Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Fusion
Oh, and I got into this REALLY prestigious fashion show competition between Parsons and FIT called Fusion.
It's cool.
It's cool.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Meetings with Ms. Becker...oh, and I like, made a dress
Yeah, I know, SHOCK. I stayed home yesterday and actually got work done. I freaked out, too. I freaked out so bad that I ended up driving to Worcester last night at midnight because I was so confused about when I had actually gotten GOOD at this. This fashion thing, I mean. It's like I got lazy and motivated all at the same time...and it FREAKED ME OUT.
So the dress I...patternmade is Juli Spier's dress. It's one of the poofy skirted looks--the only dress with the poofy skirt, actually--and it's got a lowish cut swooping v neck. It's got the same bodice as my evening gown, which excites me because I HAVE SO MUCH LESS WORK TO DO THAN I ACTUALLY THOUGHT, and the fact that I've also basically completed three of my bottom halves is kind of sick to me, since I've already completed three of the others...basically. Then I just have draw string pants to "worry" about, and the bottoms are finished! ...with the exception of my gown...which I should do...yeahhhhhh
But the top was SO much easier than I expected! Like, SOOOOOO much easier! And it LOOKS GOOD. Okay, I think I'm done with caps for a while now.
And the model thing seems to be working out...although I should talk to Mister K at some point and grab the auditorium for some show rehearsals...yep, that sounds like a good idea. A very good one.
Oh, and Calvin Klein owes me $148.
So the dress I...patternmade is Juli Spier's dress. It's one of the poofy skirted looks--the only dress with the poofy skirt, actually--and it's got a lowish cut swooping v neck. It's got the same bodice as my evening gown, which excites me because I HAVE SO MUCH LESS WORK TO DO THAN I ACTUALLY THOUGHT, and the fact that I've also basically completed three of my bottom halves is kind of sick to me, since I've already completed three of the others...basically. Then I just have draw string pants to "worry" about, and the bottoms are finished! ...with the exception of my gown...which I should do...yeahhhhhh
But the top was SO much easier than I expected! Like, SOOOOOO much easier! And it LOOKS GOOD. Okay, I think I'm done with caps for a while now.
And the model thing seems to be working out...although I should talk to Mister K at some point and grab the auditorium for some show rehearsals...yep, that sounds like a good idea. A very good one.
Oh, and Calvin Klein owes me $148.
Friday, May 15, 2009
So...WISE...righttttttt
So I'll bet it's fairly obvious that I have not written in this in quite a while...QUITE a while. Basically, I'm starting to work on my fashion line now...and I'm NEVER going to be able to finish it on time, which really, really sucks. I'm trying to make only about 14 or so pieces...but that's two pieces a day, if you counted correctly (my presentation is June 1st) and if you take into account--my jobs, dealing with the student show (UGH) trying to set up the EVERYTHING for both shows (note to self: GO SEE MISTER K), dealing with Ms. Taub, dealing with the obligatory irrelevence of the requirements that WISE has set out (BOOK REPORTS?!?!) and the fact that I live in freaking Ashland now (thanks Mom)--I'm never going to get this sh...tuff done.
Anyways, I've been reading a bunch of fashion magazines for my reading...and this season kind of sucked. Everything is so dark and...I have to go to work...finish this later!
PEACE
Sam
Anyways, I've been reading a bunch of fashion magazines for my reading...and this season kind of sucked. Everything is so dark and...I have to go to work...finish this later!
PEACE
Sam
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
For Once In My Life
I'm going to Parsons next year. I should really be more excited than I am right now, but I lost someone. By his choice, not by anything bad. He just...can't see me anymore. Nor I him.
I saw my grandparents over Easter. They're paying for a large percentage of the tuition, so they feel like they can really ride me for this. Not gonna lie, they can. They said that they wouldn't give me a DIME until they saw my first semester grades, which means I really have to work my ass off while I'm there. I'm scared though. I'm scared that I just won't be able to keep up. I'm finally going somewhere where effort, although appreciated, really takes a backseat to quality. And results. And while I can generally produce both, producing them together, under stress, is going to be damn hard. Not that I'm too scared to try, but I am scared.
I miss Hugh.
Today is Day of Silence. I feel wrong typing this...I feel wrong in general.
I miss Hugh.
Today is Day of Silence. I feel wrong typing this...I feel wrong in general.
Monday, March 30, 2009
I love New York...but Parsons hates me.
So I went to accepted students day at Parsons this weekend, and honestly, I would start classes there right now if I could.
First there was this very awkward breakfasty kind of thing, during which I met these two girls...I only remember one of their names: Carmen Ortiz, who has yet to accept my facebook request on facebook. Carmen, if you're reading this, ACCEPT!! But anyways, we got free Parsons tote bags and t-shirts for like...the reason that tuition is RIDICULOUS. During the following presentation, they actually joked about it, saying like, "Okay, we're going to read off some names to help offset the financial burden! ...with free sweatshirts!" During that pause I suspect there was supposed to be laughter...but no, everyone got tense and their eyes bulged. They were like, "Oh, shit, right, recession...$55000 price of attendence...*gulp*." I honestly believe they should have given EVERYONE a sweatshirt for that lovely misstep. But one of these boys I sorta became friends with got one, so it was pretty a'right.
Then they took us on a tour of the fashion building, first serving us an AMAZING lunch--they really made everything wonderfully comfortable, even renting out some pretty nice busses to chaffeur us between the buildings. They showed us the fashion curriculum, promised we'd want to kill ourselves afterwards, told us we'd been eating lunch in the room Project Runway was filmed, sent us on a tour of the building, then we went back to the first building, where I sat through a presentation on housing while waiting for Brendan--my ex who goes to school in NYC--to show up so I could meet his roommates. My mother went to a financial aid consulation, and came back with puffy, red eyes. She'd apparently started crying because they told her we'd not be getting any financial aid...it was heart breaking.
