C. Giroux

I met Caitlin Giroux, a rising designer from our apparel design program at the University of Delaware, for an interview about her work and here is the video of the interview and some pictures that follow.





Caitlin Giroux says she’s definitely a perfectionist when it comes to sewing.
Growing up in Fairfax , Virginia Caitlin, 20, says she had always been into the arts, but didn’t get into fashion until her sophomore year of high school.





The junior says that after one of the fashion teachers approached her, she decided to audition for the fashion program. “I brought in samples of my work, and she asked me who my favorite designer was and I had no idea. “It’s funny because now I can tell you about every designer now.”





Caitlin says she knew she wanted to get into fashion design for college but she didn’t want to go to a design only school. “I wasn’t ready for that.” “ I liked fashion and I needed something with art. I needed options.” She applied to three apparel design programs then finally settled on the University of Delaware.




As apparel design major Caitlin says she’s learned basic sewing skills, like seaming and basic garment construction and while studying abroad in Paris, under the direction of couturier Madame Peacoux, she learned an intricate pleating technique, that she uses today.







“My first sewing classes were really intense. My professor was so picky, but now I pay more attention when I’m putting a garment together.”









When she designs an outfit, Caitlin says she first looks for inspiration. “Anything I make is usually inspired by nature, flowers or texture.” “For my blue and red dress I was inspired by the Belle Époque in Paris and the Ballet Russes in Russia.”









After drawing in her sketchbook, Caitlin says she picks 3 to 5 sketches and creates a mood board with fabric swatches.






“I have to think about my customer then make a story of an imaginary person that would wear my clothes” Caitlin says.



She takes one outfit from the board and makes a pattern of it on the computer...



Then she creates a muslin version of the dress before she uses the real fabric to start sewing the real outfit.





More shots of her work...













She says her dream job would be to work as an active wear designer at Adidas so her internship now with Vwete Sport is preparing her for the future.









Hope you liked Caitlin's work!

Love,
Ashley

Spring is Finally Here!

Spring is finally here and these are the bags I want to wear!











These are some totes from my line called Simply Julia Totes! I'm itching to wear one of these today because they go so well with my warm weather outfits. You can see some more styles here.

Love,
Ashley

Wear Me! Spring Findings

"Single black female addicted to retail"...hmm I'm pretty sure Kanye did not understand the power of those spoken words, because I use them as an excuse for my ridiculous shopping habit. This post is about me playing market editor for the day. I was inspired to do so when I kept seeing all these "I want this, I want that" lists all infiltrate my email and my daily web visits ( we fashion people never seem to stop wanting things). At this point in my life, I don't think I can ever lay my eyes on that white thing we call snow, but the looking Spring clothes provides catharsis to my ailing pupils. I loved this list on Style.com in particular. We got to actually see the editors behind 10 years of fashion greatness and beautiful clothes. What more could you ask for? Here are my picks for Spring. As a forewarning to those of you who expect to see clothing, this is accessories infested. For some reason I've been completely taken by bright fur stoles, crazy jewelry, and mouthwatering shoes. Enjoy!

1. Simply Julia Totes
This line carries the most A-M-A-Z-I-N-G totes and handbags. I've never seen anything like them anywhere. I would know I design them! Plus they're extremely durable and fit pretty much anything you any imagine and they're gorgeous too. The price point isn't too bad either, bags range from $35-$350. Not too shabby! You can check out the website here or you can call 302-339-2345 to have one custom made.





2. Prada Stole
This one's for dreamers. I keep seeing it everywhere and it's eating at my heart. I have to have it and so does Shala Monroque, Marc Jacobs, Katie Grand any other crazy person to walk out of their house with a ridiculously bright, mismatched colored stole!




You can see more pictures of this on Jak and Jil

3. Marni Flats
Who doesn't want brown flats with incredible lime green polka dots on? You'd be obviously crazy if you didn't.



4. Proenza Schouler Boucle Jacket
Perfect with some extra tight skinny jeans and heels that will leave your heels bleeding. Oh the things we do for fashion!


5. Lanvin Canvas Snake Wedge
When I saw these I knew we were meant to be together. Perfect wedge. Perfect fabric. Perfect height. I am five foot two after all.



6. Lanvin Strawberry Earrings
I really could not imagine why anyone wouldn't want to have these beauties dangling from their ears.



7. Alexander Wang Bow Detail Top
I can see this under my tweed jackets with some shiny leather pants and sparkly heels. Plus it's a white button down. The shirt will go with practically anything.



8.Alexander Wang Noemi Peep-toe Leather Boots
These shoes will go with so many things in my closet. Alex never fails. He always comes up with some easy cool collection that women fawn over. How is he so successful and wowing us EVERY SINGLE SEASON?



9. Proenza Schouler PS1 Pouch
I want one of these to tuck into one of my Simply Julia Totes. Jack and Lazaro have finally created the answer to a cool, street chic yet office chic bag that you can wear anywhere and on top of all that, the bag is made in a million colors. Ok, I know I exaggerated, but that's what it seams like when you're shopping and you can't decide on which color bag you want.



10. Charlotte Olympia Dolly Suede Platform Pumps
Ouch! These shoes are HOT! I am burning with desire for these amazing pumps and I can think of a million ways to style them. Every cool girl, editor, and fashion dreamer (who owns this shoe in their head) have been drooling over this shoe since the day it came out.



Hope you enjoyed My top 10 picks for Spring! Stay warm and whenever you get that terrible feeling of discouragement, disappointment, or even disdain from the nasty weather outside, take your mind to a happy, sunny place in the near future, filled with delectable clothing. Hope you enjoyed reading the post.

All Photos from: Net-A-Porter, Kirna Zabete, Jak and Jil, Simply Julia, Fashion Gone Rogue

Love,
Ashley