A while back, I worked on a photo shoot with my favorite team of professionals Mahal Style and Jennafer Grace. We created a few different looks, mixing my designs and Jennafer Grace's. We asked a good friend of mine, Jen, to model for us and also experimented with adding in a male model. Jen's fiance, Carlos, had been teasing me for the past few years, asking to keep him in mind if I ever needed a male model. I thought I would take him up on the offer and see what he could do. The dynamic of the two of them worked perfectly for the photo shoot that day and I couldn't be more impressed with the results.
We started the day with Jen posing in yoga wear by Jennafer Grace, which can be found on our website as well as in The Local Boutique. As the day went on, we continued to add more elements, until we ended the shoot with Jen wearing my Red Cocktail Dress, Carlos wearing a tuxedo, and the two of them wearing face masks. The look was very dramatic, dark, and lustful. As soon as I received the final photo from the shoot, I was in awe at the beauty. You can see the picture below.
Check out more pictures from this photo shoot here.
I've been experimenting a bit on different ideas for design. Sometimes I get stuck in a bit of a funk, so I need to try something new. My newest idea has been to make little girl versions of my dresses. Thats right, matching mother and daughter dresses. I've googled the idea to see what else is out there and I couldn't believe how little there was. And, I know that all the mothers I know would have loved to find a fashionable dress that came with a matching one for their little daughters. The funnest part of having a girl is dressing her up! So, I began to make wrap dresses, for a mini-me for a little girl. Check out the picture below:
Wrap dresses are every woman's best friend. They fit so many body types and can be tightened or loosened as our waists tend to do through the different seasons and holidays. The wrap dress seen above also has pockets. I've been excited about adding pockets to my designs lately because I notice that every time I have tried something on lately, I want to put my hands in the pockets.
Wrap dresses are also a marvelous idea for little girls. We all know how quickly children grow, so these wrap dresses can last much longer than your average dress. The adjustable wrap straps grow with your little girl.
The best part about these dresses is that they are fashionable. They are current, stylish, feminine and work with so many different women. To buy your own, check them out here.
It has taken me a bit to respond to Project Runways newest episodes, but now I am in full swing. I'm going to skip out on Episode 5 and move right on over to Episode 6. I loved the challenge because it was near and dear to my heart. The challenge was to design a look for a little girl. Then, while they began on the challenge, they were given another challenge. It was to create a cohesive look for an adult. How much fun!! While Jonathon was completely unimpressed with working with children, Seth Aaron knew exactly what to do. I was immediately excited with the idea because I had also just posted new items to my store which were exactly this...Check it out here to see my matching mother and daughter sets, they are adorable!
So, back to Project Runway. It was actually quite humorous to see the different responses to the idea of working with children. Anthony was cracking me up because he was trying so hard to be cordial, but he had no idea how to even talk to a little girl. Emilio was also having a hard time with this challenge. His mind did not want to even attempt to understand the style of a young girl. His dress reminded me of "Little House on the Prairie" in a bad way.
But, coming out on top was Seth Aaron who had a daughter of his own, so he understood that they like to be stylish to. I think he nailed this challenge tremendously. Hats off to you, Seth Aaron!!
(picture from Bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com)
I will be blogging about Episode 7 soon, but I haven't even seen it yet. Thank god for DVR. Maybe I'll get to that tonight.
The Show will be featuring Brooke Catherine and Jennafer Grace. Come check it out, and mingle with the designers!!
This show is gonna be a blast! With over 100 creative minds under one roof, who knows what will happen? Come out and see The Local Boutiques designers spring line during the fashion show starting at 8pm. Local vendors from 7-9pm and great sushi specials!! Your name HAS to be on the list to get in, so please call Danielle of The Local Boutique to get on the list. 858-456-1133. Hope to see ya there!! :)
Photos: 1). Amy 2). Anna 3). Anthony 4). Ben 5). Emilio 6). Janeane
7). Jay 8). Jesse 9). Jesus 10). Jonathan 11). Maya 12).Mila 13). Seth Aaron
Photos courtesy of ProjectRunway.com.
On this week's Project Runway, the theme was "Design Your Heart Out". Cambells Soup and the American Heart Association teamed up to host an event. The designers' models were women who have been affected by heart disease that would be attending the event. All the women had amazing stories about how they have been surviving their heart disease. All the designers were very moved by their stories, and suprisingly, there were no conflicts between the designers and their models. As you can see in the picture above, some designers nailed their look, and others just didn't quite get it. As the models walked down the runway, I graded each on my own personal taste and aesthetic.
1. Amy:A
2. Anna:B-
3. Anthony:C-
4. Ben: B+
5. Emilio: C
6. Janeane: B
7. Jay: C
8. Jesse: B-
9. Jesus: B-
10. Jonathon: B+
11. Maya: B-
12. Mila: A-
13. Seth Aaron: A-
For the first time yet, the judges and I have finally agreed on the winner of this challenge. I loved Amy's dress and I feel like she made all the right choices; Her design line was aesthetically pleasing. Her fabrics draped beautifully and her model looked just like she felt inside: Amazing!!