I'm listening to "What You Want" from Legally Blonde: The Musical...and I'm getting ready to kick some ass on scholarships. I'm going to Parsons, and I'll be damed if someone dare tell me otherwise. Fuck FAFSA--I don't need assistance. I got enough motivation to get myself through this.
First there was this very awkward breakfasty kind of thing, during which I met these two girls...I only remember one of their names: Carmen Ortiz, who has yet to accept my facebook request on facebook. Carmen, if you're reading this, ACCEPT!! But anyways, we got free Parsons tote bags and t-shirts for like...the reason that tuition is RIDICULOUS. During the following presentation, they actually joked about it, saying like, "Okay, we're going to read off some names to help offset the financial burden! ...with free sweatshirts!" During that pause I suspect there was supposed to be laughter...but no, everyone got tense and their eyes bulged. They were like, "Oh, shit, right, recession...$55000 price of attendence...*gulp*." I honestly believe they should have given EVERYONE a sweatshirt for that lovely misstep. But one of these boys I sorta became friends with got one, so it was pretty a'right.
Then they took us on a tour of the fashion building, first serving us an AMAZING lunch--they really made everything wonderfully comfortable, even renting out some pretty nice busses to chaffeur us between the buildings. They showed us the fashion curriculum, promised we'd want to kill ourselves afterwards, told us we'd been eating lunch in the room Project Runway was filmed, sent us on a tour of the building, then we went back to the first building, where I sat through a presentation on housing while waiting for Brendan--my ex who goes to school in NYC--to show up so I could meet his roommates. My mother went to a financial aid consulation, and came back with puffy, red eyes. She'd apparently started crying because they told her we'd not be getting any financial aid...it was heart breaking.
I'm listening to "What You Want" from Legally Blonde: The Musical...and I'm getting ready to kick some ass on scholarships. I'm going to Parsons, and I'll be damed if someone dare tell me otherwise. Fuck FAFSA--I don't need assistance. I got enough motivation to get myself through this.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Internship: OVER
AND JUST AS MICHELLE OBAMA MIGHT START BUYING THEIR CLOTHES! No, seriously, her hairstylists come from the salon that is right next to the boutique in D.C. that has been SHOVING Sara Campbell clothing in the window of their storefront for the past few weeks. It's only a matter of time before one of those fruity little gay boys starts gabbing away ;D
But really, I am kind of sad--this internship has been the one (well, not THE one) source of pure happiness for me in what has been kind of a depressing time in my life. I'm going to miss hanging out around so much fabulosity every Tuesday. Kay seemed pretty sad over it, and she kissed me on the cheek and wished me good luck and offered me sewing instruction when I left. She's really been a great boss--kind and helpful, but at the same time she didn't let me forget that I was playing on her turf and during her time. She demanded responsibility and thoughtfulness whenever I was there, and she made sure I knew that. If you read this, THANK YOU KAY!!
But really, I am kind of sad--this internship has been the one (well, not THE one) source of pure happiness for me in what has been kind of a depressing time in my life. I'm going to miss hanging out around so much fabulosity every Tuesday. Kay seemed pretty sad over it, and she kissed me on the cheek and wished me good luck and offered me sewing instruction when I left. She's really been a great boss--kind and helpful, but at the same time she didn't let me forget that I was playing on her turf and during her time. She demanded responsibility and thoughtfulness whenever I was there, and she made sure I knew that. If you read this, THANK YOU KAY!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Parsons...
So I got some financial aid from Parsons today--loans that added up to $5500 for the first year. However, reading on in the letter, I learned that instead of each year costing me around $34000, as I initially thought, each year was going to cost around $55000...meaning that these loans basically did nothing.
My family doesn't have that kind of money. I'm getting $44000 from my grandfather for all four years, and something like $20000 from my father. The trustfund laid aside by my maternal grandfather is now only at about $14000, and even if I wait until the stock market wakes up, it was only about $60000 to begin with. That puts me at a grand (heavily optimistic and unlikely) total of $124000, which is $100000 short of what I need....I might be able to get $10000 in schloarships if I'm DAMN lucky... I just have no idea what to do...
Basically I have to quit my internship. I'll be telling Kay tomorrow. And then I'll have to put myself on the GAP schedule all week long--if they even decide they want to schedule me.
And as far as my WISE project is concerned...
My family doesn't have that kind of money. I'm getting $44000 from my grandfather for all four years, and something like $20000 from my father. The trustfund laid aside by my maternal grandfather is now only at about $14000, and even if I wait until the stock market wakes up, it was only about $60000 to begin with. That puts me at a grand (heavily optimistic and unlikely) total of $124000, which is $100000 short of what I need....I might be able to get $10000 in schloarships if I'm DAMN lucky... I just have no idea what to do...
Basically I have to quit my internship. I'll be telling Kay tomorrow. And then I'll have to put myself on the GAP schedule all week long--if they even decide they want to schedule me.
And as far as my WISE project is concerned...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
So back to WISE then...
I know, I know, I haven't posted anything onto this about WISE in about F-O-R-E-V-E-R, but I'm going to start again...somewhat of my own volition, too!
Basically, I've gone to Sara Campbell as often as I've been able to in the past two months...which is not as often as I would have liked to have gone. See, the transition on Klaus--the car my father lets me drive--decided it was going to break one tuesday night when I was out much later than I should have been and...well, et cetera. Klaus was, unfortunately, the only real mode of transportation I had to get to Sara Campbell. It was broken for three weeks. Then it was "fixed" and I got to go to Sara Campbell twice, if my memory serves me right. The last time I went, Kay actually was in New York, and she had given me the basically optional task of re-organizing some of her ribbon drawers. So I got the first fifth of them done that first week--I'd gotten there pretty late--and told myself I'd return the next week to complete the task. Unfortunately, Klaus' transmission broke AGAIN, and I was unable to return to Sara Campbell this past week to fix up the drawers, which means that Kay will probably NOT be happy when she returns to find them not really completed...she actually probably won't really care, or even remember I was supposed to do them, but still, I feel bad that I was unable...but now that Klaus is fixed, I'll be returning to S.C. this week and completing the CRAP out of those drawers! Darn it!
