Fashion show photos from this September’s show are finally up on Helium Magazine’s website! Check out my photo gallery, along with the other talented designers that were featured in the show!

The show was tons of fun, and the guys at Helium did a great job. The lighting, music, and guest dance performance made the fashion show one of my faves yet.

Enjoy the photos!
xoxo

SBK

Space shuttle Atlantis heads for Florida landing (Reuters) | Learn …
Reuters – Astronauts aboard space shuttle Atlantis fired their ships braking rockets on Friday to leave orbit and begin an hour-long glide to Earth, the last leg of an 11-day mission to the International Space Station.

Shuttle Landing: Atlantis Astronauts Back On Earth
Space shuttle Atlantis and its seven astronauts returned to Earth with a smooth touchdown Friday to end an 11-day flight that resupplied the International Space Station. With bright sunlight glinting off it, the shuttle swooped through …

Space shuttle Atlantis heads for Florida landing – Reuters | Buzz …
Author: SciTech – Google News | Categories: Entertainment, Tech | Posted: 27 November, 2009.

Space Shuttle Atlantis Heads For Morning Landing – Technology News …
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Space shuttle Atlantis and seven astronauts are on their way home. Friday, November 27, 2009.

Space Shuttle Atlantis Is Back At Kennedy Space Center | AVIATION-NEWS
Space shuttle Atlantis has landed at Kennedy Space Center, Fla. The STS-129 mission that included three spacewalks and more than six days at the.

Space shuttle Atlantis aims for morning landing (AP) | Daily News Blog
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Space shuttle Atlantis is headed for a landing, weather permitting. The shuttles seven astronauts.

Space shuttle Atlantis heads for Florida landing | Buzz Newsroom
Author: Reuters Top News | Categories: Entertainment, News | Posted: 27 November, 2009.

Space shuttle Atlantis aims for morning landing – Technology …
(AP) — Space shuttle Atlantis looks to be headed for an on-time landing.

Space shuttle Atlantis aims for morning landing – Breaking News …
Space shuttle Atlantis is headed for a landing, weather permitting.

Where can I find a step by step description of what the space shuttle does to leave its orbit & land on earth?

the Space Shuttle, why does it take from Florida but lands in California after it s mission is complete?
I ve got a geography essay and we have to write a story about our own journey to the centre of the earth. Usually I would think this would be fun but we have to add geographical facts about the earth s core and that. We watched a movie called The Core and we were allowed to take some ideas from the film and put them into our essay. I looked up the film on wikipedia and looked at the plot and it said: When 32 people in Boston mysteriously drop dead, scientists Dr. Josh Keyes (Aaron Eckhart) and Serge Leveque are called in to investigate, and they discover they all had pacemakers which obviously ceased to work. A while later, flocks of pigeons in London s Trafalgar Square lose their ability to navigate, crashing into buildings, people and cars, and the Space Shuttle Endeavour is forced to crash-land because of unknown failure. After these events, scientists, led by Keyes and Conrad Zimsky (Stanley Tucci), discover that the Earth s molten core is slowly coming to a stop; without its rotation, the electromagnetic field will disappear, exposing the surface to the unfiltered solar radiation and will incinerate anything or anyone exposed to it. I don t understand how the core of the Earth would affect pigeons and pacemakers. Can somebody please give me a simple explanation? Sorry it s a bit lengthy.

I don t understand how this works? Please read this !?
Just wondering if there are any laws preventing me from doing space travel. I.e would i be breaking any laws if somehow I managed to create my own space shuttle and just flew out into space. Also are there any laws against damaging other planets? So if i landed on one and set off a couple of A bombs then came back to earth would I get put in jail? Its a weird and very pointless question I know but i was just wondering.

