Say It Ain't So, O!

Oh, Oprah.  How sad you make me... make us... the whole world.  Today marks the end of an era, the end of something dependable, familiar, reliable.  For twenty-five years, Oprah Winfrey was there for us and I think we all sort of used her (to some small degree, at least) as free therapist.  To be honest, I haven't really watched Ms. O. in years, but there was something comforting about knowing that she was still around... every day at 4pm!  And I did catch a lot of the episodes in the wee hours of the night while burning the midnight oil working on my collections.

Classic MAD TV!

On that note, I'm a little miffed that she went off the air before she had the opportunity to interview ME!  I guess I'll have to start with more humble beginnings like, say, Craig Ferguson!  Yes, I'd be happy to grant him an interview after I receive some amazing award like the CFDA's womenswear designer of the year!  Okay, I'm sooo over Oprah now!  Who??  Oprah.  Winfrey... You haven't heard of her?  LOL.

Is There A Silver Lining?

My Fall Collection is causing friction.  Immediately after my show, two of my friends ran back stage to try on the silver motorcycle jacket  -- the first look down the runway.  Jewelry designer and blogger, WendyB, has been a faithful client of mine for a while now, so I certainly have to get her a jacket of her own.  Beauty editor and good friend, Candice Sabatini jokingly said to Wendy, "We'll have to fight for it."  I'm thrilled at the response this little sample stirred up just minutes after it appeared on the catwalk, but I don't want anyone to get hurt!

Left: Wendy Brandes poses in my silver jacket

Right: Candice Sabatini in the silver sample

Photos: Randy Brooke

Several days later, I began putting my lookbook together and thought what a great piece it would be to get into Barney's!  I'm aiming high my taffetadarlings!  Why not?  I love all of my "babies" from my fall line, but I do think this one has a wide range of appeal.  Perhaps it's the "dress me up, dress me down" aspect of the design, perhaps it's the shape, or the fabric. Or maybe it's just simply, cool!

Model: Polina Mawuli

Photos: Randy Brooke

Last Friday I participated in a charity fashion show (more on that later) for the tsunami victims in Japan.  There were other designers showing as well, including two menswear designers, therefore, there were male models present.  Bonus!  Anyway, I became friendly with a few of them and one in particular, Justin Rinehart, was quite taken with.... the silver jacket!  "I'm obsessed with this jacket," he said.  "It's very McQueen," he added.  Okay, I don't know if that's total BS, but I loved him for saying it! 

Model: Polina Muwali

Photos: Randy Brooke

So now, I've got three people fighting over one jacket and one of them happens to be a guy!  Looks like I'll just have to do a production run on this piece, doesn't it?  Maybe you guys will actually see this in Barney's someday soon.  Here's hoping!!

Fashion For Charity

Some people think fashion is fluff.  Superficial stuff.  Well, that's partially true, we don't NEED clothes to survive (apart from the bare essentials) and we certainly don't need 60+ pairs of shoes (like yours truly) or any of the excesses that most of us partake in when it comes to our wardrobes.

But, fashion can prove itself useful for the greater good.  Case in point, the Perfect Red Circle.  A charity event to help raise money for the victims of the tsunami in Japan, the Perfect Red Circle is a collaboration between Diaspora Models and Pinstripe Magazine.  I am proud and honored to be one of the participating designers and I'll be showing my collection tomorrow evening at 6.45 sharp!  The event takes place on Friday, April 8 between 6.30-9.30 pm at the Griffin on Gansevoort Street in the heart of the trendy NYC Meatpacking District.  For those of you who are locals, click this link to get the details...tickets are free, but a $10 donation is suggested.  For all of you out-of-towners, sorry you can't see it live, but you can still make a donation!

Pictures From My Fall Collection

I was finally able to catch up with the photographer who shot my show, the great, Randy Brooke.  While I'm going through hundreds of photos trying to select the best ones for a lookbook, I thought, in the meantime, I would share some with my taffetadarlings...

Who Knew The French Resistance Was So HOT!?

Click here to read the lovely review of my Fall Collection by Lookonline!  Also, I'll be posting more pictures throughout the weekend, so check back... often!
Meanwhile, please enjoy the following photos taken by my very good friend and very talented photographer, Richard Renda (he is "TOTALLY COOL ®"-- read about him here)...

FIN!

Well taffetadarlings, it's done.  Over. Fin.  5,000 hours of work for five minutes!  All in all, it was a great show and I was/am very happy.   Here are a few pictures taken by Ernest Schmatolla, Publisher, Lookonline. I'll post more tomorrow, but now it's time for some much needed rest....

happy and smiling at the end of the show!

UPDATE: Wendy Brandes attended the show and tried on a sample backstage!

Check out her post here...

 

Fall Fashion Show

The clock is ticking and we're just a few days away from my Fall 2011 show!!  Anxious.  That is the best word to describe my mood right now.  I'm really looking forward to showing this collection and while the excitement builds, I realize there are many things still to be done and many "fashion emergencies" to contend with before the first girl hits the catwalk.  I swear, after designing, planning and organizing my second season, I feel like I can conquer anything.  Multi-tasking is my middle name.  No, it's not "Danger," baby!  BE-HAVE!

