Hey everyone,
Previously I had said that Fashion Loving was going through a little bit of redesign and finally it has happened woohoo! It’s not completely finished (hopefully soon though) but all new posts will be going up on the new blog. You can find the new and improved Fashion Loving Blog here at: http://fashionloving.co.uk
Head on over and please please please let me know what you think!!
Right I’m off to create some more posts for you all to read!!
🙂
xoxo
So today is the day that we find out who the lucky winner of the first Giveaway on Fashion Loving courtesy of Poppy Sparkles! Are you excited…. cos I am!! The winner gets a choice of Bold Black or a Pillar Box Red Spotilicious Charm Necklace. For those of you who have forgotten what they look like here’s a reminder 🙂
I got my lovely hat, put all the entries in and pulled out this lucky person…. the winner is JAYNE (I’ll be contacting you very shortly 😀 )
Thanks again to everyone who participated, I’m sure I’ll be doing another giveaway very soon so stay tuned to get your chance!!
It’s always great to see the Fashion industry from all perspectives, have you ever wondered how Chanel became one the biggest fashion houses in the world? At what point did the ‘big gun’ fashion designers decide to take that risk and start their own label? Well, everyone has to start somewhere right? Fashion Loving has found a designer based from New York City, who is in the early stages of starting her own fashion line and creating the new collection.
I’m sure it is both an exhilarating and overwhelming experience for any new designer starting out in the fashion industry, thankfully Randi Spoon involved Fashion Loving in her first steps to becoming the next big fashion designer!
FL: How do you feel about the process of starting a new fashion line?
RS: The process of starting my own clothing line has been one of the most exciting and yet overwhelming experiences. At this point, I am at the very beginning stages of starting the line. I could go in a million different directions. Every decision is ultimately mine. The luxury in that is absolutely amazing but also quite scary. For now, I am a one man show and it is up to me to decide every last detail and to make sure I do it with integrity and with respect to my personal design aesthetic. I will say that it sometimes feels safer to work within a team and to use your friends as a sounding board. I simply have to trust myself to make the right decisions and to move forward.
FL: Describe yourself as a Fashion Designer?
RS: I am about the longevity of a design. I am interested in creating garments that can withstand time. I want people to buy my clothes and wear them for years to come. Quick trends are fun, but they get tossed around and eventually thrown out. I want people to look at my clothing and pause, take a moment and breathe them in, to process the actual designs.
FL: What gives you inspiration?
RS: I think the better question is what doesn’t inspire me! It is so important to always keep your eyes open and to take in everything around you. Always be an observer. Keep your eyes open and carry a notebook because its the tiniest things that end up being the most inspiring. If you want a more concrete answer, I would say architecture, art, nature, seasons changing,
color, texture, shape, music… and most importantly, how all of these things relate to one another. The wonderful juxtaposition of different textures layered on top of one another or the way in which light reflects against a puddle of water.
FL: What’s the next step for you?
RS: Since I am only at the very beginning stages of starting the Spoon Fashion line, the next step is to start turning my illustrations into actual samples. I need to work on initial samples to figure out the actual construction of each design. I need to test fabrics and see how they bring the design concept to life. I think this stage of the design process will be the most exciting. It is always gratifying translating a sketch into a reality!
FL: When did you know you wanted to become a designer?
RS: For as long as I can remember, I’ve been creatively driven. I carried a box of crayons everywhere I went and colored anything and everything that came before me. I was a danger to our house, quickly covering our white walls with colorful patterns and designs. Needless to say, my parents were never thrilled with my surprise midnight murals but they always remained encouraging towards my creative endeavors. I think my interest in fashion,
specifically, was there all along. When I played with my barbies, I was more interested in dressing them up and changing their outfits than I was in playing make believe. I loved to try on my mother’s shoes and to play with her pearls. Fashion illustration is what initially drew me into the industry. I filled one notebook after another with fashion sketches and ideas. There was never a doubt in my head that this was the industry I wanted to be in and ever since I have focused every extracurricular, summer vacation, and job towards furthering my dream of becoming a designer and starting my own line.
FL: What advice would you give someone who wants to be a Fashion Designer?
RS: Do it! There is nothing wrong with taking a risk and following your dream. To do what you truly love is the most energizing, exhilarating feeling there is. You wake up every day knowing that your goal is to turn your dreams into a reality. It’s important to continue to build relationships with people in the industry, act like a sponge and soak up all the information you possibly can, recognize what you do and do not know, and ask questions! People love to talk about themselves and what they know… so use everyone as a resource!
