Stylish with Substance

Virtual Lookbooks: My Designs for FFG #1

Ella M — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:20:37 EST

Click here to read more about Fashion Fantasy Game and how to visit my showroom.

Most people on this fun website design entire ensembles, doing both some design play and a lot of styling. I though prefer to nitpick every last aspect of one item and stick to piece elements more like the real world (as in one retails a sweater, not a sweater + tights + ...). I feel I do focus more on creating more detailed pieces however I don't hesitate to use simpler items I love especially if from a limited edition template but also I sometimes publish designer inspired pieces.

Since I can't sell complete outfits from already created designs without laboring over each individual object all over again, I'm just styling my own "diva" and will publish here, hoping for a little game-play exposure and other fun stuffs. ;-)

Some of the elements I design I do find difficult to piece with what else I have on FFG to fit into my personal style. Even if these ensembles go wackier than I would ever wear, something like this is typical in fashion from runway to lookbooks, and I think others may appreciate a whole styling of my pieced elements.

Enjoy doll #1: Color Diva!

I will be pairing these with shopping "tips" on how to find perhaps similar pieces for the real world...

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.

The Successor to the Stam! (Seriously!)

Ella M — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:15:35 EDT

Suffering succatash!!! OK enough with the S alliteration, but my tongue is practically hanging out of my mouth anyway. Or it's closer to my eyes bugging out. After I saw this new bag from Marc Jacobs my mind went into a tizzy.

Buy the Marc Jacobs Cecilia

I think I like it better than the beloved Stam! It's such a refreshing re-take, which is confoundedly rare in the bag design world, actually. First of all, doesn't that strap give hope that it can rest on one's shoulder?? The gathers are made even better, and you know what, that straight horizontal zipper on the Stam always looked too much like a grumpy mouth anyway. This is a bit less edgy, aside from the lack of the frame closure with HUGE kiss lock - and I really like the classicism of the Stam look. (And finally, I hate to say it but the Stam also has an odd look, sure its uniqueness is amazing, but um hmmm.... me lovey this more!!)

The good news for all is that unlike many designers, this new and later version does not come complete with price hike. This Quilted Cecilia sells for the same as the standard Stam - well just a few dollars, literally, more - at $1375.

The bad news for me is that I now have rent to pay and have less to spend on fashion, since my money goes mostly to purse making and fibre art supplies (oh yes, after bills ;-)). I did just get a new job that starts in a month, but ... mmmmmmm. That's supposed to go toward me *not* "borrowing" rent money from my mother, actually. Te he. (Hey I'm still weak, weak Designer Ella, even with my new making the bags things!)

Now I'd love to sell off a bag to get this, I would really looove to buy this bag, but I sure don't actually want to sell my Stam. Someday though, I hope hope for someday.

Until now I plan on making a details-altered inspired bag. More inspired, less knock off, trust me. I'm going to chronicle this journey here on the blog, too! Stay tuned, and please, if you love, see in person, find more colors or buy the bag (affiliate, but not subliminal), comment and let's chat!

Handbags Do Grow on Trees - In my Drawing

Ella M — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:00:41 EST

Here is a larger version of my tree/bag sketch from last week's post on growing your bag fund. It's fun and cute, isn't it?

So which famous bags do you spot?

Bag Dream Realized in 2 Ways

Ella M — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 16:00:14 EDT

On the plane ride down to my last visit to Florida, I designed this bag. It is my perfect rendition of my dream double side belts/straps bag. Please click on the sketch to get a larger image with written descriptions (encouraged).

What I could someday do is get this bag made through a service, like Manolucci Custom Bags.

Even now, there's great news. While there, I went to the Boca Town Center mall and was fervently preparing to drop a lot of cash for the preferred customer sale, when, near the end---I just barely glimpsed this bag in their catalog: a satchel with side belts with Soho buckles! It's large with no (*fave*) brown leather version, but no matter! I took a chance to preorder the black! It happened almost like fate (with my mother swooping in to buy her own bag and help with cash.)

Since it arrived, I've loved this bag! (Of course, I've had some other new things to occupy my time, as well. 0;-)) But this bag looks so much better once owned. It slouches so beautifully, and now those store pictures can't compare to the beauty that is my real-true-my bag.

I did preorder and it wasn't in stores for some days since. And now I'm showing it to you: the Soho Leather Zip Satchel. Available in White or Black leather for $358 or Sand Pebbled Leather for slightly more at $398.

