From the monthly archives:
Two great looks, one great coat. I don’t know about you but that is always a bonus for me. I love being able to create a whole new look just by changing the accessories. This coat/jacket is a feat of engineering. Long and sophisticated with black and white accessories or short and sassy with a knit hat and fun colors. You can’t go wrong.
Anyway
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Do you recognize this statue? Do you know where it is?
Or this one, The button and the needle?
If you have ever walked through the fashion district in New York you do.
Recently an article about saving the fashion district rolled across my desk. It was posted in The L Magazine this past week. I want to open this discussion up in our blog. I will tell you that I used to be very saddened about the fashion district disappearing. I arrived at FIT in 1985, and almost instantly the industry there started to disappear. This was heart breaking to me because I had waited my whole life to that point to get there, and it was leaving. Now, 20 years later, I’m not sure how I feel. Twenty years later finds me in a very different position. Today I am one of 450 designers on Smashing Darling (from all over the country). I don’t live in NYC anymore and very rarely do I find myself in the fashion district when I am in New York. I do get pangs in my heart brought on by nostalgia. If the industry loses the battle, those streets to me will always be the fashion district. Those memories will never be erased. The sounds of the rolling racks on the streets I will never forget and just the general vibration that only a sewing machine can produce will always be on those streets for me.That is why I would love to hear your thoughts about the subject.
In The L Magazine article, Laural Pinson writes about her confusion too:
I find it hard to know where to stand, having two contrasting sensibilities: One says, “It’s as New York as the Central Park Carousel!” while the other says, “This is a city born and bred on competition — we make it work, or we pack it up.” Much like the Flower Market below it, the Garment District sometimes seems like a shadow of its former self, one that begs less for preservation than rejuvenation. Well-respected designers like Sui and Narciso Rodriguez and Vera Wang rightly talk about its historic importance in the development of New York design, but it’s… I’ll say it… a shithole. And it’s kind of always been a shithole, right? Is the sentiment really, “But, it’s OUR shithole?”
So please write in and tell me what the district means to you and why you think it is or is not worth fighting for. Tell me where you are from, are you a designer yourself? Do you have a story about someone you know, a family member that was a part of the fashion industry in NYC? I need more facts and need to hear more history about the subject. So send anything you dig up my way.
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Chanel Mobile Art
Zaha Hadid Architecture and Design, designed the mobile art container.
See the cool hunter for some great inside shots.
Visit this exhibit now through Nov. 9 2008 in Central Park at Rumsey Playfield, NYC. The exhibit is free although a ticket is required. Tickets are available at the onsite ticket box office for limited same day tickets. The box office opens at 8 AM.
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Today’s interview was originally posted by Anna, self proclaimed shoeaholic. Everyday she shares her love and endless joy of shoes in her blog Shoe Smitten. In this particular post she shares a interview with an artist Mark Schwartz. He has been designing shoes in Italy for his entire career. He also turns shoes into art. Visit his website and blog. You will want to dig around a bit, he is giving away one of his works in a contest. Good Luck and may the best shoe lover win.
If you’re a shoe lover (and you should be if you’re reading this), then you’ll love Mark Schwartz’s work! Check out this short, candid interview I scored with him yesterday:
Q: How did Andy Warhol encourage you and influence your work?
A: I met Andy Warhol thru Roger Vivier, was working as Vivier’s assistant and one day Warhol arrives at the Vivier office! Well Warhol was a bit shy but he did sit me down many times over the next year and change, he made monthly visits to the Vivier office to promote Interview magazine,drop off a copy and chat a bit.
We began to talk about shoe design and i was doing these artistic doodles of shoes in different “poses” very fluid and such, Warhol was the one who pushed me to keep drawing the shoes this way , i told him i wanted to paint the shoe as an art form, so he was very positive and nice to me about what i wanted to do, really if it was not for him i would have never have kept doing what i am doing now.
Q: Do you have a favorite shoe fashion icon? Who?
A: My favorite shoe icon is Vivier of course, i was lucky and i mean lucky to be chose by him and work with him for so many years. I love what he created and what he will always influence in modern day shoe design he set the pace for Blahnik, Louboutin, and all who follow.
Q: What is your favorite thing about high heels? What gives them life?
