Kim France, pic via nytimes Not that she sets out to be just another member of the blogging pack. She has certain pet peeves about fas...
Strap Stars: Favorite Ankle Strap Sandals |
Summer is slowly peeking her head through the fog and soon will emerge, and when that happens I want to make sure I'm stepping into the next season with the right footwear. After Alexander Wang Spring/Summer '12 collection which showcased different styles of ankle strap shoes it turned out to be a huge hit with many editors and style bloggers. Now the ankle strap has trickled down to many other brands for different prices and styles. I gathered my favorites...
1. Lanvin Ankle Strap Wedge Sandal
2. Alexander Wang Vika Suede Wedge Sandals
3. Dolce Vita Bagley Sandals
4. Rachel Zoe Gladys Flat Sandals
Strap Stars: Favorite Ankle Strap Sandals Summer is slowly peeking her head through the fog and soon will emerge, and when that happen...
Claire from FashionBombDaily.com |
Samantha from omowrites.com and shoptnemnroda.com |
Over the weekend I made the unexpected trip to Brooklyn for the Do Over Party at Dekalb Market. I never attended one of these major parties ...
Designer Nicki Cozzolino |
I don’t think I ever had that sort of slap me in the face, self-realization that I wanted to be a designer. In hindsight, the closest memory I have that embodies that sentiment was the feeling I got when I saw some old dressmaking film footage for the first time in College. I just remember feeling like I had just uncovered something special. Almost as if it was made solely for my eyes and I was looking around hoping that no one else saw because I didn’t want them to have that same experience. It felt very intimate, like it was mine. I became so intrigued by the creative process of designing that none of the fine or studio art [majors] that I had studied my whole life had ever sparked in me. I think I just sort of became obsessed with wanting to make clothes, so I went to explore that obsession.
Were there any difficulties starting your own business and building your brand?
Absolutely, though I’m sure my story is not at all unique. I think anyone that has chosen something entrepreneurial has experienced all the trials and tribulations that come with that freedom. Nothing is easy or will ever be perfect, but what sort of negates the difficulties is having a strong conviction in what you do and being courageous enough to keep going after what you want despite the challenges that you will indefinitely face. I'm just beginning to build my brand, so yes there are certainly frustrations, but things take time. Ultimately, this is a process, a journey not a race to the finish line. I'm confident that I will eventually get where I want to be.
Can you describe your aesthetic in three words?
Casual. Feminine. Edgy. Chic. Shit that’s four. I think I need four.
Who and/or what inspired your FW12 collection?
A lot of the collection was inspired by a long trip I took touring Turkey last summer, specifically the color palette and signature print story. The four prints that I designed were the Star print based on the Turkish Flag (and the one that I draw on my hand everyday), the Gold Cat print, which speaks to all the cats that line the streets of the cities and countryside. The other two are the Evil Eye print based on the evil eye that wards off negative energy and ill will. The Silk Spatter print, which I created from a photograph of silk cocoons just before their silk was extracted in a carpet-weaving factory.
Can you talk about your favorite pieces?
This season I was really obsessed with the bustier shape. I wanted to downplay its formality and reintroduce it in a more refined fresh feeling way; showing it as layering piece to be worn in place of a normal cami or tank top. The shape of the bust line became the foundation for a number of other styles. My favorite two prints: the Black/White Star printed Bustier Bodysuit and Gold Cat printed Bustier Jumpsuit. Other favorites include my Gold Cat Relaxed Pant, Merino wool double Kissing Cat and Sassy Cat appliquéd sweaters, and this new Zealand lambskin leather jacket with Bright Gold hardware.
It’s funny because I’m not so much a cat person, but I completely die for my sassy cats ;)
Can you describe your design process?
It’s a long process of observing and exploring my surroundings, absorbing and gathering information, interpreting ideas, researching, sourcing materials, playing, communicating, directing and etc. It begins as a very open exploratory journey outside of myself and then becomes very intimate and personal as the collections develops. Everything comes full circle and you open up again, showing the world what you’ve created and explaining to family and friends why they haven’t seen you in months :P.
If you weren’t a designer, what profession would you have?