Laws about space travel?
I m building my very own Hot Air Balloon and when it s complete, I ll continuously apply as much hot air as necessary till I find myself in Space. I thought I don t have the resources and the time to become a professional astronaut and join NASA, and, most importantly, why does NASA spend billions of dollars building “Discovery” shuttle and launching it into Space, when I can actually fly to Space from my very own garden in London without asking for anyone s permission? I just want to make sure it s legal and I m not arrested by the police once I descent back to Earth. I want to go into the thermosphere (600 km. above Earth) and spend there a few hours and watch our blue planet from high above, and then come back to Earth. I know that the ascent will be very easy, as I use Hot Air Balloons all the time. It s very simple: raising the air temperature inside the envelope makes it lighter than the surrounding (ambient) air. The balloon floats because of the buoyant force exerted on it. This force is the same force that acts on objects when they are in water and is described by Archimedes principle. So, I ve calculated that by continuously going up and up, I will enter Space in about 2 hour s time. My primary concern is this: is there any law which regulates the traffic up there in Space? What if my balloon interferes with the satellites or ISS (International Space Station)? Can the authorities on Earth later on prosecute me for “reckless driving” (or “reckless flying”, as the case may be) ??? Also, since my departure point is London, England, and our planet rotates, is it possible, that once I start my descend, I ll land in some entirely different country, and can I be prosecuted for this?

Travelling to Space in a Hot-Air Balloon?
I m building my very own Hot Air Balloon and when it s complete, I ll continuously apply as much hot air as necessary till I find myself in Space. I thought I don t have the resources and the time to become a professional astronaut and join NASA, and, most importantly, why does NASA spend billions of dollars building “Discovery” shuttle and launching it into Space, when I can actually fly to Space from my very own garden in London without asking for anyone s permission? I just want to make sure it s legal and I m not arrested by the police once I descent back to Earth. I want to go into the thermosphere (600 km. above Earth) and spend there a few hours and watch our blue planet from high above, and then come back to Earth. I know that the ascent will be very easy, as I use Hot Air Balloons all the time. It s very simple: raising the air temperature inside the envelope makes it lighter than the surrounding (ambient) air. The balloon floats because of the buoyant force exerted on it. This force is the same force that acts on objects when they are in water and is described by Archimedes principle. So, I ve calculated that by continuously going up and up, I will enter Space in about 2 hour s time. My primary concern is this: is there any law which regulates the traffic up there in Space? What if my balloon interferes with the satellites or ISS (International Space Station)? Can the authorities on Earth later on prosecute me for “reckless driving” (or “reckless flying”, as the case may be) ??? Also, since my departure point is London, England, and our planet rotates, is it possible, that once I start my descend, I ll land in some entirely different country, and can I be prosecuted for this?

Can I Travel to Space and Back in a Hot Air Balloon?
Does anyone specialise in Space Law? I m building my very own Hot Air Balloon and when it s complete, I ll continuously apply as much hot air as necessary till I find myself in Space. I thought I don t have the resources and the time to become a professional astronaut and join NASA, and, most importantly, why does NASA spend billions of dollars building “Discovery” shuttle and launching it into Space, when I can actually fly to Space from my very own garden in London without asking for anyone s permission? I just want to make sure it s legal and I m not arrested by the police once I descent back to Earth. I want to go into the thermosphere (600 km. above Earth) and spend there a few hours and watch our blue planet from high above, and then come back to Earth. I know that the ascent will be very easy, as I use Hot Air Balloons all the time. It s very simple: raising the air temperature inside the envelope makes it lighter than the surrounding (ambient) air. The balloon floats because of the buoyant force exerted on it. This force is the same force that acts on objects when they are in water and is described by Archimedes principle. So, I ve calculated that by continuously going up and up, I will enter Space in about 2 hour s time. My primary concern is this: is there any law which regulates the traffic up there in Space? What if my balloon interferes with the satellites or ISS (International Space Station)? Can the authorities on Earth later on prosecute me for “reckless driving” (or “reckless flying”, as the case may be) ??? Also, since my departure point is London, England, and our planet rotates, is it possible, that once I start my descend, I ll land in some entirely different country, and can I be prosecuted for this?My balloon is stronger than the winds which I ll have to encounter. I ve got a very advanced hot-air injector which will blow air so rapidly into the “envelope”, that no wind could ever change my direction. I ve already sent my teddy-bear into Space in a similar hot-air balloon (unmanned, obviously). The only way for him (i.e. my teddy-bear) was up and up.

