My favorite design websites

1) Design Work Life: http://www.designworklife.com/
Why? Peruses the internet for unique design projects, inspiration. Lot of typography.

2) The Cool Hunter: http://www.thecoolhunter.net/

Why? Neatly divided into sections ranging from interiors to advertisements, insanely futuristic take on design, has a special 'Kids design' section!

3) Design Sponge: http://www.designspongeonline.com/

Why? DIY interior/product projects, love the rustic quality, awesome international city guides with a focus on design! There is a reason that literally every design blog has this as a link.

4) Cool Hunting: http://www.coolhunting.com/style/

Why? As the name suggests, for everything cool, not necessarily futuristic or unique.

5) Jak & Jil Blog: http://jakandjil.com/blog/

Why? Sort of a rebel Sartorialist.

6) T Magazine: http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/

Why? It's like design gossip... what people are talking about around the world. Love the weekly snippets, wish the page navigation was better.

7) Valet: http://www.valetmag.com/

Why? Just might edge out GQ on men's fashion. It's not as snobby, and oh what good navigation! Their handbook is fantastic. Very inspiring.

8) Milk Magazine: http://www.milkmagazine.net/

Why? Street trends for kids, has a kiddie Sartorialist page, kidswear inspiration... oh heaven.

9) Dooby Brain: http://www.doobybrain.com/

Why? Random collection of pop culture from awesome videos to design. Really fun when you're bored.

10) Junior Vogue: http://www.juniorvogue.co.uk/

Why? Because it's fashion for kids. And I like that.

11) Cool kids clothing websites:

http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/

http://www.fingerinthenose.com/

http://www.diesel.com/collection/diesel-kid

Looks inspired by childrenswear

Marc Jacobs

Jacobs spun quiet magic on the runways of NYFW. The gentle colors mixed just right with the demure textures of silk, fur and molton wool.

Boy by Band of Outsiders/ NYFW

Really cool way of menswear-inspired-layering. Geek chic with a twist of that mustard tone. LOVE it; my new NYFW favorite.

NYFW {so far.}

Favorite so far: Rag and Bone

New DIESEL Kid Collection

FUCK. It's so good. I want a job with them PLEASE.

RIP McQ

I was in the 7th grade when I saw my first fashion show on TV. It was Alexander McQueen's; and I remember thinking... genius. Theatrical, but intense on the tailoring. Can't believe the world will be missing out on a true inspiration. Rest in Peace.

...and cool illustrations of course...

Super cool kid's illustrations I found too.

Looking for inspiration for a collection...

These are pictures of kids that I randomly found online. Love the aesthetic, mood and art direction in each shot {click to enlarge}

Scribbles

Starting my own childrenswear company!

STATUS REPORT
-Working on Fall 2010 sketches
-Business card graphics
-Factory and fabric research
-Sampling

I know it's been terribly long since my last post!

In mid June, I visited my good friend Veronica in Miami. The week-long getaway from work included some dancing, lots of drinking, relaxing days at the beach and of course laser tagging! I did come in last in the rankings, but maybe because I wore a white shirt (not advisable if there are black lights everywhere)... or maybe because I suck at hiding. More importantly, the occasion was Veronica's engagement party to her long-time boyfriend, Saul.

I got back to a hectic office. On a rainy Saturday, we vanned it to Bonnie's parents house in Long Island to shoot the Spring/Summer 2010 look book. The outfits looked great, but the weather put a damper on the schedule, literally.

My dad bought me a new MacBook Pro laptop which came free with an Ipod touch. I also bought the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince computer game. The graphic quality of the Mac is brilliant, but I think the geniuses at Apple should enhance sound clarity. The Harry Potter game, however, is incredibly dull. Waste of 30-something bucks.

I am also lazily looking for apartments--- so if you know anything, let me know!
Plus, am hooked to the show, the Tudors.

The Bonnie Young fashion show

Going to the Hamptons in about 6 hours for...
More pictures to come...

My new job

I started working at Bonnie Young yesterday. I interned there from August 2008 to April 2009. Bonnie was at my thesis presentation, and soon called me for an interview after.

