York: List of the Top 10 Most…
1. Inspiring – Steinunn
Reflecting the raw beauty of her native Iceland, Steinunn’s intimate show featured stunning artisanal knits and cocoon’y shapes. Unfortunately, by showing at the beginning of Fashion Week, the other seven days paled in comparison and felt like they headed downhill artistically.
2. Disappointing – Marc Jacobs
An odd ode to pastel boxiness, made worse by following right on the heels of a stellar spring collection devoted to sheer layers and clothes that were thought-provoking (really! check this out). When he admitted to Style.com that he “really wasn’t very inspired this season,” he wasn’t kidding.
3. Successful Succession – Peter Som for Bill Blass
Inspired by lookbooks from the house dating back to 1969 and 1970, Bill Blass creative director Peter Som created covetable clothes for today’s Blass brigade of finicky fashionistas, snooty insiders, and glamourous power mavens alike.
4. Over-Anticipated – Halston
That eccentricity you just felt in the earth’s orbit? That would be the glittery fashion king of Studio 54 rolling in his grave at having his name attached to these lackluster Donna Karen’esque knits and stripped-down Calvin imitations. Harvey Weinstein’s magic touch apparently ends at the border of Tinseltown.
5. Girlie Makeup – Proenza Schouler
Yes the standard smoky/smudgy/stormy/greasy (adjective du jour) eye is sexy and sophisticated, but blue eyeshadow is fun! Dick Page opted for pearly grey layered with cobalt, creating a playful standout in a somber sea of grown-up smokiness.
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Today’s interview is with Natha Perkins, unique and enchanting handcrafted jewelry. She is Inspired by colors, confections, and fantasies. Her intention is to evoke a certain feeling, a dream, a memory, in every piece through the combination of metal, stones and words.
SD: When did you realize you wanted to be a jewelry designer?
NP: In my early twenties I became obsessed with plastic, sparkly candy colored jewelry but while it was so pretty, it was cheap and would fall apart easily or wouldn’t be comfortable. I wanted the same translucent shimmer but in ‘real jewelry’. So I always had specific pieces of jewelry that I had dreamed up and really wanted but could never find in stores. When I took my first silversmithing class and saw the possibilities for amazing, high quality, juicy jewelry- I was hooked. When people started buying my jewelry off of my neck, I knew I was onto something.
SD: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
NP: I love colors. I am also really influenced by words, passion, and magical imagery. I envision my jewelry pieces becoming treasured objects and amulets for their owners so I try to tell open ended stories through the use of words, colors and shapes. I want these elements to enchant you and resonate personally so when you wear your piece, it has specific meaning to you as well as giving you something pretty to wear and look at.
SD: Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life?
NP: I have an amazing family and each person has been very influential in different aspects of my life but as far as my success and drive as an artist, my Dad David has been my biggest champion. He is and has always been completely interested and thrilled with all of my accomplishments. He just always makes me feel so talented and competent.
SD: Who is your average customer and what are they like?
NP: My customers are women (and the men who love them) that first and foremost like pretty things, but also like to have unique and meaningful adornments. That said though, they are a very diverse group. Some of my customers love the subtle sexiness of wearing a luscious cherry or flaming heart around their neck. Some of them love the fact that they can customize their jewels with names, special words etc. and some just fall in love with the colors or fantasy involved with a particular piece.
SD: How do you promote yourself and your designs?
NP: I have had great success with word of mouth referrals. I’m currently looking at doing some spring and summer shows as well because it seems like if someone can see my jewelry live and in person it really sells itself. I’m also utilizing indie product website like Smashing Darling (love Smashing Darling!) as well as trying to promote my own website nathaperkins.com
SD: What does your average day entail?
NP: I wish it was more glamorous but I have 2 little girls and so most days revolve around keeping them happy- lots of eating, dressing up and playing. When I do get to escape to my studio-aah… heaven. I get most of my work done on the weekends when my sweet husband can take over.
SD: Describe your personal style?
NP: I am secretly scared of becoming a shlumpy Mom so I usually try to dress it up a bit everyday. I favor lots of pretty layers and skirts or else all black but always sassy shoes and lots of jewelry.
SD: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
NP: Without a doubt my step mom Linda and Grandmother Herta are my fashion icons. Herta taught me the importance of always looking fabulous for the sole reason of making yourself happy and Linda taught me the art of dressing in an eclectic and unique fashion without looking ridiculous.
SD: Do you have any current fashion obsessions?
NP: Yes…jersey knit scarves in lots of colors, legwarmers and the color green.
SD: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
NP: I have a pile of beautiful gemstones waiting for me to make them into luscious jewelry and lots of new designs ready to be taken from concept to realty!
SD: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
NP: Really I just want to send a general thanks to all of the amazing artists whose craft has inspired me. I have gotten so much inspiration just from seeing what some of my peers are up to. Thistle Down Wool Design- your bags are just amazing and I love the color combinations of Elle a Belle Designs- ooh how I want those Bonfire earrings!