Is it Legal to Build My Own Hot Air Balloon?
1.)write 625 using exponents in many ways as you can 2.)the afican bush elephant is the largest land animal and eights about 8 tons.write this amount in expontial form 3.)SPACE SHUTTLE the cost of each flight of the space is about $10,000,000.write the amount in expontial form. 4.)many prefixes are used in mathmetics and science.the prefix giga in gigameter represents 1,000,000,000 meters. write this as a power of ten

some one give me these anwsers plz before the night is over plzzz?
On August 20, 1975 NASA launched Viking 1 into space in hopes of reaching the surface of Mars. This was one of a two identical spacecraft that had the purpose of successfully taking pictures, conducting biological experiments on the soil and atmosphere, and then returning that data back to Earth. The second, identical spacecraft, was shot off September 9, 1975.(1) The two orbited the planet looking for the perfect place to land. Vikings1 &2 were identical spacecrafts each consisting of an orbiter and a lander. The lander was to break away from the orbiter and land on the surface. It would then take pictures and conduct experiments on the soil.(2) It would then transmit the images and data back to the orbiter. The orbiter also had the job of transmitting all the information back to NASA. The firs images were transmitted 25 seconds after the shuttle landed. (2) The Viking shuttles, also conducted experiments to look for signs of life. Although The two landed successfully in different locations on the planet. Here they would stay transmitting images for seven years. They transmitted over 1400 images of the surface. They unsuccessful in finding traces of life on the red planet, but gave valuable information about the physical and atmospheric conditions on the surface.(3) Sources: 1. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/viking.html 2. http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=1975-075C 3. http://pds.jpl.nasa.gov/planets/welcome/viking.htm

What do you think of my diction question it is about viking 1 and 2~for class?

how does a space shuttle land?
Did anyone feel the sonic Boom from the Space Shuttle Discovery landing in Southern California???

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This past summer I had the pleasure of working as a makeup artist for the Lila Nikole Collection runway show. The event was held at the famed Miami Beach location, The Setai Hotel during Mercedes Benz Miami Fashion Week – Swim. For the models, swimwear designer Lila requested a natural/sun kissed look for the girls giving the illusion that they’d been laying out on the beach all day…

model, Maytee Martinez

In addition to doing makeup for 3 beautiful models, I was blessed with the opportunity to do the makeup for the shows designer Lila Nikole:

I love the rush and excitement of working backstage at runway shows!

Eclectiques!!!!

Ce quatuor est tout simplement débile. Il nous transporte dans un monde irréel, où tout; les couleurs, les textures, les drogues, les températures, les sons, le temps, est irréel. Connus grâce à la célèbre Canadienne Nelly Furtado, mais surtout dû aux créateurs de mode qui les font blaster lors des catwalks (comme l’a fait l’incomparable Karl Lagerfeld); Fritz Helder & The Phantoms personnifient l’avant-gardisme; ce sont eux qui décident what’s in, et what’s not.

Ils m’inspirent les côtés de la mode qui sont irréels, qui représentent le rêve innateignable. Ils jouent un rôle du début jusqu’à la fin, avec leurs poses de haute couture, leur vulgarité obsédante et leurs expérimentations sonores exquises. En voici un exemple d’eux en show:

House of Helder est le blog du groupe, où ils font part de leurs epicness avant-gardiste. Si vous aimez la mode (surtout New-Yorkaise), jettez-y un coup d’oeil aux quelques jours; leurs perspectives, opinions, connaissances et humour en vallent vraiment la peine.

Voici leurs vidéos “Making A Scene” et “Lagerfeld Lady”. Leur chanson/video la plus connue est Making A Scene, mais je préfère Lagerfeld Lady à cause du location . ♥♥ always paris

Making A Scene (où on apperçoit Nelly Furtado à 1:05):

Lagerfeld Lady:

gosh…karl lagerfeld is a genius.although i’m a bit retard in fashion sense, but yea..this man totally rocks.love the killer heels..aww, wanna buy them, but my mom gonna kill me for-sho if i do that..lolloveisfreyaislove

image from :nylon

So today, or rather, yesterday, my friends and I wandered into Crossroads Trading Company to try to rid our blues. I bought three dresses, a beautiful print knit bolero, and a bright blue peacoat. (I’m satisfactorily happier now.) On the way out, I spotted Red Marc Jacobs Wedges and a stunning pair of Gray Stella McCartney Boots. (Thank the lawd they weren’t my size, or i’d probably be out $250 by now.) But they were pretty reasonably priced at $100 (MJ) and $150 (SM). So if ever you are in the vicinity of a Crossroads, go check it out in all its glory.

