Fall 2011 Look Book Preview

Good morning Darlins!  I find myself this morning,  very grateful yet very tired.  As some of you may know (twitter followers) this past weekend was my Fall 2011 Look Book photo shoot.  So all week long I was prepping and organizing for the shoot.  Then, because the shoot was quite a distance for the models on Saturday, the girls spent the night at my place.  So I thought why not take them out for a little dinner at a local posh restaurant.   It turned out to be a loooooong night.  We went from appetizers to the dance floor.  Over all, it was a blast.

How amazing are these lights?

Food was delicious.

Yes, at this point....I was feeling 30.

Love them.

After our long night of celebrating, the gals and I had a call time of 7:00am the next morning.  I was up and crazy! I mean I was running around like a crazy woman.  We had a time frame and I had to stick to it.  And guess what? I did it! Thank you Lord! Also, thank you Lord for the amazing weather. The over-cast was perfect for the shoot that morning.  So after a long morning of ants, bugs, dirt, trips, lizards and scares (lizards), we completed the shoot.  I couldn't have done it without these lovely ladies and of course my hubby. Much love.

So here's a sneak peek at the Fall 2011 Look Book.

Restaurant & bar:  The Edge Restaurant

Behind the Runway - Fall 2011 Project Ethos (PART 1)

Hello, Hello darlins!

Ask me if I'm still tired?  YES!  I think my poor feet are going to be mad at me for a very long time. Let me start by saying....what a night or should I say what a day. I almost worked a full 24hrs straight! Yes, I arrived at the venue at 11am. This place always amazes me with it's old beauty.

Booths

Ceiling

Mirror in front of a staircase.

Once the models started to arrive, it was more fittings, a little food and a whole lot of waiting.

Rehearsals were next, followed by hair and make-up.

the ROBATANISTS

Veronica Gutierrez

Carlton Hair International, stylist Mario Estrada

Ahhh...no make-up!

I couldn't have done all of this without the help of my two lovely assistants...

Elizabeth Availa & Denise Barreda

I'd also like to thank all of the following lovely people Runway Icon, Project Ethos -1 (yes I would!), Jason Peskin, Nicky Bernal, Melina Perez, Nicole Young, Hannah Baker, Gutierrez Family, Jessica Sambuco, Candice Westby, Amanda Petersen, Alyssa Brooks, Naomi Charles, Maryela Perez, Maria Rivera and last but not least my family.

Part 2 coming up tomorrow!

xoxo

Who's coming?

So as you may well know, I've been getting ready for my upcoming fashion show in 3 weeks.  Things couldn't be more hectic but I'm happy to say, I have found the ballerina I needed!

So who's coming?

I would like to personally invite you to what's to be my biggest fashion show to date! Come see what happens when the "Black Swan meets Tim Burton" on the runway. Here are all the details from Project Ethos: Project Ethos returns to LA Fashion Week with an explosive lineup of fashion, music and art. 7 Designers, over 70 models, a dozen live music acts and DJs including ROBATANISTS and YOLANDA BE COOL ("We Speak No Americano"), 7 Visual Artists and more. Cocktail attire, 21+ Avalon Hollywood, Hollywood CA Red carpet 8:00pm - 10:00pm $20.00 pre-sale, $25 @ door, $50 VIP It's as amazing as it sounds! I really hope to see all of you there, it would mean everything to me. For tickets email me at m.velia@melissavelia.com or leave a comment below. AND for all my fellow fashion bloggers, I have a special invite for you! Email me for all the details. RSVP here.

Coming up on Following Melissa Velia, the beginning of my new blog series Interviewing the Dreamer.  A new series of blog post, that will feature interviews with lovely people to aspire to be.....something, someone and those who have dreamed it and made it happen.  If your looking to be inspired, check back this week for my first interview.

Flats

Good day!  Just another busy week for me in my world.  Deadlines hanging over my head like Bobby Trendy, waiting to give me a style make-over.  Stressed, to say the least.  Anyways, I thought I'd share with you what I'm working on right now, my flats.  No darlins, I did not become a shoe designer overnight, at least not yet (wink). And if I was, flats would be far from my list. 

Line Sheets

Flats or technical drawings, are usually the very first thing store buyers see when looking to purchase inventory for their stores.  The flats are shown on line sheets (shown above), with all the information buyers might need to make their choices.  Flats and line sheets, have come a long way from when I was in college.  Yet, I personally like to hold on to the more traditional works in general.  As much as I would love to show you my current season, Fall 2011. I mustn't.  Instead, I can share with you my inspiration for the collection and show you my flats from the last season.  Thanks for reading loves!

Fall 2011 "Black Swan, meets Tim Burton and Helena" 

(see it all March 12th, 2011 during LAFW in Hollywood, CA)

Flat with details, Spring 2011 - Chiffon Tunic

Spring 2011 - Chiffon Tunic

A simple flat, Spring 2011 - Sequins Tank

Spring 2011 - Sequins Tank

XOXO

Next Top Model?

So this weekend as you might have already read is the model casting call for my upcoming fashion show.  Every time I do one of these I go into it excited and leave feeling....like a heel! Yes, like a heel.  I don't know why but right when I'm in the middle of going through all these lovely people, I start to feeling bad that my thoughts are saying, "Your not very pretty", "Love her", "Really?", "Your walk is really not good", "Oh my gosh how did you get in!" I mean really my pretty little thoughts can be pretty mean sometimes, unintentionally.  At least, I'm not straight out telling them like on America's Next Top Model or American Idol.  Anyways, with a business mind on, I will be at the casting this weekend ready to make things happen.  I'll be sure to take some pictures to share on my next post.

On another note, I've been horribly sick for the past 4 days.  Yet, I managed to purchase all the fabric for my collection, have a chat with a PR/ Marketing firm and finish my accounting for 2010.  I must say....THANK YOU LORD! Now I must go and take care of my sick hubby and begin sketching my flats for those line sheets. I'll leave you with this verse, in loo of....

"Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised." -Proverbs 31:30