** N.B Pictures of from Randi’s previous portfolio. She is still in the design process for her new collection
Wow, this lady certainly has her head on her shoulders, and her designs are awesome already. Can’t wait to see her new collection! If you want to know more about Randi Spoon then follow her on her blog, where she shares all of her adventures on the road to becoming a successful fashion designer!! Randi said “I want people to join me for the ride as I expose my process in building a collection! In the end, I hope to open up a strong line of communication between me and my audience. Their opinions and thoughts are everything to me.”
FHM has been the centre of controversy over the last couple of days due to its readers choosing Andrej Pejic as the 98th Sexiest woman in the world. It was FHM’s writers that caused the stir as they wrote as part of a blurb about the supermodel ‘the gender bender has jumped the gun in hoping he might one day be signed as a Victoria’s Secret Model (pass the sick bucket).’
FHM readers were said to be outraged thus resulting in a public apology from FHM and the removal of the written insults from the online version of the article.
Andrej has been the source of so much controversy since his debut as womenswear supermodel. A few months back it seemed that we welcomed the thought of an androgynous male walking the runway as a great idea, but ever since there have been articles after articles that oppose this idea.
Obviosuly the Fashion Industry have no oppostion to the idea of Andrej but this leads me to wonder if the rest of the world is as accepting as the Fashion Industry.
Do you think it is a good idea to promote an impossible boy/guy’s body image as the perfect ‘woman’s’ body or do you think we should embrace the idea of Andrej? I have to ask myself, would there be the same amount of uproar if a woman decided to walk on a runway and do photo shoots dressed as a man.
Leave your comments below!
After recent events, Cheryl Cole has once again been the talk of the nation due to her hasty exit from the US version of X factor. There have been so many speculations as to what actually happened, and why America didn’t gel to her.
There was a lot of emphasis on her style when she was stateside, it seemed everyone couldn’t wait to see what outfit she stepped out in. There have even been rumors that allegedly Cheryl had to lose 2 stones to ensure she would become a well liked style icon. So the question is, did her stylist let her down?
While Cheryl was in America, we did see her want to take more risk with her outfits. The color blocking outfit was a prime example of this, the outfit was ‘meh’ ok, but I do think Cheryl and her stylist were probably trying a little too hard to be this amazingly, on trend fashion icon. I don’t think that big hair helped her either.
I think we know Cheryl for her effortless, fashion forward style, I don’t necessarily think this translated well when she went stateside. For me, I don’t think she needs to change her style or anything she was just good as is.
Sources:
Melissa Velia is an up and coming Fashion designer who is certainly making a name for herself in the fashion industry. Her designs are inspired and have caught the attention of the many. Even before venturing off to create her own fashion label, Melissa had her designs worn by big celebrities like Tyra Banks, Hilary Duff, Faith Evans and Kimora Lee Simmons! With such success, Melissa decided that 2010 would be the year to brave it alone and she created her own fashion line where she has already accomplished a great deal.
Melissa’s describes her ready-to-wear collection as “a line that upholds the art of couture“. The collection is really adorable and you can really see the vintage influences within a lot of the pieces, which have been refreshed to make them fashion forward. It is a stunning collection.
Obviously, Fashion Loving loves to pick the brains of any talented designer and Melissa was no exception!! Read the interview below…
Melissa Velia
FL: What is fashion to you?
MV: An art form
FL: When did you decide you wanted your own fashion label?
MV: I think when I was about 7 years old. Really, it was just right off the bat, the
only thing was at that time I wanted it to be a clothing line for Barbie.
FL: What do you think inspires your fashion designs?
MV: Everything around me but mostly fabrics
FL: What are you as a designer about?
MV: I am really just about using fashion as an art form and expressing myself with it.
FL: Have you always wanted to be a designer?
MV: Yes
FL: What inspired you to be a fashion designer?
MV: Honestly, Barbie and my mom
FL: What skills do you need to be a fashion designer?
MV: You really need to understand the construction of a garment. I mean sewing and drawing are great skills to have but I don’t think you NEED them. But I do feel that a true designer can do all of it, draw, design and create their pieces.
FL: From your experience, what advice would you give someone who wants to design?
MV: I’d say grow some tough skin and never give up. Always do your fashion homework and let yourself be inspired.
FL: Who are some of your fashion influences and why?