Oh, and now my mother is freaking out because she doesn't think we'll be able to afford Parsons...which FUCKING SUCKS.
Love,
Sam Donovan
Basically, I've gone to Sara Campbell as often as I've been able to in the past two months...which is not as often as I would have liked to have gone. See, the transition on Klaus--the car my father lets me drive--decided it was going to break one tuesday night when I was out much later than I should have been and...well, et cetera. Klaus was, unfortunately, the only real mode of transportation I had to get to Sara Campbell. It was broken for three weeks. Then it was "fixed" and I got to go to Sara Campbell twice, if my memory serves me right. The last time I went, Kay actually was in New York, and she had given me the basically optional task of re-organizing some of her ribbon drawers. So I got the first fifth of them done that first week--I'd gotten there pretty late--and told myself I'd return the next week to complete the task. Unfortunately, Klaus' transmission broke AGAIN, and I was unable to return to Sara Campbell this past week to fix up the drawers, which means that Kay will probably NOT be happy when she returns to find them not really completed...she actually probably won't really care, or even remember I was supposed to do them, but still, I feel bad that I was unable...but now that Klaus is fixed, I'll be returning to S.C. this week and completing the CRAP out of those drawers! Darn it!
Oh, and now my mother is freaking out because she doesn't think we'll be able to afford Parsons...which FUCKING SUCKS.
Love,
Sam Donovan
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
PARSONS CHALLENGE: SUSTAINABILITY
For my Parsons Challenge, I decided to skip the physical objects that lay around me unnoticed, and instead focus on the issues going on in the world right now, funneling them into a medium I could understand: clothes. Unfortunately, I really wasn't able to find anything that hadn't been shoved in my face by FOX NEWS that I felt could be interesting enough to make something out of. However, one day I was looking through my friend Hugh McIntyre's clothing line, Something Used--which donates money to special causes for every t-shirt it sells--and came across a shirt that paid to "prevent 1,000 pounds of carbon pollution from ever existing". Now, I didn't like the shirt (although I bought every other shirt in the collection) but the idea made me research more into his small company. Turns out he pays off all of the carbon pollution that his shirts create. This made me think--what effect does fashion have on the current environmental crisis? That's when I discovered sustainability and with it, my Parsons Challenge.
1. Waste Not (Even when it's really ugly.)
100% Polyester Stretch Satin, 100% Polyester Print Organza
In the process of attempting to redecorate our house, my mother went looking to replace the white lace curtains in our living room in order to find something to match our new couch. Unfortunately, these were two of the fabrics she bought. After I convinced her that neither of these were attractive choices, she finally gave up on the idea and kept the white curtains. Personally, I think the white curtains are very pretty. Either way, we ended up with several hideously ugly sets of curtains. But instead of throwing them in the trash, I figured I could make clothes out of them--after all, fashion seems pretty obsessed with ugly prints, lately. So I whipped this up over the summer, and upon choosing sustainability for my Parsons Challenge topic, I realized that this could fit in really well. I draped this on a form with my friend Erica's measurements in mind, and found that these two fabrics really made me think of Renaissance era gowns when I put them together--contrasting the ugliness that they had as separates.
2. Paper or Plastic? (No, really.)
Plastic bagging, 100% recycled paper, paper shopping bag, 100% organic cotton linen shirt(not my creation)
When I was a freshman in high school, I used to work at my local supermarket as a bag boy, and probably asked "Paper or plastic?" somewhere in the realm of an infinite number of times. After asking, I'd occasionally strike up a conversation about how paper was better for the environment, and the customer and I would complain about how plastic bags had no real purpose after they were used. Except to pollute the environment, that is. I quit the supermarket at the beginning of my sophomore year, and never gave the issue much thought afterwards, until I started working at Gap during my senior year. One day, I was ringing a customer up, and she said she wanted a plastic bag, and I asked "Even though paper is better for the environment?" She then proceeded to explain how supermarkets had begun setting up bins for plastic bags to be recycled, and, after confirming this myself with a rare sojourn to the market, I started to wonder--now which is more environmentally friendly? This skirt-suit is my question, just in fashion form.
3. Go Green: EXTREEME
Pine needles, Bodice and skirt support made from old, recycled t-shirts (tank-top model's own)
Okay, yes, I spelled "extreme" incorrectly, but I figured that the fact that the skirt on my dress (pictured here) is made of pine needles would make it some sort of rather adorable pun. Anyway, when I started thinking about my last challenge garment, I decided I wanted to do something actually using a plant to represent eco-friendly fabric. However, I also wanted to keep in mind the need to remain fabulous--as several green fabrics are quite dowdy and/or dull, in my opinion--which always means "texture" in my mind. However, then I started thinking about how such a thing would reflect the current economic status of the country; after all, it would have to be affordable and appropriate. So I thought and thought and thought, and came up with nothing. So I looked out my window (which I've found helps everything make sense) and found myself staring straight at my pine tree, which was layered like a flapper dress, which I last year learned were popular during the Great Depression era. I got inspired.
Love ya,
Samuel Joseph Donovan
PARSONS PORTFOLIO
"Aretha the Ornament"
35mm Film Camera
Cocktail Dress
100% Polyester Ombre Duchesse Satin

Fashion Sketch
Graphite Pencil, Ink Pencil, Asstd. Fabrics
Fashion Sketch
Graphite Pencil, Ink Pencil, Asstd. Fabrics
"Boston Un-Common"
35mm Film Camera
"Smooth as Glass"
35mm Film Camera
Monday, January 26, 2009
How I love these late nights...
