STATE OF THE UNION: summertime shopping

It's been far too long. I have so many things I want to write, I don't know where to start. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I'll catch up this way. I really want to write about the spring shows, but I want to do it right...so for now, here are a few peeks from this past summer. (who knew? it sure feels like summer in SF right now!) Not really any deep statements about our economy, but glimpses of life around town.

 checklist for quality finishing
ladies dresses, blouses, and suits

 got flip flops??

 Target wants us to eat our meals in chip-form.
(thai barbeque & chili, loaded baked potato, mozzarella tomato basil)

 can't make up your mind? damn sf weather...
what kind of marketing is this?!

 my prediction for denim? embellished a 'la embroidered-true-religions aren't that far away!

 this is justification for my sad early youtube vid
See...and don't I make it look easy? (see it here)
btw...i'm going to make more...once i get better...really...

 amazing vintage pattern templates used for a display

 see how cool? it's the front top! with little sliders to make adjustments. pre-computer days. they seem so fragile

 have you ever seen these cuties?

 I was walking past a toy shop and they caught my eye....looked sooo familiar. Saw a big sign called Calico Critters and stopped in to ask- yes, they were the same toys as my childhood, once called Sylvanian Families (wha?? i know) and now re-introduced years later. I never played dress up with Barbie, but instead played house with these fuzzy creatures.
(side note: i just looked it up and there's a huge battle between the critters. I used to watch Maple Town too!)

modern childood, from another boutique:

Different Like Coco by Elizabeth Matthews

I wonder what that does to shape a young mind?
Reading about the glories of pearls and suits at bedtime?

The Serif Fairy by Rene Siegfried
and for all you graphic designers and typography lovers....there's a bedtime story for you too.

LIFE: updates, updates

How is it already August?!
Sorry guys, I haven't had much time to read other blogs, let alone update my own.
Here are a few things I've been working on since June- and I promise to post pics!
:)

-Costumed an amazing Mayan adventure short film, Where the Sky Is Born, directed by Freddy Gaitan
-Styled/designed LUNA J's multiple stage performance looks, including SF Pride
-Styled LUNA J's promo shoot and newest itunes single cover art (soon to be released), shot by Patrick Rafanan
-Shot an amazing editorial with Patrick Rafanan (pics up soon)

Looking forward to:
-an upcoming project with the Bay's own Johnny Hi-Fi

SO many talented people and projects! I'm breathless! Keep em coming....I'm thankful to everyone who has been a part of the journey thus far.

:)

INSPIRATION: the intersection of business and beauty

The 4 Fs:
Fashion, Food, Fotography, Fun.
and friends (that's 5Fs)

image: joombloger

I love standing at the intersection of business and art.

Without business, beautiful things are merely a hobby.
(don't jump on me here)
Without art, business is just the ugly action of buying necessary stuff.

I mean, can something really be fashion if the single greatest shirt you designed that doesn't make the cut and is never produced? (it's the pre-production manager in me talking). Or in other terms, what about the editorial that never got picked up? Are those photos a hobby, or an editorial? Does it really matter?

okay, okay.
We all want the same things....

to communicate;
to call out-
to spread our message.
and hope that someone answers our call. To feel that we've either inspired, challenged, or made a contribution somewhere...and hopefully live off that message.

Because all we want is to do what we want. do what we love. express ourselves. and if we get a response from someone who either agrees with our viewpoint or ideas, it's justification. or a feeling of acceptance; that someone's in our corner. Or that we've taught someone to see something from a different or new point of view.

I've been doing a lot of thinking, and  here are a few things I've learned along the way while traveling the intersection of business and beauty, between the fine line of indulgence and necessity-

from running retail chain store operations,
overseeing pre-production for apparel manufacturing,
retail sales at a contemporary/young designer boutique with high end clientele,
and creating sales strategies for-and-serving foodies.

1. the perfect job doesn't exist.
you have to create it for yourself.

2. support others, and the support will follow.
build and maintain your support system.

3. always work as though you are the owner of the company

4. to be successful you have to be passionate. you should love it. it will give you the edge.

5. it doesn't matter what everyone else is doing, just follow the voice in your heart.

6. always continue to stay inspired by exposing yourself to new experiences and ideas. shake up the game a little!

Granted, these aren't hard and fast rules...just ones i've decided to live my own life by. Or, have already found myself living...and wanted to make concrete and permanent out in the universe. They might even sound a bit trite. What about you? I'd love to hear your own life "rules." Maybe I'll find a few new words to live by.  Thanks for letting me communicate.

tegan and sara

FOOD: your glowing banana

choco bananas in japan. image:chozuru

Today I was doing research on food stands and came across this strangely phallic photo of chocolate covered bananas. Somehow, in neon green and covered in sprinkles, they make me feel a bit funny...and not one bit hungry. Just had to share.

They make me think of ninja turtles...

