The Fashion Center - Source Book

Did you know there was an entire source book/guide to the NYC Fashion District?  Neither did I!  In all my google searches I must have never clicked on the right link.  However, at last nights panel "Made in Midtown: The Garment District Today & Tomorrow" sponsored by The Municipal Art Society of New York and The Design Trust for Public Space, Barbara Blair Randall from The Fashion Center let us all in on a big secret that she wishes everyone knew about!

THE NYC FASHION CENTER SOURCE BOOK 
(Click it for the PDF link.)

Also, I'm sorry to toot my own horn - but I got to meet Tim Gunn and Yeohlee Teng last night!  They were both so sweet and treated me like an old friend - lovely!  What kind people, thank you to Tim for moderating and to the panel for such interesting conversation!  I learned so much about the Garment District and how much work the next generation of designers has on their/our plate.  Here we go!

(From left to right, Tamara Francisco, a man from the High School of Fashion Industries, Yeohlee Teng, Tim Gunn, and myself: Alex Whatton)

Never be affraid to say "Hello!"

xoxo, Alex

Jumpology

The New York Times Article by Roberta Smith HERE was sent to me by my sister this morning - Thanks Reg!  I always love to make people jump in photos, apparently Philippe Halsman referred to this as "Jumpology."  He said "when you ask a person to jump, his attention is mostly directed toward the act of jumping, and the mask falls, so that the real person appears."  His most famous portrait is that of Dali above, but I love the two below as well.

I guess it may be obvious who they are, but just in case - Audrey Hepburn and then Halsman himself with Marilyn Monroe.  And for those of you close to me, I thought you would enjoy the following:

Show your true self!

<3 Alex

Inspired by...

I can never resist finding new artists and seeing new techniques.  Interestingly enough, both artists I wanted to write about today are using "vintage" techniques, yet it seems so modern!  Carving in miniature, peyote bead weaving with pencils...what else is out there that I am missing?!

The first three photos are all work (and the artist himself) by Dalton Ghetti.  Middle photo courtesy of Carl David LaBianca for The New York Times (ARTICLE HERE).  Other two photos courtesy of Google Image Search (I hope that is enough - I don't remember where I got them from now, but thank you - I will be happy to post photo credits if you contact me!)

The last photo is pencil peyote beading by Jennifer Meastre.  A M A Z I N G!

And actually, I found all of this work by attending an evening of awesomeness at the New Britain Museum of American Art (certainly one of my favorites that I've been going to since I was a little kid).  WEBSITE HERE - this exhibit HERE through August 29, 2010 - enjoy!

Jennifer Maestre CLICK ME

They certainly are related and get me in the mood to craft!!!

Happy Inspiration Hunting!

<3 Alex

Anthropologie Intership Day 2

I am currently doing the Visual Display Internship at Anthropologie in Manhattan (Soho store usually) and it is ROCKIN' my world!  I am completely inspired to get my glue gun out and get to work.  Here's some eye-candy!

Weaving veneer between placed slats that have been curved.

The weaving so far plus the coffee filter dress and the rest of the Soho Store.  (I didn't work on the dyed coffee filter dress - before my internship - but isn't it AWESOME!)

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and CRAFT!

<3 Alex

Steampunk Keyboard!

"Antique looking -IBM Clicky Keyboard-Victorian Styling - Steampunk- Typewriter" by woodguy32

I want this.

Rootin' Scootin'

So...a guy stepped in front of me in the bike path this morning and I had to slam on my little scooter brakes and in doing so, I lightly bumped in to the back of his shoe.  He turns with this scowl and says "EXCUSE ME?!"  So I said "You are excused" (yes, just like a little brat - I was MAD!) and continued on.  As I'm scooting away I hear him grumbling to two cops and one of them says "Well, you did step in front of her, Sir" and the other one says "and she did ring her bell."  MUAHHAHAHA - Wish he could get a ticket for that!

