Where to go from here?

Lately, I have been confronted with the overwhelming question of "what are you going to do when you graduate?"  "What are your long term goals?" 

Can I be completely honest with you?...I really have no idea.  I have tampered with so many aspects of the fashion industry--fashion design, show production, styling, modeling, photography, and journalism.  I enjoy them all.  How do I choose?  Must I choose?  Where do I go from here? 

I recently heard a woman speak of a vision she received while at a women's prayer retreat at First Presbyterian Church in Yakima.  She envisioned a woman with a long white train walking along a dark path.  With each step she took, a light would illuminate her steps.  She could only see as far as this first light and beyond this the path was consumed in complete darkness.  This is where I am right now, living life in the present.  My future is blind.  I must trust that the next door will open when it is the right time. 

I was given a reality check this morning while reading a devotional on friendship by Eugene Peterson.  He quotes a verse on love saying, "And regardless of what you put on, wear love.  It's the basic, all-purpose garment.  Never be without it."--Colassians 3:14

"...see how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin."--Matthew 6:28

Fashion Design Exhibit

Last weekend I drove to Yakima to take part in an exhibit of local student fashion. The majority of the gallery’s room displayed fashions from students in the YV-tech fashion marking program; and being a Yakima native, I was also asked to participate in the show. Five of my garments were installed in the gallery to stand as pieces of artwork. It was an honor to be asked to participate, and I find it refreshing to know that my gowns can be seen as works of art. Fashion is much more than meets the eye. Just like a painting or sculpture, fashion is inspired and often rich with meaning. It is meticulously drawn, shaped, sewn, and embellished.

5 Garments Displayed in the Peggy Lewis Gallery at Allied Arts

Posin with "the wears"

Hand-made bodice I created entitled:

A Raw Reflection of the Artful Life of Fashion

*Behind the bodice stands a lovely gown created by another Yakima native

Guests mingling at the gallery opening

The garments will be displayed until May 5, 2010 at Allied Arts in Yakima, Washington.

Florentine Find

Meandering the down the streets of Florence, my stomach was full of a little slice of heavenly Italian pizza, my skin warmed by the sun’s Tuscan rays, and my eyes bursting with the incredible sights surrounding me.

As I continued exploring the city with my lovely traveling buddies, I was struck with an incredible encounter. Walking past a street of storefronts among the Piazza Pitti, a melody of Frank Sinatra’s sang through speakers, reverberated through a nearby store, and out into the cobblestone streets.

Struck by the vintage American music, I peered into the enlivened storefront to capture a beautiful image of a handsome father twirling his curly-haired little girl around his boutique entrance.

Surrounding the happy picture was a boutique filled with exquisite hats and couture womenswear.

My senses were officially stimulated, and I needed no other excuse to walk inside of the shop.

A beautiful family worked in the back of the store. Fabrics lay neatly organized in piles. Vintage dress forms were draped with lovely materials and wooden hat stands shaped fine millinery.

Each garment and each hat was one-of-a-kind. French seams, hand finishing, intricate details, and sophisticated silhouettes transported me into another world. Pinch me! I was in Florence—inside a couture designer’s humble boutique. Yes, I had found a treasure—a diamond!

In my state of wonder, my eyes fixed upon a blouse. The fabric was the first element of the design that struck me. A variety of grays, white, and bright yellow stripes demanded attention. I picked up the garment to see its full form. The designer and owner of the shop came over to me asking if I would like to try the garment on.

“Okay, just for fun,” I thought. He placed the garment on me and showed me a variety of ways it could be worn—long, short, hooded, gathered…Yes. It was, indeed, love at first sight. The Italian designer blouse and the incredible memory of the purchase was mine to keep...

Dressed to Impress in my new blouse for an Italian dinner with the girls

Transport yourself to Florence through this photograph of Antonio Gatto’s Shop.

