Balmain at the MTV movie awards

The MTV movie awards showcased some really amazing well dressed celebrities. The celebs came out looking stunning, some got it right more than others, there were a few that I got so excited about though and three celeb choices that I almost screamed over (in part excitement and part jealously). Leighton Meester, Kristen Stewart and Mila Kunis were all lucky enough to showcase that lovely fashion name; Balmain.

Balmain is the incredible french fashion label who I absolutely adore! We don’t get to see such high concentration of Balmain looks at red carpet events but the MTV movies awards was a one time exception, a treat if you like, to see some incredible designs

Mila Kunis looked adorable in that embellished skirt, the black top allowed the star of the show (skirt) to shine in the moment. I thought the choice (both of which are from the Autumn/ Winter 2011 Collection) was great for the occasion and most of all she kept the styling to a minimal so as not to overpower the entire look.

We saw Kristen Stewart wearing a very familiar silhouette, she went for the strapless mini dress. It’s great she went for the shape she knows and feels the best in, but for me what I liked most about the red leather ensemble were all the safety pins and stud work it had on it. It was a little bit of a risk that I feel worked well for Kristen’s character. Few could pull this look off in my opinion.

Last but not least is Leighton Meester’s look, it is again from the Autumn/winter Collection 2011. I am loving this silver mini dress with all its fabulous designer wizardry that it has on it, especially the mirrors and beading! The dress just looked stunning from all angles, who wouldn’t look good in this gorgeous creation?

I loved seeing Balmain at the MTV movie awards and the ladies who were wearing the fashion label absolutely rocked it! I love the fact we see the brilliance of the Collection and how it translates so well for red carpet events. The Balmain Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection is absolutely great and yes I would like to have every single piece of the collection, just so I could look as great as the ladies above!! I love the simple minimalist feel that the collection has and I think it certinly works for the celebrities above but at the same time the collection has the ability to transform anyone into a glimmering stylish rock chicks!

Who do you think rocks Balmain the best?

Randi Spoon talks about the start…

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.”

1. www.randispoon.com
2. www.facebook.com/spoonfashion
3. www.twitter.com/spoonfashion

Fashion Designer : Melissa Velia

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

Interview with Jessica Barkley

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: My fashion influences come mainly from art, travelling and people watching.

FL: What type of person do you design your collection for? 

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: 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: 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: 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