What is keeping me busy?

Well lots of things.
Lots of project, but one of the unique things I am doing right now is in my computers class. My classmates and I are creating fictional lines, selling them to each other, and creating spreadsheets for all the numbers, costing, etc. Its really pretty fun. :) I have learned a lot about using Excel in this class (which I really need in running my own horse business). Turns out, that Excel is rather user-friendly, haha I like it!
Here is a sample of my line and what I am having to do with it.

Remember this right? Here is my line.

I had to come up with the garments, the accurate price for my target market, etc. Then I had to sell it to each one of my classmates. I gave each of them an order form and they purchased my items for a store of their own. So overall, I had 14 order forms to add up and calculate the numbers. Since I can't upload my spreadsheet, I'll give you a taste of what it is like.

Fourteen customers, purchasing about 100 items...

One tank top, which comes in three colors, and six sizes...

One pair of capris, which comes in two colors, and six sizes...

(etc, etc, etc)

Yeah, you get the point. Lots of numbers. But for class, we even scaled down the number from what they would really be in the industry. Can you imagine how big some orders are for stores like Kohl's?! Haha I'm glad Janie let us work a little smaller.

Now, I'm working costing fabric and labor. Lot of fun... Not really, but my Excel skills are sure becoming honed!

Here is a sample of a cost sheet, for just a taste of what I have to do for my line.

Basically, its lots of tedious work, but hopefully this will prepare me for the industry!

And because this isn't the only thing keeping me busy, here's some pictures of other things that I have been working on. 

Yes, this is the finished dress that I previously posted about. Turned out pretty awesome huh?

And here is a pin that I made for my accessories class. See, I'm staying really busy! Lots of stuff to do, both work and school! Well, I'm off to the next thing!

What is happening in my studio these days...............

Basically, my studio is crazy. I have been so busy with projects, that I can hardly breathe! Here is a sample of what I have been working on lately.

First and foremost, I have been working on my competition garment for fashion design. We were each given a different artist and art movement for our inspiration. I got Bridgett Riley and Op Art. I thought that there were a lot of very exciting things that I could do with this, so I was pretty happy. I finally settled on using Bridgett Riley's Movement in Squares for my inspiration. 

So I decided to make my bodice incorporate this illusion, with the narrowest squares at the waistline (naturally!). I initially was going to piece the checkerboard, but I chose instead to weave the squares out of black and white tulle. This was the beginning . . .

And it's growing . . . 

And growing . . .

And finally I finished it!

Yes, it doesn't look great in this photo, but it hasn't been lined yet. But I think it turned out well. I mean, it better look good, because I spent three nights weaving it! This next photo is the petticoat for the skirt. It's huge! 

The other project that I have been working on is a purse for my accessories class. I used horses as my inspiration (big surprise!) and I used a snaffle bit as a found object. I thought it turned out really cute. What do you think? The body is made out of suede and the purple is real leather.

Storyboard

Here is my Storyboard from stylesight.com. My inspiration was, obviously, extreme weather, like tornados. Severe storms have always fascinated me and I think that the clouds offer great silhouettes and textures for inspiration. The colors are beautiful and they are so varied for one storm to the next. I want my line to contain stormy and dull colors, and I want to have a silhouettes inspired by tornados. Small and narrow bottoms will be pared with flowing and loose tops. Unique cloud-like prints and fabric will offer variations and will create movement on the garments. Would you wear it? Let me know what you think!

Fashion Influence 2012

     Lately, whenever you hear anything about the year 2012, you naturally thing about doomsday. Of course, the Mayans must have known and understood it all, I mean, look how their culture stood the test of time . . . okay, that was sarcastic. But seriously, why is society so hyped up about this whole end-of-the-world idea? Why do we constantly get excited over 6/6/6 or Y2K? It's not like anything has ever happened on one of those days (except for a few strictly man-made events) . . . 

     I think that people get bored. Plain and simple, we tire of the same stuff day in and day out, so we look to special events to change it up. Wouldn't the end of the world really change your day-to-day life? I think that it is just human nature that we are naturally superstitious, and that our minds make connections when there really aren't any.

      But in regards to fashion, people's clothes usually reflect what they are thinking. So if you are thinking that everyone has been wiped off of the planet, but your are one of the few survivors . . . well . . . 

This lovely photo is courtesy of the Internet Movie Database, and it is from the film 2012. Don't you thing that if this was happening, then it would require some particular fashions?

