WorldUgly's blog

When the designer of Alyssa Nicole walked up at Chictopia 10 decked out in one of her own tiered creations with an oversize bow on her head, you knew a sweet, youthful collection was to follow. Her collection lived up to her personal outfit choice, with a sweet palette of pink and purple that drove away the cold, grey world outside for a few minutes. In the interview she talks creme brulee and classic films.

How long have you been designing Alyssa Nicole?
I have been designing my clothing line for 2 years, I started when I was 16 and still in highschool and I have been designing ever since.

What is the girl you envision wearing Alyssa Nicole like? What are her interests, passions, lifestyle?
The type of girl I imagine wearing my clothing is very outgoing and social, fearless, open-minded, she would generally be interested many different genres of music and films, her passions would include art, vintage clothing, and classic films. I picture her having a very busy and upbeat lifestyle, like going out to lunch with girlfriends on her break from work, then going out for cocktails later that night. She has to be properly dressed for each occasion, so I try to design many different types of dresses to fit that lifestyle.

Do you wear your own creations a lot?
I do wear the clothing I make quite often, plus it always fits me better then clothes I could buy at a store.

Where do you start when you design?
For my past few collections I have been starting my designs with colors and moods/feelings. Lately I have been starting to design with silhouettes and fabrics in mind. It’s different every time.

What films or music have been inspiring you lately?
The movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s is always in the back of my mind, I like to design simple and elegant cocktail dresses, but as far as music goes The Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer have had the biggest influence in my designs lately.

The palette at the Chictopia Conference seemed to be a lot of pink and purple—is this a common thread with all your collections? Do you choose your colors seasonally? Are these your favorite colors?
I ended up designing my entire Spring 10 collection in pink because I wanted the collection to be cohesive. Two completely different ideas and concepts inspired my Spring 10 Collection, so I figured if the silhouettes and design details are different then the colors and fabrics have to be the same. I don’t really choose my color pallets seasonally, I guess it’s just whatever I’m feelin at the moment.

A lot of pieces seem very sweet, so what are your favorite sweets?
My favorite sweet is creme brulee. I also like all sour candy, cupcakes with pink frosting, lemon tarts, I definitely have a sweet tooth :)

You were wearing an adorable bow in your hair at the conference—did you make that? Do you see yourself creating a line of accessories anytime soon?
Thank you! The bow is actually from American Apparel (I work there part-time). I really do want to design a line of accessories, but it’s been hard since I am still in school. When I graduate I will probably start designing accessories.

Any funny stories related to Alyssa Nicole?
Luckily I have not had any bizarre situations with my clothing line yet, I do get a lot of weird requests for custom Halloween costumes though.

What are your goals and aspirations for the Alyssa Nicole collection?
In the future I would like to have my own boutiques and runway shows every season. I also plan on designing menswear, children’s wear, and bridal. My main goal is to create a clothing line that make women feel beautiful and confident when wearing my designs.

What are you most looking forward to this spring?
This spring I am most excited for warm weather, finishing my first year at school, and being able to ride my bike without worrying if it is going to rain or not.

For more visit Alyssa Nicole’s website.

~The Clothes Horse

I have several more interviews of Chictopia 10 showcased designers in-progress to share with you, but I thought I’d break up the interviews with some more “routine” posts like my around the world in four snaps. There’s always so much inspiration flooding the web through street fashion sites, that it seems plain wrong to go a week without sharing at least a few here.
I’m a strong believer that “fashion rules were meant to be broken.” In all the hype and attention and magazines, I think sometimes people forget that fashion should be fun. There’s already so many regulations and laws dictating our lives, we shouldn’t allow anyone to dictate our wardrobe as well!
So, the broken-rules I’m showcasing? First up, splendid examples of socks with open-toe shoes. Now, some people will always loathe this look, but personally thick socks make my summer shoes wearable in winter and I’m always looking at ways to reinvent seasonal items in every type of weather.
So, while fashion rules have been made, they take so much joy out of dressing that in my opinion, they are better off ignored!

London, England via Vanessa Jackman

Tokyo, Japan via Drop Snap

New York City, USA via Mr.Newton

Copenhagen, Denmark via Facehunter

~The Clothes Horse

My third interview of the designers showcased at Chictopia 10 is with Triskadekaphobia. The name (don’t ask me to pronounce it for you!) means the fear of the number thirteen and their collection lives up to the intriguing, brooding name. Shortly after Triskadekaphobia showed, there was a brief break; Erin and I used that time to charge their table and ogle their pieces up close and personal. We were both particularly captivated by a silver ring depicting a sea monster attacking a ship. The lady pictured here is Tiffany, one half of the two girl team that designs Triskadekaphobia. Read about their interests in Henry Darger and their hopes for the collection.

