LA Fashion Week Volunteers Wanted for 'Project Ethos'!

Announcement: My friends at Project Ethos are seeking LA Fashion Week volunteers! If you wanna get involved (or you know of others who believe in the explosion of fashion, music, and art), be sure to make contact. 

If you've yet to attend and want to find out what really goes down at a Project Ethos event, be sure to check out some of my event recaps in Agenda Magazine: 

"A Not-to-Miss Night Out at Project Ethos!" (Dec '13)

"Project Ethos Embraces Unique and Edgy at the Avalon in Hollywood!" (May '13)

"Cheers to a Project Ethos Night of Cute-Themed Cocktails, a Breathtaking Collection From a Boston Designer, and Boys on the Catwalk!" (July '12) 

Scion, Project Ethos Continues To Spotlight New Talent at LA Fashion Week, Uniting a Diverse Crowd of Guests!

(Mark your calendars!)

More than 2,000 attendees expected at the growing fashion, music and art showcase event of the season, put on by Scion and Project Ethos! Taking place at its usual hotspot, Avalon Hollywood, this event always maintains its ability provide creative stimulation all around. I've attended several shows over the last few years, and each one is quite unique. Fashion show details:

(Click here to check out full release.)

Another reason to mark March 18th on your calendar, Scion and Project Ethos effectively reel in tons of industry folk as well as fashion, art, and music lovers together. Thanks to this LA Fashion Week presentation, I was able to cross paths with the beautiful and talented owner/creator of Trending LA -- Joy Rich Bullard -- for the first time (and we wound up sitting next to each other!). A few seasons before that, I watched the awesome model and pop-punk star Eryn Woods walk in the Tumbler and Tipsy show...And I just recently interviewed this doll for Agenda! So, please say hello if you see me -- I'll be covering the evening's affair for Agenda Magazine.  It's all about connections y'all, and I'm happy to attest that the Scion and Project Ethos event is great in attracting a diverse, yet like-minded, crowd of folks. To attend this LA Fashion Week event, check out the ticket info!

INTERVIEW: I Chat with Kristen Dorsey About Her Unique Chickasaw-Inspired Jewelry Collection!

(Kristen's jewelry was displayed beautifully.)

(Guests included Peter Drivas, Founder and President of www.laartsalliance.org and Marc Littlejohn, fashion photographer, stylist, and fashion designer, www.marclittlejohn.net)

(Cocktails and conversations amongst Kristen's inspiring collection!)

I was introduced to Kristen Dorsey Designs last April, when I had the opportunity to wear a pair of her beautiful earrings on the red carpet at a Project Ethos event. Her delicately crafted "Turtle Song Earrings" were so amazing that I, naturally, kept in touch with Kristen. I definitely wanted to stay up to date with the happenings and developments of her collection. So, the minute I got her personal invite to an intimate showcase in her downtown LA live/work loft, my RSVP was an immediate...YES. 

During the gathering, I was able to view and touch several one-of-a-kind pieces, spend time watching Kristen explain the tools that exist in her workspace, meet some great people, take photos of her artistic collection, and chit-chat in a one-on-one interview with the jewelry designer. Hope you enjoy our conversation as I much as I did! 

(A proud jewelry designer giving us the ins on her processes!)

(A glimpse into Kristen's world...)

(Tools galore!)

So, Kristen, tell me about the collection you have on display here...

My goal is to do one collection per year. And the collections kind of build on each other, so I started with “Earth, Sky, Water” collection, and there are different designs that embody each of those elements. That was my first collection. So for my second collection, it’s called the “Shokmalli” collection, which means, “Lightening.” This represents the Sky.  And some of my pieces from the first collection, I use that as inspiration and build off of it. So then each piece in this whole collection [Shokmalli] has a different aspect of different Sky beings from the Chickasaw culture.

And then the collection after this one is going to be about the Water. And then the one after that will be about the Earth...

(An eye-catching statement piece!)

Do you find yourself getting inspired, thinking ahead and wanting to design for, say, the Water or the Earth collection? 

