The Future of Fashion

Two years ago, in my post I pontificated the existence of the fashion gene.  I doubt that is part of the human genome project, but it is still a question that I think about from time to time.  When I blogged in 2012, I had a seventeen year old cousin, Marly, who was into fashion.  We’d shop together for her homecoming dresses and could spend hours wandering through the garment district. In the last two years she has grown from a teenager who liked to shop to a budding designer and a celebrated FIDM student.  I was so proud of her last night when I watched her accept the Karen Kane scholarship—a full ride to FIDM’s coveted advanced program.  Her scholarship presentation was followed by a runway show that rivaled LA Fashion Week.  While I watched jellyfish inspired colorful silks billowing down the runway, it hit me…this time next year she will be presenting her first full collection down the runway. 

Marly with Nick Verreos from Project Runway

Marly's Sketches

For a fashion designer, nothing says who you are more than your collection.  I imagine hers will be as fresh, feminine and chic as she is.  Check out her style and designs on her blog!   

FIDM Debut 2014

LA Style Fashion Week!

Per usual, LA Style Fashion week was a super fun and I had a great time with the girls!  This is definitely one of those things that I don’t feel guilty leaving work early for (by early, I mean after putting in a solid eight hours).  Aside from standing for hours in my very high Diane von Furstenberg blue suede strappy shoes, I have absolutely no complaints. 

One of My Favorites from Furne One

There were a couple clear highlights (1) watching my actress/model/dancer friend Hailey chat it up with celebs and designers while her interviews were streaming live and (2) designer Furne One’s show.  His soft cotton candy colored creations made me feel like I was in a whimsical dream.  I loved the shape and intricate detailing of each piece.  The clothes were truly avant-garde--some dresses had baskets with tiny teddy bears trapped in them tied to the model’s back like stuffed hitchhikers on a kimono’s obi.  Sans sashes, the dress would be great for a Vogue spring editorial, to wear to a fancy wedding, or on a typical Wednesday morning if you are of the Blair Waldorf variety.  A girl can dream.

Hailey Chats It Up with Actors

Fashion Show Gang

Just Me and the Brides

My Pinspiration

 Apologies for being MIA.  Could we say it was an extended bout of bloggers block?  Or perhaps it is like “Boy Meets World” where Cory’s little sister Morgan disappears for at least two seasons.  I can’t even begin to explain all important things that have happened since I’ve last penned so here are some quick highlights:

1.       I fell in love with field jackets

2.       I found the perfect pair of boyfriend jeans

3.       I bought my first real pair of boots that I will own for the rest of my life (this is probably the biggest commitment I’ve made since I got a dog)

One of the major things that has happened since I’ve last blogged is the rise of Pinterest (yeah, I know , it’s not even remotely a new thing).  When I first heard of it, people were telling me it was a site that only college girls loved, so I was a bit turned off.  I’m not really sure how it is a college girl thing when half of the posts are about dreamy weddings. 

The only mildly frustrating thing about the site is that sometimes I find that perfect thing that I just have to buy, but then I have to go through this whole song and dance to find out where I can buy it, and I inevitably experience an immense wave of sadness when I cannot locate the item, or fall into even deeper despair when the item is no longer in stock.  I experienced this Pinterest panic last week when I found the perfect non-frumpy, chic sweatshirt.  I became determined to immediately buy this cozy side zip hoodie. 

The Elusive Jacket

After pinning it onto my board, Fashionista Style, I clicked on the picture to find the original pin.  It linked me to another fashion blogger, but she didn’t list the hoodie’s origin.  I Googled the item, and sure enough the picture from Pinterest came up, but the item was nowhere to be found.  This sweatshirt became the golden snitch, seen by me, then released into the internet ether.  I read through the comments on the bloggers website.  Two other girls were obviously also suffering from Pinterest Panic.   “Does anyone know where I can buy this hoodie?  What brand is it??” one comment read.  Another sufferer wrote, “I have to have this, where is it from?”  Then finally a comment from the original pinner with a link to a random Korean wholesale website.  I immediately went to the site.  I held my breath as I clicked on the image.  Then those three crushing words, OUT OF STOCK.  Gone.  Damn you Pinterest.  You have created a supply and demand problem and I was enraged, but did not give up.  I noticed the website had an online help chat option.  I immediately started the chat.  Experiencing the same nervousness I did in junior high when I’d log on to AIM hoping to IM my crush, I waited expectantly for the chat to begin.  Skipping the pleasantries, I got straight to the point. “When is this item coming back in stock?”  “Item not soon, maybe never.” the help desk replied in broken English. 

The elusive side zip hoodie got the best of me, but I did experience some Pinterest triumphs.  It wasn’t always easy.  I found one of the dresses I pinned in a random Santa Monica boutique on the post holiday sale rack.  It was like running into an old friend.  I fell in love with the dress on Pinterest long before I bought it, so there was really no wavering on my once I realized it was a perfect fit. 

So here’s to Pinspiration.  While sometimes finding the item in real life takes perspiration, the victory of owning the item in real life is sweet, and so much more satisfying than just having it on a virtual corkboard.

Pinspired by this Romper 

Found it!