July 29, 2010

Meet the Lovely Dallas Shaw

Dallas Shaw is a beautiful and talented artist who works with big-name labels like DKNY, Dace, Vaute Couture, and American Eagle. Her three main specialties are paintings, fashion illustrations, and vintage-wallpaper art.

Because I think Dallas is super-talented and pretty awesome…I decided I had to interview her! I hope you enjoy getting to know Dallas as much as I did.

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1. I see you currently reside in Delaware. Were you born and raised there or is that where you decided to pursue your art career?

Oh no, I just recently relocated to DE. I am from PA and then lived in Orlando for a bit while I drew with Disney. I thought my whole life that was what I wanted to do- but learned quickly that I wanted to be in fashion. And now we are here and loving it.

To answer your question about pursuing an art career: I decided I would be an artist I was about 6. I never thought about doing anything else with myself.

2. Did you go to school for art or was it more of a hobby for your growing up?

Both. It was a hobby very early, I took classes for fun and to learn more before going to school for it.

3. Were you ever involved in a different line or work before becoming an artist? If so, what?

I briefly taught art in middle school and met amazing talented children. But everything I have ever done in my life has been art related in some way- I really don’t know anything other than being creative.

4. I read from your bio you have your own line of t-shirts. When did you start making these? Also, where can they be found/purchased?

They are gone 🙂 Happily they sold out and used to be available on etsy. There may be a few left at buildanest.com if you were to find any but they went fast. I am working on something new since they were so popular. Just not sure how long it will take though- b/c I like to do things bigger, and better.

5. Where do you gather your inspiration for your drawings?

The runway, and amazing spaces.

6. How did you get involved with such big-name brands like DKNY and American Eagle?

I am constantly working and have been for years and years so I have been introducing my work to many companies and building relationships for a long time. They just really liked the work- and I am happy to say they have all been very supportive.

7. Who are your favorite fashion designers/lines at the moment?

This changes every season, but currently Marchesa, Oscar, Donna Karan, Diane Von Furstenburg, Chris Benz… all for different reasons.

8. What is your go-to garment/accessory for summer?

A long maxi dress. (With a mens blazer at night)

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For more information about Dallas Shaw, you can visit her website www.dallasshaw.com and her blog www.dillydallas.blogspot.com.

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT: You are the first to know that Dallas will be creating my ChiCityFashion logo! Follow me on Twitter @ChiCityFashion for updates. Can’t wait to see it!

All photos from this post courtesy of Dallas Shaw

July 23, 2010

Ginger and Liz: Meet the ladies behind the nails…

Photo Credit

If you follow me on Twitter, you probably know I have a serious obsession Ginger and Liz nailpolish. The colors are amazing, the names are catchy and there are no harsh chemicals in their formula.

Because of my obsession, I had to know the Ginger behind the Ginger and the Liz behind the Liz. Thankfully, the lovely ladies were kind enough to answer some questions I was just dying to know. I hope you enjoy!

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1. What inspired you to start a line of nail polishes?

We are both admittedly product junkies (from skincare to haircare to fragrance) but our friendship became an unbreakable bond when we discovered our irreparable addiction to nail lacquer! I [Ginger] previously had an indy line of lip lacquers right out of college a few years back so I had some knowledge of cosmetic manufacturing which was very helpful. Last year I wanted to start something new, fun, different in the nail category and there was no better business partner for the new venture than my friend Liz! Ironically, at the same time Liz was looking to venture into the cosmetic industry in some capacity so we got started right away and haven’t stopped since! We work very well together, we’re fortunate.

2. What inspires the names of the colors and and the actual colors themselves?

The names come from our real life experiences and joys. We wait for a colour to “move” us in a particular direction mood wise and then go from there. Some colours were named the same day it was created, the others took a couple weeks to name but we always like to keep it fun. Liz named Reality Check after some amazing advice that her mom gave her, Hold The Drama is in reference to one of Ginger’s ex-boyfriends, Keep Me Interested got its name after a string of boring dates we’ve both had at some point, Goin’ Back To Cali was named in honor of our California based customers and is a bright neon. And, one of our new colours, a fantastic taupe got its name because its for our demure ladies that play by the rule books.

3. A little history on both of you–The Ginger behind “Ginger” and the Liz behind “Liz” if you will…

Ginger: I am from Syracuse, NY byway of Queens. Always a big city girl, I spent every summer/school break I could in NYC at my grandparents house so I that could hang out with my cousins. And, the additional perk was that my Grandma Carrie would get me perfectly girly dresses and little shoes. I’ll never forget the time my Mom got me a pair of black and white saddle shoes (yes, the ones that are back in style today) and I hated them so much that I called my Grandma sobbing about these dreadful shoes my Mom was forcing me to wear and she sent me a pair of black patent leather shoes I LOVED. I definitely exaggerated about the heinousness of the shoes and not sure that I had even ever worn them. That makes me laugh now.

I was lucky to grow up with an awesome balance of city life and suburbia. And, my father is Panamanian so trips to visit my family there gave me a phenomenal sense of appreciation for all cultures, lifestyles, and fashion through other peoples eyes. That fascinates me and is part of the reason I became addicted to Vogue and Elle at a young age. Fashion is worldwide and I love that. Our nail colours are very heavily influenced by fashion.

I met Liz when l was a Senior at Spelman College. We met through an old friend I considered a big brother who was Liz’s big sister’s good friend and one time high school prom date! Later, Liz was the cover model the lip lacquer line I launched a couple years later and the rest is almost history.

