Monday, April 22, 2013

The Makings of a Fashion Show - part 5

The nest step is MODEL FITTINGS!

 My 2 assistants help me go through TONS of racks of clothes to pull outfit ideas together.  And by tons, I mean more than 30 racks.

We then size those outfit ideas, and sort them by each model.  Each model had 4-6 different looks to try on when they came for a fitting.  The goal is to get 3 great looks for each model to wear on the runway.

When each model comes for her fitting, we spend about 30-45 minutes going over the outfit ideas.  Generally we need to run back to the racks to find different sizes, colors etc.

Once the outfits are selected, we then start styling them.  Choosing jewelery, shoes, handbags and other fun accessories to complete each look.

The final step is to inventory and catalog each look.  We go through each look, write down exactly what each model is wearing (down to rings, necklaces, shoes).  We also make special notes for the models on specific attire concerns (i.e. proper undergarments).  All of this information is put into the computer so inventory sheets can be printed for each look.

...and now on to developing the actual show! 







Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The Makings of a Fashion Show - step 1, 2, 3 and 4

I am frequently asked what it really takes to pull off a fashion show. It seems so simple: get some people who want to be models, grab a few outfits, turn on some loud music and **BAM** you have a fashion show!  Right?  WRONG!

Let me be frank: it is a LOT more work than you realize!

The behind the scenes work I've done, alongside an amazing committee, for this year's Little Black Dress fashion show is pretty incredible.  For the past year, we have been sitting in pow-wow sessions going through every little detail of the event.

Once we nail down the details, it's time to start collecting clothes.  All of the Goodwill of Michiana stores have been collecting clothes for the fashion show and boutique.  The employees of each store have an amazing eye for what is trendy, stylish and designer brand names!  All of those things are then cataloged, organized, and shipped to one location where they are again cataloged and organized. 

Next, comes the really fun part - choosing our models!  This year we held model casting calls across Michiana to allow interested ladies to get information about being a model.  The calls were held at Goodwill stores, Kerri's Avenue Salon and Bethza Professional Makeup Studio.Kerri's has been named the event's official hair stylist team, and Betha's has been named the makeup artist team for the event. We are very grateful to have these pros as part of our fashion team for this event!

Typically we have a core group of 12 models who participate in the show.  This year, we had an overwhelming number of ladies show an interest.  So the committee got together, and decided to pull rabbits out of hats and expanded the number of models for the show!

I am very excited to share who has been chosen as the models for the2013 Little Black Dress Fashion Show and Luncheon!



Chavala Wilson
Cher Herald
Cheryl Hunt
Cindy Postma
Deb Miles
Diane Bennett
D'Nisha Zona
Jayne Flanagan
Joanna Holland 
Joy Decker
Liz Haynes
Maria Stancoti
Maxin Koontz
Melinda Miller
Rachel Schultz
Suzanne Purewal
Terry Kiska
Whitney Glass



cartoon image from: http://imgc.allpostersimages.com

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Fun Book Page Crafts


One thing you will find a lot of at Goodwill are books of all shapes and sizes. I consider Goodwill my bargain resource (at a mere $.50- 2.00) for finding great reads as well as my number one resource for book page crafts.

You may not have looked at the books section as craft materials before, but book page crafts are a hot trend in magazines that you probably browse through when doing your " window shopping," like Anthropologie, West Elm, & Pottery Barn... just to name a few.

Today I wanted to showcase some fun crafts you could try with books found at your local Goodwill store. I have a feeling that once you see these ideas, you will run right out to find the perfect book to get started!


Adorn a Letter (Or Four!) 


Letters are always a fun trend to try in your home whether it is your family name, your child's name, or a fun word like, "EAT," in the kitchen. I love this idea for rolling book pages to create a letter or word that is special to you. Little Things Brings Smiles offers a great tutorial on how you can make these with just a few items from the craft store! (@ Little Things Brings Smiles)



Make a Unique Table Runner


As a bookworm, this table runner makes me swoon! This table runner would be perfect for an evening with your book club or as a creative party display. The best part about this is that it is just created from  book pages and a little craft glue. (@ Elizabeth Anne Designs)


Make a Gallery Wall Of Your Child's Favorite Books

Making a gallery wall of photos can be an expensive project, but a gallery of book pages is a fun spin on the gallery wall that could be easily switched out and an inexpensive way to decorate a wall. This fun display was created from a Shel Silverstein book, a book that just happened to be one of my favorites when I was a kid. Use Washi tape to hang the book pages so you can add another fun color to your display and easily move or remove the pages when done.

If you want to try this on a smaller scale, consider framing the book cover jackets of your child's favorite books or select a series of pages that can be hung gallery-style on a wall. To pull it all together, look for frames at Goodwill that can be spray painted in matching colors. (@ Rice Design)



Make a Fun Photo Backdrop

I do a lot photography with my job and buying photo backdrops are often out of my limited budget. I am so inspired though by the idea to create a book page photo backdrop, both for its inexpensiveness as well as for its beauty, that I can't wait to create one of these of my own. This would be a fun backdrop behind your kids on their first day of school or for a fun backdrop to creatively display wares you might be selling on eBay or Etsy. (@ The Blue Eyed Owl)