MV: I’d say Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen for there daring creativity and Coco Chanel for her strength and dedication to the art of couture.
FL: What type of person do you design your collection for?
MV: Someone who is not afraid to be fashion-forward.
FL: What, to date, has been your biggest achievement in your fashion career?
MV: I’d have to say, all the wonderful press I’ve been getting on my collections
FL: What would you have liked to have done, if you weren’t a designer?
MV: Oh let me see….a chef, a writer, a stylist, and an actress!
FL: What have you got in store for us with your next collection?
MV: An array of colors, prints and styles all centered around Summer
FL: Is there anything else that we should be looking out for from you in the near future?
MV: Coming to a store near you!
Thanks for sharing Melissa!! Have a look through the gallery for more of Melissa’s designs
What look from Melissa’s designs could you see yourself wearing?
Visit Melissa’s website www.melissavelia.com
Fashion Loving caught up with the up and coming designer Jessica Barkley who currently resides in Orange County. She has started a new line where dresses are the main focus. From a very early age Jessica has found herself designing and creatively putting outfits together, “we didn’t have much access to up to the minute fashion… from an early age, I learned to select fabrics, get patterns and translate my ideas. Without even being aware of it”. Jessica took this raw talent and moulded it into formidable career, she has now impressively been designing for 20 years!
I think what caught my eye about Jessica’s designs was just how stylish and elegant her dresses were! I could tell that they were dresses designed to make you feel sexy and flatter your body, and we all know everyone looks their best when a dress combines these two essential points! I got incredibly excited whilst going through the pictures of her dresses and immediately I just had to have a quick chat with Jessica to get to know the designer responsible for these fashionable dresses. Let’s take a peek into her creative world!
FL: What is Fashion to you?
JB: Fashion is an expression of oneself. It provides a way for people to portray their personality creatively. One should adopt fashion to ones needs and views and not the the other way around.
FL: What do you think inspires your fashion designs?
JB:Â My fashion influences come mainly from art, travelling and people watching.
FL: What type of person do you design your collection for?Â
JB: Intelligent, strong, classy, independent women inspire my designs. My ideal client is women between the ages of 25 and 50. She is very sophisticated yet simple. She is naturally elegant and sexy without revealing too much. She has a strong personality but has an open mind as well. She believes in making fashion suit her and does not mind the lime light.
FL: What skills do you need to be a fashion designer?
JB:Â To be a successful fashion designer one needs to know who they are designing for and find your niche in that market.
FL: How long does it take to create an item from start to finish?
JB: Every item is different some dresses can take longer in the pattern making process and less in the sewing stage. The reverse also holds true. The creative process can take months and then sometimes the fabric just talks to me and tells me what to do. Whatever it takes I have to make sure it is ready for the shows. Usually the creative process starts a year in advance.
FL: From your experience what advice would you give to someone who wants to design?
JB:Â If you feel that you have the talent and love doing it go for it. It does take studying and lots of perseverance. Work for somebody first learn the trade and then go for it.
FL: Is there anyhting else we should be looking out from you in the near future?
JB:Â The new Fall collection should be bringing a lot of European influence. There are influences of nature such as touches of feathers and fur. It is the perfect balance of sophistication and fun.
Here are few more images of Jessica Barkley’s designs
For more visit Jessica Barkley’s website: jessicabarkley.com
Ashley Tisdale looks fabulous in this lovely neon ensemble. The pop of pink against her striped skirt really speaks ‘trendy’! Her beach look hair went perfectly well with this day outfit and overall made for a very glamorous looking lady! I only have one question, Miss Tisdale please teach me how to look this effortless!
P.s I love her ankle boots, they fit the outfit so well
What do you think of this day look?
Fashion Loving is all about finding quirky and innovative industry people that bring a little smile to your face. This week we found the lovely Poppy Sparkles! Poppy Sparkles is a online jewellery store that we think creates miniature pieces of art. The woman behind the store is Viv Smith, she’s the one that creates special pieces of jewellery for anyone wanting something brilliant and unique to wear for any occasion with any outfit! Viv is a self taught jewellery artist and makes all her creations from home, believe it or not!
Fashion Loving had to get in touch with Poppy Sparkles to find out a little bit more about this creative jewellery, so we threw a few questions at Viv Smith and here is what she said!
How long have you been in business for?
Poppy Sparkles was established in March 2010, but in truth I’ve been making and selling jewellery since my early teens. So, although Poppy Sparkles is a new brand, there’s experience behind it.
what inspires you and your jewellery designs?