A: High heels have there own personality! They speak without saying a thing. If you look at some of my paintings you can see the high heel in different moods ! High heels on a woman well ,again there is not just one word that describes that look but the life comes from both the shoe itself and the movement of the woman’s body,her personality her body language!
Read about Mark’s inspiration and the rest of the interview here.
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Wakana Koike was the winning designer of the “IT” Designer contest held by Yuli Ziv of My It Things. The final round of judging was Oct 15th. The 3 finalists of the contest took their designs to the runway to try to win the $5000 grand prize. Modarling and I had the great pleasure of attending the event held in NYC. I love what our friend Jean V. Pratt, Style Observer, had to say about the evening.
“I always have high hopes when I go to see new designers, and this event did not disappoint. I think everyone in the style and fashion industry loves to see a new, fresh approach to fashion. The beauty is that the younger designers still believe in the craft, and haven’t sold out yet. Their designs are based on their creativity and vision, and not necessarily on pleasing the mainstream. Honestly, I’m so tired of mainstream. I want more creativity, and originality in designs.” read more…
There are great photos to see from all three designers. The competition was tough but only one could win. Keep checking in to see what contest My It Things will do next. You won’t want to miss it…
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Some examples of what you will see Saturday night Oct. 25th.
by designer Jennifer Ritz
by designer Kattina Hilton
by designer Shiana DehreenOn the heels of New York’s fashion week, SEAM COLLECTIVE, an organization promoting women fashion designers, will host FENOMENON, an evening of edgy fashion, music, dance, art and more, featuring some of the industry’s most exciting emerging female designers.
The event will benefit WomenRising, a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting women at risk in Hudson County N. J., and will be held at CANCO lofts, the landmark condo conversion of Jersey City’s Art Deco American Can Co. factory building. Fifty percent of the net proceeds generated by FENOMENON will be donated to WomenRising. These fundraising efforts will help build current programs that assist women and their families achieve self sufficiency through economic development, social and advocacy services.
SEAM COLLECTIVE is the brainchild of five friends who are enmeshed in the fashion and entertainment industries. Formed in 2005, the organization’s main objective is to provide female designers with opportunities to advance in the industry by creating forums to showcase their talents. FENOMENON is the second fashion show SEAM COLLECTIVE has produced since its inception. In the spring of 2006, the organization hosted a fashion show in Soho, attracting over 350 attendees.
Smashing Darling is proud to be a sponsor of this years Seam Collective Fenomenon fashion show. To get your tickets click here. It is sure to be a fabulous evening so I hope we will see you there!
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Cody Ross is a Dallas-born fashion designer. He is known for his kitschy
and sometimes provocative designs. After working in Asia for several years
as a financial analyst, he returned to the United States to pursue his
true passion (womenswear design) and launched Priestess NYC in late 2007.
His unique creations have been worn by celebrities and super-models
including Tyra Banks, Juliette Lewis, Bjork and Danity Kane and the line
has attracted buyers from avant-garde boutiques and department stores
around the world. Cody’s main inspiration comes from abstract art,
mathematics and ‘vintage-punk.’ He designs out of his West Village
townhouse-cum-atelier and lives fulltime in NYC. Cody’s stuff has been
featured in lots of cool publications, including Vogue, Style.com, i-D and
Dazed and Confused, etc . .
He has a BSC from the London School of Economics as well as credentials in
pattern-construction + design from London’s Central Saint Martins.
Official website: www.priestessnyc.com
www.myspace.com/priestessnyc
If you would like to be featured in this segment of the blog email trish(at)smashingdarling(dot)com
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Name: Aura Vasquez
Occupation: Artist, philanthropist, public relations
City/State: New York, NY
Tell us about what and who you are wearing?
Dress by Express the “rock”collection. I love the purple color and soft-silky texture. The printed angel detail was what caught my eye the most, as well as the pink flower on the side decorated with sparkly colorful ring stones and spangles. This dress is very versatile, could go well in a casual dinner, a night out, or a simple walk at the park in a summer evening.
The ring is designed by my brother (JV) exclusively for me . I give him an idea and colors and he makes them for me. It is made of orange peels and recyclabled paper held together with other organic material. JV is an amazing artist and I am thrilled to inspire him in this new organic jewelery adventure. The ring has been such a success. He is now making personalized rings for others that love his work. if you like his work and would like see more contact me.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I have done extensive travel but I think I would love to visit Cuba… dance their music, see the regime and visit their amazing sites. It must be fascinating to see a place so stuck in time… how many times do you get to experience something like it? I want to live it, drink it and eat it…
What’s your favorite piece of clothing?
