Day 5: A Dress is Born! (prematurely)

Final Day of Challenge:

Happy first day of Spring! I started this challenge 5 days ago, hoping for the miraculous birth of a Spring inspired, "cherry blossom" dress designed and made by me. Voila! Here it is.....

Although, I have completely fallen in love with this dress, and have high hopes for it, I must be honest with you. The birth was quite premature, or in other words, I just did not finish. *cringe* (see below for details)

If you followed my 5 day posts, you will know by now, the insanity the whole project brought to me, and unfortunately, it just was not enough time. I did get awfully close to finish, but there are several factors that still need to be done. I estimate about a half a week more and the dress will be complete.

 After the dress is complete, there will be detailed shots of the dress, along with a photo shoot of me wearing it.

Thanks for following the progress of this challenge and all your support!

❤,

Maya

Day 4 of 5: A Bouquet of Insanity

Day 4 of 5:

Today was a day filled with sewing silk flowers to the lower half of the dress, and continuing with yesterdays beading. I am at full blown stress mode, and one more silk flower could cause my head to pop off. 

I am still horribly behind, and a miracle is some what needed if completion is at all possible for tomorrow. On a brighter note, I am quite pleased with the silk flowers that look like falling sakura flowers. They have the soft, light, texture that I was hoping for, and the effect is exactly what I had in mind. I debated quite a bit whether to keep the rosettes in the center, but in the end opted to take them out, since the dress is inspired by the "cherry blossom". 

xo,

Maya 

Day 1 of 5: The Making of a Spring Evening Gown

Day 1 of 5

In case you missed the announcement yesterday, in celebration of Spring 2015, I will be attempting to design, and create a dress all within 5 days. The challenge is to have it completed by the first day of Spring ( this Friday, March 20).

The dress I am designing, is inspired by the beautiful pink cherry blossoms of Japan. The color palette is soft, sweet, and very pink. The fabrics chosen, are vintage embroidered lace, organza, and chiffon.  I also found pink silk flowers in the flower aisle and would like to somehow incorporate them into the dress.  I will most likely be adding other materials as I go along and my vision changes.

Day 1, was a slow day.  I felt a bit of frustrated, as my mind was blocked with the direction of my design. I only finished the top portion of lace, which is shaped to my frame. I did also attach a zipper in the back. However, I did not have time to finish the inner linings or add any details. Tomorrow will need to be met with more speed and efficiency to make up for lost time. Stay tuned!

Wish me luck, ❤

xo,

Maya

5 Day Fashion Design Challenge?

Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, it can only mean one thing. Winter is ending and Spring is finally here.

The "5 Day Fashion Design Challenge", is an ambition attempt to design, create, and finish a Spring 'inspired' evening dress, all by Friday March 20, 2015 (The first day of Spring). The Challenge will begin tomorrow, Monday, March 16, 2015, and the progress of the dress will be published everyday until the completion this Friday.

The dress will be inspired by the gorgeous cherry blossoms of Japan, and as you can imagine, there will be a lot of pink flying around the studio. Check in everyday, and hopefully by the first day of spring, an evening dress will be born!

❤

Maya

3 V-Day Outfits: Which Girl Type Are You?

Lets take a new approach to Valentine's Day Style, and rethink the meaning of this very selective day. Valentine's day is a day of love and therefore, interpreted as a day only for those with a "lover". Yes, some people celebrate amongst "loved ones", such as family or friends; however, what about loving you? Let this be not another day where you dress to impress someone else, but a day to discover yourself. 

Try loving yourself for a day?

 Revolutionary.

The Relaxed Thinker, is a girl who is low maintenance, earthy, and loves to read. She cares about others, and holds empathy for the world, and the future. She may not be the girl everyone notices, but she is definitely quietly loved and appreciated by others. 

Complimenting her character, this type of girl is suited wearing loose flowing blouses, simple stretch jeggings, and a no fuss shoe. Make up is natural, hair is loose and flowing. Everything anout this girl is natural, fresh, and simple.

The Independent girl is a modernist, and a 'go getter'. Very much a realist, she is not the type to wait around for a prince on a white horse. She sets a goal and goes for it. Usually the type to be noticed and chosen as a leader, she is fearless. 

Living in the now, she is fashion forward, and bold. Suited to business, she looks amazing in pencil skirts, leather attire, power suits, high boots/heels and contemporary style. She is confident, and her hair is pulled back or worn in a way that never covers or hides any part of her face. 

The Romantic, is a girl who loves poetry, history, art, music, and love. She is an idealist, and believes in the impossible. Often times, accused of having her head in the clouds, she is a dreamer. She loves, "love" and holds it to the highest esteem. 

With romance on her mind, her style is soft, feminine, and ethereal. She gravitates to whimsical style, and is suited to ombré textiles, chiffon dresses, and flower crowns. As a creative soul, her style is unique, vintage, and artsy. 

Which girl are you?

To be honest, this is not enough "types" to cover all of you, and most of you are probably mixtures of many. However, the point is to think about how your "character" should influence your style. When your inner being and outer style synch up, then you have personal harmony. You look, feel, and will be treated as you naturally are. You can be many "types" of girls, but the important thing is figuring out all levels to your preferences and what you desire from a deeper level.

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

❤

Maya

Blogmas Day 19: My Holiday Styling Secrets Using a Flower Pin

The key to my style is rooted in my imagination. I never set limits on an accessory and what it could be.  

A pin is not simply meant to be slapped onto a blouse with two possibilities of either pinning it on the right or left side. The possibilities are actually limitless, and should be viewed as such. 

This vibrant pink flower pin is made of silk, and purchased in France. It is one of my favorite accessories and it is used in limitless ways to add just the right amount of color, and glamour. 

I have collected today my top 4 favorite ways I use this flower pin to transform ordinary pieces into something extraordinary.

Pinning it through necklaces is super easy and quick. It will take an ordinary necklace and transform it into a statement. 

Corsage for my wrist? Yes, thank you. 

There is something rather glamorous and old Hollywood about a beautiful flower on a woman's wrist. It is a fun way to add a pop of color to any look and sure to get you many compliments.

With Holiday parties among us, there is nothing more I love than wearing a no fuss simple "little black dress" and accessorizing with a fabulous hair accessory. Simply pin it through a hairband lined with fabric, and it instantly transforms into a fabulous work of art.

For a relaxed look, pin the flower into one of your wired hair combs. It is a soft touch of color, and it will look beautiful tucked softly behind your ear. 

Other ways I love to style any type of flower pin is, with scarves, hats, shoes, bags, clutches, and even through the laces of my shoes! Your options are limitless. 

xo,

Maya

Pink & Red Love Affair.