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Shop Alisha Trimble boutiques at Smashing Darling:
ALISHA TRIMBLE is a fashion artist. Using crystal visions, she articulates vanguard style using fit, proportion, texture, layering, and color. She pays attention to technique, craft and wearability, while exploring concept & aesthetics in her presentations. A graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute’s Interdisciplinary Art Program, Ms. Trimble currently lives and works in a perpetual state of bliss. (Read on…)
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Oh me, oh my! We always end up out of the city for the best moments! The opening this Friday at the Textile Arts Center (TAC) looks like both fun and inspiring. The artist and designer, Stacy Scibelli, invites the audience to interact and collaborate her and with the 500 handmade garments she has created. The success of this event hinges completely on the ingenuity of the audience; exchange evolves from collaboration…” Read all of the details over at the TAC website, and congrats to them on their NYC location opening soon!
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We are thrilled to have Abigail Doan pick out a round of Editor’s Picks this week. I don’t remember how I discovered Abigail’s work, but I do remember being spellbound. Her beautiful fabric creations, for me, capture the essence of the magical landscapes of places I love. We love her words below connecting independent and sustainable fashion, many thanks for playing with us Abigail!
I am a writer, editor, and environmental artist residing in NYC and Europe. My eco-textile and art farming projects are a means to create sustainable solutions and key visual links to the global challenges we collectively face. I am also a mother of twins.
Sustainable style is ‘indie’ by nature. As the informed shopper’s alternative to mass-produced designs, identifying and supporting your favorite indie designer is as much a part of responsible consumerism as in-depth research on the latest eco and ethical fashion collections. Smashing Darling makes this search a whole lot easier by offering a wide range of chic and original designs that are smashingly handpicked and stylishly curated. As some one who divides my year between several locales, I need to craft a wardrobe that is seasonally versatile and easily accessorized. I love some of the following items for the playfulness that they add to existing wardrobe essentials and, of course, their feminine flair.
Mergirl Stretch Crochet Lace Dress:
As a lover of all things lace, crochet, and hand crafted, this ivory-hued ‘crochet lace’ dress from Mergirl seems like a great addition to existing, trans-seasonal wardrobe favorites. Feminine, sophisticated, and totally packable to boot, what’s not to covet about a knit stretch number?
House of Dali OneofaKind Faux Fur Jacket:
I rarely wear anything that even mimics fur, but this one-of-a-kind shoulder jacket that is, of course, fur free and indie fabulous, seems like a great way to add some cruelty-free glamour to a chilly evening out on the town.
Revolt Urbanol Button Clutch:
I love a good clutch, particularly one that is so unique that no one else can claim it if it is left behind on the banquette at a restaurant or bar. This vintage style button clutch from Revolt Urbanol adds a bold splash of artistic glimmer with its hand-painted gold and blue drip graphics.
KRELwear Super Chic Batwing Sweater:
In my opinion, a girl should have at least one knit creation by KRELwear in every closet on the planet. This batwing sweater of 100% pima cotton seems like a soft and sexy way to sport some geeky chic and geometric style with attitude.
Coco Bourgeoisie Talon Scarf:
Felt is definitely all the rage these days, and layered on as a cool weather accessory, this one not only adds ruffled volume to your neckline but some insulating warmth as well.
Dina Varano 14KT Gold Double Chaos Earrings:
I love that indie jewelry designer, Dina Varano, refers to these 14 karat gold wire bundles as ‘nests’, and given their organic nature they appear to be a comforting and chic investment for any girl’s accessory kit.
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Jacob Vaughn is an artist/designer living in San Francisco who runs a small, independently owned screen-printing and leather-working business. His business, Project TransAction, strives to work with the most socially responsible companies available, with the intention of creating affordable, thought provoking goods that people can feel confident investing in. The politics of small, local, and independent business are intrinsic to TransAction’s mission. His shop uses earth-friendly, bio-degradable cleaners and 90% of the leather used is recycled or from scrap.
Darlings: When and how did you first start your business?
