More from the Fashion Show

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

Spring Fashion Show

Photo by Travis Cline

Photo by Mike Yoder

 Photo by Mike Yoder

 Photo by Mike Yoder

 Photo by Mike Yoder

 Photo by Mike Yoder

Monday's fashion show was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who made the show possible (especially organizer extraordinaire Nick Ray) and those who came out to support it!

Styled by me.

Clothes: Borrowed from the Social Service League
Models: Caitlin, Thomas, Emma, Pearl, Dan, Copper
Hair and make-up: Static Salon
Jewelry: Provided by Goldmakers
Shoes: Provided by the models
Venue: Teller's

Coming tomorrow: Behind-the-scenes photos and what I wore to the show.

Fashion Monsters III: Adorn of the Dead

Photo credit: Aaron Lindberg, inkkc.com

Saturday's show could not have gone better! Despite some lack of organization on my part, everything went super smoothly. My models were all gorgeous, fun and helpful. The other designers and stylists were amazing. There was a record turn-out for the show (the proceeds went to a good cause). And we danced all night long! So much fun.

For those who couldn't be there, I wanted to share my collection with you. Just to be clear, I didn't make any of these clothes (I'm not that talented). I styled each outfit using clothes from a local thrift store, the Social Service League.

During my first visit to the store to collect items for the show, I didn't have anything in mind. I just grabbed whatever caught my eye, took home a huge pile and started to play. Almost immediately, I noticed a couple of themes: a color palette of deep red, forest green and cobalt blue and a lot of rich, textural fabrics like velvet, lace and faux fur.

My guy looks are all pretty similar and straightforward. It's probably what I would wear if I were a dude: Button-ups, trousers, vests, jackets and ties. The girls were a little more eclectic with looks channeling everything from a horseback-rider to a prom queen.

Here's my little blurb about the collection:

This fall-friendly collection is vintage but never dated, demure but never dowdy. The charming ensembles focus on decadent fabrics like lace, velvet and faux fur and drip with rich colors like luscious blood red and stormy forest green. They may be zombies, but they are still loving life and looking good doing it.

#1

Model: Ella // Make-up: Sophia // Hair: Victoria // Photos: Travis

#2

Model: Dan // Make-up: Me // Hair: Victoria // Photo 1: Travis // Photo 2: Amberlee

#3

Model: Victoria // Hair & Make-up: Victoria // Photo 1: Travis // Photo 2: Jonah

#4

Model: Thomas // Make-up: Me // Photo 1: Travis // Photo 2: Jonah

#5

Model: Rose // Make-up: Sophia // Hair: Victoria // Photo 1: Travis // Photo 2: Amberlee

#6

Model: Daniel // Make-up: Me // Hair: Victoria // Photo 1: Travis // Photo 2: Amberlee

#7

Model: Amberlee // Make-up: Sophia // Hair: Victoria // Photo 1: Travis // Photo 2: Jonah

#8

Model: Dayton // Make-up: Travis, Thomas & Sophia // Hair: Victoria // Picture 1: Travis // Picture 2: Jonah

#9

Model: Sophia // Make-up: Sophia // Hair: Sophia & Victoria // Photo 1: Travis // Photo 2: Jonah

#10

Model: Me // Make-up: Me // Hair: Victoria // Picture 1: Travis // Picture 2: Jonah

Zombie Fashion!

Sorry for the lack of posting this week, dear readers! I promise I've been wearing clothes; I've just been terrible about documenting it. Crazy week! Anyway, one of the activities occupying my time of late is preparing for an upcoming (zombie-themed) fashion show! It's called Fashion Monsters III: Adorn of the Dead. The collections are a combination of independent designers and local stores, and the proceeds go to charity. I'm in charge of styling looks for the Social Service League, a local thrift store. My collection consists of ten vintage-inspired, fall-friendly looks.

If you live in the area, don't miss this show! 

Saturday, October 3rd, 8:00 PM at the Replay.

For my faraway friends, check back early next week for coverage of the show!