Here is Antonio and his wife with my Florentine purchase.

www.antoniogatto.com

F-F's Word of the Day

co·gno·scen·ti
/ˌkɒnyəˈʃɛnti, ˌkɒgnə-/ Show Spelled[kon-yuh-shen-tee, kog-nuh-] Show IPA
–plural noun,singular-te  /-ti/ Show Spelled[-tee] Show IPA.

persons who have superior knowledge and understanding of a particular field, esp. in the fine arts, literature, and world of fashion.

LANVIN Fall 2010 RTW…What do you think?...

European Fashion Feature

Seattle, I don’t mean to be a stuck-up prude, but why must your wardrobe consist of boring NorthFace fleeces, jeans, and UGG boots? UGG, is all I have to say about those unflattering shoes that are meant to be worn for slippers (again, I’m sorry for being a snot, but really…). I think we have potential! Yes, grunge did originate from this fantastic city, so why not make a new and innovative statement?

For my own sake, I’d like to do a little jaunt down memory lane and highlight some incredible fashions that I found in my travels. And hey!, maybe this could inspire a dark and drab wardrobe into becoming a zesty ensemble.

London:  Edgy & Eclectic

Layers, Layers, Layers!
Tights (sheer and opaque)…worn under short skirts & denim cut-offs
Leggings!
Socks worn over pants, leggings, & tights.

Selfridges

Vintage FURs
Carrot-cut pants with low crotch

90’s denim short cut-offs (what?)…yes, but it WORKED!

Graphic T's

 

Scarves (HUGE accessory…often wound tightly/thickly around the neck)

Lace-up Boots/Booties

Florence:  Sexy & Sophisticated.

Leather (of course)

Form-fitting apparel

Loved his style!!!

Quality

Classic Elements

 

The story behind this blouse is beautiful…it calls for a separate blog post :)

SHOES!

 

SIMPLY. BEAUTIFUL.

Madrid:  Bold and Beautiful

COLORful & Form-fitting

Tight Denim

SHOE stores lined the streets--boots, boots, boots!

 

These Spanish boots were definitely made for walking (haha!)

...I will designate another post for the Spanish fashion.  I LOVED it!  We did a lot of shopping in Madrid--providing ample time to find great treasures!

*********************

While some of these fashions may not be suitable for this area (..furs?), others can be so easily adapted. Why wait a year for the trends to trickle over to the US? Have a little fun with your wardrobe and make someone look twice.

Images from AIU's Fashion Photography Course

Photo Shoot with my friend Cesar...

Assigned to simulate a Dazed and Confused cover

Still Life Advertisement...

Photo Shoot with class model...

Photo Shoot with the crazy and creative Michael Schrimper…

Photo Shoot with my lady Sara Zoe…

I have modeled for and styled photo shoots, but before this class I had never been the photographer. I thoroughly enjoyed being on the other side of the camera. It gave me a greater perspective and appreciation for fashion photography. It is something I would like to continue practicing.

AIU Fashion Show

Three weeks ago (wow! has it been that long…), my time at the American Intercontinental University ended…and with a BANG, I might add.

On the day of the AIU fashion show, my garments were finished and hung on hangers, papers written and submitted, and final illustrations drawn and presented.

As I sat in the make-up chair with the other models, I was filled with excitement to strut my hard work down the runway. Nerves started to engulf my thoughts as I waited for the show to begin.

After my first walk, I ran quickly back to make my second change into my conceptual design. What a rush!

Dress in the shape of a swim suit. Skirt composed of clear vinyl to resemble water. Arm/Leg warmers—inspired by drag tights (an element of swimming attire used in training). Train—to resemble bubbles.

DIVE IN

Nicole-a gorgeous model from Australia-wore my second garment.  She modeled an outfit inspired by track (using elements from my conceptual design).

Photos by Ryan Leitner

Following the end of the show, I emerged from backstage to be greeted by wonderful new friends and professors. I was on cloud nine—not only did I successfully finish two garments, so too did I gain the adrenaline rush of be-bopping down the runway :).

The evening concluded by letting go of a huge bouquet of balloons—a prop my friend Cesar used for his ballooning-inspired garments.

A glass of wine in hand, friends at my side, and a fun-filled fashion show behind me made for a wonderful finale to a fabulous quarter in London!