Here are a few photos of what I would image end-of-the-world fashion looking like. These are from the blog Life is a Fashion Show, but I was not able to find the designer or photographer. 

And I just liked this next one. Why not become part of the apocalypse? Or maybe, the aliens will fall for it, and leave you be! This lovely accessory was designed by Chris Eckert. You can also sport the classy shell-shaped handbag too, if you want to go for the entire look!

Now this garment is the real deal. If you are serious about staying alive and surviving the desolate years, then this is a must. From Dornob.com, this Kevlar and neoprene was designed by Tim Smit. What can you withstand?

But if you aren't interested in withstanding atomic bombs, but you just plan on surviving (and maybe kicking some zombie-butt!) You might want to opt for something a little less bulky. After all, the world will probably be an endless desert of scorching sun. I think Alice's outfit from the film series Resident Evil is really quite inspiring.

Here is another idea for you post-world life. Stay fashionable even no one else is alive!

So, all in all, I think fashion might take a turn for the darker, just because the end of this year is all gloom and doom. People are beginning to prepare and stockpile. Other's are preparing their bomb cellars. But with all these dreary thoughts, something is bound to come out in fashion. But just remember, if the end of the world really does come about, don't forget to show some skin, shred your clothes, and wear dark eyeshadow. The end of the world is nigh!

Trends on UNT campus . . . 

Since we got major rain this week, I figured I would explore the trends in rainwear on campus. People, especially students, seem to get really quirky when it rains. The change in weather seems to cause a whole shift in the way we dress. One of my favorite things that people don when it's wet is rain boots. I think the variations of prints, pictures and patterns really give an insight of the person wearing them. Even if they don't match anything else, or really clash with the other garments, rain boots seem to become a focal point on the body. Here are just a few examples that I saw on campus today.

These have little pictures of the Statue of Liberty and New York:

This one is my favorite:

I love the laces on these purple ones:

So many wacky styles . . . I think that when it rains, people don't care quite as much about what is really fashionable, because these rain boots are quite . . . well, not fashionable . . .  without any designs on them. They really look like muck boots that I would wear when mucking out a stall. But when we add some loud and quirky designs to them, suddenly insta-fashion!

Personally, I like the idea that people have taken something so practical, like rubber boots, and have turned them into something fun and exciting. Too often fashion goes in an unrealistic direction. Many clothes have become impractical for many activities, or even for just comfort. But I think these rain boots give us a perfect example of unique style and practicality. Perfect for a rainy day.

What inspires me . . .

Okay, so by now, after reading the title of this blog, you can probably guess what my life mostly revolves around. Yes, fashion and horses. I know these two things don't really go together though, and it's a problem for me because both things are pulling me in separate directions. But I love both, and they both inspire me to get out of bed and make a name for myself. They also keep me busy. And anyone who knows me well will tell you that I am very unhappy when I am not busy. I actually prefer to stress about something, believe it or not. Just sitting around and playing xbox all day (still very fun though...) isn't really my thing. I would rather have something to work on, something to inspire me to greatness, if you will.
Now, both fashion and horses play such large roles in my life, that naturally they have begun to collide a sort of osmosis has occurred between them. They have both absorbed each other basically. For example:

Now doesn't that just make you smile? Even horses can be fashionable . . . haha okay. That really isn't what I mean. (But the Pink Panther horse still cracks me up!) I mean fashion that is worn in the professional equine world. This first picture is an example of Hunt Seat attire (which happens to be very strict in the rule books):

And here is a western showmanship outfit:

And lastly is a traditional Arabian costume:

Each of those garments, among many others, are very important to the equine world. There are very strict regulations at horse shows, rodeos, even just for plain riding. Ever wonder why cowboys started wearing cowboy boots? The tall calf protects your legs (grass, snake bites, etc), the heel prevents your foot from slipping too far into your stirrup, and the traction-less sole allows your foot to slide out of the stirrup in case of an emergency. See, you just learned something; that cowboys had methods behind their madness.
What I'm trying to get at with all of this is the fact that it is possible for me to love and be inspired by two opposite things, like fashion and horses. Looking at each of the garments above inspires me to create. I mean, right at this moment, as I am typing, I am thinking about the possibility of creating an Arabian costume for a fashion competition . . . No idea if the judges would allow a horse on the catwalk though . . .
See I'm inspired already.