Stylish with Substance

Out of My Closet: Outfit #2 + New Gasmic Shoe Peak! Pt. 1

Ella M — Tue, 25 May 2010 16:46:27 EDT

I'm so not letting this no-fear, showing myself, ensemble photo series slide! Oh no. I just have delays. And laziness (I even have bangs since I took these, sorry!). And major major lack-of-photographer issues /frustrations. But it'll come more and more often. I now have plans to take pictures of clothes sans moi, so that I may do it a lot more frequently. (I'll try to include more of myself though, too.) This was my second fairly successful attempt at a personal photo shoot. Part 1 has photos so different from part 2, that well that's why there will be two parts. If I do have time to keep practicing, I may be able to actually have more photos of myself eventually. Sigh. On shoot day, it was a very frustrating afternoon! On to the photos, credits below.

OK, first of all, yeah I accidentally cropped my feet out of all these photos. Timer photography needs major work. Also I look fatter in a belt-looped / under shirt belt. *whine* Not sure what I can do while I'm not perfectly a full lower pants size.

I'm almost shocked I could get a lot of pictures of my face. Goodbye Ella in shades? Nah, course not. ;-)

OK, goofy giggle. Whatcha gonna do? It's still fun & cute. And here they are, it's the piece de resistance...

My new(ish) Bandolino pumps. Hello?! Don't they look like they cost $1,402 and not on sale for $42??? More photos to come of these (they're not online).

Credits:

Cropped jacket: Perameter (Bluefly.com find)
T-shirt: Really old Delia's??? *update* Old Navy???
(Getting less) Skinny jeans: Mossimo for Target
Bag: Hollywood Intuition @ Target w/ crafty strap
Jewelry: Indie/handcraft designer, local to South Florida. Don't shoot me if I'm wrong, but I think it's GMS Jewelry Co. I need to take close photos; great stuff!
And of course the shoes: Bandolino

Fashion Copyright Protection Will Happen, says Caucus Co-Chair

Ella M — Wed, 05 May 2010 18:39:16 EDT

A new and official fashion design caucus was recently formed on Capitol Hill. Of its inevitable success, co-chair Carolyn B. Maloney said,

"We are working on a bill now for copyright protection and we are going to pass it this session."

All of the flickr fashion sketches claiming copyright, currently it's partly-erroneous. Click to view owners.

“Counterfeits with pirated designs and fake labels are absolutely prohibited by law, but it doesn’t provide any protection for the same fashion design when the pirates omit the label. ... We’ve got to stop that and we will stop that.”

There has been a movement from very small fashion designers and crafters to stop such a bill, in the thoughts that it would be cost-prohibitive to very small business. Even though I'm attempting to become one of those designers/businesses, I absolutely am for this protection. Despite the cost, depending on exactly how high it could rise, it has potential to stop huge, famous companies from creating and selling indie designs almost completely under the radar to unwitting customers. Since most people don't know this theft exists, these unscrupulous business people are absolutely the ones who get away with this crime more often. Don't you want to protect your fellow crafters and Internet peers from the big bullies with power? We can help take their power away. Sure, putting out a collection will mean saving more money first, and we'll have to be super-secretive about our designs and sketches until we have our protection (there is a debut time limit to even get things copyrighted) - but I see it as a long-term saver. Of course, stores like Forever 21 could either suffer or suddenly need to get creative, namely cheap clothesmakers will have to ... design. Dun dun dunnn. Perhaps we won't be able to wear runway style, but I hope companies will still make fabulous but more unique pieces. Who wants to look like a fashion victim in an unoriginal, anyway? Besides, we can still wear things like Zac Posen for Target. Also, it would be nice to prohibit celebrities like Paris Hilton from making blatant shoe knockoffs. Plus with those companies requiring more-in-number and more-creative design, there should be a larger number of design job openings, and ones for more talented people. That could also benefit the community of smaller designers. Do you agree/disagree? Comment! If you want this to pass, and especially if you have requests for stipulations (like a maximum fee amount), please write to your local legislature! Via The Cut

10-Year-Old Aspiring Designer Turns from Design Sketcher to Full-On Apprentice/Student

Ella M — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:06:28 EDT

A 10-year-old aspiring fashion designer is already well on his way!

