fashion : T magazine summer issue 2012

  

Balenciaga dress

 

  

Celine dress

 From T Magazine's summer issue 2012

Abercrombie project round 2!

So Rachel, is this why you haven't posted in like, a month?

Yes.

Abercrombie project number 2 - even though I have already worked there, I was required to do the project again. But now it is done! My interview is on Thursday. This quarter has been a little crazy so far - knitwear is a complicated technique to master on the machines, senior thesis is being thrown at us (as juniors I might add - due to the semester conversion) and lots of portfolio work have me pretty busy.

But at least this part is done!

obsession : racerback

My new fitness kick has got me loving all things racerback (and spandex, but that's not new).  It's a classic athletic silhouette, but injected into dresses and silk tanks creates a sexy, beautiful contrast.

 

 (A lot of these photos came from my old files on my laptop so they could not be sourced; however, those that could be are linked!)

3/15 photos of the week and some updates

Sorry for the lack of updates everyone!! I have been so busy with work (and am on a fitness kick so lots of running to prepare for a 5k, knitting to finish up some projects, and general studying about how to begin a fashion brand) so I haven't totally been focused on blogging lately.  But here are some images that have been inspiring me recently!

 In love with this neon orange layer over a simple tank and shorts.

 Again, another entrancing detail - an alluring, exotic cuff with casual jeans.

 Minimal beauty at its best.

 A gorgeous use of color and pattern.

High-rise jeans lend themselves well to a peek of skin in the back - demure and sexy.

Tomorrow, I have my last day as a graphic tees co-op at Abercrombie & Fitch.  And oh my goodness, how wonderful an experience it has been.  I have learned so much about the ins and outs of a successful company - from organization and production, to execution and review.   A few weeks ago I ordered a book off Amazon called How to Set Up and Run a Fashion Label and it has definitely gotten the juices flowing in my head... 

This summer my university transitions from a quarter system to a semester system - unfortunately for our class, we end up getting the short straw and have a mini co-op period over the summer (7-ish weeks) and then our first "semester" co-op back to back with the summer one, for 15 weeks I believe.  Some of my classmates are rolling this into one long co-op, but I have chosen to break it up and use that short period to my advantage to do an entrepreneurial quarter, in which I develop and execute a mini collection (7 weeks is much nicer to go without pay than 15, and good thing I work fast!).  I am very excited about this - I think this opportunity will allow me to better formulate my ideas about my future. During the summer I will be able to have this experience to compare to the others I have had, to understand if I truly want to be my own designer and live out my own aspirations, or work in a collaborative team much like that at A&F, to which I will return in the fall for my semester co-op.

So, there is much to think about!  With the book I have been reading, I have been doing a lot of ideations on branding, where I would want to take a line if I had one, etcetera - so during the next quarter at school I will be doing a lot of background thought on what kind of line I would like to do over the summer with the potential of further developing that brand into senior year when I do my senior collection. It isn't that impossible to get contact with a factory for production - you just have to do all the pre-production work and send it to them in a format that is clear. However, I think this is something I could definitely achieve.

In other news... my CFDA portfolio has been selected to move on to the competition!  A panel of professors reviewed the class portfolios and selected the few to send in for the scholarship - each school has a limited amount of portfolios that can be sent in for the final judging.  I am eager to find out what happens next...!

Stay tuned for more! I am ready for a relaxing spring break and the start of knitwear!

jil sander fall 2012

Big news for one of my favorite designers - Raf Simons will be leaving Jil Sander.  The fascinating part is that Jil Sander herself will be taking his place.

With that, I leave you with my favorite detail from his last Jil Sander show.  Interestingly, this favorite detail is not minimalistic at all - but I am still predictable, because it is neon pink and knitted.

 Style.com

shopping : vintage necklace

Went shopping today in the Short North area of Columbus, Ohio at the Mercantile Market.  I found this vintage necklace for $20 - I've seen this style floating around a lot on the internet (and runway) recently.

Tumblr, Pinterest

obsession : red & royal blue

Perhaps it is from being surrounded by preppy, saturated tones at the Abercrombie design office everyday - or this bright red and royal blue plaid scarf I keep seeing - but I'm obsessed with this color combination right now.  Let's see how people are wearing it!

Source: Chictopia.com

My favorite way to see these colors together is in a print - or as solid garments worn together.  It looks best in fully saturated, rich, royal tones of these two colors - but if you aren't ready for that, try subbing in a navy for the blue, or a burgundy for the red!