I would love to be a photojournalist of some sort. I love traveling and taking pictures, exploring cultures, observing people, drawing connections between people and things, perceiving relationships in nature and between man-made inanimate objects. I’m sort of obsessed with the way that the world imitates human relationships. What publication I’d be contributing to is clearly TBD. Perhaps once it launches I can be a guest editor ;P, or just become an actress, of course. But in the meantime I have some ladies to dress!
Do you have advice for young designers?
I would stress the importance of working for other designers before going off on your own. There's a lot to say about real experience and apprenticeship and I know that I would not be here today had I not put in the time working for others.
Do you have any plans for Memorial's Day?
It’s going to be a big family weekend for me :) It is my nieces’ third birthday party and my younger brothers birthday as well. I will be staying in the area, mostly Montclair, NJ, where I grew up.
Designer Nicki Cozzolino Nicki Cozzolino is a young designer that I had the pleasure of meeting during a market appointment. Not only d...
Lands' End Canvas 1963 Fall '12 Preview |
Lands' End Canvas 1963 Holiday Collection Preview |
Lands' End Canvas 1963 Fall '12 Preview Lands' End Canvas 1963 Fall' 12 preview had a little for everyone. The collectio...
Fall 2012 Trend Jumpsuits: Wes Gordon, Jenny Packham and Thakoon |
Fall 2012 Trend Jumpsuits: Wes Gordon, Jenny Packham and Thakoon I remember when I was younger, jumpsuits were regulated to fugly one-pi...
Adia Kibur Silver & Neon Chain Link Necklace |
Adia Kibur Silver & Neon Chain Link Necklace The weather hasn't been consistent lately but all I know is that it's slo...
Jason Wu & Karlie Kloss, Olivier Rousteing of Balmain & Joan Smalls and Tom Ford & Chanel Iman |
The looks at Met Ball this season really didn't tickle my fancy especially coming from the celebrities that attended. The 2 major exceptions have to Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy and actress Carey Mulligan in Prada. But other that I wasn't too impressed. However I did perk up a bit for the classic pairing of model and designer that arrived on the red carpet. It was great to see three of my favorite models on the arms of my favorite designers.
Jason Wu & Karlie Kloss, Olivier Rousteing of Balmain & Joan Smalls and Tom Ford & Chanel Iman The looks at Met Ball this ...
If you guys didn't know I'm on Instagram, the handle is @ChicInspector. Follow me if you're not.
Anyway, the fabulous Julee Wilson recognized my instagram account in the Our Favorite Fashion and Beauty Insiders on Instagram story on Huffington Post. I'm really honored to be mentioned with the likes of stylist June Ambrose and actress Tracee Ellis Ross. Check out the list to see who is fab to follow.
If you guys didn't know I'm on Instagram, the handle is @ChicInspector. Follow me if you're not. Anyway, the fabulous Julee ...
H&M Swim Preview |
H&M is by far one of my favorite retailer, so I was super excited to go to their showroom to see what they have in store for their swim collection. I was even more super excited to find out that they have selected styles of swim suits for just $4.95. Yes you read that right, $4.95! Those chic swim suits and other inexpensive swim gear such as cover ups and shoes are retailing below $12.95. This a such a major score for the next coming weeks, if you guys want to hit the beach (or pool) go to your local H&M store to grab some of H&M swim goodies.
H&M Swim Preview H&M is by far one of my favorite retailer, so I was super excited to go to their showroom to see what they hav...
Happy Cinco de Mayo Everyone!
I was pretty excited that Cinco de Mayo landed on a Saturday, because the weekend is always reserved for relaxation. So I made it a point to be comfortable on this day, I guess it's my own comfort de mayo.
Before I headed out with my friends for the usually drinks and fiesta, I made sure I put on my BOBS slips on, cropped top from Forever 21, and for a pop of color my favorite red jeans. Also what would Cinco de Mayo be without the obvious sombrero hat.
Happy Cinco de Mayo Everyone! I was pretty excited that Cinco de Mayo landed on a Saturday, because the weekend is always reserved for ...
The weather is warming up and here on Chic Inspector it's always better to be prepared for Spring then not to. Chic Inspector and Baby Phat is giving one lucky reader the Zig Zag Wrap Romper. It's super duper easy to enter.
Deadline for the giveaway is May 7, 2012 at 11:59pm
Good Luck! xoxo
The weather is warming up and here on Chic Inspector it's always better to be prepared for Spring then not to. Chic Inspector and Ba...