Creative Synergy

On top of everything else that is going on, I am helping my old boss, Cathy Jahnke with Cjcommunications, with the grand opening of Barney's at Scottsdale Fashion Square in October. She purchased 150 mannequins and her concept is to have artists, designers and other imaginative types use the mannequins as their canvas and create something really spectacular.  The event will be called "The Mannequin Is Our Muse". 

The mannequins will be displayed through out Scottsdale Fashion Square, with the top 5 mannequins being auctioned off and the proceeds going to the Scottsdale Art Museum. Local celebrities will be the judge of the contest. Simon Doonan, creative director of Barney's, as well as installation artist Janice Leonard (AZ 88 and Bar 89) are both participating in creating a mannequin. 

I am collaborating with my friend Bob Wilkinson who is an architect and we might even get to work with another architect Bill Tonnesen on the mannequin project. 

I know NYC is a mecca of creativity, but everyday seems to bring more opportunities for some absolutely fabulous creative synergy right here in Arizona. I could sit and brainstorm with Bob for hours ideas on what to do with our mannequin. We are started experimenting last weekend with various ideas and art mediums. It felt like my soul was being artistically fed. 

And then there is my photographer Ashley Bugg we got together yesterday to do still-life shots of my headbands. It is like Ashley is my creative kindred spirit. She totally understands my vision and her ideas are off the charts! Working with her is a pure delight! And I am totally bouncing off the wall with ideas, excitement and concepts when I am around Ashley. 

Oprah's magazine "O" magazine contacted me about my headbands. And Ashley is going to help me put together a Look Book and Line Sheet for the magazine. I think our finished product will be pretty slick. And of course my mannequin with Bob is going to be out of control. 

Creativity, I love it! It is my addiction and high...

Pieces of Creativity

Last Monday I went to LA's garment district with Shannon. I was blown away by the array of supplies! They have everything! And in massive quantities! NYC's fabric/garment district is great, but everything is tight and cramped.  LA's garment district pushed things to a whole other level. I felt like I was in the Costco of fabric, beads and ribbon. The district stretched for blocks upon blocks and I barely was able to scratch the surface.

But I did pick up a lot of new supplies. And I am excited to start experimenting and designing. 

 I really have found my passion and niche'!!!!

I could do this every weekend!

Several years ago my sister invited me to a "Stamp It Up Party". We made all sorts of adorable hand-made cards. The gal that hosted it was named Ashley Bugg. Ashley is also a photographer.

When I told my sister I wanted to do a photo-shoot of my headbands while I was home, she suggested Ashley. I looked at her website and I was sold! She had exactly the type of look I wanted! 

We chatted on the phone and it was as if she was inside my brain, she totally got my "vision" and what I wanted to accomplish with my photo-shoot. 

I have some absolutely gorgeous friends, who fit the mold of the "Posh Prepster" so I asked them to be my models. They were thrilled and I figured since we were all friends it would be natural for the camera to pick up on our chemistry and bond. Editorial shoots can be amazing, but I did not want anything severe and stuffy. I wanted something playful and warm. 

Ashley was spectacular to work with and we all had an absolute blast "playing models" and striking poses. 

So thank you Erika, Jamie, Diana, Jaime and Kealey!!!!! And of course Ashley! 

I could not have asked for a better day. Today is one of my best friend's birthday, Kealey, but it was such a great day, it felt like my birthday :-)

I can't wait to see the final pictures! In the mean time check out Ashley's work

Ohh Balmain, why do you have to design such fabulous things?

Soo many shoe desires. I need to sell a lot of my headbands because there is always something new tempting me!!!!

The Adventure

For the past two weeks "gems from heaven" keep dropping out of the sky for me. 

My Monday began with several emails from Melky Jean (Wyclef's sister) personally thanking me for her birthday headbands and praising my designs, the NY Post came to the hair event at Henri Bendel and asked to photography my headbands, and then of course my most precious niece was born. It was killing me that I was in New York City doing my trunk shows while my sister was giving birth. 

But blessings were being sent to both my sister and I, and when things are great, they are often AMAZING! And my little niece sure is amazing! She is beautiful, and perfect, and the most priceless gift! 

However, listing all these great things is barely scraping the surface! I have been given the most incredible opportunities and it has all happened in less than a week! The chance to go global, and the chance to collaborate with two really big business ventures. 

It is interesting because this year has not been 100% smooth sailing, but when I learned to let go of "the bad" and just focus on what is important and re-direct my energy, well, I feel that God has then opened up some amazing doors for me. Negative energy is never good for anyone or anything. It is toxic and life is too brief to get caught up in it. 

The adventure is barely beginning, but I am excited to see what else is in store....Two of my all time favorite songs are 1) The Adventure by Angels and Airwaves & 2) About Midnight by Sarah Kelley -- both do a good job of explaining my life this past year...

Defining HOT

I don't even need to explain it! 

My roomates gave me gift cards to Manolo Blahnik a few years ago. It was a fabulous birthday present, but I am wondering if we could up the ante this year :-) 

Uptown Chic, Downtown Diva

I have so many stories I want to document from my trunk shows last week at Henri Bendel. It was quite the adventure and I met a slew of people, as well as some real "characters". For now, I 'll just post pictures...more of stories to come later....

signing off from Scottsdale for now...