How long have you been designing Triskaidekaphobia?
We started in the spring of last year, and our current collections hit the stores in December.

What materials do you like to work with?
We mainly work with metal, but we also like to try to incorporate as many different materials as possible. We have quite a few leather collars and cuffs, and have experimented with laser-cut leather, and we also use laser-cut acrylic and stainless steel. We also try to incorporate a few stones, beads, and crystals here and there.

What type of girl wears Triskaidekaphobia?
Us! Like most female designers I know, Christina and I design for ourselves. This isn’t based solely on our individual style, but also on what we happen to be interested in at the moment, what music we’re listening to, what films we’re watching (we watch a lot of movies while we work!), and most importantly, what price-point we can afford (not too expensive!). I think the girl who wears our jewelry has a similar sense of curiosity, and believes that personal style extends beyond what you wear, and encompasses how you live and what you react to. I am always on the quest for special and unique articles of clothing or objects, and I believe that the girl who chooses to wear our jewelry is similarly discerning.

What sort of clothes should be worn with your jewelry?
I wouldn’t ever dictate what should/should not be worn with our jewelry. I think anything that expresses one’s personal style works very well!

Are there trends in your jewelry? Like a certain element in a new collection that you will be repeating?
We will always try to incorporate contrasting and contradictory imagery. We like taking things that might seem creepy or disgusting, and then transforming them into something beautiful, or making something that looks superficially very girly or pretty, like a bouquet of flowers, and hiding a skull or a skeleton in them. It’s always about creating that strange juxtaposition, and that’s what makes the pieces special and unique.

You mention (the intriguing) Henry Darger as an inspiration. Any other favorite artists that inspire you?
All sorts—it changes from season to season. For the last collection, we were heavily inspired by the work of David Lynch, and the television show Twin Peaks, as well as the musician and outsider artist, Daniel Johnston. We were also inspired by the book and the film, Wisconsin Death Trip. A common thread of fantastical delusion runs through all of these sources of inspiration, and we think this can be terrifying, yet magical, and the source of incredible creativity and beauty.

Many of your pieces seem like they could belong in a Grimm Brother’s story, do you think of stories when you design?
Definitely. As I mentioned, we take a lot of our influence from books and films, and when we design our pieces, they are almost meant to fit into some of those narratives. For example, this season the owl necklace we made was a reference to the owls of Twin Peaks, the restraint motif a reference to the restraints of the insane asylum of Wisconsin Death Trip.

What is your favorite piece from the new collection?
One part of our new collection was inspired by the Jim Henson film, The Dark Crystal. We made a cuff and a claw ring inspired by the bird/dragon creatures in the film, The Skeksis, which I adore.

I don’t see any of earrings; do you design earrings?
We do design earrings! Just not as many of them since people seem to prefer buying necklaces!

What are your goals/aspirations for Triskaidekaphobia?
To be able to quit our night jobs promoting parties every week so we can support ourselves off this 100%! And, not to sound too corporate, but we would love to double the amount of stores we have this season.

Can you share an interesting or amusing story somehow related to jewelry?
Well, I could tell you the story about how we got those teeth, but I don’t think you would talk to us anymore! If there is any interesting story, it’s that naming our company Triskaidekaphobia is kind of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. In our designs, we take things that are somewhat malignant, or maybe unlucky, and turn them into something strangely beautiful. In real life, and in the process of working on the line, we have encountered our fair share of bad luck, but we’ve thus far always managed to fight past it and make it work out for the best somehow. When things have gone wrong—and things have gone awfully awry—I’m always happier with what we’ve done to fix them than with what the results would have been if things had gone ok in the first place.

For more of Triskaidekaphobia visit their site or read their blog.

~The Clothes Horse

Each of the designers that were showcased at Chictopia 10 had their own, unique vibe. When the ladies of Alexandra Grecco took center stage, it was like a fragrant spring breeze entered the room leaving a wake a flower petals and these nymph-like creatures. I won’t ask how they braved the NYC cold in lacy onesies, but from my view: it was worth it. Meet the lovely mind behind the beautiful line, modeled here by Hannah of Hannah and Landon…

When did you first start designing and/or sewing?
When I was pretty young. My mom sewed a lot when I was growing up so I picked up a few tricks from her. My first design I remember creating and being particularly enthusiastic about, was a newsprint paper shoe held together with giant staples – made for pure comfort and practicality, obviously.

Has your style or aesthetic changed over the years?
Yes, though I’ve always favored vintage. When I was a teenager I was definitely a mod 60’s kid of gal, wearing shift dresses that were probably too short and tacky knee high boots to school. It seems to me that my inspirations gradually go down by decades. Right now I’m really into the 1920’s-40’s. Perhaps when I reach an advanced age, I’ll favor biblical times and dress like a coquettish Moses.

Who is the Alexandra Grecco girl you design for?
She’s a world traveler, even if only in her mind. I imagine she’s a girl who longs to explore and doesn’t mind getting lost in a big city or ghost town. I’m sure she prefers frolicking through fern fields while whistling to shopping at the mall. She’s a little clumsy too but always ever so charming and lovely.

I love the ambiance in your photographs. Do you have any favorite films/directors or photographers that inspire you?
Thank you! I really love Jonathan Miller’s version of Alice In Wonderland from the 60’s, and Bergman’s Wild Strawberries. Some older silent films like City Lights and Pandora’s Box are really gorgeous, as well as Diary Of A Lost Girl and Georges Méliè’s, A Trip To The Moon. I love Blowup and some french new wave like Vivre Sa Vie, and some awful campy 70’s vampire film called “Let’s Scare Jessica To Death”. Gosh! There’s so many! I find most of Sophia Copala’s films to be really lovely, too, like Lost In Translation and The Virgin Suicides and some Wes Anderson, as well. Wendy Bevan is my favorite photographer, I think the colors and saturation in her photographs are brilliant. Other photographers I find inspiring are, Miroslav Tichý, Natasja Fourie, Man Ray, Ellen Rogers and my wonderfully talented friends, Hannah and Landon Metz and Dan Estabrook. I think that should do! Right?

I noticed a lot of scallops and bows in your last collection. Any other details you really love? Or what type of little additions are you currently into?
Right now, I’m on the hunt for vintage buttons and lace trimming. I’ll wait to share the other details till my Fall 2010 collection is revealed ; )

Your pieces are always styled so nicely. Any chance you’ll move into an accessories line?
I would love to, perhaps eventually. I’ve been trying to convince my sister to start a line of vintage inspired headbands, she’s more talented than she realizes.

What are you most looking forward to this spring? (fashion related or otherwise)
Looking for my very own apartment and decorating it!

Do you have a favorite piece from your spring collection?
My “Let Them Eat Meringue Mini” was the first piece I designed for my collection, so It’s pretty special to me. I love the overall lightness and simplicity of it.

What do you like to do when not designing?
I play a lot with photography. I’m trying to teach myself how to use some old cameras I’ve been collecting. I also paint and am planning on doing something paint-related for my next collection!

What are you listening to lately?
It changes often, but I like to dig through the radio archives on WFMU.org. They usually have a bizarre and diverse mix, from Ali Farka Toure to 50’s garage rock and Northern Soul. Last night I found a radio station that was playing really old Greek music which kept me entertained during a drive deep into Pennsylvania. The new El Perro Del Mar album is pretty nice, too.

Do you have goals or a vision for Alexandra Grecco?
I’d like to keep my business intimate and manageable. I don’t know that I want my clothes everywhere because it’s possible they could lose their sort of chic-homespun appeal. I’m also working on ways to incorporate more vintage into my collections.

Can you share one of your favorite memories?
Maybe when I moved to London a few years ago. I didn’t know a single person or much about getting around the city. I had saved up enough money to do some traveling and had absolutely no plans. It was the most surreal feeling to wake up and realize I was miles and miles from home. I was sick to my stomach and confused for days but eventually made my way to a pub, had a pint, an awful meat pie and made some really incredible friends. I don’t know if it’s my favorite memory, but it’s certainly the memory of a feeling I’ll never forget.

For more visit Alexandra Grecco, or purchase a piece here.

~The Clothes Horse

One of the wonderful designers showcased at Chictopia 10 was the husband and wife team, Craig and Lauren, behind Corvus Noir. Corvus Noir is a jewelry line that takes vintage finds and reworks them into one-of-a-kind jewelry treasures. Currently, they offer three different lines at different price points, so there’s something in the store for everyone. For those who missed the presentation, here’s an interview with the great minds behind the line.

How long have you been designing Corvus Noir?
We’ve been designing Corvus Noir reworked vintage costume jewelry since January of 2009. In April we had enough handmade, one-of-kind pieces to start selling at the NYC designer markets and online. We had no idea things would get moving so quickly, we’re thrilled.