Here's a sneak peek of one of my looks modeled by Victoria Partridge.

Photo credit: Richard Gintowt, lawrence.com

Closet Raid: Molly

As promised, I've finally done another Closet Raid! My lovely friend Molly recently graduated from KU and is going to New York City for a week before starting med school in July. Naturally, she wants to take her style to the next level for this fabulous urban getaway. With this in mind, I styled four looks using only the clothes already in her closet. While maintaining the essence of her personal style, we wanted to push the boundaries with color as well as new and interesting combinations of her staple items.

TAILORED BOHEMIAN

Perfect for traipsing around the city on foot--going to an outdoor market, having a casual lunch, popping into an art museum--this daytime look is all about chic comfort. Molly had not yet worn this tunic and requested that I incorporate into a look. White cotton is ideal for warm weather: light and cool, crisp and fresh, brings out your tan. I thought, "Why not wear it as a dress?" It's summer! Show of those gorgeous stems! I cinched it with a braided brown leather belt to add some shape, added trendy yet practical flat gladiator sandals and accessorized with bold, oversized earrings and simple gold bangles. Perfect for a gal on the go!

BONJOUR NEW YORK

By far my favorite look of the bunch! You're well aware of my fondness of mini-skirts, but beyond that, this outfit is perfect on Molly. She's like an artsy expatriate returning from Paris with lots of stories to tell. The silhouette is fresh, modern and flatters her beautifully. The lightweight scarf and bold floral hair accessory capture her bohemian sensibility. The contrasting pops of color are a playful change of pace. Perfect for a low-key night out -- drinks at a trendy bar in Soho followed by a hip show in Williamsburg.

GYPSY DANCER

The combination of satiny fabrics in royal blue and rust and decadant details like ruffles and ribbons make for a rich, sensual look. The espadrilles with their ankle ties are reminiscent of the pointe shoes Molly has so often donned as a ballerina. Coupled with the fullness of the skirt, I imagine this ensemble inspiring spontaneous dancing. The brown patent belt brings it all together, and I just couldn't resist using the flower again. Hair accessories are huge right now, and they just don't have the same effect in my long straight locks as they do amidst Molly's curls.

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS

This is Molly's signature look, so she really didn't need much help from me. She rocks the LBD like no one else! Designed for dinner at an upscale restaurant, I started with this form-fitting dress, layered on three necklaces, added a sexy lace jacket and gave the look a hint of color with some hot burgundy heels.

Spring Closet Raid: Ella

I had so much fun doing the styling for a recent article in Ink Magazine, I decided to recreate the scenario using my sister Ella as the subject. Here's how it went down: I raided her closet, surveyed the pieces with a fresh perspective and came up with a collection of spring looks for different occasions. By putting together clothes she already has in new and interesting ways, I hope to inspire further experimentation and prevent the need to buy a lot of new clothes for spring. Keep an eye out for more closet raids! I plan to strike again.

I started out by pulling anything that caught my eye because of color, pattern or texture. After sorting the items into piles of shirts, dresses, bottoms and jackets, I started building looks one by one.

A sampling of the shoe selection.

At Work: Casually Cute
Because Ella works as a pre-school teacher, comfort is key. But that doesn't mean we have to sacrifice style. This look features a short-sleeved navy blazer layered over a vibrant fuchsia v-neck tee, khaki capris with brasstone button details, a pair of cute, comfy leopard flats and a lightweight, multi-colored scarf as a finishing touch.

A Day Out: Easy Chic

For an afternoon downtown with friends, we kept it simple. This look features a textured robin's-egg-blue mock turtleneck, a denim skirt with trendy exposed zippers, a colorful stone necklace and a pair of red peep-toes that really pop.

A Night Out: Sleek & Sexy

Perfect for a night out on the town, this look features a fluttery patterned top tucked into a simple black pencil skirt, a bold oversize belt and a pair of pretty turquoise peeps.

The aftermath! I have a knack for wrecking closets.

My styling assistant, Oslo.