Flip flops…they are so free and careless but also, it this unique feeling of comfort and peace… incredible that I get all this from a pair of shoes…. I wish I could wear them all the time and for all occasions.
Tell us about something you LOVE that you want others to know about?
In terms of fashion, I love unique and customize items. I love to play with textures and colors. The more flamboyant and unique the more attractive it is for me. This is the reason why I love the rings that my brother makes for me and why they are such a sensation when I wear them.
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by trish on October 21, 2008
Arielle Parker Bergmann is the designer for her own line called, Elleira Couture. She began her love for fashion at the mere age of eight years old with the hopes and aspirations of becoming a fashion designer. She expanded her knowledge of fashion and fueled her passion to create with all things around her. Arielle learned more and more everyday by studying the work of the icons and forerunners of the fashion industry. She continued her education by studying fashion design at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia.
Trish: How did you get into the business of fashion?
Arielle: Fashion is something I always have been passionate about. When I graduated college I thought I would find a great job and eventually pursue starting my company. After working for someone else for my first two years out of college I realized that I would never be happy unless I was designing my own line. I freelanced for a while and then when the time was right I took the leap and in early 2007 started my own line, Elleira Couture.
Trish: Where and what did you Study?
Arielle: I went to Savannah College of Art and Design to Study Fashion design. I graduated in 2004.
Trish: When did you start your own line of clothing?
Arielle: In 2007 I started really small. My first collection was in spring of 2007 and it only consisted of a few graphic tees and two skirts.
Trish: How is your clothing produced?
Arielle: All my clothing is produced here in the United States on a small scale. All my samples are made here in Huntsville, where I live, and all my orders are manufactured in a small factory in Tennessee. I am really adamant about keeping my clothing manufactured in the US. I want to keep everything here in the States to support local businesses.
Trish: Where do you turn for inspiration for your designs?
Arielle: It really just depends, I am constantly full of ideas, influences, and concepts. My decision making is very sporadic and usually my inspiration comes straight from my mood.
Trish: How do you market yourself and your label?
Arielle: I am a huge advocate of grass roots marketing and I try to reach people through the community and let them know what I am doing and what I stand for. It is also nice to have an active working relationship with most of my vendors.
Trish: How do you see your company in the future?
Arielle: Well hopefully, in the future I see my company being successful enough to support my current lifestyle. Currently, I am a high school teacher, and as much as I love it I don’t want to do it forever. The ultimate goal for my company is to quit teaching by the time I turn 30 and be able to design and manage my Clothing line and start a family.
Trish: What does your average day entail?
Arielle: I wake up around 6:00 am to get ready for my school day. I teach High School students all about my passion (Fashion). I get done with my school day at 3:30. Currently, over the past few weeks I have been preparing for Charlotte fashion Week and now Spring Market in Atlanta. Designing is probably the best and easiest part of my job but I spend very little time doing that. I am usually sourcing fabrics and working with fabrics and my manufacturers to get pricing and take care of other administrative stuff.
Trish: Describe your personal style?
Arielle: My style changes with my mood. I would never design something I would not wear. But on a daily basis, I change up my style. I love being able to express however I feel. So some days I dress classic and some days I dress trendy. If you were to look in my closet there is nothing you should be surprised to find, because I dress differently every day. So I guess if I had to described my style in one word it would be eclectic.
Trish: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Arielle: Coco Chanel is my all time favorite. I definitely think her style influences me as a designer because I try to keep my clothing classic but not boring. Coco Chanel was an innovator of her time. I hope that one day I will be able to have even some degree of the influence she has had on fashion today.
Trish: Do you have any current fashion obsessions?
Arielle: I guess tights and sneakers, but not together. I have tights and leggings in almost every color available. And well Sneakers are just awesome because they are fun and comfortable and you can still make a fashion statement by wearing them without looking like you’re going to the gym.
Trish: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
Arielle: Misile, since you have been producing in the US for about 5 years now, what is some advice you would offer to someone who is trying to do the same?