Who wears Corvus Noir? The client you envision when you design?
When we started out, we thought our customer would be the fashion forward 20 or 30 something who loved mixing vintage into their modern wardrobes. We’ve spent almost every weekend since April selling at a market and learned quite a few things. Our customer base is a lot wider than we’d anticipated. We have a cult following of young people that love our jewelry, but we also have an older set of customers that remember when the reworked vintage styles were originally popular.

Honestly, I design pieces that I’d love to wear. My wardrobe’s mostly vintage and I take pride in knowing that everything I make is handmade and one of a kind. It’s important to have items that are unique, well-crafted and won’t go out of style in a year. Our customers have strong personal style and they understand that they’ll be getting a rare piece that is made to last.

What has been inspiring you lately?
Craig and I are addicted to Mad Men. The vintage fashions on that show are so inspiring. Betty and Joan are seriously glamourous. I started making the gold chatelaine pencil necklaces because of Joan, she always wore one around the office.

Whenever I’m working in my studio, music is playing. Craig is obsessed with indie and electronic music. Every night he’s downloading new releases and sneeking them into my iPod. I’ve been listening to a lot of Junior Boys and Spoon lately. Pandora.com is a good friend of mine, the Rat Pack and Motown stations are my faves.

When you design a piece do you let your finds sort of “speak to you” or do you go in with a specific design or idea in mind?
I let the piece speak to me, but after making hundreds of necklaces it starts becoming instinctual. The focal point is usually the pendant, so sourcing is very important. When buying vintage, you need to have an open mind and be patient. Looking for something too specific can make things real difficult. The beauty of vintage shopping happens when you discover an item you never knew existed and it exceeds any expectations you could have set. I have a couple huge boxes of vintage chains and rosaries, I sift through them till I find three or more chains that complement each other.

Do you have a favorite find?
I bought a pair of silver lorgnettes from the 1920s for $10 from a street vendor. When I brought the piece in to sell at the market, a colleague noticed some hallmarks on the frame looked like gold marks. I took them off the table and had them appraised from a few antique dealers. I discovered that the frames were white gold-filled frames and were worth around $200. I saved them for my personal collection… looove these little steals.

Do you ever have trouble selling your pieces, meaning you would prefer to keep them?
Most definitely, it happens ALL the time and drives Craig crazy. If a piece is too valuable to sell at a reasonable price or has some sentimental value, I put it away in my overflowing jewelry box. I am also building a personal collection of special pieces that i can wear to promote my designs.

Any funny stories related to your jewelry line?
I think its funny when customers struggle to say our name, like we’re going to be upset if they say it wrong. You can say it any way you’d like and in no way will we be offended. We knew picking a fairly obscure name would have its challenges.

What are your goals or aspirations for Corvus Noir?
Long-term, We want our brand to be a major contender in the jewelry industry. We think our pieces are unique, timeless, high-quality and reasonably priced. We feel really strongly about reworked vintage costume jewelry, especially since everything is handmade and one of a kind. We love that every piece has a history, whether it’s the time period it was created in or the previous owner’s initials chiseled into it’s surface. Short-term, we’re taking a break from the market after this Saturday and we’ll be focusing on getting into NYC boutiques and putting more designs on line.

What are you most looking forward to this spring?
We feel blessed to have showed our collection at Chictopia10. It was a great experience and everyone had such amazing things to say about our work. We’ve already met a ton a great people because of it and we’re excited to see what other opportunities present themselves in the near future. Warmer weather would also be a HUGE improvement :)

For more of Corvus Noir visit their site.

~The Clothes Horse

So, while I was in NYC for the Chictopia 10 Conference I totally saw The Sartorialist and Garance Dore canoodling on a street corner. Okay, so technically Erin saw them first, but I still saw them with my own eyes. If we hadn’t been in a taxi, I would have run up to them and begged to take their photo. They probably would have looked at me like I was crazy and refused, still I can say for a fact: they are real and she is much taller than him. Just saying.
On to the meat of the post: around the world in four snaps and I’m focusing on neutrals. It is a bit strange that someone who longed for a neon yellow prom dress has made this shift into a love of earth tones. Yet lately, a warmer, softer palette has been very pleasing to my eyes. Which isn’t to say I’m going to be trading out my aqua nail polish permanently, perhaps for me at least it will be all about balance. Mixing in those brights that I like in a vintage scarf or a colorful bag or shoes.

London, England via Facehunter

Copenhagen, Denmark via CopenhagenStreetStyle

Melbourne, Australia via MelbourneStreetFashion

Tokyo, Japan via DropSnap