More sketches!

  
     Shading with a mechanical pencil is the equivalent of picking your teeth with a tree trunk, but I had to make do. So, here is another attempt to improve my sketching technique by creating a little invention I like to call the "pre-constructed shawl."  Instead of wrapping a loose piece of fabric around your neck, why not have a pre-made, freely hanging accent piece to wear with your evening gown all night? This piece hangs off the shoulders and takes to the natural shoulder form. It has layers descending from the middle of the shawl that add dimension! I guess you could pin it as a cross between a flimsy poncho coat and just a regular shirt, then again I'm not sure this a classifiable piece.
     It all began when I was sketching a t-shirt with a back cut highly from the bottom up. I, for some reason, couldn't seem to decide what kind of pants to pair with this top, so I decided to turn it into an accent piece to be worn over a simple, black maxi dress. Love at first sight it was! Since I still have no access to colored pencils, I proceeded in explaining the color palette off to the side of the sketch.
     Why is this sketch just of her back? Not sure. Still trying to draw from angles, but until you try, you don't realize how tricky it is! Anyways, my inspiration for this came from Lanvin's Fall 2010 line I posted about a few weeks ago. Bright accent colors on a black back drop are like Dove chocolates to me-can't have just five, need about 10.

Sketchin' fun!

     
     Who does homework when you could be sketching fashion designs? Kiddddinggg, mother :).
Anyways, I was merely taking a homework break when I decided to sketch a spring look of my own for "funsies." My love of pop colors paired with deep, rich tones will never die and neither will my obsession with hardware on clothes! This look pairs a saturated, eggplant colored mesh skirt with an electric salmon top accented with structured, puff-sleves trimmed with zippers.

P.S. If I had colored pencils, this would all make a little more sense. But, I am merely a youngster and do not have easy access to transportation and the money tree that I hear of.

Warning: Actually, I have no warning for this post. If I did, why would I have drawn my creation, anyways? If you feel like creating this look for me, gimme a call and we can celebrate over a college dining hall dinner!

LOOKS I LIKE...China Glaze's Crackle Glaze nail polish!

     Crack...ed nails. China Glaze came up with this idea called Crackle Glaze to let you do just that (not wrecking the actual nails, of course). This polish lets you put on a base nail color with a different crackled color right on top! Wondering about an easy way to add some bling to that boring outfit? Need to spice up that unnecessarily high-cut blouse? Crackle on.
     Throughout the years, nails have gone from just pink and conservative to wild and crazy with colors ranging from neon yellow to black and now...Crackle Glaze! It looks pretty easy to do and even comes with an instructional video for the slightly less skilled portion of us nail polish users (including me, of course).

Warning: If you are a nail biter and think this polish is a good way to cover that up, I will find you and eye-ball you until those tortured appendages of yours are re-manicured properly.

LOOKS LIKE...nightmares, not dreams, really do come true!

     Jeremy Scott. Words to describe his creations aren't exactly readily available at my fingertips. If given a moment, I would pull out the words alien, aberrant, and slightly ridiculous.
     Scott's Spring 2011 collection is trash, literally. These models look a little like something out of a horror movie to me. If I was sitting in the front row at that fashion show, I'd keep my pepper spray clenched in my fist...just in case. Though I love the idea of the collection and the incredible originality that comes with it, I believe high fashion should have just a little bit of class and "wearability."
     Willing to try this out? Be sure not to stand next to the garbage bins outside. You may be dumped into the truck alongside the trash bins. Also, maybe you'd like to let the rollers out of your hair before you walked outside. I realize the bed-head look is in, but maybe not taken too literally. :)

LOOKS I LOVE...Zac Posen's feathered frocks

Feathers with a flair. That's exactly what Zac Posen did in his Spring 2011 collection that takes the utilization of feathers from frilly to ferocious (in the best way of course!). One of my two favorite trends in this collection uses feathers to emphasize the shoulders but not create a harsh line. It gives the look a dominating yet angel-like appearance that commands attention. The bright orange dress above has a sophisticated but still daring look. The asymmetrical up-do adds a dose of quirk that is complemented by the red lipstick which brings out the fiery color of the dress. I LOVE the degree of elaborateness in this collection and absolutely FEAST on the details Posen has livened his collection with.

Warning: If you wish try and wear feathers on your own, keep it to a minimal amount as you do not want to appear as though you are preparing for flight any time soon. Try a bright pop of colored feathers with a headband, some earrings, or even a bag! To recreate a version of one of these looks, try a feathered scarf with an appropriate evening gown. Wear it around your shoulders or even tied to a part of the dress as an accent.

LOOKS I LOVE...Theory's super wide-leg pants!

    
     Pants. Wide, flowy, vibrant PANTS. While flipping through the pages of one of my Glamour magazines, I came across a feature on Oliver Theyskens' Theory and his beautifully constructed, wide-leg pants. These pants are reminiscent of the 70's trend but take the look to a modern era. They elongate the leg and can be worn with anything from a basic tee to an elaborate blouse. The simple cut utilized ensures that they will flow smoothly over any unwanted curves. I LOVE the blue suit in the third photo. Its simplistic design is paired with an electric blue color that brings it from beautiful to extraordinary. The slight sheen in the fabric allows this to be a dressy or casual item if paired with the right accessories.

Idea: Wear these pants with a basic tee tucked in and a chunky statement necklace. Sling on some high wedge shoes to elongate your frame even more (no one will know you aren't actually four inches taller ;)).

Warning: Do not buy these pants too large or you will be at risk of either drowning in them or tripping on the seams and taking a hard, face-first fall onto the grounds in front of you. Also, please do not pull a "gangsta boi" on me with too large pants that need a frequent picking up from around the ankles. This is not classy. We like classy.

LOOKS LIKE...somebody jumped in the wrong clown car!

     

     Modern is in and with it is coming designers trying out...clown shoes? These clumsy lookin' platforms made by Prada and other high-end designers are being featured everywhere...even in one of my bibles, Vogue! I understand the modern, spacey seeming trend is coming on strong, but please, leave platforms to the Spice Girls! 

     These shoes go against the natural curvature of the foot and may make you resemble a certain tea pot who is "short and stout." They thicken the ankle area and "chunk up" your tootsies! I prefer shoes that elongate and emphasize the natural and delicate form of the female foot. I realize modern is represented by straight lines and simple forms, but sometimes even our feet need a little curvalicious junk in the trunk!