Fashion Show Designer Meeting

Today, the Fashion Club e-Board held a meeting for designers who want to be in the Spring Fashion Show.

Do I have finished garments? No. Working on it.

Do I have models? No. Yes!

Did I attend that meeting? Yes.

I hope this is one of those, “I had no idea what I was getting myself into but, I wanted to go anyways.” memories.

In advanced apparel, I'm working on a pair of military vintage style pants.

This wool is so dreamy and I'm in love. Working with this fabric makes me feel like a costume designer making a pair of trousers for a historical film or a heirloom I will forever cherish. Next, we'll be making dresses. I hope to include both the pants and the dress in the fashion show.

Outside of class, I have a couple knit projects planned for the fashion show. I'm currently working on a jacket. I need to make the back panel, front panels, sleeves, collars, and fringe. Yesss, fringe! 

I know I have lots of work to do but first, I need to complete my trend report and my country overview due Sunday. Then, I can start knitting again.

When I first showed interest in the fashion show, I thought I would have to make at least 5 outfits. Now, I'm happy to show 2 outfits that I am very passionate about.

In life I'm learning that it may take longer to do things sometimes, but boy do I know how to make an adventure out of the journey. 

Let's do this!

My checklist:

[ ] Submit designer contract. <<< I came up with a title. I just need to pick a song!

[X] Find a model.

[X] Find a makeup artist and hair stylist.

[ ] Pick a song.

[ [ Finish my outfits.

[X] Have fun!!!

My Fashion Trend Forecasting

Oxygen is what keeps us alive.
The first part of a breath is an inhale.
To inhale is to take in information.
We are in a new decade.
We're being bombarded with all kinds of new information.
Climate change. Digitalization. Automation. Outdoor living. Urbanization.
It's like the wildfires in California and Australia we hear about.
Consumers are feeling burned out. They want simplicity.

"Where do you see yourself five years from now?"
Uncertainty.
Three years from now will be the turning point.
This is the second part of a breath...to exhale.
Consumers see themselves as blank canvases and will use their actions to express who they are.
Consumers, retailers, designers, marketers, you name it. We're not going to just think great ideas. We're going to make it happen.

How does this translate to fashion? Natural fabrics like cotton and linen won't just be budding ideas. They will be a way of life. Businesses can't just introduce new ideas. They must incorporate it into daily life.

This resonates with the spirit of time because with all that is going on in the world, there is a sense of radical optimism and those are the people who will make change. When the conservatives say, "Be realistic." The optimists will think, "Well then, I guess I have to make my dreams a reality." In five years, they will see success and live free floating. Dreamy. Unbound. Because they decided to exhale their ideas and dreams into the world in 2023.

Wild Life

At today's wildlife club meeting we discussed possible service projects:

- Plant pulls

- Beach clean ups

- Gull ID's

Yesss. Sign me up!

We also started discussing ideas for club t-shirt designs. Mint green was unanimous. However, the animals...deer, ducks, coyotes, owls, turkeys, etc.

Now, instead of coming up with key looks for my trend report I'm playing around with wildlife designs. This was fun.

We ended the meeting with Conclave Trivia. Only four students have to participate in the trivia part and students who have taken wildlife courses are preferred. Phew! You can bet your butt I still took notes. :)

The NY State Bird is the Eastern Bluebird. Family Turdidae.
The NY State Flower is the rose. Family Rosaceae.
The NY State Tree is the Sugar Maple. Scientific name Acer saccharum.
The NY State Animal is the American Beaver. Scientific name Castor canadensis.
The NY State Insect is the Nine-spotted Lady beetle.
The SUNY ESF mascot is the Mighty Oaks.
The president of Wildlife society is Gary C. White.
The Wildlife Society was founded in 1937.
...continued in my Conclave Trivia word document...

The four American flyways are Pacific, Central, Mississippi, and Atlantic.

Amplexus has to do with mating in frogs and toads.

I learn something new every club meeting and I am 100% excited to participate at Conclave (to the best of my abilities haha).

Inspiration is Everywhere ♪ ♫

What does one do when she has 6 hours in NY during NYFW?

Instead of hiding in the museums of NYC, like the Guggenheim Museum once mentioned by my modern art history professor in a class, I decided fine...I will be social. Haha

I RSVP'd to an event held by a fashion journal with 1 million subscribers! Looks good on social media, doesn't it? The seminar titles didnt really interest me but, I believe that there is always something to learn and it would be interesting to see what this media company's events are like.