Speaking of two of my favorite designers in the history of HUMANKIND, below are some of my favorite looks from their Spring 2010 runway shows. Stella McCartney’s collection was magnificent and by gods, I swear I will be there one day! Marc Jacobs’ collections (both Marc by March Jacobs and Marc Jacobs) were BOTH marvelous, although I tend to shy away from the more (dare I say it?) young-y looks of Marc by Marc Jacobs. Still beautiful to behold, however. Onward maties!

Stella McCartney;

Marc by Marc Jacobs;

Pretty much enthralled by this blouse and pair of shorts. Aren’t they just so cute?

Marc Jacobs;

Ahh, not only am I thankful for wonderful thrift stores, I’m thankful for the likes of you, Stella McCartney and Marc Jacobs. (Really! Your designs make me so excited I probably would pee my pants if I saw them in person!) Your dominance in the fashion world is only evidence of your brilliant minds and ongoing greatness. I cut my Turkey in honor of you! (OK maybe not true, I don’t eat Turkey. Or meat for that matter… hm I should get that checked out. ) Have a great Thanksgiving, peoples! And don’t forget to be thankful for your bestest designers. (:

Yours truly,

Lili Darling

STYLE GUIDE ACCORDING TO YOUR ZODIAC!

       For those who know me personally, know that I am a proud Virgo! Everything is somehow related to this fact. My attitude, work ethic, emotions, selection of friends, and now my STYLE! I came across this fun article online and I thought it would be fun to share with you guys. According to my reading below, I am conservative and always neat and “put together”.  I couldn’t have said it better myself! Even though I am a fashion designer, I seem to have more of a classic take on clothing. I adore high fashion but I am more comfortable viewing it on the runway rather than in my closet. Take a few seconds to view your sign. Let us know if it is a hit or miss!

Aries – They love the color red. They also like to wear the latest fashions and do not mind standing out in a crowd. However, Rams are also successful in the business world, so you will also find them in classic, power suits; dressed impeccably. Look for the red tie as a dead giveaway or a bright colored bag or shirt. Because the part of the body that Aries rules is the “head”, many wear stylish hats, scarves and barrettes. If an Aries man goes bald, he usually opts to shave his head rather than do a “comb-over.”

Taurus – These folks love clothing that is comfortable. Linen suits and dresses are favorites. Soft cottons and silky fabrics that are pleasing to the touch are favored. Bulls seldom go for the latest fads. They like high quality items but want to get them on sale. Discount designer stores are their passion. Neutral colors and earth tones are the best for a Taurus because he is an earth sign. The area of the body that Taurus represents is the neck and throat so many Bulls wear gold chains, necklaces, nice neckties and scarves.

Gemini – Anything goes here! Gemini’s dual personality favors all kinds of looks and styles. Gemini’s closets are brimming with outfits for every occasion. They love color and funky styles that are youth oriented. Gemini enjoys wearing a worn pair of sexy blue jeans with a tank top just as much as they love to dress up in a velvet evening gown or black tie tuxedo. The part of the body that Gemini rules are the hands so, bangle bracelets and pretty rings are some of their cherished accessories. Gemini also has a weakness for purses.

Cancer – Pretty, soft, feminine, vintage…these words describe some of the outfits you may find hanging in a Cancer woman’s closet. Cancer men hang onto the clothes they love and wear them out… or forever. That ratty old T-shirt from a Bon Jovi concert is a prized keepsake because it holds sentimental value for a Crab. Cancer like soft colors, especially white and shimmery pastels. About their jewelry, they usually prefer silver and pearls. Both men and women crabs love soft, cozy fabrics like flannel, velour and terry cloth.

