Design of Dress #2

Hello All,

I wanted to show you a picture of my 50s style boatneck dress that I imagined, dreamed, created, and designed for this Greek (Black Greek Letter Organization) Ball that I attended on Friday, June 21, 2013.

Check Out

I want to give a special shout out to the following friends, and please follow them on the following social media sites:

• Jenine Cotrice Love
• Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Cotrice-Collection/266951616675511
• Artesia Rose
• Instagram- @neonfleur
• Tanevery Smith
• Instagram- @tanOTB
• Tetaisha Hunter
• Instagram- @artist84

Until Next Time!!

House of Curves

Hello,

I have a new favorite show! It is called House of Curves, and if you have not watched it, it is a must see.

Kenyatta Jones (center) with cast members. From l-r Rene (Mom/Investor) Milan (Administrative Assistant) Kendra (Creative Director) and Sherlynda (Design Assistant)

House of Curves follows the trials and triumphs of Atlanta based plus-size fashion designer Kenyatta Jones, CEO of Bella Rene Clothing, as she tries to make it into the world of fashion.  My top reasons why this show is my favorite reality series on television:

1. It follows an African-American female fashion designer who is destined to make it into the world of fashion.
2. Not only is the main cast member African-American, but she is also plus size
3. Everyone on the show is very opinionated.  The tell it like it is, no question's asked
4. Everyone on the show is stylish!!
5. It shows you the trials and tribulations every independent fashion designer goes through to make it into fashion, at do what they can to stay on top!

As an African-American woman, a fashion designer/illustrator, and a woman with curves (although I'm not plus size), I applaud Kenyatta for doing what it takes to bring plus size fashion to the forefront.  Although it was glorified for a woman to have curves during the 20th Century, it is now frowned upon for a woman to have hips!  I really don't understand it!  The average woman is between a size 12-16, yet the standard clothing size is an 8! Kenyatta's collections are not only flattering, but they are also colorful with many textures and prints that cater to the plus size woman!

My favorite character on this show is Kendra.  She is the creative director of Bella Rene, and she proudly lets everyone know that!  She is beautiful, fashionable, and has a no-nonsense behavior to match with it.  She is definitely not afraid to speak her mind, and her wardrobe is impeccable!! She is really inspiring me to create more bold pieces for myself!!

House of Curves comes on Thursdays on We TV at 10 pm EST/9 pm CST/8 pm MST/ 7 pm PST.  I hope this show remains on the air!

Until Next Time!!

Style Network and Cavalli Sketch

Hello,

As you all know, I am a love of all things art and fashion, and I always keep up with the latest trends, whether it's magazines, other fashion blog sites, or TV networks.  One of my favorite TV network which showcase the latest in fashion trends and runway shows is Style Network.  Style Network is the home of shows such as Tia & Tamera, Chicagolicious, Jerseylicious, Style Pop, and many more.

Style Pop is a live show that broadcasts the latest in fashion, pop, gossip, etc. While watching the last episode of Style Pop, a discussion came about regarding the Roberto Cavalli sketch of Beyonce, which happens to be slimmed down.

As soon as this sketch went viral, all of the Beyonce fans were outraged because "Cavalli took away Beyonce's curves!" Angry fans even went as far as going to Cavalli's Facebook page with angry remarks about the sketch.  Cavalli responded back by saying this:

“Dear Fans, We would like to clarify that the image of the gown created by Roberto Cavalli for Beyonce is a sketch and not a photo, and therefore it is only meant to be a stylized and artistic vision.

"Roberto Cavalli loves women and more than anyone else has always exalted and highlighted the female shape with his creations, building his signature style on the glorification of sensuality and femininity.” (http://www.ibtimes.com/roberto-cavalli-responds-angry-beyonce-fans-after-he-erases-singers-curves-controversial-image#)

I am a Beyonce fan, and when I saw this, I thought it was a very nice sketch.  As a fashion designer and illustrator, I will say that he could have already had this croquis (pronounced crow-kee: the human figure that is used to create a fashion illustration) saved, and attached Beyonce's hair and face to it.  I have tons of croquis saved on my computer and external hard drive so when someone asks me to do a fashion illustration or collection for them, I can choose the croquis I want to use, print them off, and draw from there.  Then again, this could be his drawing style and he creates all of his croquis like this.  Just because the curves appear not to be there does not mean that he took away Beyonce's curves.  Yes, Beyonce is known for her curves, and once this controversial sketch fiasco fades, she will STILL have her curves.  This sketch did not take away anything.

Not only did Beyonce not comment about the sketch, she is wearing the actual garment during her tour, "Mrs. Carter Show".  As you can see in this picture, she is a very satisfied client.

Until Next Time!!

Swimwear Project

Hello,

My swimwear project is complete! It is called Gernreich's Statement, and you may view it on www.behance.net/ashleylove.  Hope you like it.

Until Next Time!!

New Blog to Check Out

Hello,

Besides writing this blog, I also check out other blogs for different fashion inspiration (I also watch Style Network and We).  I had written out a list of blogs to check out.  I have a new blog to add to the list as well.  Another blog to check out is wgsn.tumblr.com. If you are unfamiliar with WGSN, it is a trend forecasting site based in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.  This site, as well as Stylesight, is very popular with emerging and established fashion designers.  They show you the latest trends, as well as future trends in clothing, beauty, kids, home, and streetwear.

Of course you have to pay to use WGSN and Stylesight (and it is mostly thousands of dollars for a subscription), which is why they create blogs to show you the latest worldwide trends, and for designers who are on a budget to get the latest creation.  When you have a chance, please check out WGSN on Tumblr.  You will love it.

Until Next Time!!

Fashion Illustration Inspirations

Hello,

First I want to say Happy June! We are already six months into 2013! Unbelievable!!  I know that it is late (it is 3:15 a.m. as I am typing this), but I was thinking about fashion, of course, and fashion illustrations.  I am always thinking of different ways of perfecting my craft, but I also wanted to show some illustrations that were inspiring to me.  Hopefully, these illustrations will be an inspiration to you as well.

Created by Steven Broadway (also professor at FIT)

Created by Cassandra Rodin

Created by Igor+Andre

Created by Rachel Roy

This is just some of the amazing illustrations that I have found.  The Chanel illustration is my all-time favorite illustration!!!!  I am also looking at different ways of creating my moodboards.  I guess I am going to bed now; a creative mind is always busy...no matter what time it is!

Until Next Time!!