Realizing a dream and ending one manic search (plus adding in the bag in question being from my favorite design brand with Soho-recognizable buckles, and has great details---even the back) makes that cost priceless.

Millionaire Dream: Designer Ella's Handbag Line

Ella M — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 00:23:31 EST

The I am Fashion girls question for the Carnivale of Couture is

Surprise darling! You have just won the lottery! How will you, the super fabulous fashionable blogger, spend your US$10m winnings? Tell us all about your money-spending plan!!

My plan would be to put my dream into actual motion: start a handbag design company. Yes, just like Mallory! And like Mallory, I practically could have said this myself:

"Im pretty particular about things, so theyd have to be the best, which in turn would lead my handbags to become major sellers in the industry."

Great minds! great ... compulsive minds!

I was so excited when I saw that we had the same idea, I was inspired to work more on this thought.

The Basic Plan Ideas:

I'd decide which handbag line to open with (I want to have 3!). We're assuming I don't go for clothes, because handbags are my biggest weakness, therefore the first fantasy in mind.

Should I pick the line with the least expensive bags to make (the fabric, sometimes quirky-cute bag line)? Or the line that would send me straight to the IT list, with quality leathers and signature styling (not logo, but side belts [yes, that into them], side decorations & horizontal details, but not all one gimmick)? That's an expensive one, though. Of course, there's the one with my name all over: Elle, the line with jacquard signature bags (and some leather bags, of course, with a huge focus on outside/cell pockets). That might be best for being more known, and my alignment attention will make the bags expensive. I can't decide, at this point.

All three will aim for *logical* pricing, practical wearability, lots of pockets with easy to reach cell phones, etc. I should fill needs in consumer's shopping (and my own, quite importantly).

I would put together a team to help. I need a math person (maybe my best friend) to calculate and make sure every little thing on the bag is aligned right, symmetrical, standard, perfect. I need the fabrics expert, the studied designer. Then I need business people.

We invest in company trademarks and logo copyrights.

From there, we set up a studio and offices. Get a manufacturing team and design, business and techie employees. And we need seriously Monkish obsessive-compulsive inspectors (I can't overview every bag!).

We get PR. Make a website. Etc. Etc.

Don't ask for a monetary breakdown or even a solid business plan, at this point. I am so not that girl, and this is so not the medium! (Besides, The Bling Blog pointed out that after taxes, we only have $6.5M. Well, I don't know if that's the same in all states, I know nothing of such sorts. So forget that!)

But I can dream about when things take off, and how many levels I can take it to. Then I go nuts!

I could go on and on ... but it's depressing thinking about it in technical terms when it's fantasy, and not just my ideals that keep me urgently dreaming. It's all depressing in the end, because I am definitely not winning the lottery (well, there's a big jackpot, tonight!). But who knows, I could work hard and earn enough income. But it won't be like a fantasy!

Now, read Mallory's dream plan for this money, it's much more breezy!!

And you really must read my more detailed, general plan on Kiss Me, Stace, which includes a few things about my clothing and shoe design ideals!

Search for a Trend: Side Belts/Straps

Ella M — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 21:15:47 EST

I have been on an endless-seeming hunt for a bag with a new trend I love. I've seen many side strap/side belted bags at malls and around, but I can't find a great one that suits me. Sure, the ones at the malls draw my attention, but I can't find those in stores!

I want leather, I don't want it to be too large, I don't want oversized hardware. And I also want a sense of fabulousness, an expensive look. I want something I will love. Is that too much to ask?

I have my criteria, I have Mallory, I have eBay's ever-changing selection. I have good leads. I'll keep you posted when I have it in my hands.

If that doesn't happen soon. You know me---utter, crazy, mania will ensue.

Ella's Handbag Sketch: Woven Wool Satchel

Ella M — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 22:08:58 EST

For my flight this recent trip, I had an idea. I took my sketch notebook and planned to draw handbag designs. It went really well, and the flight down was the best I'd ever had. I'm going to now share some designs with you, and hopefully when I get ideas, I will take time out to draw them, in the future.

This is a satchel for a Fall/Winter collection, made of red woven wool. This design had been in my head for a while.

Click on the picture to see the full image with text notes. What needs explaining now is that longer shoulder strap: it's removable, with a reinforcement (the scribbled part). Those two fobs are removable to move between the two spots shown.

Thanks for allowing me to share! Let me know if you like this feature.