She does high-end children's clothing and is based in the SoHo district of New York City. Her collections are regularly featured in publications like Vogue Bambini, WWD, Earnshaw's, Cookie Magazine and Baby Couture. It sells at Donna Karan's Urban Zen, Harvey Nichols, De Groene Wolk and other European boutiques. She has her flagship in Aspen.

I do the production of garments (from creating samples to mass production), work with Bonnie on fittings, shoots and shows and visit factories for embroideries etc.

Cipriani & more

The past ten days have really been a pay off for the past four years at Parsons.

Had a blast at Cipriani, Wall Street (and at the after-party) with my friends and teachers. Super proud of our batch.

Oh yeah, I WON Childrenswear Designer of the Year...!
These are all the nominated designers with the wonderful Simon Collins. The 18 of us showed our collections at Cipriani.
(L to R): Esther, me, Veronica, Sara... all dressed up! My favorite Parsons peeps.

The past two weeks...

...have been pretty intense... 

1) We did the photo shoot for my thesis (pictures in the previous post)

2) A line sheet was created. 

3) I submitted my collection the next day. The auditorium was abuzz with students and their collections, teachers. The scene was set for the following thesis review week.

4) A website for my thesis was created:

http://dash-dash.me/anika

5) I watched the presentations of my peers throughout the week. This is my friend Sarah's presentation. (http://breatheinbeautiful.tumblr.com/)

6) Worked on my portfolio and croquis book. This is a page from my croquis book. Personally, I feel I could have done much more with it. I had lots to show, but edited it down the last minute. 

7) Created a look book for the panelists and teachers. This is a page from the book. 

8) Presented my thesis collection on Monday, April 20th, at approximately 11.30 am, in front of some excellent panelists, who had some insightful comments. I'm thankful for everyone who showed up. 

9) Waiting with bated breath for the results now... I can't wait to find out who the semi-finalists for women's and the finalists for men's are. 

Thesis Photoshoot

Today, after months of passing out at my sewing machine, I managed to pull off a photo shoot for my garments with the help of some important people and the 20 glasses of caffeine-infused drinks.
Location: SVA Photo studios @ 214 E 21 NY

Photographer: Azhar Chougle (www.thedailysunrise.com)
(Great photography student at SVA. His street photography is amazing.)


















Model: Christian
(My teacher's son who is also the fit model in class)














Here are some candid shots from my very horrible camera. Final shots yet to come!

Fashion week roundup

Mens' picks: Junya Watanabe (patches and pockets), Rag and Bone (layering, pants), Y3 (fabric)
Womens' picks: YSL (reworking of classics), Jil Sander (flashes of color through), Prada (fabric)
*I still pledge my dislike for Chanel, but I LOVED the clear 'two-way' bag
Childrens' picks: Diesel (always!), Y3 (union suits), Catimini (prints)

(below: Rag and Bone, Jil Sander, Chanel>>>> courtest style.com)

Current inspirations...

last week was faeries. this week is woodstock retrospective.

Thesis

On the Road to Zen...

This Fall collection for boys aged 8-10 was inspired after a journey to a Tibetan settlement in South India.

Here are my sketches:
Look1: flannel plaid shirt with reflective tape applique, paired with patchwork cotton twill pants and a hand knit scarf.
Look2: a hand knit sweater with a cactus intarsia and wooden buttons featuring the large front flap and arm pocket; worn over corduroy separating pants with cargo pocket details, patchwork and reflective tape tabs.
Look3: A heavily embroidered 'map' sweater zip-up hoodie worn over a distressed printed knit tee and denim drawstring shorts. These shorts feature a snap-off pocket, clasp holder and cactus embroidery.
Look4: A fully lined cotton twill button down jacket worn over a hoodie-tee with cycle print and asymmetrical pockets, and green corduroy pants with accordion style snap pockets.
Look5: A quilted vest with reflective tape detail with a full sleeve knit tee with applique and print detail under, worn over deconstructed twill slacks with side and flap pockets.
Look6: A cotton-poly water resistant twill 6-pocket 'trench' coat, with a screen printed 'zen' tee under, over denim pants with rollover hem, reflective tape and back pocket embroidery.

Here are some fitting photos: