Do-It-Yourself Meesha Popular YouTuber Killed

I have just learned that the fashion community has lost a very inspirational young lady, Tamisha Evette Ridge, DIYmeesha on YouTube.  This is very disheartening and there is really nothing I can say that has not already been said in the news about her life and death.  Although I was not an avid viewer of her channel I of course had come across a few of her videos over the years being as she also tried to encourage people not to fear expressing their creative drive and to dive into fashion design. I was immediately struck by her happy, welcoming teaching style. Her effortless, intuitive approach to design encouraged viewers to try their hand. Her three children are left behind.  Let's please honor her memory by not letting anything or anyone hinder our desire to follow our dreams.  Here is one of my favorite videos by Meesha from a couple of years ago.

For full story: http://www.news10.net/story/news/local/2014/05/15/sacramento-murder-victim-was-a-youtube-hit-for-fashion/9151163/

Inspiration in Design

In the world of design one field inspires the other. Clothing designers in particular can benefit taking inspiration from painting, sculpture, architecture and other medias like technology.  Amit Sood decided to incorporate the world´s greatest art museums into one website and give us all access to incredible art collections. Minute details are visible in art pieces from, among others, the Hermitage in Russia, Museum of Modern Art in the U.S.A. and the Van Gogh Museum in Holland.  In this short video he explains how to fully take advantage of the experience.  Watch the video and then go to the Google Art Project website.

(Subtitles in various languages offered by clicking the arrow on the lower left of the screen)

Rue La La Fashion - By Invitation Only.

I LOVE Rue La La! Not only for the wonderful name brand clothing and accessories available for a fraction of the price they would ordinarily be sold for.  It is also a source of exposure to designers I may not have ever heard of and for new design ideas.  While I don´t encourage copying other´s designs I do encourage that aspiring designers "know what´s out there."  Taking inspiration from others is actually a big part of what trends are about.   Rue La La is a wonderful site for this.  It is by invitation only to join and as a member you will get a 10 dollar credit for anyone you invite who makes a purchase. Click here to join.  Or copy and paste the following link:  http://www.ruelala.com/invite/fabi

Clothing:
The French Connection
The French Connection Men´s
Via Spiga
Style. I Do!  (Wedding Fashions and Gift Registry)

Footwear:
Cole Haan Shoes

Accessories:
Right On Time Watches

Other:
Half Moon Rose Hall (Jamaica Get Away)
Vineyard 7 & 8 (Wine)
Le Creuset (Top Chef Quality Cookware)

Here is a description I copied and pasted directly from the Rue La La website. 

"Rue La La is... an exclusive, invitation-only online destination where Members discover premier-brand, private sale Boutiques, each open for just a brief window of time. Our focus is a well-edited collection of sought-after offerings from the best brand names in the world - combined with helpful service.


Membership is free. It's also invitation-only. Members shape the community by inviting new Members - and getting a $10 Rue La La Credit when each new friend places their first order.

The discovery of something unexpected, something that imbues the day-to-day with a little magic - these are the "ooh la la moments" we long for. And you'll find them here."

Inspiring Modern Looks by Looking Back.

2000 Flapper Inspired Dress

1920s Flapper Dress

I just found a website today, mentioned in a New York Times article.  A lady who sells vintage and "reworked" vintage clothing on her own website.  http://www.shrimptoncouture.com/   I was particularly drawn to the vintage pieces.  While the articles in this webshop are one of a kind vintage clothing, some of it dating back as far as the 1920s,  I couldn´t help but become inspired to want to imitate some of these retro looks.  Here is where a designer must be careful.  It is important to know fashion history and know the work of other designers.  It is also OK to be inspired to create based on elements seen in clothing created by others.  But there is dangerous territory between being inspired and outright copying, especially when one is making more than just a basic pant or T shirt.  Even so.  Have a look at the website to be inspired by clothing from generations past.  You can do a search by era.

1980s Herve Leger

1950s Wiggle Dress

Summer is Almost Here

We have a vacation trailer which my husband keeps at a camping area in the sierras, actually in Villa General Belgrano (Cordoba Argentina). It is a beautiful Swiss/German style town, settled by Germans in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Hundreds of things to do year round so a tourist will never get bored. My husband brought the trailer to Cordoba Capital for some maintenance but he is taking it back again today. Everyone is excited about spending a few weeks at the campgrounds. My husband will stay in the trailer, the kids in tents. I will not be able to spend the entire vacaction with them but I will go up for a day or two. I am not actually a big fan of camping out in nature. My vacation will be having the house to myself for a week or two and visiting with my parents and grandmother who will be in town for the holidays.