Sometimes…I have a limited window of time to design a prototype of everything, so I try to stay focused. But sometimes the best designs happen when I’m just being creative…Playing around with the materials. Like, I’ll just want to make a pair of earrings ‘cause I think they’ll be cool and fun to wear like these [Kristen then points to the unique earrings she’s wearing, which she light-heartedly refers to as “antlers.”]

What is it about the Chickasaw culture that inspires you?

It’s a Native American tribe that’s originally from the southeast of the United States…And I’m Chickasaw. When I went to school, all of my studies focused on Native American Studies…history, cultural preservation, race and identity. Then I focused on my own tribe and my own family’s history, and then looked specifically at our jewelry-making practices and how those have changed or how they’ve stayed the same over time...and the various themes that we use and the materials that we use, and how jewelry and adornment can be a form of cultural expression and cultural preservation and revitalization. Because it’s a visual language.

Is designing something you’ve always wanted to do?

Yes. I knew my whole life…I was always an artist. I was always making things. Painting, drawing…from when I was tiny. My mom said it was amazing, that I would just sit and draw.

(Another statement piece to be worn proudly!)

So this is no surprise to your family that you are a jewelry designer!

[giggle] No, not at all. And then in high school, I thought I wanted to be a fashion designer. And I actually produced a few fashion shows for charity with my high school, and got my friends to model and made all the clothes. Then I went to an art school in Boston, and I took a beginner jewelry design class. It was my first time working with metal and worked with sautering, and it was a whole new world. It was so challenging at first, and so frustrating. But nothing had ever challenged me that much before, because everything always came so natural to me. And then as I learned more, the more I realized what I could do with it and the possibilities were just endless. And I got totally hooked! It was exciting. I mean, I could wear it after it was done, and I was so proud that I made it. Learning metal-working was a huge challenge…

How long did it take you to feel like you mastered it? Like “OK, I got this.”

I don’t think you ever master it. I think you’re always learning, especially with metal work. There’s always something, some skill that I can improve on…And I’m always getting better with every piece I make. 

(Some of my favorites. Ready to wear!)

I can understand that. Like as I writer, I never felt like I mastered an article. So when did you think, at least, “OK, I can do this”…?

I feel like now I’m a pro, and I do know that I’m good at what I do. I have a start-to-finish perspective on the pieces, and I know the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into them. And I’m proud of the pieces. But I’m also a perfectionist…I won’t show a piece I’m not happy with. Or, I’ll sell it really cheap to somebody. [giggles] I have a high standard of perfection. 

That’s great – You keep raising the bar on yourself! What are you goals with the Lightning collection?

I’d really love to get into more boutiques, grow the company, and expand my name – the awareness of my name. It’s [Kristen Dorsey Designs] me and my production manager, and we outsource different things to certain people. This includes stone setting and casting.

Who do you design for? Is there any ideal type of client?

I actually design things that I want to wear! [giggle] But I think someone who is strong and powerful, and at the same time, embraces her femininity and her unique beauty…And just who loves jewelry. Someone who loves statement pieces, someone who doesn’t shy away from anything.

Connect with Kristen Dorsey Designs:

https://www.kristendorseydesigns.com
https://www.facebook.com/KristenDorseyDesigns
https://twitter.com/KDorseyDesigns
http://www.pinterest.com/KristenDorsey/
http://kristendorseydesigns.tumblr.com/ 
http://instagram.com/kristendorseydesigns

Photo Credits: Moi! Please credit my Good Girl Gone Shopping if you use them.

'Project Ethos' Always Making Its Mark During LA Fashion Week!

(Munchkin me in between Brianne Bear, Project Ethos' Executive VP of PR, and fashion designer Ermelinda Manos)

Fab time at Avalon Hollywood last Tuesday night during LA Fashion Week! As repeat press covering Project Ethos events, it's always a joy to be among a blast of fashion, music, art, as this naturally equates to fabulous conversations and an energetic vibe. Happy I had a quick chance to catch up with Brianne Bear, one of my fave PR rockstars, and meet endearing fashion designer Ermelinda Manos (gorge collection!). Stay tuned for my event rundown, coming soon to the next issue of Agenda Magazine.

I Was Red-Carpet Ready in an Exclusive Kristen Dorsey Design!