Primarily I focus on life’s celebrations, so I look to those special moments and try to find a way to capture it in jewellery form. This can clearly be seen in my Mummy Necklaces and Peace Collection. I also think about the seasons and holidays of the year, so I have a collection of jewellery due to launch at a later date that is for Christmas, including a range of jewellery for accessorising your LBD at all those parties.
Sometimes I just want to incorporate an element or idea, such as my Spotilicious range. I just love those spotty polka dot buttons and thought it was such a quirky range. The Rainbow bright colours just ooze Summer fun.
What are you as a jewllery artist about?
I want to create pieces that are wearable and accessible. I love mix ‘n’ match and value for money, which is different from cheap, and why I developed my own charm system. This allows the wearer to easily remove charms from the necklace and provides numerous ways to wear your charms – endless possibilities for those who are loyal to the Poppy Sparkles brand and can mix charms from other designs. I love items that have meaning and memories associated with them and so I primarily focus on creating pieces that celebrate life. I only use quality materials such as sterling silver, Swarovski crystal and Freshwater pearls as I intend my pieces of jewellery to be lasting items, to be worn and treasured. Whilst there’s a nod at times to what’s current and ‘on trend’, I endeavour to create pieces that have a timeless quality to them and with my charm system it can be easy to rework a piece and make it current again by changing the colour combinations.
What’s the next step for you?
I’m looking to branch out from selling online and want to see Poppy Sparkles jewellery stocked in some real bricks and mortar shops.
In the future (read: when being a mummy doesn’t take up the lion-share of my time,) I hope to complete some formal silver-smith training and learn how to forge my own components, helping to make my designs even more unique.
When did you know you wanted to become a jewellery artist?
From the moment I made my first pair of earrings in my early teens! I love the sense of achievement that creating something beautiful with your own hands brings, which is then heightened by someone loving your creation so much they purchase it.
What advice would you give someone who wants to design?
Stay true to yourself. The moment I stopped creating just pretty jewellery and moved to designing my charm jewellery that is ‘me’ through and through and very much centred on my own values and likes, I have been both happier in myself and my work. I have also found that the response to my work is better and so much easier for me to promote as it’s me, not something I’m pretending to be.
Who are some of your fashion influences?
I’m a fan of timeless, classic and elegant designs. I love Freshwater pearls, hence including them in virtually all of my designs, so I have to say that Audrey Hepburn with her classic pearls is one icon I look to. I’m influenced by Pandora, Troll et al with their charm bracelet concept of removable charms, but ultimately, I have tried to find my own style.
What type of person do you design your collection for?
Most popular are my Mummy necklaces, clearly designed for Mummies as a way to celebrate their children with Swarovski birthstone crystals. Overall, my jewellery designs are simple and unfussy, they’re for people who like understated, clean designs. I design for women who appreciate quality jewellery that they can keep, as opposed to cheap costume jewellery that is virtually disposable. My pieces are for people that like to give and receive gifts with meaning, that want jewellery that has memories attached to it, that they can keep and treasure. In all honesty my ideal customer is someone like me!
How long does it take to create an item from start to finish?
Most of my time is spent in the planning, creating pieces that fulfil the criteria I set – that is, pieces which will last and are not too trend-led, a set of charms that provide several possibilities (work well together, in a combination or individually) and for most of my designs, I ask does it fit with my ethos of jewellery to celebrate life? I spend a lot of time with an array of materials out working through which colours are just right, what shape and size of bead provides the right look… I’m quite fussy and like to get things right. I’ll keep revisiting design ideas until I feel it is perfect. I have some designs that I’ve been tweaking and working through for a good few weeks, if not longer. I don’t think it helps the number of shades Swarovski manufacture – I hate having to be pinned down to a few colourways, I’d love to use them all in so many different combinations!
Is there anything else that we should be looking out for from you in the near future?
I will be continuing the celebration of life’s special events and holidays in my jewellery, but I will also be launching some designs for wearing at special occasions. In the near future I’ll be launching a collection perfect for Christmas parties with its rich, jewel-like colours and expanding on the current items I offer with the addition of coordinating hairpins. I hope to expand on the idea of jewellery for special occasions in 2012, providing jewellery that is well suited to bridesmaids and wedding or party guests. I would also like to build on my bespoke design service and am looking to launch a more couture range of jewellery with hand-wired strands of pearls and crystals – very special jewellery for very special occasions.