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It seems like a simple enough concept to grasp, but we’re amazed at how many photographs we see that are just plain blurry and out of focus. No matter how great your fashions may look in person, if your photographs are soft and blurry you won’t make sales … there’s just no substitute for a good photograph in web marketing!
Example…the images below are from the go robot! store. Notice how nice and sharp the first one is, and how much detail you can see. Doesn’t it just make you want to run and get your credit card? As compared to the second image where you can barely see it because it’s blurry. Who would want to buy that? They don’t have enough information to go from as to how fabulous it really is.
The core principles of focus in digital photography are just the same as they were on the old film cameras that those of us who have been around long enough used to use. Sharpness depends on three things: focus, shutter speed, and aperture. In the old days, these functions could be set manually (and with many digital SLRs still can be), but many digital cameras handle exposure and focusing automatically. For those of you using fully automatic cameras here’s how to get sharp focus every time:
1. Make sure you’ve got plenty of light. Most digital cameras rely on autofocus, which needs plenty of light to work properly, so make sure your products are well lit. At the same time, more light will allow your camera to use a faster shutter speed, which will also help keep your photos sharp. More light will also enable your camera to use a smaller aperture, which will increase the depth of focus in your shot (called depth of field.)
2. Use the right focusing mode. Many digital cameras offer a range of focusing modes, designed to function in different ways depending upon your type of subject, how close or far you are from it, and your lighting situation. Learn what your camera can do, and make sure you’re using the appropriate focusing mode.
3. Try a tripod. You’ve gone to great lengths to set your shot up and style your product so the image will look great. One of the easiest things you can do to ensure that your photo will be sharp is to simply mount your camera to a tripod. Blurry shots due to low shutter speeds will disappear, guaranteed!
Manual exposure settings
Go manual! If your camera has the capability for manual exposure control, you will have even greater flexibility to make sure your shot is in focus every time because you’ll be able to set aperture and shutter speed yourself. Shutter speed describes how long your camera’s shutter stays open to take the photo. It is expressed in fractions of a second. In general, it is difficult to hand-hold a camera at shutter speeds longer than 1/60 second without the image appearing blurry. Aperture is the term for the size of the opening that exposes the image, and the rule here is that the smaller the opening is, the more sharp your photo will be throughout the image. A small aperture allows more to be in focus in all areas of your photo, both in the foreground and in the background.
Check out your camera’s instructions to learn more about manual exposure and focus, and experiment LOTS!
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The first person to comment on the blog and tell me who said or wrote this gets a Student Smash Up item!
“I like to see a home like this, a home connected with people’s thoughts and work, things they love” -?
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Our very own smashing designer Dres, collaborates with Benjamin Cho for his Fall 2008 Show. True to Dres’ style these amazing rubber corsets were true show stoppers. Fantastic over Benjamin’s clothing.
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Now that the holidays are over, and we are passed Groundhog’s Day, I feel like I am finally coming up for air again. I can actually be on the lookout for cool things to do again. This is one I will be checking out soon! If anyone has been leave a comment and let us know how it is!
November 27 – May 7, 2008
Exoticism, the latest theme for the Fashion and Textile History Gallery, presents 250 years of fashion inspired by diverse cultures from around the world. This exhibition demonstrates that exoticism in fashion has changed profoundly as we have moved from the Eurocentrism of the colonial past to the hybridity of today’s multicultural “global village.” The exhibition opens with a display of saris, kimonos, and other non-Western styles, then shifts to a chronological history of mostly Western fashion, from the 18th century to the present. We see how an interest in “exotic” styles and techniques coalesced into new visual idioms, such as japonisme and chinoiserie. More than 70 looks are featured by designers such as Kenzo (Japan), Dries Van Noten (Belgium), Yeohlee (Malaysia), and Vivienne Tam (China), as well as Xuly Bët and Stoned Cherrie from Africa, Manish Arora of India, and Brazil’s Alexandre Herchcovitch, who are providing fresh perspectives on what constitutes exoticism.
Exoticism has been organized by Tamsen Schwartzman and Fred Dennis, together with Molly Sorkin, Clare Sauro, Harumi Hotta, and Lynn Weidner. Special thanks to Julian Clark and Valerie Steele.
The sari is a draped textile worn by women throughout South Asia. Different drapery styles, patterns, and colors traditionally indicate the wearer’s social class and ethnicity.
These saris were worn by Princess Niloufer Farhat Begum Saheba of Hyderabad (1916-1989). As the consort of an Indian prince, she was required to wear saris, but having grown up in France, she often commissioned designs that reflected a Western fashion sensibility in their color, motif, and placement of embellishment.
These particular saris were made in India, but Princess Niloufer also commissioned saris from French designers such as Jeanne Lanvin.