Unfortunetly, the judges also decided it was time for Jesus to leave. I was a bit suprised at the harshness of the judges and the consensus to send him home, but Jesus had been in the bottom 3 too many times. I agree that his taste was lacking, but I think there were others who were lacking more. I admire how Jesus held himself as he was auf'ed by Heidi and also how genuine he was through the show up until now. He was a polite and respectable guy with no drama and cattiness. While that makes for a good show, I think his great atitude is going to get him far in his future. Being that he is 21, he really has a whole lifetime to learn and grow. This isn't the end for Jesus Estrada.
To vote for your favorite Project Runway Designer, click here!!
(1) Amy/Jesus 2) Anna/Emilio 3) Anthony/Seth Aaron
4) Ben/Janeane 5) Jay/Maya 6) Jonathan/Mila 7) Jesse/Ping)
Last night's Project Runway gave us an idea of what the future holds for our contestants. The "partnered" challenge showed the best and worst of everyone. While Jonathon seemed to be a bit unimpressed with partnering with Mila, the duo hit it off soon after compiling ideas. Their relationship ended with the finale product of designs that won the competition (#6) My personal favorite was Jay and Maya, with their futurisitc dress, that was actually quite appealing, and their knock off of Ben and Janeane's which turned out better than the original and much cheaper. Well done, Jay and Maya.
As I had once predicted, Ping's artistic ways of working seemed to be a challenge to Jesse. Although, I feel like Jesse already started off with a bad attitude when Ping chose to work with him. It was as if he was saying "I'm not going to let this be a good experience. I already know I don't like Ping." Not a good approach, Jesse. But, now that Ping is eliminated, he may have found validation in his opinions. And, I do actually agree with what the judges decided. Jesse and Ping were not a good match. Where Jesse has a more structed style of design, Ping is very loose and flowy. When the two of them tried to combine those looks, they did a horrible job. Neither of them tried to understand the other, if they had, they could've really made a beautiful masterpeice.
I do want to give a shout out to Jesus and Amy. Jesus saved himself this time around with a beautiful lace dress and cropped coat. But, more than that I loved their interpretation of Ping and Jesse's design. I thought it looked gorgeous and so much more well put together than Ping and Jesse's actual design. They should've taken some lessons from Jesus and Amy. Maybe they woud've survived.
Vote For Your Favorite Project Runway Designer so far by clicking on this link.
Another great model and another great photo shoot. We are starting to receive the pictures from a photo shoot we did right before the new year. The style team did such a fantastic job putting their ideas together and making the photos look simply splendid. Minh, the photographer also used his fabulous skills to add so much depth to the photos. I wish I could find the right words to describe them. They have a vintage touch with a lot of feeling and drama. Hmm, that doesn't do them justice...well, you can see for yourself and let me know what you think :) I love the rain in this picture, it looks like it is hitting so hard, but the model is just soaking it all in. And, I love how as the rain touches the model, it creates a beautiful glow. Click on the picture below to see more pictures from the shoot. As the week goes on, we will be adding more. Enjoy!
Episode 2 has just been aired for Project Runway and its already getting a bit exciting and a little catty. Who was your favorite this week, tell us anonymously by clicking here. For the new challenge, the designers were brought to a farm where they found Tim Gunn and all the models who were dressed in potato sacks. They used the idea that if a woman if beautiful enough, she can get away with wearing a potato sack and still looking good. The challenge? To use potato sacks to make a dress that was tasteful enough that the model could wear it to an evening out.
It was pretty impressive to see what people could do with their potato sacks. Many of the designers chose to die their fabric to change the whole look of it. That was probably one of the best ideas, because the color of the fabric itself is so plain and doesn't look very good against skin tones. Unfortunetly, Jesus Estrada knew that the color was off and chose to cover it up by sewing ribbon onto the fabric so that the burlap was only used for the inside base of the dress, which almost cost him his life on Project Runway.
If you ask me, I think Amy had the best design, for she used the idea of the potato sack to the rawest of its element without losing the concept of cocktail dress attire. She hand died all the edges of her dress, which almost gave it a burnt edge look, which was very different and yet very beautiful. She was given much praise, but didn't win the challenge. Jay was the winner with a dress that really did look amazing and was very hard to believe that it was made of burlap, for it was black, with a feather-like skirt. I loved the dress and wouldn't wore it myself if given to me, but I feel like I've seen it before, so I didn't think it deserved the win.
Ping and Jesus barely slipped through, once again. Jesus, as I said, didn't do the challenge appropriately...but another thing that the judges are starting to realize is that Jesus's style is looking much more mature and somewhat costumey (if thats a word). Although I am still cheering him on, I am really hoping he steps it up a bit. And his color schemes are looking the same. Change it up, Jesus! Ping made something that should've never been shown on the runway. Fortunetly, by the time it made it to the runway, she already realized that it wasn't working. The models butt was completely exposed and nothing about it looked ravishing or stylish. But, despite it all, Jesus and Ping were not the ones who went home tonight, it was Pamela. Her dress wasn't that appealing, but I really did think she did a great job dying the fabric. I'm sure she will still have a great future.