So I've officially decided to stay up all night long to finish my plant dress, and then just sleep it all off tomorrow (hey, afterwards I only have one more thing to make, then I shoot them, and I'm DONE). But I've kinda hit a road block--it seems the layers need more support...in others words, they droop. Severely...I may also need to take the thing in few inches, coz it's pretty effing HUGE, and I don't know if it's going to hold itself up against it's own weight!
Oh well...off to sew-land.
Sam
Oh well...off to sew-land.
Sam
I'm Supposed to be Doing A Spanish Project...
But instead I'm listening to "Rent" and explaining what "grading" is.
Grading is basically sizing a garment. And essentially, to do it, you rotate the pattern piece around a central bust point--the apex of the dart.
Wow, that was shockingly easier than I thought it would be.
Anyways, yesterday Zoe asked me if, for the final collection that each of us is doing, if we would rather do it together, so that it would be more impressive. Now, no offense to Zoe, but when it comes to sewing, I kick her ass. Like, MAJORLY. And what concerns me is that she sort of regards it as a secondary to actual design, which is fine...if you're Vera Wang. Unfortunately, we are rather far from it, and right now, sewing should pretty much be our focus. I mean, Jason Wu PERSONALLY sewed Michelle Obama's inauguration gown, and I mean, it was sewn DAMN WELL. And even though he's kind of a bland designer (it's like Oscar de la Renta without the glamour or the texture...which is basically nothing) he's still madly successful, which is somewhat encouraging to me, since I'm much more focused on finishing and presentation than whimsy and creativity.
Whatever, I'm considering, but I'm having a very difficult time seeing the pros in this, other than if it worked, it would be AMAZING. But I have a damn long list of cons:
-Zoe gets rejected from Parsons and becomes depressed and doesn't want to anymore or is just very difficult to work to with.
-We never have a chance to work on it together.
-I end up doing almost all of the work and Zoe still tries to claim half the credit.
-Zoe and I have hugely conflicting ideas.
-We're too indecisive and get nothing done.
Basically, all of these end in major amounts of passive agression, and a friendship break-up, whilst the former (amazing turnout) results in like, honors.
So conflicted...
Sam
Grading is basically sizing a garment. And essentially, to do it, you rotate the pattern piece around a central bust point--the apex of the dart.
Wow, that was shockingly easier than I thought it would be.
Anyways, yesterday Zoe asked me if, for the final collection that each of us is doing, if we would rather do it together, so that it would be more impressive. Now, no offense to Zoe, but when it comes to sewing, I kick her ass. Like, MAJORLY. And what concerns me is that she sort of regards it as a secondary to actual design, which is fine...if you're Vera Wang. Unfortunately, we are rather far from it, and right now, sewing should pretty much be our focus. I mean, Jason Wu PERSONALLY sewed Michelle Obama's inauguration gown, and I mean, it was sewn DAMN WELL. And even though he's kind of a bland designer (it's like Oscar de la Renta without the glamour or the texture...which is basically nothing) he's still madly successful, which is somewhat encouraging to me, since I'm much more focused on finishing and presentation than whimsy and creativity.
Whatever, I'm considering, but I'm having a very difficult time seeing the pros in this, other than if it worked, it would be AMAZING. But I have a damn long list of cons:
-Zoe gets rejected from Parsons and becomes depressed and doesn't want to anymore or is just very difficult to work to with.
-We never have a chance to work on it together.
-I end up doing almost all of the work and Zoe still tries to claim half the credit.
-Zoe and I have hugely conflicting ideas.
-We're too indecisive and get nothing done.
Basically, all of these end in major amounts of passive agression, and a friendship break-up, whilst the former (amazing turnout) results in like, honors.
So conflicted...
Sam
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
So....Obama Became Prez Yesterday...
So I figured it was time for a blog! Seeing as the last time I wrote one, he had just been elected... This may also be due to the fact that Ms. Becker is just about 25 seconds away from driving a spike through my face for not sleeping last night because I was talking to a melange of gay men, and for also not posting one of these in, oh...7 weeks? So now I'm getting her into trouble. And I feel bad.
Whatever.
Yesterday I went to Sara Campbell, as I do most every Tuesday. I had to park on the street for the second time EVER, and the whole time I was panicking, thinking I was going to walk out to a nice, fat ticket from one of the nice fat police officers who live in the station 50 feet away. But it never happened...so yesterday I helped Kay tape fabric swatches to the line overview, which I LOVE ever since my FIT portfolio... it's kind of masochistic. And that took a good hour or so. After that, I cleaned up the design room while she went...somewhere...and I organized the fabrics while nearly passing out--I've been talking to lots of gay men this week--from exhaustion. But that really is one of my favorite things to do, sorta fabrics, because then I get used to dealing with them, and I'm learning how to classify them. Yesterday I just put a bunch of stretch woven in the knit pile...but that's how I learn, I guess.
I also got to help "design" a skirt and a jacket yesterday! Which basically meant giving my opinion as Kay designed it--something tells me I would not be a very good design influence for the Sara Campbell style. But still, I told her what I thought was off, and basically just agreed with almost everything she said, since she was pretty right...I also suggested that she double a fringe for the bottom of a dress, which she did. It gave me a nice feeling of pride and stuff. Sara was supposed to come up and look at the skirt and jacket (she was downstairs hosting a party for the Cancer Society or something) but she forgot. Kay was kinda upset, but her knee had been feeling better, so I don't think she cared that much. She decided that it would be better for us to just go home than to disrupt Sara's party.
Also, they have the yummy kind of twizzlers in the store now! I'm SO excited.
So yeah...In the past months, they've also taught me how to grade and skirt, and I've helped trace out patterns for overseas production, which was the MOST FUN EVER...both of them, I mean.
I also finished my FIT portfolio since the last time I posted. Kay helped me identify some fabrics, and I colored in my sketches, and made a BEAUTIFUL black gown (which my mother looked AMAZING in) and then almost left my phone at the post office, but the lady there ended up being really nice, actually, after her initial meanness, which I understood--I showed up with 3 minutes to spare.
