The Kingdom of Guo Pei

I've been doing a lot of research on couture and couture designers ever since I got the internship. This is how I discovered this insanely talented Chinese couture designer Guo Pei. 

Guo Pei in her studio

This woman seriously deserves more praise because, just LOOK AT HER ART! Her pieces definitely deserve to be called artworks! They are beyond stunning and the detailing and designs are just out of this world! I'm seriously obsessed and in love!

And speaking of China, I'll be in Hong Kong again this week! I know, I just came back, but this was totally unplanned, and I'm as (happily) surprised as the next person! I'll be there longer this time, and I'm going to bring pain killers so that my back doesn't kill me and I can bring my camera around!

See you in a week! :)

After the Rain

It'd be an understatement if I said that the past couple of months have been bumpy. But I picked myself up, and thankfully the pieces have all sort of fallen back into place.

Btw, is it just me or does blogspot seriously suck up all the quality in the pictures?

Shawl cardigan - Cotton On; Floral shorts - Target; Buddha Bracelets and Warrior Necklace - Samcas designs (coming out soon!); Pink Tusks Necklace - Forever21; Platform Oxfords - some street market in Hong Kong

So big news once again, I am now going to be apprenticing under a legend! A Filipino couture designer named Aureo Alonzo (or better known as 'Tatang' to his clients) has decided to take me under his wing and mentor me!

He's not only the best of the best, but he's taught the best of the best! He's mentored popular contemporary couture designers such as Inno Sotto, Rajo Laurel, and Joe Salazar (R.I.P.) just to name a few.

Before you read more, don't forget to join my ONGOING GIVEAWAY!

Couture Skirts

As some of you may know, I am currently taking couture classes, and our first course is all about skirts! 

They're really quite simple to begin with, but they're even easier once you understand the basics of its construction.

As promised, here are some of the skirts I've made so far

The maxi skirt I made. :) I've never made a maxi skirt, just because I've never made a long skirt, usually the skirts I make are knee length or shorter. But I am so into maxis right now that I just had to make one! I love how it drapes, and you should see when it's in motion! It's so pretty!

 

 Ignore the weird fit it has on the side. My dressform is about 2-3 sizes smaller than I am so I had to pin it, hence the weird bulk at the hip

 

I am in love with the color I got! Also, I finish all my skirts (and most of my garments) with invisible zippers :)

 

A circle skirt. Made it out of muslin. I have enough circle skirts, didn't want to make another one just for class.

And last but not the least, a pencil skirt with a waistband. I've already made a sexy black one back when I was in fashion school, so I decided to go for the whole "Stepford Wife" meets "Mad Men" look. What do you guys think? I am personally in love with my new skirts. I can't wait for spring to be here!!!

oh, and I'm wearing it cause it won't go through my dressform, the bottom part of the dress is too small

 

p.s. I know it's not hemmed, I have to wait til class to hem it

And now, I'm about to make another skirt with this awesome silk paisley fabric I found for a steal! ($2.98 a yard!!!)

I know some of you might be thinking that it looks like a scarf or a tie, I swear, this'll be a very cute skirt! :)

Couture Class - Hemming

So today, before I headed to class, I passed by Discount Fabrics in 11th Street in SF

OMG. I DIED.

Excuse the photo quality, I just used my phone's camera cause I didn't bring my SLR. I didn't expect to see THIS!

And this was only one aisle!!!

The Week That Was..

So this week, fashion week was a hit, I quit my job, and I am religiously learning couture and getting my poor tiny fingers pricked constantly. ALL IN THE NAME OF FASHION!

My little workspace/desk. Grossly expensive tracing wheel, horrible tracing paper, a million pins and scissors, rulers, and of course, my trusty PSP for those much needed 5 minute breaks :)

And here we have my trusty sewing machine, my model (the naked Barbie at the side), tulle, and some canvas paper

For the other artists out there, show me your workspace! :D

More under the cut!

Couture classes + TOMS

Yesterday was the start of couture classes, and let me just tell you, IT WAS AMAZING!

French Couture is WAY different from mass production or ready to wear. 

It's more time consuming of course, but the final product is 10 times better as well!

 

My supplies (I know, I'm a slob)

The workroom! (Ignore the patternmaking book, no one uses it in the class)

It's amazing how after taking just ONE 3-hour class, I already feel like I've learned so much more than I did in my 2 years of schooling. It may be the technique that's used, or the way Colleen teaches it (every measurement has a purpose), but I really feel like I've improved a lot. 

At the same time, I feel (and know) that I still have A LOT to learn. I'm excited for what the next 9 months will bring! :)

Read on...

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 Couture

"Punk couture" is definitely what Gaultier is known for. 

Aside from this, he included his Parisian influences to this amazing show! 

Warning: very picture heavy!

Let the show begin!

My Life So Far

As I mentioned in my first post, this is my year of learning and discovery, and in a couple of weeks, I'll be taking couture classes with one of the most artistic and genuine couturier's I've ever met.

Colleen Quen

Colleen's been my friend, mentor, and boss for a little over 2 years now. She's formally trained in French couture and she's now passing on the knowledge to me. Her work is impeccable, and her designs are always so elegant and inspiring.

She's designed for celebrities such as Tyra Banks, Paris Hilton, and Geena Davies, and she's been featured in numerous magazines, museums, and even TV shows like America's Next Top Model (Tyra Banks is her client after all. She was in the cycle when Saleisha won)