[caption id="attachment_3200" align="alignnone" width="330" caption="10-year-old Christopher Abella shows his fashion sketches"][/caption]

Although I wish I had the same sorts of opportunities, I must admit the pictured 10-year-old aspiring fashion designer, Christopher Abella, appears to be more talented than I was at his age. I was still thinking Juniors/t-shirts/prints/swim and he's on to sophisticated women's clothing, even as a young boy.

His sketches were discovered to hold talent by a teacher (presumably* grade school at that point) who passed along word to designer, Tracy Ellyn.

Then he apparently* started design school in Miami and is being mentored by Ellyn, who sees great potential in the young man.

*I apologize for this story's fuzzy facts as there's only one poorly written article on this phenom, and unfortunately I even find it homophobic (although possibly due to an unlucky non sequitur). So I won't support the writer, but the source is flashnews.com.

Plaid Doctrine's Earth Day "Soft" Launch Debuts Fashion/Eco-Friendly Work Bags

Ella M — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:39:30 EDT

Plaid Doctrine is the love child (more literal in the love, less in the child, perhaps) of a former Microsoft employee, Susanne Park.

She decided she'd rather fill a void in the work bag / laptop case / travel bag industry than, well, we guess be another drone in an office? As for that void-filling, she wanted style, green (eco) and ... plaid.

A long-butt time of hard work after this new journey began, and Plaid Doctrine has its soft launch ... today! I suspect no one is having a better Earth Day than Ms. Park, except for perhaps the trees if we're doing our job well!

How do these bags help save the Earth? Well don't go thinking these fabulous totes (and note the iPad case) are made of PU/pleather! Oh no, instead Susanne wanted vegetable-tanned leather, which is absolutely kinder to our Earth's skies than manufactured plastic. The fabrics (mostly plaids) are constructed from recycled bottles. Great news for all you soda and purified water fans.

The opening collection is a small preview of 4 pieces, and prices currently range from $79 to $479. Yes, we'll count spending your money on these as helping the environment, but don't forget to replenish the fabric supply and recycle!

*Update: 4/26/10* The first day their payment system was not working, but now you can finally place your orders! ;-)

The Rest of the Miami Fashion Event Photos that were Recovered from my Also Recovered iPhone

Ella M — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:14:44 EDT

My iPhone was infirmed but fixed a week ago but I somehow forgot and possibly put off a little posting the rest of the Miami Funkshion Fashion event pictures, but here they are.

Here I am in the dim room on my night #1 of 2. Somehow my BF didn't realize he should have shot my entire body to get the whole ensemble, but I perhaps blame my petiteness in even 2.5" heels. Not high enough, by fashion people standards, ha ha. Credits are: Chloé Paddington in Mousse, top, skirt and belt from Target (and boots that you can't see), can't remember my bracelet and then an event wristband. ;-) I still want to recreate my ensembles for photos, because I feel they were a bit more important than others. I am slow and too busy, as you might tell.

This was one of my favorite looks-on-display. The coat is actually little pieces of wool yarn.

One of 2 light-up dresses. The next night they were shut off, another photo is below.

[X]

This is not one of the photos of my cute beau, because he won't let me post his adorableness at his first fashion show, all seated with me. Le Sigh. Silly man.

I was very far from my lovely spot in the other show, and photos didn't come out well at all. Possibly due to the Swarovski crystals on every model, and possibly due to location. It seems all the iPhones around me were taking similar bad shots.

The rest of the pictures are below.

[gallery link="file" order="DESC" columns="4"]

Miami Fashion Week - Vèvè Collection Overview

Ella M — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:28:46 EDT

The design was fabulous, the models were great. The experience was ballad-worthy.

My first fashion show, due to my tiny budget for (not for) airfare, was Thursday at Miami Fashion Week. It was for Vèvè at 9pm. Now the general experience and more fun photos will come next, but here is not really a review, for I wouldn't critique this, but an overview...

Fade to black. Lights come on.

The music was mellow, pleasingly un-hip-hop, and thrillingly played live. The models' coifs were frizzed out to stageshow-effect exaggeration, either to match the designer's personal look or in homage to Africana. This styling really went with the Spring-skipping season beginning here in South Florida, even my own mostly straight hair was frizzed by end of night. Back to the models; they catwalked to perfection and posed especially to show off the bags for the press at the end of the runway. This was quite a show for my personal attendance.

