Get Carried Away with SJP

Vogue.com 

For years, 15 to be exact; women everywhere have been in love with the Carrie Bradshaw look. Sex in the City was an HBO series that not only was addicting, but was also extremely impactful in the lives and openness of women. While actress Sarah Jessica Parker, played a stylish city gal on scene, her own style is one to admire as well. She is a fashion risk taker, who knows her body and is sure of her style. Not afraid to take a chance, SJP can be found on red carpets, or city street corners in NY looking like a million fabulous bucks.  

After all the celeb clothing lines and exclusive looks at every retailer these days, I have grown tired of the cheap and tawdry. The news of Sarah Jessica Parker’s very own show line in collaboration with the one and only classic Carrie Bradshaw brand, Monolo Blahnik, really re-ignites my fashion spirit.

In a recent Harpers Bazaar interview, the actress and show designer talks about her inspiration for the line, saying it will have a lot of vintage flair and Ohio functionality. The shoes will play off new neutrals and classic motifs, and will be exclusive to Nordstroms, with prices ranging from $200-400. Not bad for the true Carrie Bradshaw Monolo. The line will be called SJP, and is scheduled to launch in 2014.  

Sample Sized?

The comparison between a model sized women and a average sized women...scary.

What size do we consider "Sample size"? While watching fashion weeks over the last month, I can help but think how wonderful it would be to see more NORMALALITY in the shows. What is the deal? While I want to see average women, I do understand it is because these clothes are often made off the mannequin sample size? The clothes that make it to stores and into retail are mass-produced at many sizes... Often times, runway clothes are "sample- sized." In order to change this, we must change the size we consider "Sample". 

I was looking at various runway shows from the fall collections, and began to read through some of the comments. I was surprised to see how many people have a problem with the size of the models walking the runways of the shows; asking “why are models so skinny?” or “It looked nice, but I am not 6feet talI, how am I going to wear those clothes?”

Now, I am familiar with the sample size, and understand that the designers mass produce clothing based on what the buyers like and want to purchase. Because of this, only one or two samples are made of each piece in most cases unless the piece is a signature of the collection. I too would like to see how clothing hangs and wears on people of a normal size and stature. Although, this may not be the most visually stunning way to present clothing, it would be the most practical especially for the buyers eye.

I challenge designers to make a few normally-sized pieces per runway, (atleast for the ready-to-wear collections). This would allow the population to appreciate the clothing more, because we could visualize someone like us wearing whatever it is. Sometimes, when we watch these shows, all we think is, that won’t look good on me because I have _____ (filling the blank with whatever beautiful curve or feature you may possess that runway models do not).

I began to dig and do some research on this subject matter, as I find it extremely interesting.

I want to know why runways are not filled with people of normal size regulations? I also want to understand the details behind the clothing samples, because I feel the sample size is the basis for the model size. Let's explore...

A “sample” size is the size the original garment is made into for a designer’s new collection. Prior to mass production (which depends on buyer need and consumer want) these sample sizes are all the designer has of their collection. But why can’t we change the size that we see has “sample”?

For more visit me at:  finditfashion.com, @J_Cultura or jculturafashion.blogspot.com

In an effort to change, “‪Vogue editors recently signed a letter in support of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s initiative to promote a healthier body image for women in the fashion industry.”-- Stylaphile Magazine.

The problem with the long-standing depictions of skinny, rail-thin models on the runway is that young women are so influenced by what they see. After seeing women in media and on runways, it is hard to look past comparisons between ourselves, and what we see. Women cannot help but want to be something they are not (taller, thinner, prettier…etc.), a body dimorphic that we have been guilty of falling into. Our society is full of people who long to be someone else, or something better. Not that the models in shows and sample sizes are going to change the world, but changing the mindset of the average consumer, would make an impact.

The argument being made by editors and fashion savvy women everywhere, is that the sample size be changed form a 2 to something that is more average for the typical women. A size 4 or 6 may do the trick! By doing this, clothes will not only seem more wearable, but also it would slowly begin to change the women psyci. Long lasting wins for the designer with increased sample sizes could lead to higher sales. The designer begins to make clothes that flatter a different body type, a healthier more realistic body type then more realistic people will be likely to purchase an expensive piece. If the world of fashion would change their outlook on what real women are, the only people that would suffer are the 6ft rail thin models, roughly 3% of the female population… I’ll take the odds (I am sure they will be alright in the working world.)

http://stylaphilemag.com/2012/06/13/change-the-sample-size-change-the-world/

ttp://www.fashionindie.com/british-vogue-editor-claims-sample-sizes-are-too-small-for-established-star-models/

For more visit me at finditfashion.com, @J_Cultura or jculturafashion.blogspot.com

Is Passion Enough?