Liz: I was born and raised in New Jersey and attended Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Wesleyan is the alma mater to many creative innovators like the creator of the hit show “Mad Men”, film producer and director Michael Bay, New England patriots head coach Bill Belichick, popular indie rock group MGMT to name few. It was a great time to harbor and develop my own creativity and day dream about owning my own cosmetic line in the future. During college, I started traveling to New York City (maybe 3 to 4 times a week) to do extensive modeling and acting (commercials, print, etc). Being out and about in New York City I would frequently bump into Ginger who at the time was developing her line of lip glosses. Soon we became good friends and I modeled for her lip gloss line which, as a “product junkie”, I was quite a fan of. After having lived on the east coast my whole life I needed a change of scene and pace so I packed up everything about two years out of college and moved to Los Angeles to continue to pursue modeling and acting. I had a magnificent time living and working in Los Angeles but soon became homesick and was ready to do more than model and act – I felt a strong desire to scratch my entrepreneurial itch. Eventually, Ginger and I reconnected and she was looking to launch something new and I was looking to start something new and as Ginger stated… the rest is history. Definitely a perfect collaboration of the minds!

4. What is your favorite color to wear on your nails?

Ginger: Wow, toughest question…just one?? I can’t! My top three are Got My Groove Back, Show Off, and Ivy League.

Liz: Swagger – Such a classic! I like to call it a metallic nude. Great for work and play.
Hold the Drama – A statement colour that gives you the feeling of black without going all the way dark.
Got My Groove Back – Every time I wear Got My Groove Back I feel like I am wearing jewelry on my nails. It is the perfect gold. Minx in a bottle!

5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Ginger: My choice would be Paris in the village of Montmarte during the jazz revolution for the music, fashion, independence, and the overall movement. Or, London in the 70s hanging out with Jimi Hendrix…yes, I’m secretly a hippy (or not so secret, haha!).

Liz: Barbados – I love the relaxed atmosphere of Barbados, the crystal clear blue sky and being surrounded by nature’s beauty. The water is perfect and the people are great! It is one of the only places I visited where I never wanted to leave – I was ready to pack up and move there!

6. Who is your style icon?

Ginger: I love Kate Moss’ effortlessly glam boho chic vibe.

Liz: Kate Moss–she is so effortless and manages to be a set trend while incorporating trends without having her style be dictated by trends.

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I hope you enjoyed the interview as much as I did! For more Ginger and Liz visit their website www.gingerandliz.com and follow them on Twitter @GingerAndLiz

Don’t miss out on their 4 new colors coming soon—-Blowin’ Money Fast, Ivy League, Not on the First Date and Tuck Me In. I can’t wait!

And yes, this is me with my G&L fam thus far (from left to right: Tough Luxe, Swagger, He’s So Into Me, Half Naked) and if anyone was curious…I am currently wearing He’s So Into Me 🙂

February 24, 2010

My Interview with Adam Lippes

I am SO excited about this interveiw with Adam Lippes, the man behind ADAM. He makes beautiful wearable clothes and I truly love everything he does. I came up with some questions I wanted to know about him and his career and I hope that you enjoy what he has to say…I sure did!

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Me: At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be involved in fashion?

Adam: After graduating from Cornell, I actually went to Paris to study art history and architecture at the American University in Paris and it was really there that my love of fashion was ignited and grew.

Me: Did you always know you wanted to do fashion design or were there other aspects of the industry that interested you?

Adam: Obviously I staggered a bit from the career where I am today when it came to my schooling at Cornell (I studied psychology). I come from a family of lawyers but I think, in some sense, I knew I had this love of fashion, but I just didn’t know how much it would become a large part of my life or my career until much later.

Me: I see you worked for Oscar De La Renta. What was your experience like with such a prestigious designer?

Adam: I feel very fortunate to of had the experience that I did working at Oscar de la Renta and I have to give all my fashion knowledge to Oscar. I grew up there and from, arguably, one of the best designers in the world (I joke that I went to school at Universitá de la Renta). I feel like my innate sense of style stems from my mother but, specifically, what I do now I credit to Oscar: color, fit, fabric, embroidery…you name it.

Me: What were you feeling when you first showed at New York Fashion Week in 2007?

Adam: Nervous! There are no other words to describe your first runway show…none. It’s unreal.

Me: Your most recent show was a less than two weeks ago…have you already begun thinking about your next collection? If so, where are you drawing your inspiration from?

Adam: You always have to be thinking ahead when you’re working in this business. With that being said, I have started thinking about inspiration for next season but, for now, I’m trying not to limit myself. I’m just trying to take in as much as possible because you never know when something unique can strike you.
Me: How would you describe your overall design style?

Adam: In 2004, we launched this line with a group of t-shirts and the idea was that they would become the basis for our fashion collection. The collection is based on chic and easy American sportswear and what we are trying to accomplish is to take inspiration from everywhere (travel, the art world, and people on the street) and then mix it all together which is what is so special about American sportswear.
Me: Any words of advice for those aspiring to be in fashion?

Adam: Trust your basic instincts and don’t be afraid to take risks…look where it can take you! I graduated with a degree in psychology from Cornell so, if anything, I’m living proof that you don’t necessarily have to be professionally trained to find success in this business.
Me: What’s the one motto you live by?

Adam: A motto I live by as an American sportswear designer is “Make a twist on the casual.” There’s nothing I love more than seeing a woman wearing an ADAM design that’s wearable, can take her from day to night, and that’s always chic but approachable.

Photo Credit

A special shout out to Adam for taking the time to answer my questions. Thank you so much! For more information about Adam and where you can purchase his amazing clothes, check out www.shopadam.com and follow him on Twitter @adamlippes.