But yeah...I'm starting to figure out that Fashion is better than sex...not that I know what sex is...or even how to spell it...
:P
SJ Donovan
Whatever.
Yesterday I went to Sara Campbell, as I do most every Tuesday. I had to park on the street for the second time EVER, and the whole time I was panicking, thinking I was going to walk out to a nice, fat ticket from one of the nice fat police officers who live in the station 50 feet away. But it never happened...so yesterday I helped Kay tape fabric swatches to the line overview, which I LOVE ever since my FIT portfolio... it's kind of masochistic. And that took a good hour or so. After that, I cleaned up the design room while she went...somewhere...and I organized the fabrics while nearly passing out--I've been talking to lots of gay men this week--from exhaustion. But that really is one of my favorite things to do, sorta fabrics, because then I get used to dealing with them, and I'm learning how to classify them. Yesterday I just put a bunch of stretch woven in the knit pile...but that's how I learn, I guess.
I also got to help "design" a skirt and a jacket yesterday! Which basically meant giving my opinion as Kay designed it--something tells me I would not be a very good design influence for the Sara Campbell style. But still, I told her what I thought was off, and basically just agreed with almost everything she said, since she was pretty right...I also suggested that she double a fringe for the bottom of a dress, which she did. It gave me a nice feeling of pride and stuff. Sara was supposed to come up and look at the skirt and jacket (she was downstairs hosting a party for the Cancer Society or something) but she forgot. Kay was kinda upset, but her knee had been feeling better, so I don't think she cared that much. She decided that it would be better for us to just go home than to disrupt Sara's party.
Also, they have the yummy kind of twizzlers in the store now! I'm SO excited.
So yeah...In the past months, they've also taught me how to grade and skirt, and I've helped trace out patterns for overseas production, which was the MOST FUN EVER...both of them, I mean.
I also finished my FIT portfolio since the last time I posted. Kay helped me identify some fabrics, and I colored in my sketches, and made a BEAUTIFUL black gown (which my mother looked AMAZING in) and then almost left my phone at the post office, but the lady there ended up being really nice, actually, after her initial meanness, which I understood--I showed up with 3 minutes to spare.
But yeah...I'm starting to figure out that Fashion is better than sex...not that I know what sex is...or even how to spell it...
:P
SJ Donovan
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
OBAMA GOT ELECTED PRESIDENT ON MY BIRTHDAY!
Well, technically, the day before it, but I need something to brag about since I didn't get to vote for the guy.
Anyways, today I went to Sara Campbell and I couldn't for the life of me focus a single second, although I am on track to get quite a bit done with what I learned today. They've given me a basic shirt pattern to screw around with, and I think it's going to be fun. Essentially, I'm going to transform the basic pattern into my own design with a series of tracings, cuts, speculations, guesses, and most of all beads of sweat--working on clothes gets warm.
I ended up leaving an hour earlier than normal, feeling fairly light headed, and drove home, nearly getting into an accident with a large truck. I didn't have any other problems on the ride home, but opted out of the traditional "dinner out" with my family in order to just chill out at home. We got Cantonese/Japanese/Thai food, which I don't remember eating.
Anyways, the internship today, I think, was a major step--they're letting me create on my own. Not even I let myself do that. It just always seems to result questionably. Except for those times where it's a staggering success.
Anyways, today I went to Sara Campbell and I couldn't for the life of me focus a single second, although I am on track to get quite a bit done with what I learned today. They've given me a basic shirt pattern to screw around with, and I think it's going to be fun. Essentially, I'm going to transform the basic pattern into my own design with a series of tracings, cuts, speculations, guesses, and most of all beads of sweat--working on clothes gets warm.
I ended up leaving an hour earlier than normal, feeling fairly light headed, and drove home, nearly getting into an accident with a large truck. I didn't have any other problems on the ride home, but opted out of the traditional "dinner out" with my family in order to just chill out at home. We got Cantonese/Japanese/Thai food, which I don't remember eating.
Anyways, the internship today, I think, was a major step--they're letting me create on my own. Not even I let myself do that. It just always seems to result questionably. Except for those times where it's a staggering success.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
W.I.S.E. Moments
So I'm converting this previously aimless and pointless blog into something school related. Hopefully, the people reading this don't hate me for writing it so late, but unfortunately...actually, I don't have an unfortunately.
Anyways, my W.I.S.E. goal was to get an internship at a major fashion label in Boston for clothing design and pattern-making, and then to use those skills to make a 30 PIECE collection by the end of the school year (and then to divide them into 12 LOOKS). For college purposes, I am trying to make up 12 pieces by January 1st--the deadline for most of my applications, including the two most important ones, FIT and Parsons.
I have now been attending this internship every Tuesday for the past five or six weeks. The first visit I had with Ms. Wiener (one of my WISE teachers) went splendidly and Peter Wheeler, the man I interviewed with who is also one of the heads of the company, seemed to like me quite a bit, and decided to give me a shot.
MY second visit had not really been scheduled, so I was given the monotonous task of counting and sorting zippers for five hours. However, I didn't NOT enjoy myself, as I figured this was what I was going to have to deal with for the first part of my internship to make me earn my cred.
However, the third visit proved this theory wrong, as I was immediately thrust into the hands of Marie Rosa and Pina, two of the pattern makers at the company (Maria Rosa, I believe, is the head of that dept.) They gave me a basic skirt pattern to try out, and they helped me draft it into a skirt. The first day I got very, VERY much done, as I converted a simple a-line pattern into a pencil skirt pattern. This was mostly due to the fact that I had this day off from school, and was fully rested and able to get a lot done.
The past four or so times have been less productive, as I don't want to do anything wrong, but I also don't want to disrupt the workroom flow. I have also been slown down by having to use the industrial machines, which are quick and very hard to manage, especially compared to my personal machine at home.
I am almost done with the muslin of the skirt at this point, and would very much like to include a photo, but I'm not very technically savvy--as you can see below--so I'll figure out how to do it later.