What will happen next week? I am already dying to see. Ah, the suspense of reality TV challenges.
The Golden Globes is always the hot spot to see the most popular celebrities and the hottest fashion. Of course, for me, its the fashion that I am most excited about. This year there was plenty of rain, testing to see who turned into pumpkins and who kept smiling through it all. It seemed like most everyone was tolerating the rain quite well, considering the gorgeous gowns, makeup, and hair so perfectly done for the event. So, who topped my list as the best dressed? I give the award to Zoe Saldana, of Avatar, for wearing the most gorgeous maroon colored ruffled Lois Vuitton gown. I loved the color, which was different than all the others that night, and the ruffles were perfect. I would love to wear this dress on the red carpet (well, if I looked like Zoe Saldana, this is).
This year, to my suprise, I was not very pleased with Julia Roberts look. I mean, she is always beautiful, and everyone looks good in black, but it was just too safe and frumpy for my taste. Granted the jeweled necklace was a great addition to it all, it still just wasn't enough for me. Of course, she always has the most gorgeous smile and great attitude that I've already almost forgot about what she wore... Ah! That must have been part of the plan.
Project Runway's Season 7 has finally begun, so back on the couch I will be every Thursday night. Tonight was the introduction to the entire crew of new designers, and one of those new designers was Jesus Estrada (the one I'll be cheering on this season). It's too early in the game to know who really has talent and who doesn't, but I can tell you I'm already disappointed with the judges. If you've already seen it, then you know that Jesus was almost sent home tonight and while I know he didnt' deserve it, I also don't think he should've been put in the hot seat. Biased? Maybe, but I don't think so. Did you see that hideous plaid dress from the other guy (what was his name?--there's too many in the game right now to get all their names straight)? Hmm, I'm just not sure. Maybe two years ago I would've found that cute, but I am over plaid...who isn't? If you ask me, it should've went home. While I agree with some of the critiques the judge gave Christiane King the designer who went home tonight), I also agree with Christiane when she said that she didn't have the worse looking dress there. I agree!
(winner to the left, loser to the right)
Now, as far as talent went for the first fashion show, I'm happy with whom the judges chose as the winner. Emilio Sosa has a great sense of detail and you could see it in his dress. I loved the way he chose the colors of his fabrics and interchanged them between the top and skirt. I am also interested in watching Ping, for she is by far the most interesting. Not saying she is the most talented, but definetly thinks so far outside the box that it leaves you wondering where her mind has been. Hmm, will she survive round two?
My last comment is not about the designers or the show, but about Heidi Klum...is she really pregnant again? I could've swore she just had a baby. Wow! She must really love motherhood. How does she keep that model figure after having what seems like a new baby after every season of Project Runway? I just find it a bit amazing.
Click Here to tell us who your favorite designer is, we'll see how opinions change each week and I will announce the results every week as well.
A few blogs ago, I wrote about a model that I had worked with who had done exceptional work; Kara Willingham. During the same day as the other pictures that were taken, we took some inside photos of her wearing an outfit designed by me. But, that isn't even the exciting part. Not only is she wearing my metallic pencil skirt and black blouse, but she is seen posing with my little Chihuahua, Rocky. You see, not only do I love fashion and everything it entails, but I also love my little dog, Rocky. Weighing in at 5 pounds, this little guy keeps me company all day while I am in my studio desiging, drawing, sewing, and blogging. And, now, he has participated by being in a photo shoot. If you don't have a dog, you may not understand the feeling of pride here, but thanks to the wonderful job of Mahal Style, Jennafer Grace, and Kara (the model), they sure made my little guy look like quite the stud muffin.
Come celebrate the premier of Project Runway Season 7 with Jesus Estrada, San Diego's up and coming local fashion designer and season 7 contestant. Enjoy and evening of fashionable fun as Jesus showcases his most recent collection.
Admission: $10, limited capacity. Tickets can be purchased at GOGA by Gordana boutique, 401 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101. Cash only please.
7- 9 pm - Tray passed hor 'd oeuvres
9 - 10 pm - Fashion Show, Estrada designs
10 - 11 pm - Project Runway Episode 1 Premier
21 and over
For public relations & marketing inquiries or additional information contact Jody Auslund, jauslund@gmail.com
See you there!
As a designer, I get myself out there as much as I can. One way of doing so is participating in a website US Trendy. I usually read through their blogs for ideas, and sometimes come across an article about something I have designed. I found this article interesting, for they took a picture from my portfolio work and compared the picture to one of Lady Gaga. Read more from the article here. Who wouldn't like to be compared to the most daring fashionista in the celebrity world. I like the comparison and welcome it proudly. :)
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