Vision

Making mood and vision boards were practically a part of almost every class I attended at Parsons. And for good reason, it is an essential tool that communicates ideas, concepts, inspiration and vision in the fashion industry. I put together many boards while at Oscar de la Renta, American Eagle, and other private label firms.

Vision boards are not limited to only fashion either. Bob Wilkinson and I spent an entire Saturday covering a rather large piece of particle board with images from Dwell, Architectural Digest and other design magazines in order for me to show him what I wanted done to my "Beadle Box" remodel.

So last week when both Ashley Bugg and Alexandra Evjen suggested I create a mood board to help with my brand and latest collection, I WAS all about it. They had attended Promise Tangeman's "Show It" marketing and branding conference and Promise was talking about creating vision boards there. I figured it would be a great exercise for Tracey Martin and I.

Making mood boards ranks up with there with one of my favorite activities!

Forever Young at Abercrombie and American Eagle

Jay Z's "Young Forever" has been on repeat and it made me think about my taste in clothes.

I love fashion. Do I really need to even validate it -- I graduated from Parsons, worked in the industry, and lived in one of THE FASHION CAPITALS for 4 years. I have boots that cost as much as rent, a closet full of designer purses, jeans, and enough fashion magazines and Women's Wear Dailies to wall paper an entire house. And yet what do I revert to? Not Lanvin or Rodarte but Abercrombie and Fitch and American Eagle!

Seriously, I dress like a southern-California surfer girl. Ripped up jean shorts, denim skirts and tank tops! I appreciate, adore and enjoy almost every aspect of fashion, especially the creative process. But when it comes to buying and putting together my own wardrobe I am not the poster child for haute couture! And to top it off, I am shopping at retailer's that cater to the tween and teen market! I may be obsessed with Blair Waldorf and Gossip Girl, but I dress more like the cast of 90210 and The O.C.

Maybe it does come from growing up in sunny Arizona -- everything is relaxed and Phoenix & Scottsdale draw a lot of their energy & style from their next door neighbor, California.

I also think it is comes from liking to layer on the accessories -- bangles, headbands (surprise, surprise, I was buying insane head gear years before I even started designing them), and my dedication to rocking super-tall shoes and fantastic boots ;-) It really does boil down to being more a shoe and accessory girl. Wear simple staples and then rock out with the crazy shoes and accessories.