Business-y self-help book principle: Take interest in other people.

"What are your plans for today?"
"We found an improv show for $5."
"What, sign me up! That is on my bucket list."
...

"Our priority today is to go to Black Tap. We cannot leave NYC without going to Black Tap today."
"What is that?

And so the adventure began [with my two new friends]...

Black Tap NYC
We arrived 15 minutes early and good thing we did. It didn't take long for a line to appear outside the door as soon as the clock striked 11AM.

Of course, we had to begin with the glorious, crazy milkshakes Black Tap is famous for. I got the one with the slice of funfetti cake on top.

Milkshakes, burgers and fries go hand in hand. Highly recommend :)

We arrived at Broadway Comedy Club 30 minutes early. "It's a theater thing". Note to self: Always arrive early. 

"Taxi." "YOOOO!" 

You have to be there to understand the scenario but, I had a great experience and I'm happy I went with this "I don't know what I'm getting into but I'm going to do it anyways." situation. My friends went on stage and they were hilarious. Woo! You go girls! I participated in the crowd with the woo's and the "Every time I sing a word that starts with B stand up/sit down." Haha

Ouda's funny bone was activated that day even outside of the comedy club.

Fashion is inspired by many things, not just fashion. This is why I need to see more of the world!!! 

The Power of Conversation

Today started off like normal...

"Hello, how are you today?"

"Good."

"That's good to hear!"

*Starts scanning knit sweater and cork cutting boards.*

Then, it took a turn...

"Did you know that they make handbags out of cork now?"

"Wow, really?"

"Yes!"

"That's cool. They must be flexible because they're made out of cork."

"I'm not quite sure to be honest. I've only seen them online. I came across them from a fair trade business. I love sustainable fashion."

"I try to make sustainable choices as well. Sometimes I feel bad for buying a cheap sweater like this with all the waste that is created from fast fashion."

"Don't feel bad. I'm not perfect either! If you try to adopt all changes at once you're going to give up. You have to find a balance that works for you. That way it will stick for the long run."

"You should be running this country. This makes me very happy."

"Haha. I think it is important to understand how our decisions impact the world around us."

"Do you think sustainability is very big with your generation now?"

"I've been studying ethical fashion since 2015 and I'm surprised at how it is still a small section of the fashion industry. A lot of people tend to go for fast and cheap. We need to make sustainable fashion more accessible."

For the better.

My First Year Portfolio

"Somehow, everything falls into place."

I took the big leap and changed my concentration to apparel design.

When Degree Works officially updated to reflect the change, excitement filled my heart as I viewed the required courses. Fashion sketching. Pattern drafting. This is what I want!

When I shared this with my mom, she thought it was a great idea because I am happy when I am creating. She wasn't surprised. 

I'm currently blogging when I should be studying for finals. Haha. It's good to take breaks. I finished my first year portfolio tonight. As I was photographing each piece for my portfolio, it hit me how cool everything looks together. I didn't intentionally make each class project to coordinate with one another. I just remember...

• For the apron, I love the rugged, industrial look which seems to be a classic style in menswear.
• For the skirt, I chose black because black goes with everything. You can dress it up or down. Give me my combat boots and Mary Janes.
• For the shirt, I initially planned on making a classic all white button-down shirt but, ended up adding a denim pocket and collar. My friend and I agreed I could wear this on a trip to California or Texas. Perfect!
• For the pants, I knew I had to have the fabric when I saw wildlife and adventure. Dreaming of renting a cabin in the woods of Vermont. Then, making a drive to Montreal. Maybe after finals week!?

...and somehow everything came together.

Keep creating your own adventures, independent woman.

Fashion and Science

I finally had the opportunity to check out the UML Fashion Makerspace! It was amazing to see different techniques we talk about in consumer textiles and to see what new ideas are currently being developed.

After seeing my pictures from tonight, my classmate said, "Ouda in heaven". Haha.

I hope "Ouda in heaven." becomes a common theme in my life.

The original serger machines.

Heavy duty leather sewing machine.

Garment cutting machine.

Plastic engineering.

Flatbed knitting machine.

3D printing.

Weaving.

Yarn twisting.

Jacquard weaving.

Abrasion resistance tester.

Water resistance tester.

Thank you Ashli, Cheryl, Ani, and Diana for an inspiring board meeting.