Quick Update: CF Posting

Just a few updates about College Fashionista:

• I am writing for All in the Details.
• I will post my URL for CF after my first post.
• My posts will be published every Friday on the website.
• My first post goes live next Friday, June 6th.
• I will be posting my articles on here when they go live, not when I'm done with them.
• The first post is the BIO so on June 6th I will post the BIO and pictures that will be on CF onto Bri Vision.

I am just so excited, I am thinking of having my friends over and doing sort of a fancy dinner. Mainly because we love any reason for getting dressed up. But also because this is in a way being "published" and why not celebrate being published?

Dreaming of Shoes

Flash back to last summer when I would
shoe shop during my lunch break on the
ever so popular, Shoe Dazzle website.

As usual I am coveting a lovely pair of heels that is out of my budget. During the school year one of my go to relaxing tasks was to take a break from studying and go online and look at designer shoes.

Well it's summer and you'd think it would be a relaxing time, but not this summer. I am currently juggling a part-time job at Charming Charlie, which counts as my retail internship so I have to do weekly journals and other reports for the class that goes with it, a personal finance class that meets Monday-Friday every morning, and my writing internship as a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista. It doesn't sound like a lot when I write it down and reread it but each task has its own long list of things I need to accomplish each day and week, on top of other tasks like filling out scholarship applications, writing for my own blog, hanging out with friends, cooking, and working out. With all of this going on I need time to just chill and wind down. One of these ways is to just shoe shop online, well more of just look at shoes online and drool over them because they're way too expensive for me right now. Maybe some day when I have a steady income and am a well known designer I can buy all of the shoes I want, until then I will settle for ogling the Louboutins online.

Constantly Inspiring: Chanel

Back in high school I never quite knew what I wanted to do with my life. Sure I could see myself doing different jobs such as being a lawyer or owning a store. When I was a junior I took AP English Language and during the school year I read a book titled "Coco the Novel," written by Patricia Soliman. It was amazing and I know I've written some posts about it and Chanel:

• "Coco Chanel" February 24th, 2012
• "More Chanel, Because Really, You Can Never Have Enough" March 5th, 2012
• "Channeling Chanel" June 20th, 2012 
• "Chanel's For The First Time" April 10, 2013
• "Chanel's Words" July 10th, 2013

It seems as though every few months I have something to say regarding the topic of Chanel, and as of now I have more to share. First, regarding the videos from Chanel, the first one being "For the First Time," well there is a total of 11 videos now and they are wonderful. If you have some free time you should check them out, it's worth it. Each video is short, around 3 minutes, so you can watch them one at a time over a span of a while. Check it out here: Inside Chanel. I've linked it to the first video. 

As of now I want to create a cardigan using my "Couture Sewing: The Couture Cardigan Jacket, Sewing Secrets from a Chanel Collector" book. I also have another book on Chanel I am looking forward to reading when I have some spare time. I wish I had brought more of my fashion related books with me for the summer but I decided against it because I wasn't sure how much free time I would have and I figured I could go home over the summer and switch out books. So I will probably be writing more about Chanel soon since once I'm settled in my class (which starts tomorrow) I will be starting some sewing projects.

Bustle Project Plans

Last month I had written about how I was going to make a bustle skirt for my design class. Well after purchasing all of the materials and trying to start the project, I realized I wouldn't have enough time to finish it for the due date for class. Instead I made a simple circle skirt with some fun details. However, I want to share some inspiration and some sketches I've done for the project.

 To start off, I wanted to share a few pictures of my inspiration. I knew I wanted to do something red and black. I love these colors and I think the dark red color would look amazing in a floor length dress. I like the way the two dresses pictured above use draping and gathering to add depth to the dresses. I also love the pleating and little details given in the skirts of the dresses. I have to say a lot of my inspiration came from the red dress worn by Mina's character in the 1992 "Dracula" film.