Currently, I am working on four garments: A jacket and dress of my own creation; a pair of wide-legged pants from a VOGUE pattern; and the skirt I manipulated from the Sarah Campbell pattern.
I'm VERY busy.
Anyways, my W.I.S.E. goal was to get an internship at a major fashion label in Boston for clothing design and pattern-making, and then to use those skills to make a 30 PIECE collection by the end of the school year (and then to divide them into 12 LOOKS). For college purposes, I am trying to make up 12 pieces by January 1st--the deadline for most of my applications, including the two most important ones, FIT and Parsons.
I have now been attending this internship every Tuesday for the past five or six weeks. The first visit I had with Ms. Wiener (one of my WISE teachers) went splendidly and Peter Wheeler, the man I interviewed with who is also one of the heads of the company, seemed to like me quite a bit, and decided to give me a shot.
MY second visit had not really been scheduled, so I was given the monotonous task of counting and sorting zippers for five hours. However, I didn't NOT enjoy myself, as I figured this was what I was going to have to deal with for the first part of my internship to make me earn my cred.
However, the third visit proved this theory wrong, as I was immediately thrust into the hands of Marie Rosa and Pina, two of the pattern makers at the company (Maria Rosa, I believe, is the head of that dept.) They gave me a basic skirt pattern to try out, and they helped me draft it into a skirt. The first day I got very, VERY much done, as I converted a simple a-line pattern into a pencil skirt pattern. This was mostly due to the fact that I had this day off from school, and was fully rested and able to get a lot done.
The past four or so times have been less productive, as I don't want to do anything wrong, but I also don't want to disrupt the workroom flow. I have also been slown down by having to use the industrial machines, which are quick and very hard to manage, especially compared to my personal machine at home.
I am almost done with the muslin of the skirt at this point, and would very much like to include a photo, but I'm not very technically savvy--as you can see below--so I'll figure out how to do it later.
Currently, I am working on four garments: A jacket and dress of my own creation; a pair of wide-legged pants from a VOGUE pattern; and the skirt I manipulated from the Sarah Campbell pattern.
I'm VERY busy.
Labels:
Fashion,
Pattern-making,
Sarah Campbell,
WISE
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Blogs are too difficult to write.
Well, that last entry was a BUST. It took me five whole hours to do it and it looks like shit on at least one of my four different available computer that I have to use. If that made me sound wealthy, it was misleading, although my sister does have a strange new device which she calls a macbook. It enjoys taking my picture while I use it. I've haven't really ever felt more violated in my life by a machine, except my sewing machine on occasion, but that's purely accidental. Either, I want to list a few of my favorite designers. I think I tried this a while ago and it didn't work. Most likely the failure was caused by the fact that I tried to use photographs. I won't make that mistake again.
Anna Sui-One of my earliest favorites. I like her because although much of the time I find her clothing ridiculous and a little too harajuku-thriftstore-punk-blah, I am also never bored with her. I always enjoy looking through her pieces, picking out which seperate components of her outrageous outfits are destined for rip-off by other designers, forever21, etc. Honestly, for such a seemingly modest fashion house, she perhaps holds some of the greatest influence over the U.S. and British fashion industries. Hell, half the couture collections look like Sui with longer skirts and more frivolity.
Miuccia Prada-Another of my favorites because she always manages to grow on me, and the fashion world as well. Besides being the one of the few garment-focused designers who hold some SERIOUS ground in the shoe market--it is rare to see a season where her shoes are not constantly popping up in Vogue, her ideas are possibly the most refreshing in fashion. Whenever I finish looking at a Prada show, I feel somewhat...tingly, like a cool vapor has just brushed over my body. Her love of fucking with fabric, however, is my favorite aspect of her. Coats with ombre blended fabrics, 3D lace, pleated hoop esque skirts have been HUGE hits in my book, and seemingly the rest of the fashion worlds, even if, at first glance, the things seem to be trainwrecks.
Yves Saint Laurent-I'm still looking through his work, but from what I see, I LOVE.
Stefano Pilati-I doubt that his generation of new designers has a match for him. Even Marc Jacobs, king of the American avant garde, could learn a thing or two from Pilati. This man lands a spot on my list for not only honoring the asthetic of his house's founder, but for also creating looks that will most likely land him the same kind of revere that Saint Laurent himself has earned. Anyways, onto his clothes. Breathtaking. With the precisely perfect amounts of originality, simplicity, elegance, and beauty, his clothes are nearly flawless. He tends to be another one to grow on the fashion world, and one who it can always turn to in a time of need. He understatedly sensual silohuettes breathe new life into what is considered sexy by the world, and the thought that goes into say, something like a giant, voluminous coat that still flatters a woman's body and acknowledges it's existence is simply genius.
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez-I wish I were these boys. Honestly. A senior thesis collection in BARNEY'S, spreads everywhere, international fame as the next big thing, revered for bringing "chic" back to the U.S.--that's got to be a lot to handle for a pair of twentysomethings. And on top of that they just keep getting better and bette at what they do. The boys have a sense of wit that is matched by few--taking menswear from all different time periods and revamping it into classy, youthful womenswear--and a patternmaker that many would kill to have. But anyways, I'm going to stop and go to sleep now, I'll gab about the Proenza Schouler Boys another day.
Anna Sui-One of my earliest favorites. I like her because although much of the time I find her clothing ridiculous and a little too harajuku-thriftstore-punk-blah, I am also never bored with her. I always enjoy looking through her pieces, picking out which seperate components of her outrageous outfits are destined for rip-off by other designers, forever21, etc. Honestly, for such a seemingly modest fashion house, she perhaps holds some of the greatest influence over the U.S. and British fashion industries. Hell, half the couture collections look like Sui with longer skirts and more frivolity.