Jacob: Project TransAction (PT ) was born in August 2006 as an art/life project dealing with independent business and bartering. To me it’s more than a business, it’s ongoing artwork and study of how indie businesses work in the current time and economy. My artistic nature doesn’t lend itself to working for other people, and I felt like I was giving up too much of myself at other jobs. To make my life more fulfilling, I started Project TransAction.
Darlings: How did you learn your craft, specifically leather-working?
Jacob: The leather-working aspect of PT came about when I was flipping baseball gloves on e-bay to supplement my income. I started deconstructing them to make dog collars, and became very interested in the challenge of properly manufacturing leather goods. I find this type of work very relaxing (and the hammering is a major stress reliever!) and decided to combine it with screen-printing to create exciting, unique items that only get better with time.
Darlings: What influences your work?
Jacob: Film, public transportation, pop culture, other artists, vintage advertisements, science, documentaries, things I read, love.
Darlings: What is the hardest part about being in business for yourself?
Jacob: Not having a consistent paycheck. If I don’t work, I don’t eat. Also, the lack of human contact can get to me at times. It’s a very solitary and demanding job, but I wouldn’t change it for anything!
Darlings: What is your favorite music to be playing while you are in production?
Jacob: Aesop Rock, Mos Def, RJD2, Tracy + the Plastics…anything with a good beat. I tend to shake it a lot when I’m by myself in the shop.
Darlings: Do you have any events that you are getting ready for in the near future?
Jacob: Indeed! Project TransAction will be vending at the next Mission Indie Mart (@ the Independent in SF 4/26/09), Brooklyn Indie Market (@ Carroll Gardens, NYC 4/26/09), IndieSacramento (@ Fremont Park 5/2/09) San Mateo Makers Faire (San Mateo Fairgrounds in conjunction with Bazaar Bizarre 5/30 + 5/31), as well as a handful of other upcoming events. Support local artists and businesses!
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by trish on January 23, 2009
We believe in stories that last, in clothes that communicate identity, and in fashion that shines far beyond this season’s magazines. We believe in making glamorous dreams real.
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Our designers each have their story. Pinar Eris moved to the US from Turkey, where self-expression was not encouraged, to celebrate freedom and individuality through wearable art. Lara Miller studied dancers’ movements for her inspiration and sold her designs while she was still in school. Each of our designers’ pieces comes with a unique story that gets handed down to the person who wears them. We believe that these personal connections and heritage is what makes SmashingDarling the unique destination it has become for designers and customers alike.
At SmashingDarling we are moving forward with the times. We believe technology and the internet are powerful vehicles that help designers connect with customers. What you see online may have been created just the prior week by a designer with an idea. The short cycle from the designer’s studio to their SmashingDarling boutique lets our customers (if they choose to) set fashion trends that others follow. One stitch, one seam, one piece at a time, all made right here at home.
Have you ever owned a Chanel or Christian Dior, Calvin Klein or Donna Karen? Have you ever been able to have a conversation with them about their designs or their products? Have you ever been able to email to ask them, ‘what was your inspiration for that dress, collection, or color combination?’ Here at SmashingDarling, we encourage you to start this very dialog with all of your favorite designers on the site. Connect, inspire, be inspired—dare to be smashing.
Having a great style is about much more than buying the right item or spending more money. It’s about creativity, sophistication, a dialog. It’s about playfulness, about style exploration. In SmashingDarling, we created a place where people can connect with designers one-to-one to start a dialog. A new fashion take, an enhanced stylish you, a new trend you set–that’s the kind of conversation we’d like to start!
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Betsy Carr is the artist behind Foundling–an accessories line inspired by and created from vintage textiles, papers and ephemera. She spent a lot of time playing in attics and that is probably where all this got started. She lives in a funky little city in the mountains with a husband, a cat and two dogs. She’s inspired by old and forgotten things; anything that has faded or tarnished; things that smell faintly of mildew and dust. She loves re-purposing things that have outlived their original purpose.
SD: When and how did get into jewelry design?
BC: I started making jewelry while living in a small apartment with no room to do anything else. I could spread out on my kitchen table for the afternoon and pack everything up in a little box when I was done. My first pieces were tiny collages of vintage papers and images covered in resin and strung on beaded chains.
SD: What is your favorite item you have designed?
BC: At the moment the bud earrings are my favorite. I love the contrast of old brass and shiny new gold (it’s recycled gold, by the way).
SD: If that item could talk, what would it say?
BC: Only sweet and friendly things, I’m sure.
SD: What inspires your designs?
BC: An ethic of reuse and the hidden stories in all things old. My studio is filled with pretty old fabrics, photos, vintage illustrations and lots of timeworn metal. All those things somehow find their way into my work.
SD: Are you self taught designer if not, where did you study?
BC: I’ve taught myself some of the techniques I use to make my jewelry, but I have a studio art degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. I was a 2D girl in school–I loved painting and collage.
SD: What fashion trends, if any, are influencing your jewelry?
BC: I don’t know! I really feel like the worst person in the world to ask about fashion trends (ok, maybe my dad would be worse). I notice trends colors–peach and coral seem to be popping up a lot right now.
SD: What does your average day entail?
BC: Coffee and a dog walk first thing, then a good part of the day in the studio. It’s hard to leave, but eventually I have to come back to the house and the computer to ship orders, return emails, list new work and so forth.
SD: What is the one item in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
BC: My motorcycle boots–they are just a little different from what most people in Asheville are wearing.
SD: How would you describe your personal style? And who or what influences that style?
BC: I like a contrast of sweet and tough–boots and skirts, blue jeans and girly tops, something shiny next to metal with a timeworn patina. Nothing too fussy and preferably old-fashioned. It’s kind of a country girl in the city thing.
SD: What is your fashion obsession of the moment?
BC: Smocking, embroidery, hand-stitching–anything that looks like it’s been loved.
SD: If there was one designer on Smashing Darling that you could ask a question to who would it be and what would you ask them?
BC: I love “hello, fabulous“. Her finds are, well, fabulous! I’d love to follow her around for a day and pepper her with questions.
We would love to hear from you. What other things would you like to know about Betsy? I am sure she would be more than happy to answer them for you. Just ask it or leave a comment!
If there is someone else you would like us to interview please feel free to email me trish(at)smashingdarling(dot)com I love your suggestions.
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YEAY! We are happy to be spreading the word for our friends, Deb and Wendy from DIYthing, about the launch of their new magazine DIY City Magazine. Much like their blog it is an e-zine highlighting DIY and Independent designers and artists. So help Smashing Darling spread the good word for them and go post this in your blog, myspace, facebook and anywhere else you can think of! I will tell you that our own Smashing Designer Boaz will be featured in the premier issue! In the future, look for an interview of the darlings too!
DIY City will be a quarterly online magazine that celebrates the independent artist and the DIY spirit. The idea for the mag grew out of a need to find arts and crafts supplies and resources in New York City. Launching on February 1, 2008, our first issue will highlight New York City. We will highlight NYC themed products and also bring you an inside look at some indie designers living and working in New York. DIY City will be a guide for indie artists searching for resources and supplies. Each issue will highlight a different, exciting DIY city. In the second issue, we will focus on New Orleans. In the meantime, as you wait for the next issue, we will bring you stories of DIYs from around the globe.
If you would like to advertise in the first issue of DIY City mag, please contact us at diycitymag@gmail.com. All final artwork is due by January 15, 2008 for inclusion in the February 1st Flash-based mag. Artwork will be accepted in jpeg format for the web and Flash-based versions of the magazine. We will accept Paypal as our form of payment for advertising costs. Please see ad specs with details for our advertising rates.
DIY City is a great tool for you to market your brands online via the downloadable Flash-based mag as well as the online web-based mag. The web-based mag is fully searchable and is easily bookmarked. You can advertise after January 15th in the web-based version of the mag which will be located at diycitymag.com. We will go live with the site on February 1, 2008.
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