This design is my rough draft for the back. I'm not great with drawing all of the draping and pleating so I make notes on the sides of my sketches. I know I wanted the pick up and draping, but I also know I want to play around with it before making final decisions. I also know I want some pleating on one of the sides. I'd love to show the black petticoat underneath but I'm unsure of how much. I also think I will do some detailing on the black skirt to keep it interesting and not just a plain boring petticoat. As of now I am just making the skirt but I think it would be neat to make a bodice to go with it with black lace in the back. I might also add black lace to the skirt but I really just want to get the skirt finished first.

Here are some ideas for my bustle for under the skirt. I bought embroidery hoops that are flexible but wooden to try and make my bustle out of but I might have to switch to something more durable and stronger. I am trying to make it as if it fasten in the front like a belt but so that is also comfortable for the wearer (me). It will definitely take me a couple of tries but I am determined to make this bustle skirt. Hopefully I will finish this over the summer and be able to use it for something, even if it's just having a fancy themed tea party with my friends.

Summer Sewing

As of now my list of design projects to get done is ridiculously long. I have so much fabric I've bought or got for free that I feel like I should use a lot of it. I also want to make a few quality pieces for my application to London College of Fashion.
Here is a list of my projects:

1. A shift dress using my black and white spiral fabric. After I sew it I want to practice doing some hand sewing by beading certain areas or embellishing the shoulders/pockets. We'll see what happens.
2. My bustle skirt. I spent $90 on materials and I really want to make a bustle and bustle skirt. 
3. I want to make my boyfriend nice dress pants. I'm unsure of the fabric as of now so I probably won't be starting off the summer with this one.
4. A dress using my patterns from my elephant dress but using a really fun and brightly colored fabric. I love the shape of the dress and the fit so I just want to make it for myself. I'll probably start with this since I'll be using patterns.
5. A dress for my friend Gabby who was my model this year. I told her I'd make her something so I thought I might find a nice fabric similar in weight and stretch to what I used for the show and make her the same dress minus the bottom of it.
6. A Chanel-like cardigan  for myself. I have a red tweed-like fabric I got for free and I think it would look great as a cardigan.
7. A men's suit jacket. I'll probably only make it out of muslin using my boyfriend's measurements, but I know I want to learn how to make one because in my senior collection I want to have a men's suit.
8. I have to make the scarf for my grandmother and a scarf for my mother. These will be quick serger and sew around the edges types of scarves.
9. I would love to make myself a few tops, such as tank tops but all different color blocking and patterns.
10. Lastly, I want to make a black and white striped dress using a Vogue pattern I have for myself. It'll be lined and nicely constructed. I will be making adjustments to the pattern since I want to change a few features but I would love to definitely make this dress.

So as you can see I have a lengthy list of projects I would love to get done over the summer. I think between work, classes, and my writing internship, I'll have some time each week to work on this list. Hopefully Jessica will push me to make time, just like I'll be dragging her to the gym. That's what friends do, push you to get your goals accomplished. I'll most likely start with the projects I already have patterns for just to practice sewing techniques and using different machines. Stay tuned for pictures of finished projects, though it might be about 2 weeks since I'll be going home this coming week.

Spring Cleaning & More

Since I have about a week until my summer classes start and I don't work until next Saturday, I will be going home this coming week. I am trying to make sure I pack everything I will need plus things I can leave at home and not clutter up my room, such as winter coats. Cleaning out my closet and reorganizing it will take some effort so I am taking my time and weeding things out one category at a time. I started with my coats, then my sweaters, then went through my shoes. But then I've had to think about work. Since we're allowed to wear solid colors I am trying to make sure I keep my solid colored garments and also anything solid black. I've done some goodwill shopping this past week and have some new items in my wardrobe as well, so there is a lot going on in my closet. I have a few days to get it all together and pack what I need though, so no rush.
My current roommate is moving out and my new roommate, and best friend, Jessica is moving in. I am so excited for Jess to be living with me. As two apparel design students we understand what we're going through and she's very studious like me so she respects study time. We have a lot of great plans for the apartment, a whole new makeover! Also, we plan on making sure we both go to the lab every week to work on projects. We both have goals and ideas for cool design projects so we want to make sure we can get everything we need to done. Also, Jessica will be going to Italy in the fall for the school year so I will be helping her start a blog for her assignment for one of her scholarships. All in all I think this summer will be great with Jessica.

