HEYOO, unfashion and monster hats

Hey everyone! My classes have started up again and true to form, I have been too busy to post. Sad news bears. However, I have some pictures from one of my first projects of the semester! I am taking a class called (UN)fashion, in which we learn about world fashions, challenge our ideas of what fashion is, and make an outfit to wear to class each week. Wearing the outfit is different than designing for someone else because...YOU have to actually feel comfortable wearing it through the streets!

Anyway, last week I found a book in the library about street art and became obsessed for a minute. I watched the Banksy documentary, "Exit Through the Gift Shop"-- have you seen it?  I became really inspired by the artist Buff Monster.

My project is a dress I made from a Parsons Student Senate T-shirt. It was like a size extra large, or something.   I sewed in pink jersey panels, made new sleeves, tailored it into a dress, and painted some of my own monster characters on the back.

Here is the result:

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Also, I made a monster hat!

I will keep you updated on my projects for this class. I am really really excited about it!

I also am running our class' blog, which you can view here!

Ooookey dokes, see you later!

Cell Phone Uploads, My First Parsons Project, and Anna Sui

Anna Sui came and did an interview at Parsons in the Fashion Building. Uh, she mostly talked about how when she was in school at Parsons she didn't go to class much and went to a lot of clubs! Haha, I don't think that our dean, Simon Collins, was too happy about that. Students at Parsons nowadays could DEFINITELY not get away with that! You'd fail in an instant. She also stressed the importance of internships. It's true dude!

Here is a not-so-great cell phone photo of the interview. Students were allowed to go see it and they recorded it live also.

After it was over, Anna and the dean got into the elevator going up. I also had to get back to class but then the dean jumped out for a minute and my and a few of my friends were in the elevator with Anna Sui!  Ahhh, it was so cool, but I froze and couldn't think of anything to say to her besides, "Thanks so much, that was cool." Gosh I am lame. It's like when I met Richard Chai at Teen Vogue Fashion University (oh my gosh I haven't written about that yet have I? I am terrible and sorry.) I ran up to him after his talk and as like YOU ARE SO AMAZING AND INSPIRING ZOMGZ.  He was totally sweet about it though. ANYWAY! Moving on...

I finally uploaded some pictures from my phone.  Here is my first project in Concepts class for Sophomore Fashion Design. I snapped a picture right before my presentation and critique. I was nervous!

The project was "fall dresses". Here's my mood board, fabric board (HAHA its awful), flats, and croquis.  Um, I promise my croquis have gotten much better throughout the semester.  My inspiration was the circus.

Here are some terrible-quality photos of my drawing process. The assignment was rendering prints.

And a random sketch from drawing class:

WHEEEE  BYE

Parsons Projects: The Coffee Vest

I've gotten some requests to show the projects, assignments, and work that I do at school. I usually get pretty self-concious about my work because I am never satisfied or finished but...I will do it. For you guys! Never let anyone tell you that I don't looove you pleeaseeee.

Here is a project I did in my 3-Dimensional Design Class.

The assignment: Create a garment that can be worn on the torso that relates to the theme or issue of "survival". Think in terms of urban survival, functionality, and connection.  It must include a cantilever (extension-like an umbrella) and must transform in some way. Cantilever should change the form as well as alter the function of the body covering. Must have an identifiable function in an urban or social environment that changes perception or awareness of viewers. Must also incorporate a zipper.

Aaaah. Sounds toootally simple, right?

My Project: I decided to take a somewhat humorous- but still decidedly functional- approach to "solving" this assignment. I designed a waterproof rain-vest that turned into a coffee dispenser. It had an oversized hood and an inside, hidden plastic bladder that can hold coffee. You can take off the vest, undo the cantilever (which I converted out of a clamp-able beach umbrella), clamp it to the table, undo a zipper, and treat everyone to some coffee! It brings people together and makes them happy. For me, that would be the ultimate savior of rainy days. My project is a dramatization of people's need for coffee to "survive" the day 

Here are some preliminary sketches for what I wanted my project to be:

 

 I have no idea why this one says "air pirates" or why the figures all have eye patches....

 

Of course, in design things always change from the beginning of the process to the end. I chose a cheaper- and more fun! - material. I also opted not to make sleeves. My professor suggested that they the piece could be very simple. Form Vs. Function is a big issue here, and having sleeves was a little unnecessary.

We had about a week to execute the final project.

Sorry I don't have tons of great pictures! Here are some photos of the vest on a dress form:

A close up of the zipper and coffee spout

My presentation board:

I think that is allll.

Have you done any cool projects lately?

How to Look Put-Together in 3 Easy Steps

There is only a month left until finals and so far it’s been a pour-coffee-into-my-cocoa-puffs kind of morning. I’m assuming that some of you guys are feeling similar pressure.  It can be tough to put tons of effort in the morning into looking polished when you aren't feeling very polished at all. 
Here are my 3 quick tips on how to look like you didn’t just roll out of bed and run to class, even when you did just that.

1. Wear a Headband
Headbands are amazing! When I was an elementary-school tomboy, I wore my hair in headbands and ponytails all the time.  They are practical and keep your hair out of your face while you are studying and working hard. I recently rediscovered the power of headbands- go from “just-woke-up” to “Hello my name is Blair Waldorf” in two seconds flat! You will instantly look five times more polished, confident and put-together.

I wouldn't reccommend making this face if you want to be taken seriously.

This is my stern "why aren't you wearing a headband?" look. I know, it is very intimidating.

2. Wear classy shoes

The rest of your outfit can be a hot mess, but if you are wearing cute shoes, that will be the only thing that people notice. Especially if you are sitting in class, everyone's sleepy eyes focus downward anyway. A nice pair of shoes can pull your entire outfit together.

3. Wear red lipstick

Swiping on some lipstick take seconds, but it makes you look fresh. It gives the illusion that  you put effort into your appearance-even if it is the only makeup you are wearing!

My friend Jack! Doesn't she make for a gorgeous model?


What are your quick tricks for looking polished and put-together?
PS: How does the signature look? I am very excited about it because I can never get my signature to look that cute in real life.