Miuccia Prada-Another of my favorites because she always manages to grow on me, and the fashion world as well. Besides being the one of the few garment-focused designers who hold some SERIOUS ground in the shoe market--it is rare to see a season where her shoes are not constantly popping up in Vogue, her ideas are possibly the most refreshing in fashion. Whenever I finish looking at a Prada show, I feel somewhat...tingly, like a cool vapor has just brushed over my body. Her love of fucking with fabric, however, is my favorite aspect of her. Coats with ombre blended fabrics, 3D lace, pleated hoop esque skirts have been HUGE hits in my book, and seemingly the rest of the fashion worlds, even if, at first glance, the things seem to be trainwrecks.
Yves Saint Laurent-I'm still looking through his work, but from what I see, I LOVE.
Stefano Pilati-I doubt that his generation of new designers has a match for him. Even Marc Jacobs, king of the American avant garde, could learn a thing or two from Pilati. This man lands a spot on my list for not only honoring the asthetic of his house's founder, but for also creating looks that will most likely land him the same kind of revere that Saint Laurent himself has earned. Anyways, onto his clothes. Breathtaking. With the precisely perfect amounts of originality, simplicity, elegance, and beauty, his clothes are nearly flawless. He tends to be another one to grow on the fashion world, and one who it can always turn to in a time of need. He understatedly sensual silohuettes breathe new life into what is considered sexy by the world, and the thought that goes into say, something like a giant, voluminous coat that still flatters a woman's body and acknowledges it's existence is simply genius.
Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez-I wish I were these boys. Honestly. A senior thesis collection in BARNEY'S, spreads everywhere, international fame as the next big thing, revered for bringing "chic" back to the U.S.--that's got to be a lot to handle for a pair of twentysomethings. And on top of that they just keep getting better and bette at what they do. The boys have a sense of wit that is matched by few--taking menswear from all different time periods and revamping it into classy, youthful womenswear--and a patternmaker that many would kill to have. But anyways, I'm going to stop and go to sleep now, I'll gab about the Proenza Schouler Boys another day.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
NEVER WATCH THE FREAKING BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
Seriously, it's why I'm still awake at 3:30am on a Wednesday posting a entry on this poor bastard of a blog. So creepy.
Something else I find creepy--this blog/profile has had FOURTY-SEVEN views (count'em: viewviewviewviewview-viewviewviewviewviewviewviewviewview--you get the point) and not one comment. It reminds me about how someone told me that one of our mutual acquaintances had been reading my facebook wall-to-wall with my boyfriend. I hope I never find out in either case: I can deal with creepy, just as long as I don't know that it's going on.
Anyways, I've just had a marvelously fashion past two days. I finally started sewing another of my original garments (although I still have yet to put the lining into my first coat...I have to fix that coat...) only this time in the form of a dress. I screwed up the pattern. It hurts, coz I lost the original piece. I have to finish a portfolio by November! Shit, I have to actually show that I'm naturally good at this!
I should write in this more often; it's quite lovely.
I just finished reading "What Happened to Nancy", by Anonymous. It was really sad toward the end. The end wasn't sad though, strikingly enough.
After that useless bit of information, I'll get onto Project Runway 5, AuNTM 4, and Project Runway Australia, now. That's why I signed on in the first place--I was commenting on ProjectRungay! Love that site...
First, we have the cast of characters from ProjRuns this year. I say characters for a reason--Bravo obviously took note of the snoozefest that was last season (despite the most talented top 3 EVER) because they just grabbed a bunch of fashion students this year. Seriously. Well, except for that Asian guy who got canned last night, but he's too almostfamous for the show anyways. That'll be what I call him from now on--almostfamous. Whatever, his "look" resembled a superhero axemurdered who had an alias as a nursing home cleaning lady.
She doesn't look very happy about it, anyways. The thing on her head just screams maid, no? And he KEPT IT ON! Whatever. He was almostfamous, anyway. The other horrendous things about this have to include the gloves, the awkward--and kind of creepy--cape, the make-up, and let's not forget the fact that this man was CLEARLY trying to rip-off Louis Vuitton. Someone should have told almostfamous here that if it almost doesn't work for Marc Jacobs, it doesn't work for ANYONE.

But then again, what's ProjRuns without a little catastrophic bullshit?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you NOT-licious, the Siriano wannabe:
Anyways, I'm going to get down to what I call Gorg and Gags--guess what it is.
GORG:For me, a large bunch of "Gorg" garments is definitely a good sign. Unlike last year's first challenge--which had very few items worth mentioning, honestly--this team put together some truly creative and interesting garments. I initially had four of these, but I narrowed it down to what I believe were the two best. The other contenders were: Keith, Daniel, Joe, Wesley, and Terri--for her weaving.
First off, Korto: FANTASTIC. My favorite from the get go, and it only got better. You've got hand it to the girl, with all the resort collections coming out, this looked like it could have come straight off Furstenberg's runway. Granted, the trim at the top makes the dress, and something similar and more durable would really be necessary if that garment were to ever be sold in stores, because the bulkiness at the top makes the dress seem more...wearable, to tell the truth. Girl knows balance, that's for sure. We'll let "Veggies" keep her real name, since this week she wins the GORG of the Week Award.
Then there is Kelli. I'm really happy that Sweet P could get her little sister on the show! And then the girl won a challenge! At least SOMEBODY in the P household could score one! Honestly, the dress is adorable, and it was nice to see someone dye-ing for the first time since SEASON ONE. Questionable boobies, though.
Skipping what I call the "Filler" looks, I'll just get down to "GAGS".
GAG: Enough has been said about Jerryalmostfamous, so I'll just give him a slap in the head for making that poor, sweet, anorexic model think she's fat, and be done with him. He's going home. Jerry, along with Emily, Stella, and Jerrel, was also a contender for Gag of the Week.
Now, I don't have anything against Cowhide's dress when I first look at it, but then I consider one thing: HIS NAME IS FREAKING SUEDE. If you must insist on having a name like that, please, also be amazing and don't just staple confetti onto a tablecloth, sew it up the back and call it a dress.

