my first ever photoshoot.

well, yesterday marks two months in america and i just had my first photoshoot last weekend! technically, its not my first collection; its more of my portfolio. i did use patterns for some of the pieces, and none of them are for sale! im using this to apply for fashion schools in paris, rather than start a business. 


im applying to one school in particular, called IFA. they are my first choice, and yesterday i sent my application in to them. i am unbelievably nervous,  they are the perfect school for me. and i hope so badly they will accept me. i did everything i could think of, i worked so hard on this portfolio and my essay. the decision now rests in their hands.


the making of this portfolio was a wonderful process, one i enjoyed immensely. i had the most trouble with the original drawing of my designs, though i am told that gets easier with practice. my favorite part was actually cutting the fabric and creating the patterns themselves. i had to decide how large to make the pattern pieces, how to construct the garment (there are so many options!) and i spent hours drafting pattern after pattern on newspaper until i eventually graduated to newsprint and had a lot less trouble. 


but although the act of designing and sewing was fun and something i really loved and enjoyed, the most satisfying moment, the moment of true pride, came when i first saw my model in MY clothes. to see a woman wearing my clothes and seeing them actually fit, actually look good, actually look real was an indescribable feeling. regardless what happens with ifa, with my plans to return to paris, i will never forget the moment when i saw my model in my clothes for the first time and realized that i did it. i set out to design clothes, and i did. 


location: the arts district, phoenix az
model: dena nicole brooks
photographer: tressel holloway




ONE: romper

my own original design.  

romper is made from both a lightweight knit material, and a pinstripe crepe material.  

features a bow motif on the front, with matching side pockets. 

halter neckline, with ties.  

elastic casing in the waistband and back.

TWO: gathered shorts

  my own original design. 

  made from a lightweight knit fabric. 

  features a high waist band, with gathers. 

  side pockets on the front and high pocket flaps on the back. 

  one-inch cuffs around the legs.  

  a zipper fly. 

    

THREE: blazer

  modified from an existing pattern.  

  made from a woven houndstooth.  

  added a grey lining, on the inside of the body and the sleeves.  

  added reversible cuffs. 

FOUR: button-up blouse with ruffles

   

modified from an existing pattern.  

made from a cotton blend. 

decreased and rounded the size of the sleeve caps. 

lessened the amount of ruffles.

FIVE: pleated shorts

  my own original design. 

  made from a cotton material.  

  high-waisted shorts with a pleated waistline.  

  side pockets. 

  a button-up fly.

SIX: manu cardigan

 followed the manu pattern almost exactly.  

 knit from an aran wool blend.  

 knit from the bottom up, short-row yoke construction.  

 features gathers on the shoulders, sleeve bands, and pockets.  

 boasts garter-stitch detailing.

SEVEN: horizontal-ribbed cardigan

 my own original design: pattern written by me. sort of blogged about here, but not really.  

 knit from a dk weight merino wool.  

 horizontal ribbing edging; alternate rows of stockinette and reverse stockinette. 

 knit from the top down, raglan yoke construction.

now, i did not sew the two tshirts! those are store-bought!! the light grey is from h&m, and the dark grey shirt came from a flea market in thailand. 

i decided on the name of my eventual line, and i doubt any of you will be surprised. yes, it is "yellow bird". because i have found it! i found my yellow bird, the thing ive been searching for, the thing that defines me and fills my thoughts and drives my day. it's designing clothes, it's making clothes, it's fashion. my blogroll is full of fashion blogs, and my desk is overflowing with international fashion magazines (l'officiel and russh are my favorites) and my facebook newsfeed is overrun with fashion posts from my many recent likes. 

as i start out, id like to be an independent high fashion designer, who makes good custom clothes at more affordable prices. but i plan to eventually get into limited edition pret-a-porter, and have multiple lines. i want of course a mens line and a womens line. but id also like two more lines for mixed genders: a line that fits more than just one body type and isnt screen print tees. and the one im most excited about, an eco-sustainable line. apparently, i plan to be very big.  i dont want to be famous, though. i have no desire for fame. i simply want to make clothes for people.

ive bought my website, just to preserve the domain name! its yellowbirdcollections.com, and once i can figure out this PHP or PTP or whatever its called, ill put the photos up! (any help in this area would be greatly appreciated, im not as tech savvy as id like.)

but my more immediate plans? im hoping to get accepted to this school and move back to paris this summer. while in school, romain thinks i should create an underground independent fashion line for the parisian youth (he means the twenty-something year olds who go clubbing every night). i agree wholeheartedly, except id like to open up a small online shop with some menswear as well. then once ive graduated and after ive interned for a while in one of the big fashion houses, ill have enough of a base to open a real store. and as long as im dreaming, itll be in the marais...

but it doesnt do any harm to dream, right??