Leo – Leo the Lion loves luxurious things. They usually have huge closets filled with lovely and expensive outfits or those that at least look expensive. They own big, oversized jewelry boxes too. Glittery, sequined shirts, skirts and dresses, bold colors, satins and silks are staples in the Leo’s wardrobe. They also like animal prints. Lions look for designer labels. Their favorite colors are red and gold. They are attracted to clothing that helps them “stand out” and is dramatic in some way. Jewelry, especially gold, is always a must-have” for a Leo.

Virgo – Virgo always has a “put together” look. These folks pay a lot of attention to detail so they always look neat and polished, even when they are wearing something very casual. They like the color blue and will often wear tailored, conservative outfits. Virgos are meticulous about the clothes they wear. They do not like anything too flashy, too tight or fashion fads that go out of style quickly. Virgo appreciates a good bargain and can spot a sale a mile away. Usually, their clothing and accessories are perfectly matched.

Libra – Libra loves clothes! They are very fashion-conscious and always strive to look their best. Since Libra is such a romantic sign, many women opt for lacy shirts and skirts, floral, feminine dresses and lots of jewelry. The Libra man always looks good in casual or eveningwear. His suits are tailored to perfection. His pastel shirts match his silk ties. Both sexes love perfume and cologne and probably wear a signature scent everyday. These are not “gaudy, flashy” dressers but people whose wardrobe gets them noticed because it has real style.

Scorpio – Sexy is a Scorpio word. Even though a Scorpio in a pair of polyester pants and a T-shirt does not appear seductive…think again. You really don’t know what they are wearing underneath those frumpy clothes, now do you? Many Scorpio opt not to wear underwear but those girls that do, report lacy bras and thongs as their favorites. The men may wear silk boxers. This sign loves anything black but you will also find they wear a lot of burgundy too. They like to leave “something to the imagination” when they dress up but still opt for clothing that entices. Sexy high heels and thigh high boots are favorite footwear for Scorpio women. Oh, and do not forget those dark sunglasses that help them look so mysterious.

Sagittarius – Sag are freedom lovers so they look for clothing that is comfortable and sporty. They love faded jeans and sweatshirts, oversized T-shirts and jackets. You will find Sagittarius own more than one pair of tennis shoes. Their look is fresh and casual. Purple is their color so you will find many Archer women love lilac, orchid and periwinkle hues. The people often wear jackets or sweat shirts advertising their favorite sports teams. They also love flannel shorts, hunting vests and leather jackets.

Capricorn – Goats are very serious about their wardrobe. They look for good quality clothing and often-designer labels. They usually wear tailored clothing, suits and well-fitted pieces. Gray, brown, tans, some blue and khaki are traditional Capricorn colors. They enjoy attention getting outfits but not the flashy fashions. Their briefcases and purses are status symbols and often will spend quite a bit of money for wallets and bags. They prefer comfortable, luxurious style clothing and would never think of going out in a pair of sweatpants unless they were a designer brand. Goats do not like rhinestones and glitz. Understated elegance is the way I would describe the Cappy’s style.

Aquarius – They are the first to find it, wear it and probably create it too — their own sense of style is important. Aquarius are first to sport the latest fashion fads. They do not care if the fringe jacket will be out of style next season. They will buy it and probably continue to wear it until it comes back in style again! 60’s and 70’s clothing is a favorite too. They mix and match everything and break all fashion rules. Aquarius likes to be different and do not mind being called quirky or unusual. They think whatever they wear is “cool” and a statement as to who they really are.

Pisces – Pisces rules the feet and therefore many Fish absolutely adore shoes. Pisces of both sexes tend to have a closet full of shoes. Fish are the daydreamers of the zodiacs so the women look for romantic fashions; chiffons and shimmering materials. Many prefer to wear skirts and dresses to pantsuits. Pisces guys like comfortable outfits rather than suits. Their color is greenish blue so you will find sea foam green and sea blue hues in their wardrobe. They adore jewelry and often wear too much at one time, adorning themselves with gold, silver and precious gemstones.

“What’s Lily Wearing?” Wednesday

Valentino Fall/Winter 2009 RTW

Ahhh, the smoky eye and nude lip.  They appear every fall/winter season with a comforting regularity, just like back-to-school, changing leaves, Thanksgiving turkey.  To see them on the Valentino runway as a pairing to the fur-trimmed coats and jewel-toned dresses is no surprise.  The 2009 update?  A darker, fuller brow.  Because every tradition needs a little tweak now and then.

