Truth...

Fashions 30 under 30...

I'm on the heels of  being apart of a hair show where most of the performers for our company were under 30 years old; We are approaching the age that we have to let the young creative talent breathe fresh air in our world. It's always my inclination to tell my mentees how to do things, but I have learned that they have a lot to show me. I am open and receptive to the new guard. So, I thought about fashion ( as always), and how the design houses are now letting super young designers run a line....

A few of the 30 under 30

1.  Azede Jean-Pierre (23)

Former Ralph Rucci and Ohne Titel intern Azede Jean-Pierre only has two collections under her belt, but she’s already proven herself quite the chameleon. For Fall 2013 the 23-year-old was inspired by the anatomy of a beetle, which translated into city-slick leather and knitwear with spinal detailing, while Spring 2014 was a colorful urban tea party marked by some pretty great rounded hems. We can’t wait to see what she pulls out of the bag next season.

She also happens to be a friend of mine!

 Esteban Cortázar (29)
At the age of 17 Cortázar became the youngest ever designer to show at New York Fashion Week, and at 23 was appointed creative director of Parisian fashion house Emmanuel Ungaro. A dispute with management two years later over sharing creative duties with Lindsay Lohan turned out to be a blessing in disguise; Cortázar has now designed two capsule collections backed by Net-a-Porter, full of structured, athletic-inspired separates and fluid satin and stretch-cady dresses.


Dion Lee (27)
Australian designer Dion Lee makes a case for fashion as both art and science. Spring 2014 marked his New York Fashion Week debut, but prior to that he was stunning critics in London with his architectural silhouettes and technological prowess. His Spring 2013 collection used geothermal heat mapping to abstract the body’s hot zones onto both sides of his fabric, which was then slashed and folded to give his clothes a third dimension.


 Olivier Rousteing (27)
When Balmain’s Christophe Decarnin abruptly departed the flashy fashion house in 2009, 25-year-old Rousteing was brought on as his replacement. As it turned out, the designer’s vision for the brand was no less impressive than his Pharrell-rivaling cheekbones: After four years at the helm of the brand, he’s ditched the trash factor and introduced more silhouettes for real human bodies, while simultaneously proving overalls and patchwork denim dresses can be sexy.


 Jérôme Lamaar (27)
Jérôme got his break interning for Baby Phat at age 15, becoming senior designer only three years later. But don’t expect any bedazzled velour from his new line, 5:31 Jérôme. Alongside elegant takes on streetwear, such as Swarovski-studded boyfriend jeans, are sleek downtown separates like leather skater skirts and silk anoraks.


Katie Ermilio (27)
As the granddaughter of Grace Kelly’s personal clothier, elegance is in her blood. But don’t be jealous — she also put in the hard yards as a Vogue editorial intern, which is where she started designing her own dresses to wear to work. Since launching her own range of cocktail and wedding dresses she’s caught the discerning eye of Barney’s and become a go-to for industry insiders.


 Pedro Lourenco (22)
Good news for people who enjoy feeling old and unaccomplished: Brazilian designer Pedro Lourenço launched his first collection at Paris Fashion Week, to resounding critical acclaim no less, when he was just 19. Now at the ripe old age of 23 he still loudly and deservedly buzzed about. Technique and technology influence much of his pieces, which include aviator-inspired shirts and bomber/blazer hybrid jackets.


 Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen (27)
We won’t humor you with an introduction. The Row has likely single-handedly made the ‘actress-turned-designer’ tag one that doesn’t make us want to punch somebody, and while we won’t be forking out $34,000 for a bag any time soon, the long-line separates are things you can look cool in now and when you’re 70. That’s no mean feat.


 Alexander Wang (29)
Just making the cut at age 29, Alexander Wang presented his RTW women’s line at New York Fashion Week in 2007 and arrived at the head of storied French house Balenciaga only five years later. With some pretty massive cut-out ankle boots to fill courtesy of Nicolas Ghesquière, he’s chosen to explore Balenciaga’s roots rather than embark on any sort of urban makeover, and has more than proved himself worthy of his liberally-tossed-around wunderkind status in the process.


Thomas Tait (26)
Thomas Tait was just 21 when he graduated with an MA from Central Saint Martins — the youngest person ever to do so, and the same age as Yves Saint Laurent when he was appointed head of Dior in 1957. With that in mind, it’s surprising his collections don’t generate more buzz than they do. But with Tait quietly building on his hyper-modern, athletic-inspired collections with a couture refinement, it won’t be long before the world is noticing.

 Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs (28)
Cushnie et Ochs is the collaboration of Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs. The 2007 Parsons Designer of the Year and runner up, respectively, they launched their brand in 2008 upon graduation. That same year they sold their Spring 2009 collection exclusively to Bergdorf Goodman and took out the Ecco Domani Fashion Fund award. They are the undisputed queens of racy cut-outs.



 Christian Siriano (27)
Since becoming the youngest Project Runway winner in 2008, Siriano’s namesake brand has become one of the mainstays of the New York Fashion Week calendar. Though known for his red carpet-ready eveningwear, he’s proving he’s capable of girly laid-back luxe too.



 Misha Nonoo (26)
If Misha Nonoo’s clothes were people, we would want to be their best friends. They’re bright, sweet, nonchalantly cool and always well accessorized. This season marked Nonoo’s first New York Fashion Week runway show, though she’s been amassing a small army of fans for the last three years.

TBT...

Throw back Thursday...

You definitely turn into your mother, no matter how you looked growing up. I'm so glad I did, because she is beautiful! 

Toile...

Did you know that Designers use a test garment on a dress form on a live model, to test out the pattern before making the real garment. 

Test garment[edit]

In Australian and British terminology, a "toile" is a version of a garment made by a fashion designer or dressmaker to test a pattern. They are usually made in cheap material, as multiple toiles may be made in the process of perfecting a design. Toiles are commonly called "muslins" in the United States, named for the cheap, unbleached cotton fabric available in different weights.

I have been witness to a designer marking a toile for a client and I have to say, it is beyond amazing, not like going to a store and buying off the rack, it is like watching a artist paint a canvas. 

North vs South fashion...

I was raised all over the world, so for me I do not have an origin, other than being born in Dayton, Ohio and that it was homeroom for when my Dad was waiting for his next orders ( military orders). When I travel to some of my favorite cities, like Chicago, New York, and DC I remember that our country is full of unique and different cultures. One of the clear differences in the North and south is the way we dress. I was raised by a southern women ( My mom is from Georgia), and she had the proper southern way of presenting herself and her children. What I love about my personal style is, it is a juxtaposition of both north and south. I feel the South has a uniform of what is expected and proper, where northern states, especially bigger cities don't have any rules, unless you have to present yourself professionally or traditionally. Of course that is my opinion, and means nothing really. What I love about the newest craze of street blogging, is that the world can see the amazing style of fashionable people. I follow about 8 street blogger's, and it inspires me more than anything!

My reason for living!

GRATEFUL,  isn't a big enough word for how I feel about my mother. If you asked her any questions about having give birth to me,  she would have the longest story about every minute of the event. In fact she could go on and on about me and my sister, she really loved having her children.  She has made me feel so wanted,  needed,  and valued all my life. Her deep concern for all mankind has been an trait I've always been impressed with. Today is her birthday...I can't imagine the world without her, she's touched so many lives, and the funny thing is she doesn't even know it. With her unbelievable skin, beautiful hair, and super amazing stlye, she continues to amaze me. So, hats off to my fantastic Momma!

Leapping forward...

For two days I had two grasshoppers stuck to my window by my station at work. They were alive and roaming around the window all day. I became very curious about the symbolism of the grasshopper and started researching, what I found was truly inspiring. 

Grasshopper Symbology -- The grasshopper is associated with astral travel. They have the ability to leap through time and into space where the true mysteries of life exist. People with this medicine have the wisdom necessary to overcome obstacles efficiently and are able to jump into successful ventures without preparation or planning. When the grasshopper appears to us we are being asked to take a leap of faith and jump forward into a specific area of life without fear. Usually that specific area is one that we have avoided and is often connected to change on a larger scale. This can represent a change in location, relationships, career or just in the way we perceive ourselves.

Grasshoppers can only jump forward....not backward, or sideways. So, when grasshopper shows up he could be reaffirming to you that you are taking the right steps to move forward in your current situation. Or it could be that he is telling you to go ahead and move forward, getting past what is hindering you. This is why grasshopper is the symbol of good luck all over the world. Grasshopper's ability to connect and understand sound vibrations is why he is also a symbol of your inner voice. he could be telling you to trust yours.

I continue to grow and venture in new arenas pretty much every year, I can't wait to see what's next for me!

He lost a arm, but still kept leaping ;-)

Beautiful Bride...