I love it when a morning starts out with so much action.  I'm ready for anything today!  (Or just to perhaps purchase this necklace.  Isn't it awesome?!)

"A Kid At Heart Scooter Necklace" by KaringIsShering on Etsy.com!

I wonder if the wheels work?!

Happy Tuesday all!

~ Alex

PS: Currently reading "Your Money OR Your Life" and I highly recommend it.  My new motto: "Create and Save!"  (I should always make sure I am spending my time by creating something or saving something (whether money or the planet)...I'm loving it - I'm so much more productive when I repeat this mantra!)

Breakfast Embroidery

I've discovered the secret to life (thanks to a colleague and a teacher).

1. Fage Greek Yogurt (first time, thanks Jaz!) + Honey + Blueberries = AMAZING

2. Assigned homework: any type of embroidery that I want...

Heaven?  I think so.  Life is good.

<3 Alex

PS: I'm bitter that we got rid of cable recently and the finale of Project Runway is tonight!

PPS: Look what I found on Etsy today!

"The Rhythmic Ecstasy" by fabbiz.  Delicious - I'm obsessed!!!

Saori Weaving - I want more!

On Thursday evening, April 1, I was able to attend Loop of the Loom, a Saori Weaving Studio at 227 E. 87th Street in New York City through one of my Parsons classes taught by David Leung ("Textiles").  It is hands down one of the best experiences of my life and I will never forget it.  In fact, I can't wait to get back on a loom and wanted to know if anyone in the Montclair area of New Jersey had a Saori Weaving Studio?  Let me know - Loop of the Loom is a bit pricey, so I'm looking for a better deal since I'm a student.  I found one in Penacook, NH too - maybe a Summer weekend trip?  (Definitely better prices in NH!)

Please leave a comment if you know of a studio in Northern NJ!

xoxo,

Alex

Life - What an Adventure!

This post is inspired by a friend of mine named Lauren.  She just said the other day "Oh Life, what an Adventure you are" and she is just so completely right.  Every time I'm with her time flies and I feel like I am truly living every moment (as I should) of my life!  If I haven't said it enough, you should go out and buy "The 4-Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss.  She told me to get this book and it has changed my life - just wait and see!

I just wanted to list the amazing things that happened to me/I learned this weekend.  I apologize, dear readers, but as this is truly my diary I feel that I can be somewhat liberal, if a little selfish, at some points.

1. Had a few to many cocktails and was literally saved by Lauren.  (Thank you!)  Only amazing because it really made me realize what an amazing friend I have!

2. Learned what it feels like to work for something you truly believe in and what a rush it can be to work hard for "yourself."  (Or Lauren - who feels like part of me at this point.)

3. S'Mores make EVERYTHING better.  Thank you Ness, I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer - I can't wait to buy some glitter now too!

4. My husband loves me unconditionally.

5. Everyone has an interesting story and you can never judge a book by it's cover.  I suppose I already knew this.  But, when a 16 year old girl came up to our HopeClips booth at the Expo. this weekend and told us that three years ago she saved a young girl from a brothel in Mumbai - I learned it all again.  What an experience.  What an inspiration that she had that strength at 13.  She told us this because my friend Lauren just recently started HopeClips in an effort to profit share with Hopes and Dreams International, a non-profit currently trying to raise money to build a healing center in California for victims of child sex trafficking.  When I was 13, I worried what to wear to school - I'm glad I have my priorities straight now.

6. Eating at Carbone's changes everything.

7. Thai cooking class at ICE - sign-up now.  What fun with Sarah and Erin last night!

8. Joe's coffee makes my whole day better.

And I'll leave you with a photo my dad sent me last night.  Apparently my mom found it in an old box and I think it's the first time I've ever seen it.  I've always loved food...  (By the way, Mom - look how organized you were before you had two teenagers reck havoc on your life in the '90's and '00's!  We're sorry.)  I love you both very much.