Dip Dyed Shoes Report

Previously I had written about how for our last Purdue Fashion Association meeting we could dip dye shoes and that I would post photos. I dyed my friend Michelle's shoes in the green dye. I then chose to dye the front of my shoes pink and the back navy. They turned out a little lighter than I had hoped but I still like them a lot.

Well here they are:

Side View of Michelle's green dip dyed shoes.

Front View

Top View of my pink and navy dip dyed shoes.

Side View of my shoes.

My Mock Article for College Fashionista

Hale Henderson

Style Advice of the Week: Legs for Days

            It’s that time of year when you walk to class in the morning and it’s barely above freezing but when you go to lunch it’s suddenly 60 degrees and sunny. To be prepared for these crazy weather changes it’s important to have layers but to make sure your main layer is comfortable and keeps you cool. But sometimes it’s easy to appear bulky when trying to layer. This fashionista knows how to rock the layered look and manage to stay comfortable and chic. She picked a t-shirt dress with a high slit but modest neckline and hemline. The slit shows off her amazing legs and hwen it gets warm out in the afternoon will keep her cool. She paired it with a leather jacket, black pumps, a black bowler hat and a cute Betsey Johnson clutch.

            Her t-shirt dress is able to keep her cool and comfortable while running around all day and her motorcycle jacket can keep her warm during the morning. And whenever she may need it. When rushing to classes it’s important to stay comfortable, so her heels are low and they aren’t brand new never been worn before, they’re worn in. This fashionista told me she was on her way to a coffee date after her next class, taking this t-shirt dress from a cozy class choice, to a chic casual date ensemble. It’s simple, yet looks great and effortless. Her accessories keep it interesting and let her stand out in the crowd.

            One way to make this style your own would be to pair a t-shirt dress with a light cardigan or a fitted blazer, it would add structure and interest with mixing fabric choices. The t-shirt dress is a comfy go to look for the spring and can be worn with a variety of shoe choices. So if you’re really busy, instead of wearing heels try ankle boots or a fun printed pair of flats or sandals in a bright, contrasting color. For me it’s all about the shoes, if I feel comfortable I know I can rock any outfit and feel great all day long. This is a great look that can be taken from classes to coffee dates and allows you to stay cool and comfortable all day long. So what are you waiting for? My style advice for this week is to try and rock that casual t-shirt dress in your own way for this new spring season by adding colorful shoes and structured jackets.

Style on,

Brianna Malotke

Update: Writing Internship

So this past Tuesday I have gotten some excellent news...I was selected to be a student writer for College Fashionista! I am ecstatic! 

I applied a few weeks ago with my resume and answered some short questions. Then I received an email asking for me to move on to the next stage and fill out a questionnaire and write a mock article with a picture. I chose to write about my friend Hale, whose style is amazing and a great inspiration for my writing project. I had accidentally sent my article without my picture and felt miserable because I thought "Who would want an intern who can't even double check to make sure they attached the picture in the their article?" I couldn't believe I had done that and waited days and days to see my outcome. Then, after having 2 exams in one day and trying to relax a little bit by watching Archer with my friend Hale, I got the email saying I could be a Style Guru for College Fashionista!

I have filled out some paperwork, signed up for a training time, and am eagerly awaiting my social media packet and assignment. I am unsure of what category I will be writing for the website. Some examples are What to Wear, Style Advice of the Week, Accessories Report, and Fashionista/o Spotlight. My mock article was a Style Advice of the Week, I will post my article soon with my picture of Hale. I am very happy with this opportunity to write for College Fashionista. Sure I'll be doing my retail internship with Charming Charlie and I'll be taking 3 classes over the summer, but this opportunity to write for an official company is amazing and I can't believe I am able to pursue my dreams for being a great writer. I am unable to take writing and journalism classes because of scheduling, but keeping my blog, writing poetry and stories in my spare time, and now this chance to have a writing internship, its just wonderful!