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Williamsburg Fashion Weekend, Fall ‘08
By Kaytee Papusza
The Williamsburg Fashion Weekend show brought together talented indie
and emerging designers from within Brooklyn. This seasons show was at
a local Williamsburg art space, Secret Project Robot. In the true
spirit of Brooklyn fashion, and the artistic nature of it’s youth, the
clothing was anything but boring. I attended the second night of the
two night production, and enjoyed creative presentations of
collections put together by 5 different designers; Treehouse Brooklyn,
Dear Birthday, Sodafine, Untitled 11:11, and Racecar. It’s refreshing
to see so many designers grasp the opportunity to be creative in how
they showed. Williamsburg Fashion Weekend creator, Arthur Arbit, and
also designer of the line King Gurvy (shown the first night of the
show), puts emphasis on having nontraditional shows that are more then
just a model and a runway and encourages designers to implement other
elements of performance art, such as musical acts, theatrics, and
interaction with the audience.
Treehouse Brooklyn by *Sirius
Untitled 11:11 (untitled111.com), by David Peck and Laurel Anderson,
opened the show with a collection of elegant and sophisticated pieces,
beautifully tailored and draped on the models in a manner that felt
architectural at times. Models coasted along the runway as mock flight
attendants carrying trays of candies and other little treats they
passed out to the audience, as well as origami cranes, mirrored in the
designers choice of origami prints on their textiles. The show was fun
and a perfect balance of natural sophistication, reflecting the
designers use of fair-trade and eco-friendly materials.
The second showcase of the evening was of the menswear collection,
Racecar (myspace.com/racecarapparel), by Jeannette Tiso. The line was
a collection of handmade vests with vintage charm and a touch of rock
‘n roll, perfectly suited as the designer is known to dress many
Williamsburg bands. The models fit the part, strutting with BK band
Gulf of Michigan playing in the backdrop. The guys wearing the clothes
were covered in tattoos and theatrically sipping from flasks on the
runway as they paused to show the sexy workmanship of the designer.
Materials ranged from cashmere to cotton and canvas, always conveying
that vintage quirky sense of style that only Brooklyn boys can seem to
pull off.
Treehouse Brooklyn by *Sirius
The finale of the evening was collaborative and included the work of
three inspired Williamsburg designers, sending their clothes off on a
picnic. The models gallivanted and skipped down the runway in a free
spirited air, carrying picnic blankets, which were spread out on the
stage- they then of course sat down on the stage and were joined by
other models carrying baskets of apples and bottles of champagne. The
show included the works of Sodafine (sodafine.com) by Erin Weckerle,
Treehouse Brooklyn (treehousebrooklyn.com) by house designer *Sirius,
and Dear Birthday (dearbirhtday.com) by designer Valerie Soles. Each
designer showed five looks, to have a party of 15 at their picnic.
Sodafine showed a series of hand-painted dresses dripping with
exquisite details and collaged fabrics, creating looks full of texture
and depth. Treehouse Brooklyn house designer *Sirius showed a
collection of eco-friendly pieces made of reworked vintage and
eco-friendly jersey. Her fun flirty silhouettes and funky organic
mixing of unusual fabrics create her unique look. She also showed some
of her intricate hand knit collar pieces, lace-like and contrasting
beautifully with her clothing. Last but not least Dear Birthday showed
a collection of dresses inspired by Edward Gorey and the Cape Cod
shore in autumn. Models clad in sweet and airy vintage-like pieces
joined the picnic just in time to pop some bottles of bubbles and set
a warm and joyful tone to end the evening. All of the designers had
reason to celebrate; it was a beautiful show full of inspired
Williamsburg designers with a talent and dedication to craftsmanship
and creativity that can rarely be found in the rat-race of Manhattan.
Williamsburg Fashion Weekend continues to grow and is extremely
important for those of us passionate about fashion as our artform.
Indie designers, often invisible to the corporate fashion world, need
a platform to present their beautiful and unconventional work. Stay
tuned for the next Williamsburg Fashion Weekend in February, where I
will be showing a new collection from my line, PapuszaCouture, along
with a sleigh of other original and talented Williamsburg and Brooklyn
designers.
You can check out more photos from the event at Williamsburg Fashion Event and Compai Projects.
-Kaytee Papusza PapuszaCouture
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