LIFE: call to action- bodies in motion at Athleta

all photos: athleta

Every time I receive the new Athleta catalog, something sparks within me- and this time, I discussed my awe about it last night with my friend Albert of PorkBelly Studio. Wonder what he thought about me obsessively looking at pics of womens' chests and legs...

Athleta is an activewear brand owned by Gap. What I find most provoking about their campaigns are their models They specifically choose very fit, muscular models. I'm not knockin the image of a strong woman- and it's definitely a refreshing look at the female form outside of the sickly-thin fashion industry- but they are deliberately making a point here by casting the way that they did. I do like the bold strength behind the statement- because if you don't go against the grain, then you're following what everyone else is doing.

The models chosen by Athleta are all very similar, which tells me this is exactly what they were going for- buff, broad, strong women with solid, muscular torsos, small chests, and broad shoulders/wide ribcages (enough room to breathe!): a bit masculine, if you will.  I mean, check this out:

now don't get me wrong- i appreciate a strong body- what I'm commenting on here is the standard vs. the real... or rather, the standard of conventional "pretty," and the reaction that initially hits me since we're never really exposed to body types like this in mainstream advertising.

But you know what? They are marketing to a very specific active customer...and whether they like it or not, it's probably not the same customer as Lucy and Lulu Lemon (the difference being sexy vs comfy while working out). Must be working though, since they've recently opened a Athleta bricks-and-mortar store in SF.

Am I the only one who reacts to this? Let me know!

DIY ON THE FLY: Halloween in April, Christmas in July

no, unfortunately the awesomeness of the mad hatter isn't me. it's chameleon paulway chew

This is a super oldie, but it's been eating me away to post this...

I HATE buying Halloween costumes. I'm totally against spending large amounts of money on something so poorly made that will never work its way into my wardrobe, and will never be worn again. I'm all about the DIY costume. It's the only way I don't feel guilty for dressing up at Halloween.

 I've been meaning to post this, but never quite got around to it....so here goes. Maybe it'll be much more appreciated now, since there aren't any Halloween posts around!

I'm also against the whole "Halloween is an excuse to dress like a slut", and all the sluttified costumes. Like slutty bumblebees. I'm actually a little familiar with cross dressing for Halloween. In elementary school, my mom thought it would be a brilliant idea for me to dress as Charlie Chaplin. And I agreed. As predicted, totally NOT the coolest costume you can be as a 10-year old girl. I had a bowler hat, suit, and 'stache...although I did have a lot of fun with the whole costume.

 Anyway, I know I don't post many pics here of myself, but if you didn't know, I have pretty short hair (though growing out right now so I have a longerish mullety shag thing going on right now)...correction, I had pretty short hair at Halloween, and wanted a costume that I could work the short hair into so that I didn't have to buy a wig.
(I wanted to be judy jetson, but I guess I'll save her for another year)

This past year, I was Elvis. The white-jumpsuit-blinged-out Elvis. Okay, yes, I did have to buy a few things...but got so much more satisfaction out of my costume than if I had bought it. (and YES, there WAS a sexy caped Elvis at party city) I was one of the judges for the costume contest so I didn't win anything, but I was told by a lot of people I had one of the best costumes. But c'mon, that's expected when you're the hostess- you gotta bring it! (but the other costumes were very good)

Here's what I used to make my Elvis jumpsuit:
-cheap white poly fabric
-cheap gold lame fabric
-puffy fabric paint
-fabric glue
-plastic gems
-HUGE gold aviators
-fuchsia scarf
-white button down
-white flared/wide-leg bottoms
-huge metallic belt

I apologize, but didn't quite take step-by-step pics as I went (I was in a rush), so please use your imagination!

I didn't really measure anything, but made sure the cape would reach fingertip to fingertip, and used as much length as possible. I layered the white and gold (lining) fabric out and folded them in half. Then I traced a semi-circle, and cut out a small curve for the neck. I sewed the two pieces right sides together, then turned it and finger-pressed the edges.

Then I printed a pic of Elvis' famous eagle cape. (google image search elvis cape, there's some awesome images there!) His was bejeweled, but I wasn't about to invest that time and money into a Halloween costume, so it was a few colors of puffy paint for me. I just eyeballed it and hoped I woudn't run out of paint. Not a masterpiece, but definitely recognizable!

Next I bedazzled a button down with gems along the front. I would have actually tacked these on with thread so I could remove them later, but I was in a rush since I left them for last, so glue it was.

Put it all together, with a belt to cover the seam between the pant and top to look more like a jumpsuit.
Finishing touches- lots of hairspray and pomade, add sunglasses, and voila!

Did I look like Elvis? Let me know!

STYLED: Behind the Scenes with Morgan Ashley

colorful wardrobe in studio

Recently I did a shoot with the up-and-coming singer Moran Ashley. She's on her way- so keep your eyes and ears open for her, a star in the making. Of course, I can't reveal everything, but I'll tease you with a behind-the-scenes peek, with a promise of more to come- including video footage of the shoot. Enjoy!

hidden in the shadows

Morgan Ashley

http://www.morganashley5.com/

http://twitter.com/MorganAshley5