The designs, like I wrote, were fabulous; intricate, wearable, and versatile. There was a lot of denim and equally as many flowy dresses. How perfectly they flowed on the runway! However, embroidery was king, or perhaps queen, of the Vèvè Collection.

The "finale", so to speak, very much speaks to Ella (moi). Models returned in plain white frocks to just showcase the purses and their importance.

A fantastic event. Some bags (last season?) were even for sale in another section of the tent, but I still have my eye on the hip bag attached to a wraparound belt.

Oh and the most important aspect was that this night benefited Haiti. Too bad ordering a drink would mean I would have had a liquid dinner, however the experience was so fun that I didn't feel one hunger pang. But then CinderElla had to return home without after-partying so my Prince could make his work-directed bed time, or something closer to it.

Leaving I knew that we would attempt the same fun the following night... Stay tuned for that other post!

Below is a gallery of all the runway shots.

If you want to blog with any of these photos, please link to this page!

The "Boob" Dress.

Ella M — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:36:23 EST

Are you wondering what I mean? Is this a sexy low-cut number? Oh come on don't you know the blog?! ;-) Read and look on.

Indie designer Emma Bell designs a lot of "crazy" if you will, but her frocks are all open to personal style interpretation until we get to the round things with ... nipples? ... on the chest, especially on this piece:

Those couldn't be cupcakes, could they? Cupcakes atop breasts? Who does that! Other colors simply look like dyed fried eggs, so they're marginally better. Get a dose of bright cheer from the Emma Bell website, if you dare.

*Via* Kingdom of Style

Stay tuned for a bonus: The answer to the age-old question, "what is the opposite of nipple pasties?" Inquiring funny bones need to see!

School's Ban On Tuxes for Girls at Prom Reversed

Ella M — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:47:31 EDT

Read the news updates here (Indiana paper) and here (pink news).

This leads me to ponder a possible great discussion on gender preferences in formal or even cocktail attire and sometimes switching roles all or in part - whatever the sexual preference. Can this be cool for straight chicks, too?

I found a tuxedo-inspired light blue number when looking for a wedding-guest cocktail dress, and fell in love with the concept, and went on to plan and start making even further-tux-inspred accessories. They're really fun and cute, I'm loving it.

But of course, my look includes a dress, a purse, jewelry, and this comfortable-shoe gal is even wearing heels - I'm altering heels with very girly bows (and to hopefully be a lot more comfy!).

Would you be into more masculine looks for chicks or even yourself? Is it just cool for lesbians, or does anything go today?

Back to the story, my thoughts on when tuxedos (or any non-gowns) were banned in this school for the female students:

1. This was entirely an anti-gay decision. It was not a dress code matter only. Not only are the people who were involved in the code homophobic but they aren't comfortable with any gender crossing or neutrality because it reminds them of their phobia object.

2. The fear is ridiculous and this perfectly pleasant attire, or most clothing, doesn't hurt anyone. Even Christians who try to deny homosexuality in people or themselves, should they deny their alternative personal/individual style?!

Ella's all about individual style! These educators (the ones who decided on the original ban) are totally unfabulista/os!

Ella's Dress Design for & Inspired by Barbie

Ella M — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 13:32:44 EDT

Ella Mode
for Barbie

My dress design is inspired by a micture of Barbie's waist/hip figure - of a tiny waist and sudden hips but no thights - and also the early 90's McDonald's Happy Meal mini Barbie Dolls with snap on clothing. My top is form-fitted like the plastic shirts from those toys.

WHAT THE Fug?! Hint: Costume

Ella M — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:00:00 EDT

This *costume* has a serious case of identity crisis.

To quote the title of this monstrosity, "Complete Bearded Oysters Costume for Big Boobie-d Dancers".

Ella thinks it need be a lot less complete.

Oh, but that's not all -- apparently it's a thing. Like some inside clique-y thing. And there are coordinating panties. With pubic hair. On the panties. (And how a mannequin gets camel toe is an odd thing, but it's there, too.)

I feel bad every time I must (must) make fun of something handmade. Apologies to craftsperson, Miss Katrina. (As seen on Etsy.)

Note; this is in good fun, and I know this costume serves a special purpose to the designer and others, and hopefully this post will bring useful exposure.