Fashion Inspiration - "Blade Runner"

My other post about the movie Blade Runner is popular, so I thought I'd do another one, but more fashion-focused.

Rachel has kind of a glamorous 1940's goth thing going.

Look like her!

             

 Hair tutorial!

Pris has a punk-y style.

Look like her!

Damn, I need to go shopping!

TOMS - One for One

At first, I thought TOMS was just a gimmick to make white middle-class consumers feel good about buying an over-priced pair of shoes...  But that was before I read about the creator of TOMS, Blake Mycoskie.  He's an amazing person, and I was so impressed by him that I read his book, "Start Something That Matters."  The book explains Blake's business model, which somewhat improves the "evils" of capitalism.  His story made me inspired to do my own charitable business kind of thing--I re-opened my Etsy shop and decided to donate 50% of the sale price of each item to my chosen organization.

Generate Hope is the organization that I chose because it's based in San Diego and it helps women who are victims of sex-trafficking, which is a cause I'm passionate about.  I feel like, now knowing what the abused women go through, how could I not help prostitutes?  It's something that pulls at my heart.

It's more common than you think.

Now, I want to write a letter to Blake and buy TOMS for everyone I know.  I want to spread his story to all who will listen!  I would even love to work for TOMS, but I don't know what the chances of that are...  What I am going to do is organize a "One Day Without Shoes" group to promote his compassionate message.

http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/photowall

All I need now is my own pair...  Luckily, I dug up a Nordstrom's gift card that I had been saving for something special.  My TOMS will arrive in the mail any day!

An interesting look at used clothing & the global economy

Old Clothes Go Global

In love...

Harem Pants

Not really a fan, but...

You have to admit that's pretty awesome.  Do you think they had Madonna ones?

Lady Gaga should totally design her own sewing patterns!  (You knew it was coming.)

Kawaii Inspiration

Some of these I actually plan to make.  Someday.  ;-)

Not Buying It

Are you tired of how everyone is so obsessed with buying stuff all the time?  Yeah, me too.  Maybe it has to do with the time I've spent volunteering that makes me wonder, What do I actually need?  When I buy something, how long will it take for me to want more?  How many people out there actually do need a new pair of shoes because they are barefoot, and how many pairs of forgotten shoes do I have stuffed in my closet?

And then I think about the people who made the stuff.  Are they happy?  Do they have enough to eat?  Guilt.

I recently read an article in "Wired" magazine about the work compounds in China where the people live in little dorms and do repetitive work on assembly lines for 10 hours a day.  The cover screams...

Powerful imagery.  Yet, isn't it good to give people jobs?  Doesn't it benefit their lives?  I really don't know a lot about this, but I've been thinking about it a lot since I'm taking a class this semester on economic globalization.  New America Media has an article about how Forever 21 pays the garment workers a pittance.

Really, this is not my area of expertise.  I don't really know what to think about it, and I'm definitely not condemning globalization and mass-production as if it's some black-and-white subject.  I'm mostly just thinking out loud...  I'd like to hear what you have to say on this issue.

Job Search Update

This job search thing has become hardcore!  I'm about to graduate college, and I realized I need to find an actual career--not just some job that would make me hate my life.  Like all the other jobs I've had...  I've had to really take a hard look at myself and ask some serious questions.  What am I good at?  What do I like doing?  What do I feel drawn to?  Because it's not just "fashion" guys.  The answer has to be much more specific than that.

For years, there has been a personal battle in my head: fashion or psychology?  My two passions.  I love being creative and I love helping people.  I'm still looking for some way to combine the two, even though that sounds pretty unrealistic.  I'm the Queen of Unrealistic--after all, I live in Lalaland.

I've discovered some wonderful sites to help me in my job search.  If you're doing it right now too, forget Craigslist and Monster!  (I don't know, that may seem obvious to most people.  I can be a little slow.)  Career Infonet and O*Net Online have been incredible helps to me.  They list hundreds of careers, tell you what they are, what you do on the job, what kind of person would like the job, what education/training you need, how much you can make...tons of info.  If you live in California (my actual, physical location on this plane of existence), you can go to the CalJOBS website for job listings and help applying.

Right now I'm interested in becoming a social worker (among several other things), and I'm trying to figure out what job I can get with only a bachelor's in psychology.  Slim pickings, but I'm the kind of person who does what they want no matter what anyone says.  I'm trying to figure out how I can get an apprenticeship or something, and where to apply.  I should also look at becoming a costumer or personal stylist since I'm interested in that, too.

To be honest, I'm having second thoughts about the fashion school thing...  I already told everyone in the universe I was going to Fashion Careers College, but how do I know what the best choice is?  I guess I just have to trust God to lead me in the right direction, and I'll keep pursuing both paths until I have my answer. 