If you're a fashion blogger and haven't received an invite and would like to attend, pls. contact me!

Silver Streak

Just another little snippet to draw you in (hopefully)!  I'm working my way through my Fall Collection, one piece at a time, and I'm simply in love with the silver coated grey wool fabric that is taking shape right now as a new jacket piece. 

swatch card

Okay, I know it's pretty difficult to see what's going on here, but the "big reveal" will happen soon enough.  Meanwhile, I don't want to spoil it, I just want to entice you! 

a jacket starting to form...

An Ending And A Beginning

Today marks the end of my fundraising efforts on the Kickstarter website.  As most of you know, I did, in fact, meet my goal and therefore the project will be financed.  Yay!  Again, thank you to everyone who contributed.

While one project is ending, another is just beginning.  The funds have been raised and I am now able to move on to "phase II."  I'm anxious to get going with my Fall 2011 Collection!  This time, the theme is the French Resistance.  That's all I'm giving away!  My sponsors on Kickstarter will be privy to behind the scenes updates, but you will all have to be patient and wait to see the final product.

Let's make a great collection!



Traveling

So, I've been traveling quite a bit lately.  Unfortunately, I'm not physically going anywhere, but fortunately, I'm visiting lots of different places in cyberspace.  A few very fashionable bloggers have either mentioned me or featured me in one of their recent posts.  They've all been kind enough to not only talk about my Fall 2011 Collection, but they've also donated toward the project.  The camaraderie in the blogosphere is inspiring.

Sponsor and author of the blog Fabulous Finds, Elena, dedicated an entire post to me! (click here to read)

Cameron, of Midnight In A Perfect World, not only anted up, but mentioned me more than once -- and in both French and English! (click here and here)

Bon Bon Rose Girls' super mom, Kristin, put her money where her mouth is and she also pitched me in a post.  (click here to read)

Other beautiful bloggers who made contributions include: Jewelry genius Wendy Brandes; IFB founder, Jennine; fellow seamstress, Kristin of K-Line; chic chef, Tina of The Occasional Cook; Fashion savvy Tricia, of Fashion Herald; beauty editor, Candice Sabatini  and generous Elizabeth, retired author of Observation Mode.  They have also been tremendous tweetleaders on my behalf!  Rah Rah.

I also happened upon a tres cool blog called District L which posted a piece to lend their support because there is "nothing chic about being stingy bastards" (to quote them directly)!  LOVE.

And finally, sweet Samantha, author of Fashion: The Life, The Myth, The Legend emailed me to ask if she could do an interview with me.  Of course!

In closing, I want to say "Thank you" to everyone (bloggers and non-bloggers alike) who is supporting me in any way!  I have just ONE WEEK to go on Kickstarter and only $200 left until I meet my goal.  Pass the word!
xoxo

More Where That Came From...

Why are my pants so bunchy?

I found some more headless photos of myself on Overstock today!  I'm thinking this might be a new career -- NOT!  Well, maybe PART TIME... have a listen...

She could be a part time model.  Or an air hostess in the 60's!

As I mentioned yesterday, these jackets are very cute, but I don't think I mentioned that the skin is New Zealand lamb which is some of the best leather available.  And for only $99!  Steal!  If you're interested, just logon to Overstock.com and search for "Stone Mountain" (the brand).

leather jacket by Stone Mountain

Okay, I'm very happy to promote other brands when I believe in the product so, of course, I have no problem promoting my own label.  Most of you are aware that I'm gearing up for Fall/Winter 2011/12 and I'm currently raising money via Kickstarter.com to help finance the collection.  Any donation would be greatly appreciated, but mentioning to a friend or co-worker would be just as appreciated.  Click here to read all about it!

Fashion Forward

It's that time again.  Fashion never sleeps and never stops moving forward, changing, evolving and reinventing.  It seems like just yesterday that I was working on my debut collection for Spring 2011 and just when I've started to catch up with things, another season is right around the corner.  For a while now, I had an idea of the direction I wanted to take the new collection, but I haven't fully put it into motion yet.  As you may have guessed, lack of funds are to blame.  All businesses go through growing pains and it takes time to get over that "hump" to enter the land of financial stability.

Spring 2011

Last season, I used a site called Kickstarter as a vehicle to raise money to cover the expenses for my premiere collection.  Fabulously fashionable sponsors (you know who you are!!) came to my support and through their generous donations I was able to pay for fabric, models, hair & make-up, a photographer, videographer, professional lighting and PR.  Holy cow! 

Spring 2011

What a great experience!  For those of you who frequent this blog, you know that I received a fair amount of press and the show was a success.  I'm dying to do it again.  As a new designer on the scene (under my own label), I need to prove my staying power as well as establish my design aesthetic.  In order to do that, I need to show more than one season.  I have a lot more to offer than just pretty evening dresses, though I do love them so!

Spring 2011

Now, I'm back on Kickstarter looking for new sponsors for my Fall 2011 Collection.  Think of it as contributing to a worthy cause -- a fashionable cause.  If I am able to dress the world, we could put the fashion police out of business!  If only! 

Spring 2011

Should you like to make a donation, you can click on the link/icon on the upper right or the link below.
New Kickstarter Project

Have a fashionable day!