Sunday, January 3, 2010

i heart the fabric stores in new york...


B and J fabric on Fashion ave.
i love this store. unlike most fabric shops, b and j is very organized.... you'll see in the pictures below what i mean. sometimes the clutter is fun but when in a hurry this place is great.
me and eshye hunt for the right color of coral for caroline's bridesmaid dresses.



the Prada ad below shows a dress made of fabric from B and J. there is a wall covered with ad's and the fabric used, all found here.


the prettiest silk velvet you have ever seen. i may need something out of the orange....
M and J trimming
this shop is the mecca for all trim. buttons, buckles, studs, lace, you name it, its here. the store is huge and brightly colored. it is the most complete source for trim in the states.

so you have seen these studs every where this season. you can buy them at M and J! very time consuming but love the effect on a leather skirt or coat.

the bridal section is breathtaking.

Mood fabric....
assuming you've seen project runway... you have heard of mood. this place is a candy shop for designers, artiest, fashion guru's, fabric lovers, leather workers, bridal gown designers...
when i turn the corner and look up and see the Mood sign in the 2nd story on 37th my heart beats fast. im assuming this is the same feeling that one who loves shoes has as they enter Bob Ellis... or someone who loves Italy landing in Rome. Mood is the end all be all in all your fabric needs. i would live there if they would let me.



below is mrs america. that right, her name is america and she is awesome. without i would have to live at mood because the sheer volume of fabric is too much to take in without someone who works there to navigate the three stories.
the swatch board show designer pieces made from fabric from mood...

the leather is beautiful and flawless. if i ever get around to the leather skirt ive been dreaming about, it will come from mood. for now i have gathered some bright colored pieces for the inside of the cuff's.


the famous abric warehouse. yep, no F. it feel down over 20 years ago and was never replaced. this shop although not in the garment district ( very out of the way) and not organized at all was one of my favorites. i have been visiting the old man who owned the shop for the past two years finding vintage buckles and buttons. when we arrived the shop was closed. after asking the shop keeper next door we learned that the man who owned the shop died last week. what a loss. he really was great and so cool. he will be missed by many. i am not sure what will happen to the abric warehouse.... next time im back in ny ill see what is going on... hopefully they will reopen.

a couple blocks down on Broadway... P and S Fabric




wow... what a trip. i wish i could have captured all of the beautiful color and texture for you to see here. my mind has been spinning with design ideas.... luckily, you will see them all soon in the form of the spring collection at the shop. i am really looking forward to working with all of the beautiful pieces found in new york.


Thursday, November 19, 2009

what im { and maybe you } will be giving { or getting } for christmas...

can you believe its time to start thinking about Christmas? i can't either. i have been busy here at the shop working on gift ideas for my list and yours.

love these wraps in bright colors...
the holiday bags in silk... lovely with a black dress.
and yes, we are making plenty of cuffs...
fun headbands and flower clips... perfect for the stockings.


will this bow tie is for you. no fear im sure you arent reading this...
who wouldn't love a monogram sash? i have several newly married friends who are sporting a new name...

this summer i picked up a few vintage buckles for holiday season... love this paired with jeans and a fitted top or a old favorite in your closet that may need a lift. karen, if you are reading this... yes, one is for you.

and for those on my list that are hard to shop for, you may receive a gift card to be used on a anything of your choice. i know gift cards can seem impersonal but really who wouldn't want to custom design a dress or any garment? so, for all of my hard to shop for friends and family members this is your gift. now you will have just what you need/want/cant live without or have been dreaming about... so you will have what you want and wont have to borrow my skirt/top/dress or sash.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

usc modern mocktail fashion show

how pretty are these laroque models? the fashion board of usc put on a very impressive fashion show at 701 whaley on nov. 3. over 100 members of the board from the school of retail come together and put on a modern mocktail fashion show. i was very honored that they asked me to help and take part in the show. the money raised will be donated to hep research breast caner.
before the show the fashion board helped organized the designers and local boutiques ...
hair and makeup artists from paul mitchel work on the models downstairs...

while upstairs models chat and get ready. below is mary ross walker. one of my favorite customers of all time... love her. she was sweet to step in at the last second to model for me.

marquis, president of the fashion board... adore his pink hankerchif.
students from usc djed the event... euro rock filled the air.

amy woodell played a huge part in the event as the vice president of the board.

small break before the show. discussing fashion and settling their nerves the students flip fashion books on travis's coffee table in his loft above the runway at 701. he loves having this space to work and create but this was extra rewarding to help shoot and be a part of the show.
a mix of local fashion lovers, students, professors and boutique owners wait for the show to begin...
laroque holiday cocktail collection on the runway.












brooke and madeline after the show in laroque headbands and frocks...
paige and indira and i after the show. could not have done the show without the two of them.
travis hands off the camera to a model to take our picture. he is to thank for all of these beautiful photo's along with others of the event. you can see more on the laroque facebook group or his travis teate photography.

oh, and did you see the daily gamecock the day after the show? the new halter style made the front page!

http://www.dailygamecock.com/multimedia/slideshow-fashion-show-1.859382

much thanks to the usc fashion board who put on a truly outstanding show to support a great cause. i look forward to the spring show and working with the overwhelmingly talented students.