Create an Eclectic Art Display

Kids shouldn't have all the fun with book pages and this art display is easy to achieve by simply printing over your book pages with a creative image. For this craft, look for old encyclopedias or a similarly sized book that can can truly fill out your frame. I am so excited to see this fun tutorial from Crafted Niche for how to create a display like this of my own (@ Crafted Niche, image from Ruffles & Stuff)



Adorn a Door

One search on Google will yield a plethora of creative book page wreaths that can be made, but this wreath made from book pages rolled into little rosettes gets my win for both beauty and creativity. The best part is that this one could be personalized with other layers for the seasons. A felt flower in a fun pop of color or a different color of ribbon to hang it can change the look of the wreath for the changing seasons. I can't wait to make one of these myself (@ Under the Table And Dreaming)


Add Book Page Fun to a Mantle

Decorating a mantle can be expensive and require switching with the changing seasons. I love decor that is timeless and can be enjoyed all year long. This beautiful book page flower would look beautiful propped up on a mantle and is made from just a few inexpensive items from the craft store. While you are at the store picking up your books, be sure to take a peek at all of the other lovely housewares you can find at Goodwill!  (@ Whimsical Perspective)

Have you tried any crafts with book pages before? I would love to hear what you have done with old books in your home! 


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

TRENDS - Spring is finally here!



One quick way to add some life into your wardrobe is with a dash of a current trend.  Nothing feels better than adding several new pieces into your closet; things you love, that fit you well that are spot-on and trendy.

Let's be honest - revamping our closets every season just to maintain relevancy and life can be really expensive!

Let's think of trends in terms of accessories.  Handbags, shoes, jewelry are all ways we can take a simple monochromatic outfit from drab to fab! ...and can maintain our budget at the same time!


OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES
Channel your inner Jackie-O with some over-sized sunglasses this season. The bigger, the more colorful the better!  This trend leans a little catroonish in style.

Thrift shops always have a ton of sunglasses in a variety of styles. Be sure to check out this section next time you are at your local Goodwill store. 





LUCITE DETAILS
This trend reminds me of the 70's and 80's in a BIG way.  I remember my Mom having a pair of sandals that were see-through Lucite.  They had little flowers that were glued on the toe. Ahhhh yes, memories!

Today, this trend is a great thing to look for at your local Goodwill.  The true fashionista will want to embrace this trend in its pure form: the mod vintage feel from the 70's and 80's!



THE TOTE
Another big trend this season is the tote.  I love the notion of this, especially for summer.  Imagine yourself strolling through an open air market, with your super trendy cool tote to hold all of your goodies!  Or for moms, consider doing away with the baby-bag and embrace something a bit more sophisticated in this season's trendy tote!

One thing I always check out at Thrift Shops is handbags.  You never know what you are going to find there!  This season, be sure to train your eye to look for the larger bags. 




BOLD METAL
In jewelry, the trend is strong metals.  Bold, thick metal statement pieces are all the rage!  And, yes, GOLD is very on-trend right now.

Consider layering your jewelry this season to create this big bulky look.

Did you know that most Goodwill stores have a section just for jewelry?  I have visited dozens and dozens of Goodwill stores all over the country, and I notice the jewelry counter / display seems to get overlooked. If you are a collector or maybe someone who likes to make or re-purpose jewelry, check out this area of your local Goodwill store.


Monday, April 1, 2013

TREND ALERT: walking shorts


One of the hottest trends this season is the walking short. I've been looking all over for the perfect walking short (that won't break my very-limited budget) and have fallen short.

While organizing my closet this week I came across a pair of trouser pants that I never wear. They are a loose fitting linen that would be perfect for shorts. But alas, they are a baggy pant.
My instinct was to set them aside in the Goodwill pile, but then I thought twice. Maybe I could make these into the perfect walking short!

Well...long story short, I really messed up my first attempt (or two) at this DIY project (let's just say I am NO Amy Clark!).

After several trips to Goodwill to get other "perfect trousers that will become perfect walking shorts" I stumbled upon some ideas and tips that will help you not make the same mistakes I did.

STEP1
line everything up and mark your pattern

To create the pattern, I found a pair of shorts in my closet that I like.  The length of these old shorts seems to be perfect, so I used those as a pattern for my DIY ones.






Lie the shorts on top of the pants.  Line up the rise of both pants. This will insure that the length of both sorts is about the same.  **NOTE this is a step I did not take the first few times around, and found that it is in fact a critical part of the equation! 




STEP 2
Measure twice...cut once

Mark the pants with alteration chalk and a ruler **NOTE yet another step I left out the first time or two around. 

The ruler is critical.  Although I can cut a straight line on wrapping paper, apparently I can not cut a straight line on fabric.

(Photo Credit: http://www.refinery29.com check out this blog for great How To, Entertainment, Fashion Beauty and more!)


STEP 3
Time to cut


I made sure to make my cut an inch longer than I needed.  This allowed for some 'slop' (and by 'slop' I mean my inability to cut a straight line).







 
STEP4
Stitch it down

Since I don't own a sewing machine, I try to use Stitch Witchery or hand mend things that need a needle and thread.

(photo from http://adoremore.blogspot.com - check out her blog and see how she made some denim DIY shorts)




STEP 4
Be the envy of your friends 

One of the best things about projects like this is when people ask you where you got those super cute shorts, you can say "They are a one of a kind, and I got them from Goodwill for just a few dollars and made them into shorts myself"...it's a real bargain for up-to-the-minute style... that is unless you mess up as many times as I did (*wink*).