Fanshawe fanshion students will strut their stuff  this Thursday November 26th, starting at 7pm at the London Music Hall. This years theme is focused on Rock n Roll inspired designs.

Fashion design and fashion merchandizing students work together on the show.

Tickets are $30 with proceeds going to My Sister’s Place.

Read more in the London Free Press

http://www.lfpress.com/life/fashion/2009/11/23/11888366.html

This 1980s inspired design, created by Tabitha Adams, is one of more than 50 designs that will be featured at the Rock N Roll Runway Revolution fashion show by Fanshawe College students Thursday at the London Music Hall.

Was für ein Anblick…

New-ish contenders to the Acne throne, Swedish jeans label The Local Firm is shaping up to be one cool brand. Originally started by Tiger of Sweden alumni Richard Hutchinson and Axel Nyhage, the brand not only provides seriously amazing sunglasses, but also clothing and jeans for men and women. The SS2010 runway show had grungy layering on the agenda, with mesh leggings with denim patches and some bondage strappy contraptions thrown in for good measure. I am having a serious fashion lust moment.

]]> http://ilivefashion.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/vivienne-westwood-ss-2010-paris-fw/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:11:26 +0000 fashionxlover http://ilivefashion.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/vivienne-westwood-ss-2010-paris-fw/

Not to express my feelings towards Vivienne Westwood’s S/S 2010 collection would be a crime for me. First of all, i have to mention the fact that the whole collection was inspired by the Gaia Theory – an ecological idea. Even eco-slogans were handed to all the guest and invinting them to sign up for Prince Charles’ Rainforest project. If you’re interested you can visit the website all about it: www.rainforestSOS.org

collection itself included the following: knitten tights, wrap-around dresses and of coarse how not to mention the make up: extremly volumized hair and pale Japanese styled faces. The whole make up was made kabuki-style. Kabuki is a traditional Japanese form of theater which was originated in Edo period. I am amazed by the proffesional composition of eco-touched subject and theater, and not any theater, but Japanese kind one.

(Just look at the details of the make up & hair. The color choices of the whole outfit)

—

As far as you see, the whole colletion was some kind of mixture. Eco-themed with Japanese theater details. Trully extraordinary. Mary Fritton with distinctly 16th century silohuettes, slouching peep-toe boots are worn with attention grabbing knee high socks, clashing pattern teamed with an oversized black tote, deconstructed mini-dresses are worn with ripped tights and dramatic heart shaped heels, Big belts and bold jewellery accentuate gathering over curves- all of it represented Vivienne’s amazing collection.

In addition I want to say that such collections is not really “my-favorite-clothes” type of thing, it’s just simply not my style, but it doesnt stop me from being absolutely fascinated by the work. It is a piece of art. It takes a little bit more then plain imagination and some sewing talen. Combine things that seems unconnected at all and turn it into something this amazing. Just take a look at all the details and you’ll know what im talking about. Patterns, colors and all the accessories made this collection, in my opinion, real beauty, not something to wear on the daily bases, of coarse, but deffinetly something to choose the details from and add it to your wardrobe.

xoxo

Eles não parecem scarpin de bonequinhas? O lacinho, o petit pois, um fofo um tanto quanto…exótico!  Essas maravilhas são de John Galliano, para a Spring 2010 collection.

NDRVSQ7AJGMV

Sasha Pivovarova:

Maryna Linchuk, Sasha, and Natasha Poly:Ginta Lapina and Sasha:Maryna Linchuk:Kinga Rajzak and Maryna:photos courtesy of style.com

Technically, I was going to say, “last night” but truthfully, it was this early morning around 3:24am… Where I found myself browsing Neiman Marcus online catalog looking at Gucci for Men & Women. LOL. Like I said before I just have the balls to wear woman/man’s clothing. Everything is unisex in my eyes. LOL! These are the two I fell in love with from Gucci Fall Winter Runway… I just thought about, “go bold or go home!”