One of the most important fashion nights happened this week at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute gala ball in NYC, where the genius designer Alexander McQueen was honored! His masterpieces were being exhibited, so there were only a few Mcqueen creations on hand for the red carpet fashions.
If your one of these people that enjoy the red carpet fashions (I am!) then the fashions that were on this red carpet will probably, most likely blow your mind! I found myself oohing and aahing at the outfits of the night, there so many delicious outfits out there. But the following outfits really stood out in my eyes..
For me, Sarah Jessica Parker looked exquisite in Alexander McQueen Autumn 2005 collection. The figure hugging dress fit her so well. Yes this is why she graces the best dress title, oh so often, just SO stylish!
The red carpet was showered with various other designers. Below Madonna was wearing Stella McCartney and I loved this vintage 1930s look. It was something very different to what I am used to Madonna wearing, so it was a pleasant surprise!
Another favorite of mine was Blake Lively! Karl Lagergfeld dressed this beauty to perfection in a lovely couture Chanel dress. The dress really showed her awesome body off to the upmost. Wouldn’t you agree?
Now, I love this next dress that Ginnifer Goodwin wore simply for the fact that the dress held it’s own out of the couture gowns on the red carpet. The gown is from Topshop Unique!! Yes, I know what you’re thinking because I thought that too! Love the colour and I think she looked stunning. What do you think?
Here’s a few more photos to add to the awesome looking A-listers!
What do you think of these lovely red carpet fashions?
Photo Sources:
The Victoria and Albert Museum  is currently holding an exciting exhibition about the incredibly influential designer Yohji Yamamoto. The exhibition features a number of pieces from his past collections all stood out in the open – no glass cases – and in various locations around the museum ending in a final, large exhibition room.
Yamamoto is very well known for paying a lot of attention to the women’s backs and the shape of their backs and once said he likes to think about ‘the space between the body and clothes’ and focuses a lot on the cut and shape of the fabric. He is also well known for experimenting with a number of different materials when making his garments, especially materials that people may not expect.
Yamamoto also had a huge collaboration with fashion photographer Nick Knight which resulted in one of the most iconic images of Knight’s career.
Although I am not a huge fan of Yamamoto myself, the exhibition was very interesting and it was exciting to see such iconic garments so close up and not even behind a sheet of glass – I have no doubt in my mind that they will be touched a lot more than is allowed during the course of the exhibition!
Some of the garments on show were literally amazing and it is beyond my tiny brain how some of the shapes were even constructed.
If you have a chance you should absolutely take this opportunity to see this creative genius’ work in the ‘flesh’ while you have the chance.
Photo Source:
3. http://idolmag.co.uk/art-culture-review/yohji-yamamoto-va
After being snapped up by Storm Models in February 2010, Andrej Pejic has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of fashions most talked about male (yes male) models of the moment.
Andrej’s delicate androgyny is enough to leave the majority of people feeling slightly sexually confused, but luckily the industry cannot get enough of him and he has walked for Galliano, Raf Simmons, Jean Paul Gaultier , as well as being photographed for a number of magazines including Wonderland, Dazed and Confused Japan, Oyster and Vogue Paris.
Andrej plays on his elegant, feminine image and is often styled in a way which emphasizes his femininity as opposed to trying to make him look more masculine. Personally, I think he’s the shake up that the fashion industry has been needing for a while, as everyone is more than happy to exclaim their happiness about androgynous women,  but when such an androgynous male bursts onto the scene it sends a lot of people running for the hills.
If Andrej had short, dark hair then he would be a very handsome boy, but I (and many designers, photographers and stylists) love him as the classy ‘lady’ he’s made himself into.
What is your reaction towards Andrej Pejic?
Credits:
Please welcome our new contributor to Fashion Loving – Tahlia Louisa
Photos taken from:
When I think of Nicole Richie’s style I normally think Boho chic…with really cool accessories from her accessory line. Below we see a different side of Nicole Richie. It’s quite chic, if I must say so myself and Paris is the perfect place to rock this look.
(I love it when we see celebrities in town for Paris Fashion week, I feel like its the Fashion week where everyone steps it up a notch)
I like everything from her chanel purse down to her sky high Louboutins, the only thing I would say is that I would have preferred her to have worn more sheer tights just cos…. But that’s my preference and I suppose if I could look this then I could probably comment more haha.
What do you think of this look?
Toni
xoxo
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