Honestly, I can't figure what is worse--the albino beaver that has been flattened against his excuse for an article of clothing(WHAT THE FUCK IS IT SUPPOSED TO BE, ANYWAY?), or his delusion that he will be the next Christian. Because, NOT-licious, Christian was there for the clothes, not the attention whoring. NOW GET THE FUCK TO WORK and STOP IT with the "girlicious" nonsense, because your dress just won my GAG of the Week Award.
Anyway, Alex should have won AuNTM, because Demelza is a bitch.
Watch Project Runway Australia. It's on YouTube. I'm tired.
Something else I find creepy--this blog/profile has had FOURTY-SEVEN views (count'em: viewviewviewviewview-viewviewviewviewviewviewviewviewview--you get the point) and not one comment. It reminds me about how someone told me that one of our mutual acquaintances had been reading my facebook wall-to-wall with my boyfriend. I hope I never find out in either case: I can deal with creepy, just as long as I don't know that it's going on.
Anyways, I've just had a marvelously fashion past two days. I finally started sewing another of my original garments (although I still have yet to put the lining into my first coat...I have to fix that coat...) only this time in the form of a dress. I screwed up the pattern. It hurts, coz I lost the original piece. I have to finish a portfolio by November! Shit, I have to actually show that I'm naturally good at this!
I should write in this more often; it's quite lovely.
I just finished reading "What Happened to Nancy", by Anonymous. It was really sad toward the end. The end wasn't sad though, strikingly enough.
After that useless bit of information, I'll get onto Project Runway 5, AuNTM 4, and Project Runway Australia, now. That's why I signed on in the first place--I was commenting on ProjectRungay! Love that site...
First, we have the cast of characters from ProjRuns this year. I say characters for a reason--Bravo obviously took note of the snoozefest that was last season (despite the most talented top 3 EVER) because they just grabbed a bunch of fashion students this year. Seriously. Well, except for that Asian guy who got canned last night, but he's too almostfamous for the show anyways. That'll be what I call him from now on--almostfamous. Whatever, his "look" resembled a superhero axemurdered who had an alias as a nursing home cleaning lady.
She doesn't look very happy about it, anyways. The thing on her head just screams maid, no? And he KEPT IT ON! Whatever. He was almostfamous, anyway. The other horrendous things about this have to include the gloves, the awkward--and kind of creepy--cape, the make-up, and let's not forget the fact that this man was CLEARLY trying to rip-off Louis Vuitton. Someone should have told almostfamous here that if it almost doesn't work for Marc Jacobs, it doesn't work for ANYONE.

But then again, what's ProjRuns without a little catastrophic bullshit?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you NOT-licious, the Siriano wannabe:
Anyways, I'm going to get down to what I call Gorg and Gags--guess what it is.
GORG:For me, a large bunch of "Gorg" garments is definitely a good sign. Unlike last year's first challenge--which had very few items worth mentioning, honestly--this team put together some truly creative and interesting garments. I initially had four of these, but I narrowed it down to what I believe were the two best. The other contenders were: Keith, Daniel, Joe, Wesley, and Terri--for her weaving.
First off, Korto: FANTASTIC. My favorite from the get go, and it only got better. You've got hand it to the girl, with all the resort collections coming out, this looked like it could have come straight off Furstenberg's runway. Granted, the trim at the top makes the dress, and something similar and more durable would really be necessary if that garment were to ever be sold in stores, because the bulkiness at the top makes the dress seem more...wearable, to tell the truth. Girl knows balance, that's for sure. We'll let "Veggies" keep her real name, since this week she wins the GORG of the Week Award.
Then there is Kelli. I'm really happy that Sweet P could get her little sister on the show! And then the girl won a challenge! At least SOMEBODY in the P household could score one! Honestly, the dress is adorable, and it was nice to see someone dye-ing for the first time since SEASON ONE. Questionable boobies, though.Skipping what I call the "Filler" looks, I'll just get down to "GAGS".
GAG: Enough has been said about Jerryalmostfamous, so I'll just give him a slap in the head for making that poor, sweet, anorexic model think she's fat, and be done with him. He's going home. Jerry, along with Emily, Stella, and Jerrel, was also a contender for Gag of the Week.
Now, I don't have anything against Cowhide's dress when I first look at it, but then I consider one thing: HIS NAME IS FREAKING SUEDE. If you must insist on having a name like that, please, also be amazing and don't just staple confetti onto a tablecloth, sew it up the back and call it a dress.
Honestly, I can't figure what is worse--the albino beaver that has been flattened against his excuse for an article of clothing(WHAT THE FUCK IS IT SUPPOSED TO BE, ANYWAY?), or his delusion that he will be the next Christian. Because, NOT-licious, Christian was there for the clothes, not the attention whoring. NOW GET THE FUCK TO WORK and STOP IT with the "girlicious" nonsense, because your dress just won my GAG of the Week Award.
Anyway, Alex should have won AuNTM, because Demelza is a bitch.
Watch Project Runway Australia. It's on YouTube. I'm tired.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
I Could've Danced All Night...
And I did beg for more; you'd better believe it.
Last night/this morning were amazing. I felt things I've never felt before in so many different contexts, most of which I'll have to omit from this entry, lest someone should (gasp!) read this blog. It just felt so very, very nice to experience that kind of wholeness, that kind of caring.
Who would have thought that something as simple as having someone voluntarily carry your bag for you could be so touching? Or that question--that simple question--could ever possibly make me feel the way it did.
My body is drowning in serotonin and dopamine. I love it.
Sam
Last night/this morning were amazing. I felt things I've never felt before in so many different contexts, most of which I'll have to omit from this entry, lest someone should (gasp!) read this blog. It just felt so very, very nice to experience that kind of wholeness, that kind of caring.
Who would have thought that something as simple as having someone voluntarily carry your bag for you could be so touching? Or that question--that simple question--could ever possibly make me feel the way it did.
My body is drowning in serotonin and dopamine. I love it.
Sam
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