As I wind-down bridal season ( 5 more weddings to go, 20 wedding done), I see the sentiment in all of them, because most of my brides have been in my life before they found Mr. Right. I am probably the most fortunate bridal make up artist in the world, because I've gotten to know my brides as friends. On October 5, I was a part of a magical wedding for a beautiful woman that I've known since she was in high school. Her mother brought her and her sister to see me to start grooming their brows because they were doing such a teenage terrible job doing them themselves. Even when they went on to college and started their careers, they would wait till they came home to visit before they got their brows shaped by anyone else. So with that kind of loyalty, I had to make her special day all that she dreamt it would be for her make up. She was stunning and the entire wedding was beyond beautiful! 

Beyond October Hope...

Most people who haven't had anyone affected by breast cancer tend to show support and give monetarily to the cause, but after the month of October, their attention is gone. I was that type of person till one of my dearest aunts lost her battle with breast cancer in 2011. Now wearing a pink ribbon and giving extra money at the cash out counter means something totally different. 

My Aunt Bessie was a style icon in our family, she had the largest collection of shoes and hats I've ever seen ( a whole spare room dedicated to them actually). Her tender smile and knack for knowing what you needed before you did was something we all cherished. I always loved that people told me I looked like her, because I loved looking at her, I was pretty mesmerized actually. So, now when I think of supporting and being active in raising money to help Breast Cancer Awareness month, it's not just wearing pink in October, now I make it my mission to stay active all year round.

My newest brow obsession...

If you haven't heard of Lily Collins yet, you will know her very soon. She is the daughter of Phil Collins and Jill Tavelman. Besides her abilities in journalism, acting, and modeling, she has the most amazing brows! They are at the top of the Google search page and the brows have their own twitter page...really, not kidding! 

She is the newest ambassador of Lancome. In January you will see her in all the Lancome advertising for their launch of " Ballerine", Spring 2014. It's no secret I have a thing for brunettes, I just love dark hair, its one of my favorite looks when I do make up, ( if you don't have dark hair,

I still like doing your make up, so don't get your feelers hurt). Stepping up on the pedestal with Kate Winslet, and Emma Watson, Lily embodies the grace and charm needed for this position. I know I  will have great  brow tear sheet examples to show my clients!

Much needed light!

Little known fact about me; Mr. Pettus calls me "Bubbles," because I raise to the top and never stop... in his opinion. But, these past few days my bubbles have gone flat. I have had a few interesting things happen that have left me feeling not so positive. I have pulled it together enough for the world to think I'm fine, so my performance at work has not been affected. This morning I had to have much prayer and meditation to get it together another day... I asked myself, " Is all my effort and drive worth it?

It can be exhausting to want so much for others and myself. Then I received a message from a lovely person I vaguely remember, she allowed me to share it with the public, of course I told her, she not only made my day, she was that light for me today.

Hello this is Belina, and I just wanted you to know you are the reason to me being and esthetician. And showing me how to do a smokey eye down to my first make up brush set that made me an official make up artist and I always think of you every time I do bridal make up as well. I will always think of you as my mentor just wanted to say thank you for being my light when my world was dark I understand what you taught me now love you and hope you have an awesome day.

When you give all you can, never holding back your gift, you allow someone else to grow, Thank you Belina for reaching out to me yesterday, my light is back on!

Re-Couped!

I had to take a little break from blogging for a couple of weeks, My birthday and 5 other events, didn't allow my brain to process words that you would remotely be interested in. But, now I am back on track and my subject today is: Dressing for your lifestyle. I'm very social and I work as much as I socialize, thank goodness my industry of work allows for some overdressing during the day. Although I do get asked daily where I am going, I usually reply; I dressed up for you, because I knew you were coming to see me today! I do overdress most of the time because I sometimes never know who I may meet or where I may go at the end of my day. I have an evening bag and heels in my car at all times. If your life is more about car pool and children's homework, I get that dressing up would be a tad ludicrous, but I would say if you do put some effort in the way you look during the day it's less likely you will have to apologize for your appearance when you run into people you haven't seen in awhile, just a thought...

Celebrating aging!

I know a few people that don't like to tell their age, and when you find out,  the person usually looks younger. I have always been truthful about my age, I feel I've earned every year, and as long as I take care of this vessel and my soul, I think I'll stay on the side of looking and feeling young.

I had a great time celebrating another year of life last week, I thank all the people who took out the time to celebrate with a lovely dinner at Oceanaire. Here are some of the highlights...