Have a great day and enjoy this adventure you're on!

xoxo,

Alex

Wayne, NJ Flooding - & my 100th Post!

Do you have any photos from Northern NJ?  Leave a link in the comments below!

Thanks, xoxo,

Alex

Timothy Ferriss is my new God

I've been inspired to read again.

Much of my thanks really needs to go to my good friend (basically sister) Lauren, who told me to go out and buy this book (and should really get commission for all the people she's gotten to buy it!), but it is also Timothy Ferriss, the author of The 4-Hour Work Week that has changed my life...at least mentally...and at least so far just mentally.  I may not have implemented all the changes I want yet, but I am just beginning and all my friends know that I am the biggest dreamer there is...I never lose hope.  I know now more than ever that I just need to keep adding to my dreams, not crossing them off because I start to doubt myself and think they are unattainable, but crossing them off because I've actually done them.

First one on my list to accomplish: become fluent in Italian.

Speaking of which, it's time to get off line and work for myself.  I need to organize my design studio and spend another hour on Rosetta Stone.

Life is now - what are you waiting for?

xoxo,

Alex

Four new pairs of shoes...am I feeling lonely?

I think yes.  Please see evidence below (thank you DSW clearance!), which also sparked a cataloging session of every pair of shoes...I will now know how many I own...

Happy Sunday!
xoxo, Alex

True British - Temperley London

There she is - Alice Temperley - the amazing mind behind Temperley London and the newest collection; True British.  At her show at Milk Studios in NYC this week, Alice used mannequins once again to show off her collection.  I have to admit that I was confused at first.  As I was helping to dress the mannequins, I kept wondering why she wouldn't want to use models to show the movement and wearability of her beautiful designs.  But after struggling to get the clothes on to the clumsy, awkward (and obviously stiff) life-size dolls, I realized that she is a genius.  The more I stared at these clothes the more I fell in love with them.  They are so well made and designed that if a model just walked past me (and as quick as they do), I'm not sure if I would have appreciated them as much!

On the day of the show, when I was actually in Studio 4 helping to do the final set-up, I also learned about her inspiration; Norman Parkinson.  It seems a family friend happened upon a whole series of Norman's photos this past year.  Alice was so inspired by the photos that she based her entire collection around them and showed them to the world 20 years after his death.  The canvases hanging behind the clothes are directly inspired by Norman and taken in the same style.  In fact, I believe I was told that some of the models were the same models Norman shot in the 60s!  You wouldn't believe it by how vivacious they all looked!

After the canvases were initially made they were sent to India to be hand embroidered and beaded in the same manor as the dresses and leather jackets.  Some of the canvases were made "life-sized" so that the same exact beads could be used in the same proportion as the clothing on the canvases.  It was unbelievable to see the stitching on the back (especially loving to hand bead things as I do and I know how much work goes in to them!).  The reason so much time was spent on the canvases?

Yup, that's Annie Lennox!  She's a friend of Alice's and a huge supporter of Oxfam.  This summer, those canvases are going to be auctioned off with all proceeds going directly to the large organization.  A perfect pairing if you ask me.  (And I'd pay big bucks for the Lily Cole piece!)

Well, I've written too much and I'm terrible at editing - so I know I should stop here.  To see more photos, please visit my Flickr site.  Otherwise, good night and arrivederci, I shall speak with you soon.

xoxo,

Alex

Textile Playtime I

Just started my Spring 2010 classes at Parsons and in Textiles, we have to try manipulating fabric every week.  I have been "dying" to try out this Liquetex ink and here it is!  Very fun.  I definitely want to try it on some different fabrics...I'll try to post more photos when I do!  GO DO!

G'night!

~ Alex

Secret Life?

What is it with this show?  I can't seem to stop watching...it's a terrible show, but I really like it!

"Falling in love, is such an easy thing to do..."

Oh gosh, these awful, awkward conversations.  Did I ever have these as a teenager?  How old are these actors anyway?

I...lost my thought and I'm still hooked.