(On the red carpet wearing KDD earrings! )

I'm all about shopping on a budget and enjoying luxury for less. But there are times, I admit, when the price of quality and style can be justified. Or...the very least...understood. Case in point: Kristen Dorsey Designs (KDD). Last month, I had the opportunity to wear an exclusive pair of KDD earrings for an exciting Project Ethos fashion event at the Avalon in Hollywood. Being able to pick the piece myself was also quite the honor, let me tell ya!

My go-to accessory (besides my D&G glasses) are a pair of statement earrings, so selecting the "Turtle Song Earrings" to borrow for the night was a no-brainer. Knowing that I would be wearing predominantly all black to the event, I predicted that this pair of earrings would stand out nicely for a red carpet pic! And I do believe that the Turtle Song Earrings (along with the neon shade of nail polish my niece picked out) gave my outfit some nice flavor and naturally exemplified my personality. 

The delicate details of the earrings are especially quite beautiful, which makes sense -- the entire KDD collection is created from a Native American and Southeastern design perspective. Designer Kristen Dorsey offers jewelry that is ethically sourced and environmentally friendly, including styles for women of all backgrounds to appreciate and enjoy. Love this. 

The price point of these handcrafted pieces are on the higher end, so this may be more of an investment for you. Still, I'm a firm believer in having a diverse range of accessories -- from costume to lavish. After all, never know when you'll need to get dolled up and hit the town in luxury! xo

*Stay tuned for my upcoming review of the Project Ethos fashion event in Agenda Magazine! 

The Renee Prudhomme 2012 "INDIGO" Spring/Summer Collection: An Ocean Front Presentation

Hello everyone! After about a two-month stretch away from y'all (yup, still working on my first book), I must reach out to the most fabulous readers EVER and send good wishes your way. So hello, my dear Good Girl Gone Shopping readers! I'm also here to give you a glimpse into the recent event I attended during this season's LA Fashion Week.

With my friend Sabrina as my +1, I was able to get a firsthand gaze at the Renee Prudhomme's 2012 "INDIGO" spring/summer collection at a private showing this past Sunday. Held in a quaint, oceanfront studio space right along the Venice Beach boardwalk, the vibe was definitely right on. Personally invited to the Renee Prudhomme first solo fashion event, I was quite impressed with the designer's INDIGO collection. Jennifer Renee Prudhomme's use of black, chocolate, turquoise/teal, green, and yellow were so delightful when combined as solids or when prints collided with each other. Statement pieces for sure! I really loved the drapey, tunic-like blouses and youthful, girly dresses in leg-baring lengths. The feather earrings and accessories really supported the theme of her spring/summer collection. And might I add...a sexy collection at that!

Sabrina and I stopped chatting to pose before making our way to watch the models.

The models were on point!

Feeling pretty cool next to fashion designer Jennifer Renee Prudhomme

Although the INDIGO collection was not featured in a typical runway show, the Renee Prudhomne line was still out and about for attendees to study up close and personal. Models did their thing during a photoshoot, while everyone gathered around, sipped wine, enjoyed music from an in-house DJ on the turntable, and discussed the beauty of what the models were wearing.

A kind, endearing fashion designer, Jennifer Renee Prudhomme personally greeted all of her guests and ensured everyone's comfort. It was a pleasure observing a talented professional introduce her passion to those who either already respect her work or were eager to witness it for the first time. This being my second time seeing Jennifer's work (first time was during a Project Ethos fashion event), it was a unique experience as it was up close and personal.

After the event, Sabrina and I then enjoyed ourselves walking along Venice Beach, wearing skirts, heels, enjoying the chill breeze, and feeling fab! (I won't go into how frizzy my hair got by the beach, 'cause I wouldn't have traded that Sunday for anything!)

After the event, turning Venice Beach boardwalk into my own runway!

The designers' eclectic, colorful garments have been featured in various press publications, including Apparel News, US Weekly Magazine, 360 Magazine, Caribbean Press, and 944 Magazine. In addition to participating in Project Ethos, she has also taken part in DC Fashion Week. Please visit her website to learn more about the Renee Prudhomme line.


Photo Credits: Invite image courtesy of Renee Prudhomme