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Todays interview is with Juliet Rutigliano, of Rutigliano Design. Her larger than life, rock and roll spirit comes across in every piece of edgy jewelry she designs. On top of designing her own line of jewelry, she recently opened her own boutique in Upper Montclair, NJ called Mis-En-Scene. So if you are in the neighborhood of 547 Valley Rd pop in and say hi, If not you will find her open 24 hours a day on Smashing Darling.
Juliet with her mom, and sisters Jenna & Joanna
SD: When did you realize you wanted to be a jewelry designer?
JR: I think it has always been in the cards. Even when I was around 8 years old, I loved making things into jewelry. I used to use everything from glass beads and fimo clay to dried Indian corn kernels. When I was around 16 or 17, I started to get REALLY curious about silver smithing and using a torch so for a birthday present, my parents got me a torch…..with the one rule that first time I lit it I had to go in our field, far far FAR away from the house!
SD: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
JR: I turn to structures. I love bridges, buildings, and fences. Even the wires that run over trains or huge power grids. Anything industrial because I love the fact that every part you look at is there to serve a purpose. I believe the purpose that jewelry serves is to enhance how you feel about yourself, and your own structure of thought. That is why I also tie music and literature in a great deal. There is amazing structure to be found in an album like Abby Road, when you are done listening you feel a sense of fulfillment and I want to capture that feeling in my jewelry.
Constellation Necklace on Dinah
SD: Who would you say has been the most influential person in your life?
JR: I can’t pick 1 because there are 4 hands down. My mom Jeanne, my dad Joe, and my sisters Joanna and Jenna. No matter what age I am or what hobby or idea has caught my fancy for the moment, my family is ALWAYS there to help me in any way they can, each of them bringing their own unique take on the situation and life. And no matter how crazy I get, they always remind me that anything can be done with creativity and hard work.
SD: What has it been like for you owning your own boutique?
JR: It is everything I thought it would be! There is always a ton of paper work to be done and a ton of jewelry to make, but no matter how many hours I put in, knowing that I am working for myself makes it 100% worth it. It is very liberating to be able to have an idea about design, or display, or marketing and just DO IT! I have also learned a great deal of patience because you constantly have to remind yourself that business is a long term endeavor and there will ALWAYS be ups and down, just like everything else!
SD: What advice can you give to other independent designers that want to do the same?
JR: You should ALWAYS take the risks needed to do what you love. But you also need to be completely honest with yourself. The careful choices you make in your designs and products as a designer need to be applied to your business as well. There are many different avenues for independent designers and you owe it to yourself to find the one that will allow YOU to thrive. If you are a designer who thrives on alone time to just design and create your work, you may find that a sales venue like SMASHINGDARLING is perfect for you. If you love the idea of having a boutique, you should be aware it takes A LOT of your time and that you will be juggling everything from store coverage, to marketing, accounting, selling, as well as designing and creating your work, then it could be time to jump into your own boutique. Listen to the voice inside you, it will tell you what YOU need and when you need it.
SD: What does your average day entail?
JR: My store is open 11-6 Monday thru Saturday so that is where I spend all of my day. In the morning I do store paper work. I have my studio in the back of my store, so by 1pm or 2pm I work on jewelry, be it designing new pieces, doing repair work, or building inventory. Then by 4pm or 5pm I get on the computer and PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE my store and jewelry! Of course, between all of this I make sales!! Then depending on what I got done for the day at the store, I spend from around 7pm to 11pm at my apartment making more jewelry with my sister Joanna!!
SD : Describe your personal style?
JR: Edgy, Urban, and Unique. While I can appreciate high fashion, I tend to go for functional and funky….I love black lace tops over a basic camisole (thanks to Trish for making me some of the COOLEST shirts I have!) and I like vintage punk rock Ts. I am a HUGE fan of dying my hair, right now I have settled on Jet black because I think it is dramatic and sexy.
SD: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
JR: While not a designer herself, I have always loved Drew Barrymore. No matter what she wears or where she’s going, her style allows her self confidence to shine through which is the most important thing. And I love that she has a multi faceted personality to go with her ever evolving person style.
SD: Do you have any current fashion obsessions?
JR: Leather. Mary Jane shoes and leather cuffs. And I have been obsessed with making big bracelets in my own jewelry line. Lots of rivets and lots of cuffs.
SD: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
JR: I am gearing up for my first Valentine’s Day at the new store! And last week, one of my friends attended the I Heart Truth Red Dress Fashion show at Bryant Park and she wore my Galaxy Necklace!!
SD: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
JR: 1st Trish and Julie and of course Mo, AWESOME job creating and promoting our indie community! May there be 100 more interviews for you like the one I saw on mashable.com!
And Aelisheva, I think your clothing is beautiful. I love the combination of textures, fabrics, and color and I love the fine details you stitch into your work to make it look so complete and clean.
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