Nico the Fashion Cat

Introducing...my new fashion consultant...Nico the Fashion Cat!  Today is the first day of her new job.  She will help me pick out outfits.  Here's how it works: Since she can't point, I pick an item of clothing and show it to her.  If she runs away, that means no.  If she stays and gazes at it admiringly, that means yes.

Today she picked out some bright pink leggings with a black design on it that looks like a maze, a short black dress, a lace black dress over that, and my denim jacket with a cameo brooch on it.  Pretty good for the first day on the job!

Boredom

I have been suuuuper bored since the start of summer break.  I'm sure part of it has to do with no job/ no purpose -type of feelings.  Feeling guilty for not contributing to the household financially.  Not  having many friends.  Staying inside all day...  Leading to complete lack of motivation and energy.  I began to think, Why am I even getting out of bed?  Why am I getting dressed?  What is the point?  I was bored with life and beginning to get depressed.

But today--no more!!  I realized that I had to go out seeking adventure; it would not come knocking on my door.  So I got dressed in a non-boring outfit and went to the non-boring Pacific Beach.  They have great thrift stores, and I also donated some of my old stuff. 

I wore: a very faded blue tie-dyed undershirt underneath a tight mustard t-shirt that I cut slashes across the front of, a long black flowy cotton skirt past my knees, a purple and black tiger print silky scarf around my neck, my blue hipster nerd glasses, and dark green Vans without laces.  Reddish metalic Urban Decay eyeliner all around my eyes.  Oddly, I'm kind of into the heroin chic/ I partied last night and barely slept makeup look. 

I felt way better today than I have in a long time.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Set of 3 small rosettes made of hair custom to by Puppycatmeow

Set of 3 small rosettes made of hair custom to by Puppycatmeow

This girl makes AMAZING custom hair pieces for CHEAP! This is only $18. It would be fun for parties or going out--I would totally buy this one if I had the extra $$$, but I just bought some T.U.K.'s to go see The Murder City Devils at the end of this month. They just got back together after a 10-year hiatus! Can you believe that?!

 

 Beautiful pics too.

Here are the shoes I bought to see the Murder City Devils:

LOVE!!  Comfy for concerts, yet still super cute.

Royal Blue latex/rubber sailor dress with white ruffles by Kaorimg

Royal Blue latex/rubber sailor dress with white ruffles by Kaorimg

This is an interesting take on the popular pinup style, which I happen to love. The latex breathes new life into a classic style.

Tiger Toy Mini SkirtNeon Yellow with Black by heartattackcouture

Tiger Toy Mini SkirtNeon Yellow with Black by heartattackcouture

"Out for the kill, stalking her prey/ The fortunate ones never get away/ They say it's all fair in love, but it's not true/ You'll be chasing her tail til the night is through." (Electrocute)

This mini skirt is made from cotton-rayon jersey, very light and soft to the touch. Bold black stripes are painted onto a neon yellow background. Because the fabric is so lightweight, I lined the skirt with the same material to avoid the notorious VPL. The exposed zipper is thick with plastic tracks and nylon/polyester edges. It is sewn on the outside of skirt for an edgy look, and can be worn front or back. Also adding to the edgy look is a raw, unhemmed bottom edge. (This is not sloppiness--the rest of the garment is well-sewn.)

I have plenty of this fabric and can make this skirt in any size at your request. The skirt pictured is about a medium or large, and would fit about a size 7. When worn at the hips, the skirt hits just below your bum and is form-fitting. If you would like a custom size, it would be helpful to convo me the measurements around your hips where you would like the skirt to sit, around your bum, and the length you would like.

Measurements:
hips--36 in (92.5 cm)
length--11 in (28 cm)

I recently put this up on Etsy. I would have to say that this is the one thing up for sale that I would most like to keep. I have a few yards of this fabric and plan on making various things out of it...definitely a tank top tunic, but not sure what else.

Etsy :: Honeycomb Mini-Dress Lavender Aqua Cream with Gold Belt M Unique

I sold another thing! 

Hello!

Here I will track my daily thinkings, which will mostly be about fashion and sewing. I am an aspiring Etsy seller, and I am hoping that a blog will help me get my name out there. Plus, I like telling people stuff whether or not they're actually listening--just nod and smile! ;D

I have been doing A LOT of blog reading lately: Susie Bubble, Charlotte Taylor, Tavi, The Stroque...and last night I discovered Antimony & Lace. This has to do with "goth and dark fashion," which I am inspired by. I also love the fact that, perhaps even just for practical reasons, a goth would make her own clothes. She probably can't find exactly what she wants in stores, or if she does, it's waaaaay out of her budget--so she gets creative and customizes her wardrobe with her own size and colors!

This, in turn, relates to one of the big reasons I love Etsy: people creating one-of-a-kind clothing, much like wearable art! I can't begin to wonder why I'm obsessed with fashion, sewing, crafts, etc...but I CAN talk about it all day.