[photo credits: Gucci]

Some of these items are sold at Neiman Marcus @ The Bravern or Shop Online

Or you can visit the Gucci Store in Downtown Seattle
1302 5th Ave, Seattle, WA
[ directly across the street from Louis Vuitton-Seattle ]

[Note: this is a guest post by Shenlei Winkler, CEO of the Fashion Research Institute, Inc., 419 Lafayette, NYC, NY 10013 [ph 646-688-4042] [fx 646-688-4043]

• Author, Designing Dreams: Best Practices for the Art & Business of Avatar Apparel Design & Development
• Author, Shengri La Spirit: A Designer’s Perspective of the Making of OpenSim

Fashion Research Institute has been working in virtual worlds for the past few years, exploring them as platforms and tools for use by the $1.7 trillion apparel industry.  We have since developed a design application, Black Dress Design Studio, which is currently in closed alpha. Black Dress shows promise of being a disruptive technology for the industry, as well as a game changer for the way product is developed in both apparel and in the much larger soft consumer goods industries.

As we worked in the virtual world space, our understanding of both the potential power and range of the platform, and our understanding of how to educate fashion designers using virtual world platforms grew and changed.  We knew that understanding how people learn is as critical to our success in bringing our application to market as making sure the application is ‘right’.  With that understanding as a basis, we launched a series of educational programs, which currently include our Shengri La Marketplace program and our student internships.

Both of these programs focus on educating designers and helping them achieve their dreams.  There are critical differences: the Marketplace program is intended to help designers of virtual goods, or ‘virtua’, develop their label in these virtual spaces.  These designers have varying educational backgrounds and they have a burning desire to create within virtual worlds.  Their product is not intended to ever be manufactured in the industrial complex, nor will it be sold through usual apparel industry retail channels.  This product is sold to the users of avatars for some of the same reasons we buy real life apparel – we want to customize our appearance in a way that sends a message to people who see us.  Obviously in a virtual world we don’t need to be concerned about fit or function, nor on manufacturability, which can be very freeing for the creative spirit.  The Marketplace program has a rolling admission deadline.

The internship program, in contrast, is designed to teach fashion student designers how to go through the process of developing a collection from original concept to final runway show.  Using virtual worlds as the platform, we take our interns through a fast-paced development sequence where they learn about both the art and business of design and development. 

Our internships run about sixteen weeks.  In that time the interns are expected to develop marketing concepts for their label, which include logo, showroom, storefront, customer service policies, packaging, and an overall look and feel for their line.  They use these concepts to present their actual collection to the virtual goods marketplace in Second Life.  The interns are expected to create all components of a collection during their internship – we have them create a mood board, color stories, and materials story, which we keep displayed in their workspace for reference. 

The interns are taught to develop product using the in-world content creation tools.  We maintain presence on several grids, and we usually have them prototype their designs on one of our OpenSim grids because there is no cost for developing on our grids.  When they are ready to develop for the marketplace, they develop their product on the Second life platform, package up their outfits, and place them in vendors.  They receive immediate feedback – either their outfits sell, or they don’t!
Our interns are expected to complete one look a week from their original sketches, developed in 3-6 colorways.  Our goal is to help the interns produce a visual ’story’ for their portfolio that shows they understand how the product development cycle works in the real life apparel industry.  Using these low risk platforms enables us to take our interns through the process at a nominal cost. They are encouraged to explore the full parameter space of their own creativity. 

Our final project with our interns is to help them produce a full virtual runway show with live models presenting their designs to a general audience.  These shows are group shows where the interns collaborate to define their theme, name the show and determine the run order for the models.  The interns are all individually responsible for styling their models and determining makeup, hair, and accessories to complete the look.  They must also select pre-determined poses for their models to strike at the end of the runway.

FRI has a team of dedicated volunteer models who generously offer their time for fittings and the show.  They also provide needed moral support and encouragement.  The FRI team builds the runway and make sure that all of the models are correctly styled.  We also manage the overall show including media and marketing.  In addition, we have an audience of supporters who are gracious enough to come to the shows and demonstrate their support of our student designers by blogging about their work, buying their work, and simply being present and giving these new talents a bit of an ego boost.  

