Do It Yourself is Always in Fashion

Today I’ve met with the lady at Bits of Thread for my designer mentoring program informational session. I’ve registered after paying for my working with patterns class.  Since DC Fashion Foundation is in disarray (it has taken me over one month to receive my textile class refund) and showing my inaugural collection in next year’s Cleveland Fashion Week is my goal, why not sign up? Though I possess an MBA and 10 years’ business experience, I need to learn from someone already in the game.  I’ve told her that I’ve already taken beginners one, sewing two, copy your clothes, perfect your skirt and will take working with patterns this June so I’ve farther along than most newbies.  Moreover, I want to debut my collection next May in Cleveland, my hometown. She and I work on my 1-year goal dissecting it. I tell her that I watch All on the Line with Joe Zee, Rachel Zoe Project, Resale Royalty and Betsey Johnson to learn about the fashion business. I know that it’s more than clothes.  That’s the so-called creative get things all messed up. This is business and it’s how you make money and pay your rent.

            Returning from my session motivates me to work on it for the next 2 weeks that Jackie goes on vacation.  The one thing that I’m happy about is that I’m not waiting for DC Fashion Foundation to get its act together. I’m going for dolo! Why get mad when I can read the Business of Fashion blog, learn the fashion business and return to my July meeting ahead of the pack? I’ve already expressed my interest in taking the future perfect your pants class because I’ll add this item to my capsule collection.

Findings from Fashion Week Cleveland

            Last night I attended Fashion Week Cleveland’s fashion show. I wore my silver-sequined Vince cocktail dress at the behest of someone working for the organization.  Though the event said black-tie, I could get away with a cocktail dress.  Right after hearing that I shopped my closet wearing my Vince.  I switched out my boots for black flats because it was a fashion event and I should shiver for the greater good.  When I left the hotel, the weather wasn’t that bad.  Upon arriving there I was happy at my decision because none of the women wore boots.  I signed in receiving my VIP wristband then proceeded to have my photo taken against the fashion week ad.

Me at Cleveland Fashion Week

Next all of the VIP people were lined up in two directions awaiting for the Hyatt Regency staff to let us in.  Once they did, there was a mad dash for front row seats (I managed to get one!).  The Master of Ceremonies welcomed everyone and did housekeeping then the show began.  As an aspiring fashion designer, I watched with a more professional eye than others. I looked at garment construction and color themes.  My favorite was Sorjet because this clothing line was luxurious yet wearable. Below were all of the photos from each designer in order of appearance:

L.A. Gaitors Shoes

Bae Rae

Lindsay Marie

Art of Cloth

Sorjet

Sorjet

Sorjet

Modern Fashion

Jae Jarell Menswear

Lotty by Lotty Lewis

All Designers

I was impressed by these designers. I learned that the Sorjet designers hailed from Lexington, Kentucky.  That was when it hit me that Cleveland fashion week was a big deal!  My hometown inspired me to keep working at my craft because this time next year, I will be ready or at least further along than right now! Finally, I will be back front and center for the tenth anniversary.

High Fashion Meets High Savings

Yippie! Nordstrom has the Alice + Olivia Charla leopard-print trench coat in large for $317 instead of $478.  The only reason how I learn this is because the Alice + Olivia store is having a 20% off Friends & Family sale.  The company already has the trench coat on sale for $478 so I do a Google search and learn that Nordstrom has it for $317.  Even though I checked before and large was sold out, I check again.  When the site says large, I put this in my cart ASAP! I am saving $161!  The secretary’s words hit me upon buying the coat. When I told her that I wouldn’t buy the trench at Nordstrom Tysons two weeks ago because booking my fashion week Cleveland trip was the priority, She told me that it would be cheaper.  Now it is and I’ll probably receive it by Wednesday, May 1^st. I will be rocking it!

Alice + Olivia 'Charla' Leopard-Print Trench Coat

Countdown to Fashion Week Cleveland 2013

I am very giddy with excitement to book my downtown Cleveland Hampton Inn room for Fashion Week Cleveland.  I’ll be back in my hometown from May 9^th through May 13^th. I think that I have my fashion week wardrobe assembled because today I’ve gone shopping at CUSP Georgetown, Nordstrom Tysons and downtown H and M.  First, I print the 20% off CUSP coupon, hail the circulator and enter CUSP. Immediately I love the 7 for All Mankind gold snakeskin print jeans (and they are size 31!) and the red Velvet strapless maxi.  I am extremely happy that even the sale is 20% off.  I return home, check the WMATA schedule, then walk to McPherson Square metro.  I board the orange line for Dunn Loring to transfer to the 2C…only to see the both the 2C and 401 come 3 minutes early forcing to pay $10 for a cab ride (Of course, I’ve filed a complaint because even with the long light I would’ve made it.). 

Since I already have the Alice+Olivia floral jeans and I’ve bought a new pair of jeans, I’ve written the Ted Baker London ones off of my list focusing only on the floral dress.  I go to the dressing room where it fits so I buy it.  Next I walk into Via C where I meet the saleswoman who’s held the Alice + Olivia leopard print trench coat.  Wearing black t-shirt and gold Stuart Weitzman Itsybitsy sandals, the trench coat perfectly complements my look; but, at $478 it probably costs as much as my Cleveland room (it is $450 for a 4-night stay.). I return it to the rack and proceed to the Coastal Flats for lunch.

Ted Baker London

The shrimp and crab appetizer and shrimp roll sandwich and fries are yummy! The portion sizes are very big making me carry the sandwich home. Also I make the waiter pack my food because that’s what I pay him.  I don’t wrap my own food because I am the patron. 

Crab and Shrimp Appetizer

Shrimp Roll Sandwich and Fries

Next I travel to H and M to buy the rainforest maxi and shirt dresses.  Since the Tysons Corner location is sold out of the sateen floral capris, I’ve traveled to the downtown DC store to get them.  Finally, I buy the Express purple maxi dress.  All of these floral dresses and this being spring make me think that I have already have my fashion week Cleveland wardrobe.

Express purple floral maxi dress

H and M Rainforest Shift Dress

H and M Rainforest Maxi Dress

CNN Features Fashion Week Cleveland

            This evening I check out the Business of Fashion and come across a CNN article highlighting the importance of other fashion weeks. I am very happy that CNN mentions Cleveland first because it is the third largest fashion week in the country.  As soon as I read it, I post it on my Facebook and Twitter accounts cc Fashionably Cleveland. Below is the article’s hyperlink: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/24/living/fashion-week-cities/index.html