The Shoe Fits

TOMS has given over 140,000 pairs of shoes to children in need since their start in 2006. Their strategy is simple, for every pair of shoes you buy, a pair goes to a child in need. TOMS has plans to give 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in 2009. How cool is that?

Dig It?

If you heart thrift stores, consignment shops, and/or pulling items from friend's closets, check out Dig N' Swap. Dig N' Swap was created as a solution to ever expanding wardrobes and the need to be kinder to our environment.

Could trading be the new currency? Give it a try.

From www.dignswap.com

Capering About

My next sewing project. Wish me well!
I'll post images soon.

Basic Training

Q: What are your favorite books for beginning seamstress?

A:

1. Sew U :: Wendy Mullin with Eviana Hartman Easy to understand, great illustrations, patterns included
2. Let’s Sew :: Nancy Zieman Comprehensive, clear, great for all ages and stages
3. The Best of Sewing with Nancy :: Nancy Ziemam Technical, great time saving tips
4. Magazines: ReadyMade and Sewstylish (it folded but you can still get back copies)
   

I await your listing of additional resources.

Fashion Week :: PROJECT BLACKOUT

Yes, I know, Fashion Week ended on Friday but I have a few more stories to posts. So, bear with me please.

I walked up to Randal to get a closer look at his stunning ocean blue specs, and walked away a part of a movement. Project Blackout is an effort focused on promoting and expanding the representation of people of color in the fashion industry. Throughout the week I observed both the need and the readiness for this change. I am excited to see what the future holds and ready to be a part of the progress.

Love the look!

Thanks for the bag; I've been toting it around.

Fashion Week :: REBECCA TAYLOR

Stars like Tori Spelling and Jamie-Lynn Sigler made a point to attend the Rebecca Taylor runway show, last Thursday, to see the fall 2009 collection. Rebecca's pieces are flirty, fresh, and feminine. This designer seems to have a knack for knowing what makes a woman feel pretty and that's beautiful.

Fashion Week :: BABY PHAT

I enjoyed the fall 2009 Baby Phat collection more than I thought I would. The pieces had a vintage flair bringing a soft finish to their edginess. The use of embellishment was superb--great appliqué placement on the jeans.

Gotham Hall was full. I watched with friends, from a screen, in the Balcony. Here is one of my favorite looks:

I may own my first Baby Phat jeans this fall, if I can get my hands on these!

Kimora with Ming Lee and Aoki Lee

Backstage after the show, in the "fab lane"!

Emmy award winning costume designer, stylist, and designer Patricia Field

models on the red carpet

Fashion Week :: PROJECT RUNWAY PEEPS

Everyone who knows me is aware that Project Runway is my favorite show. The opportunity to be on the opposite side of the camera taking photos of some of the most memorable cast members, at the sixth season finale, was surreal. They all were so sweet and cute to boot!

Suede Baum and Blayne Walsh from Season 5

Jay McCarroll Project Runway Season 1 winner

Kenley Collins Season 5 finalist

Fashion Week :: BARBIE EXHIBIT

Photos from the Barbie 50th Anniversary exhibit.
Read more about Barbie’s big birthday bash on Catalyst...

Fashion Week :: random shots

Fashion Week :: MACKAGE

The outerwear junkie in me got her fix while watching the Mackage show on Wednesday evening. Well-constructed coats covered jeans, legwarmers, and lacy-netting. The show was so chill that it made me think Jean Michel Basquiat "Downtown 09" (not 81).

On each seat lay a small fancy black box that held a leather bound notebook for drawing whatever; cool, right?

Fashion Week :: ANNA SUI

Anna Sui’s work has managed to hold my attention over the years because of its romanticism and mystique. The 2009 collection is dripping with rich layers, ornate patterns, and energetic textures. I was so busy watching the show, that I only snapped a few shots, so here they are.

Fashion Week :: random shots

Fashion Week :: TONI MATICEVSKI

The collection of Toni Maticevski, an Australian designer, is in my top three shows this fashion week. The way the pieces, set, and music worked together created a mix that was imaginative but haunting. Maticevski’s collection is full of interesting details like tie dye, bead work, hand painting, and feathers. The sound score included a track from Kanye's 8o8s and Heartbreak. What’s not to love?







I snapped this picture of the beautiful Solange Knowles before the show.

Fashion Week :: random shots

I grew up a "ck" (cosmetologist's kid) which means that I've spent over two-thirds of my life in a salon...so I could not resist taking these photos when the stylists and models disappeared for a bit.

Fashion Week :: A DETACHER

A sampling of my photos from the A Detacher show, featuring the fall/winter 2009 collection. Here are a few words: smooth, silky, and sometimes a little furry. Pretty chic.

Fashion Week :: random shots

Fashion Week :: random shots

I love taking photos of shoes. Here's one of my favorites. I may have a shoe obsession, shhhhhhh....

Fashion Week :: CARLOS CAMPOS

I went to Carlos Campos’ fall 2009 show last night. The collection made me think hot rocker with an edgy 9 to 5 twist. Those who were there enjoyed rich charcoals, buttery leathers, and shiny metallic. Carlos gets an outstanding performance review for having a perspective that’s sharp, detailed, and appropriately “suite”able

Designer :: Carlos Campos

http://twitter.com/CreativeCookie

Fashion Week :: PREEN

This morning I had a chance to check out the Preen Fall 2009 collection during New York Fashion Week. The designing duo's line is wonderfully hip and edgy--I loved every bit of it! Here are a few pics that I was able to snap in front and behind-the-scenes.

run through

make-up & hair

make it work

my seat

working the runway

final walk

More fashion week coverage to come...