IS PASSION ENOUGH?

I have always been passionate about fashion. Fashion is actually the only thing I have showed constant interest in throughout my life.

I was no surprise after college, I set out to become a dynamic part of the fashion industry. Post grad. I begin in a management role has an area operations supervisor for the Marshalls retailer. The position was great retail experience, but lacked in inspirations, creativity and upward growth.

Refusing to settle for a horizontal career with in retail distribution, I up-rooted from VA and moved to the Dominican Republic. I currently teach English to the Dominican Youth in private school located within the capital. Teaching has been a great way to give back, and has instilled me patients and cultural awareness. Being a teacher also allows me to have flexibility with my schedule and gives me time to work toward my true passion, FASHION.

In August of this year, after months of research and design, I launched my very own fashion website, FIND IT FASHION. At finditfashion.com we had select our favorite seasonal pieces and tips and bring them to one place. The idea behind FIF is to serve as a personal shopper for the fashion savvy, and bringing the latest fashion tips, trends and finds to one place. I also use the site has a great place to publish my own fashion articles and monthly discussions.

With a fashion site, management and personal styling experience I am now looking to join an established publication. I hope to break into the fashion industry and take it by storm, anyway I can. Not belonging to any big city has made getting my foot in the door a more daunting task than I had originally hoped. Two years of constant application submissions and emails, have lead me no where and today while I am still energetic and positive about my future in fashion. I cannot help but wonder… is passion enough??

In this day and age, it is all about who we know. Our ties to business and company executives lead us to internships and inevitably open up doors for our future. So how do we get to know people who we have never met? How to we make an impact and standout amongst thousands of applicants? These are the questions I ponder…

I found out in early September, that I was chosen to attend Teen Vogue’s Fashion University in NYC. I have been ecstatic about this opportunity since day one, because for the first time, I will have the chance to come face to face with some of fashions elite. The question of passion being enough still lingers over my head, but I figure if passion is not enough, maybe personality and work ethic will bring it all home.

If it really is about who you know, I plan on shaking every hand at Teen Vogue like a politician on Election Day, and with confidence and fingers crossed I hope to return from NYC with opportunities and contacts from industry leaders…. 

INTRODUCING FIND IT FASHION

I am happy to announce the creating and launch of my new site FINDITFASHION.COM The site is the newest addition to my own little world of fabulous, and contains tips, trends and fashion finds from across the web. I have also included other blogs and magazine articles I love and find helpful.

The idea behind the site is to bring fabulous fashion finds for the coming season to one place. Every month I update the site with different fashion finds and reviews in sections like: Fashion Favorites, From the Runway, Trends and Mind Body & Sole. I also add in pages every month on topics and trends that I am into. Some months I may showcase shoes, accessories and handbags; while other months I might showcase trendy looks like leather, prints and romantic pieces. At finditfashion.com  you can find and follow the fashion you love, while staying up to date on the trends of the season. 

Make sure you visit FIND IT FASHION for more tips, trends and fashion finds. . . 

See YOU there. 

VOGUE : Style Resolutions

 Great ideas, well dressed women share there fashion updates for Summer.... ENJOY

Sharing from Vogue.com

Pick your wardrobe like a designer

Just watched the very best interview of TOM FORD. I love him, and it is refreshing to hear the simplicity of his work. The Interview which aired on OWN, follows Tom through a few week period leading up to a small viewing. In the interview he talks a lot about the art of being fashion forward in his designs. He said the best way to follow and predict trends is to be aware of your surroundings and to live, daily observation is key in fashion. While it is great to be a trend setter, the reality is most brilliant ideas come from observations we see in passing. Maybe you saw a beautiful fun woman walk by and she was wearing something so cute, maybe you take that look and reinvent it to fit you. Maybe you duplicate fab looks in a magazine you read. Whatever the case, women are observers. What Tom brings into designing is the same out look we should take into our daily wardrobes. I say "think like a designer"... 

Use the world around you to pair and put together looks within your own wardrobe that you love, and know look great on you.

The best place to start when thinking about what to buy for the season ahead, is to get out into the world and see where the fashion is headed... read up magazines to check for looks you love, up to date magazines insure looks are trendy and in for the season at hand. Rip out clips of fashion you like and things you may want to duplicate, take the magazine clippings with you on your trip to the mall. These clippings are quick references while you shop, and help to give your trip to the mall a little focus. Happy shopping

Thanks Tom Ford xoxo....

Be sure to check out his video it is wonderful if you have about 45 minutes on your hands.