Stars, Shapes and Music Notes

I am in love. Madly, stupidly in love.


With Dolce and Gabbana's Fall/Winter 2011 Collection.

It's beautiful. And fun. The designers really got out of the pattern box on this collection, using stars, stripes, polka dots, and music notes (!!). I also adore that they managed to stay structured and clean, and yet use flowing fabrics and see-through material without making the collection look like summer.

This collection really stood out to me, as I was flipping through the new Vogue Paris Collections book (it's wonderful, go snag it at Barnes and Noble and just read through it in the store. So worth it), because I feel like it really gets away from the typical Winter fashion tropes that crop up every season. Each year, for winter/fall it's fur, bondage, vintage (the fifties and sixties, most recently) and menswear. It's beautiful, obviously, but at the same time....it's a little dull. I love that this D&G collection doesn't seem to take itself too seriously, using certain of the winter commons (menswear) and yet doing something that looks nothing like any other page of Vogue. I love to see that innovation isn't dying out in fashion, and that there's always at least one designer (and many, many more I'm sure) willing to do something truly different, rather than an update of last year's "hot thing."

Although I could probably live without the comeback of the fanny pack : )

New Semester, New looks

So tonight was the first official FDSA meeting, and everything went really well! I'm really excited for this semester, and for how happy all the designers seem to be about being back, and the things we're going to do. It's a little bit nerve wracking, being (half) in charge, and I do really hope I don't mess it up in some gigantic way....But! Regardless, I am really excited for a new semester, and even more excited to actually get started on my show. The tricky part is the sketches keep sort of....evolving out from under me, so I need to get them a bit more finalized before I go buy fabric.

For example I've been kind of working with this Assassin's Creed-inspired (I am a geek at heart, it's true), Knights Templar era, hoods and cloaks collection idea. Then it started to look too costume-y, so I decided to tone it back to an idea of a tension between loose and flowing garments and really structured pieces. Then today, my 20th Century Architecture class was talking about how the Art Nouveau movement in Barcelona spent a lot of time accessing the Moorish tradition in their work. So now I'm debating using some of the shapes popular in that movement, and maybe even toying with the idea of applying some tile work, or things that look like tile work, to the pieces.

Well, we shall see. Any way it ends up, I am SO psyched for this show and this semester :) Here we go!

Fashionably Late Show

So the Fashionably Late Show went amazingly well! It was so much fun! Everyone seemed to have a blast and all the creative ideas inspired by different eras, decades, and themes were gorgeous! I managed to catch some cute shots of those that attended, some of the designers, as well as family and friends! Here soon we'll get some of the runway shots posted as well!

Rose with Models and Friends

Attendees and One of the Make-up Artists

Lina with her Family

Lina and her boyfriend! Aw!

Lina, Aggie, and Friends

Lina's plans currently include fashion design school. She'll make it big.

Jorie and some Friends

Megan and one of her Models

Me and Tyne. I met this girl 3 years ago when I was just some baby little freshman here at CU. I'm sad and happy to see her graduate. She will be an amazing up and coming designer. Watch out.

One of my models and some friends. I run into Aaron everywhere!

This was a great year for FDSA! I can only see things going up from here!

Allie R.

Spring Fashion Show: Fashionably Late

Fashionably Late, a decades themed fashion show, is April 22 at 7pm in the Glenn Miller Ballroom. Designers will be creating collections that are inspired by their favorite fashion eras.

Fashionistas on the CU Campus!

So a couple of us designers went out wandering the campus a little while back in search of some real fashionistas on campus. Below are photos of the well dressed people we found!

 

 Out in back of Norlin we found this guy, looking well put together with a nice sweater and scarf on top of dark wash jeans. His hair really made the look almost avant garde.

 Inside the study area we found a tri-delta who found a fantastic way to look cute while advertising for the upcoming philanthropy.

 In a different study area we found a guy who was adventuresome in his choice of hat specifically. Looking very early 90s, he wore skater clothes and this multi-color geometric ball cap. Bold move indeed.

 We also found this chick in a cute quasi rockabilly look. A cute sweetheart neckline and an earthy belt makes this ensemble ready to spring ahead with the time change!

 We found Steven hard at work and fabulously dressed as usual!

 This next ensemble proves that any class project can be rocked out in style! The loose flowery top paired with the tight bomber jacket, her cute a-line cut and the pop of cobalt heels show that rock and roll is always in fashion.

This next look made modern Western fashion look effortless! With the orange plaid with the tan boots was an unexpected but cute matching; and with dark wash jeans to pull the look together, she looked ready to ride off into the horizon.

 And for our final look, the use of the white yarn cap gave the dark, winter-y look a bright promise of spring to come.

We noticed that there seemed to be more well dressed men on campus then women! Tsk tsk! Time to step it up ladies! FDSA is going to start making more rounds looking for the fashionistas on campus! Be ready!

Allie Reynolds

Dear Reader,

My name is Lina Chen and I am one of the designers with Fashion Design Student Association (FDSA) here on the CU Boulder campus.  I decided to be the first to put up a semi-biographical information about myself since I am 1. in the office inspired by magnificent magazine pages that are hung on the wall right in front of me and 2. need a break from studying.  I should be preparing for my midterm for this Thursday; however, it is crucial that I take a break at this very moment from cramming excessive information in my head and just let my creative mind flow in this blog instead. 

I am a senior here on the CU Boulder campus waiting to graduate in May.  I started designing second semester of my Freshman year when I tagged along with my friends Tyne and Rachel!  Ever since then I've been a part of FDSA, my second home.  I like to swim, watch Disney movies, travel, eat/cook (even though I'm not really great at it), and understanding other people's cultures. 

In the mind of an FDSA fashion designer:

I am going to let you know that I am scared for our upcoming show on December 3rd (and I'm pretty sure my fellow designers feel the same way).  I've realized that not only is it difficult to juggle an internship, school, and a social life that is non-existent for me this semester, it is difficult to have time for myself, let alone find time to sew.  I've intended to make around 20-so pieces but am still in the single digits!  Man oh man.  We'll see how it goes.  It's okay though cause even though I'm on the verge of ripping my hair out, I know for sure that the end of this semester will be all worth it, especially the show.  Designing takes up a lot of time, sweat, and effort, especially if our garments are only on the runway for less than five minutes. But during those five minutes, my heart beats faster and faster, and a smile runs across my face.  Unlike most of the CU Boulder kids who get high off of MJ, I get high off of the fashion show.  It is the best feeling knowing that people applaud you for all your hard work which internally motivates me and I hope it does the same for our other designers as well. 

To you lovely readers (whether if you are from FDSA or not) I want you to know that you are not alone!  I want to encourage you to continue to do what makes you happy, even though it may be a struggle along the way.  You may never know if it will lead you somewhere...

Anywho, I must get back to studying "Defenses to Contract" and must tackle "Breached Contracts and Remedies."  Sounds delightful doesn't it?  =(

<3 Lina Chen

Pictures from our photoshoot. Taken by Allie Reynolds

                                           
                                              Designer: Tyne Hall         Model: Megan Huggins

                                             Designer: Lina Chen  Model: Sashaline Nguyen

                                                Designer: Rose Barber     Model: Ciera Baur

                                               Designer: Erin Musso

                                                        Designer: Faith Amy  

                Designer: Tyne Hall    Models: (left) Megan Huggins (right) Amanda Koester

Designer: Karyssa Cox    Model: Megan Huggins

New Blog!!!!

Welcome to Fashion Design Student Association's blog. We are a student group on the CU at Boulder campus with a love for fashion.