At the end of the runway show, our interns have a chance to be recognized for all of their hard work by taking a bow on the runway.  They depart with valuable experience in the real life development process.  We stop short of pulling physical samples but the design cycle is the same and when the time comes for them to enter the work force, they will recognize the design process because they have already been through it. The educational process is fast-paced and demanding, and we set very high standards for them to reach. 

Virtual Goods Marketplace Trends

We’re particularly excited to be working with our student interns from Buffalo State university because we think the virtual goods marketplace will burgeon rapidly. In 2007, virtual goods accounted for $2.6 billion in sales.  Although the total value of virtual goods pales in comparison to the $1.7 trillion apparel industry, this market compares very favorably with the accessories market which generates about $1.8 billion in sales.  Various analyst reports indicate that the virtual goods marketplace is set to double in 2010.  Fashion designers are often encouraged to move into handbags and other accessories to add a new revenue stream and enable brand extension.  With virtual goods slated to open up further in 2010, designers should definitely consider this new niche market they can readily move into which can help them generate more sales in a completely new area.

Not only is there a business case to be made for providing design for this niche, but designers can also use the low-risk OpenSim platform to explore new design ideas, and to show their work 24/7 on special runways, where models can walk the catwalk at a touch of the button and show off designs as they are meant to be: in 3D and moving.

Virtual/Real Runway 3.0 Project

We are very excited to be working with the talented students designers from Buffalo State University, and we’re very much looking forward to our Spring work with them.  Working virtually, we will be helping them develop the exact same looks to present on our virtual runways as they will be showing in real life in their graduating senior runway show, ‘Runway 3.0′.  Our work with them will extend even outside of our virtual space. We’ll be taking a day to tour them through the fashion district in New York City, the home of fashion.  And finally, we’ll be working with them as technical fashion designers to help them create real world apparel with a decided technical bent: we’re going to help them add motors, lights, and more!

Virtual Intern Applications Being Accepted

We’re accepting new applications for our next internship cycle from Fashion Programs, which begins at the end of January.  Admission is highly selective.  For more information, please visit www.fashionresearchinstitute.com

spring is back, back again!

Chanel;

It’s so difficult to explain my love/hate relationship with the house of Chanel. I mean, there’s no denying it: mad props for the likes of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, who singlehandedly created a legacy for herself based on her self-taught designs and absolute drive for perfection. (My god, her designs were beautiful and classy.) And ever since then, her staple tweed jackets and suits have been twisted and turned for a variety of outfits, looks, and fashions. Chanel, as beautiful and wonderful and glamorous as y’are darlin’, sometimes I just have to wonder what the heck was Karl Lagerfeld thinking? I try to go into reviews as unbiased as I can, but with a name like Chanel, the standards are high and it’s rather easy to fall short sometimes. For this Spring collection, I get the vibe that Lagerfeld was channeling the 60’s.  Don’t get me wrong, some outfits I absolutely adore and would die for; but some, well some are just… not working to me.  (Note: the backdrop that the farmhouse setting gives is just marvelous. So much so, that some of the designs are rather drowned out, as opposed to emphasized like I think they meant it to be.) Below are a few favorites and few not-favorites. What do you beautifuls think?

oui above, non below

Collette Dinnigan;

Starting off dark, then becoming light before closing with dark, Collete Dinnigan’s Spring collection is a thing to behold! It gives one a sense of optimism, the feeling that dark times will always pass. Not only are the sheer fabrics free and flowing, the outfits look rather comfortable. I think I need to find myself a pair of those sheer black tights.  The only no-no? The clearly visible boobies under the sheer fabrics; the effect is rather crude and detracts from the overall design.

So to end this rather lengthy blog (I apologize profusely) on Karl Lagerfeld and Collette Dinnigan, I tip my hat off to you my good people, for a noticeable Spring 2010 collection!

Yours truly,

Lili Darling

http://www.style.com/slideshows/fashionshows/S2010RTW/CHANEL/RUNWAY/00340m.jpg

Alison Freed, a blog network owner, will guest blog on the Fashion Guru blog every so often to include her fashion tips and  researches.

Follow her on Twitter at @alisonfreed or read her blog at http://www.catwalkcatfight.com.

Enjoy!