Here are pictures from the Chicago Fashion Incubator show on Tuesday night. I was photographed with my good friend Laura Matic, my date for the evening, and also with my friend, and model, Matt Kasin and stylist Anthony Maslo. Such a fun night, with great friends!

Just a few images from the Make a Statement: Design for a Cure show on Thursday night. I'm so thrilled to be a part of this show, and my models KILLED it! Photos courtesy of Conrad Castelo Photography.

WHITE OUT

Hi Friends.
I'm really excited to be a part of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin's (ARCW) fundraiser event in Green Bay! Anyone who wants to see the latest collection should come down for what promises to be a fantastic evening. Even if the show disappoints, which it WON'T, there's all-night dancing! :)

In a MOOD

I just returned home from a four day mini-vacation to New York City. My boyfriend Travis is pretty good about planning big vacations around events that he wants to partake of, this time it was the Ringo Starr concert at Radio City Music Hall, on the drummer's 70th birthday, but he always allows the in between time for things that I like to do. This year we went to Mood Fabrics in the garment district. I have to tell you, when the elevator operator cranked open the door (yep, just like in the old days) it was like baby Jesus had opened the gates of Heaven. What an experience. I'm a big fan of Project Runway, and being in that store gave me a whole new appreciation for what those designers create. First of all, the fabric is not cheap, so those budgets are really, really limiting. I mean, if I could run to the dollar bin in the Wal-mart fabric section, I wouldn't have a problem building something for $100.00, hell I could treat you all to big pretzels at the snack bar with that kind of money, but here at Mood it is a different story. I found some jersey knit to make a lil' something for the new collection, but a yard and a half of that set me back $18.00. Secondly, it is the most organized fabric store I've ever been in. Literally every kind of fabric you could ever hope to find is clearly labeled and ready for the taking, the down-side to this is EVERY SINGLE KIND OF FABRIC YOU COULD EVER POSSIBLY WANT IS IN THIS STORE. It's overwhelming. I usually like to go to a fabric store with an abstract vision of what I want and let the fabric speak to me. Well Mood doesn't shut the hell up! Every bolt of fabric has the potential of becoming something amazing! Third, how are you supposed to concentrate on fabric shopping with a dog as cute as Swatch running around begging you to play with his rubber bagel? I mean really. It's a wonder they create anything! I loved it. As I left with my mood bag, and my business card (thanks Travis, for reminding me to grab one), I could almost hear Tim Gunn say "thank you Mood". Loved it.

An artfit for Forest

Forest was a student of mine about three years ago. I caught up with him while teaching summer art studio in Green Bay this summer. Practicing what I preach, I created this artfit in the spirit of the course. It features a vintage Levi's jean jacket embellished with copper paint, and appliques cut from a tapestry wall hanging along with patches found at a thrift shop. The t-shirt is hand-painted, the shorts are cut-offs from some old green polyester pants and feature a little fawn peeking out of the back pocket. The shoes are mint condition Bass boat shoes (thanks Green Bay thrift), and the hat is a Banana Republic newsboy (a touch too small, but it added that certain little something).

I'm featured in this month's issue of Mint Male magazine! Check it out!

Special thank you to Joey Grant, Christina Burton, Erik Wallace, Brian Ellis, Benjamin Bradshaw, Jake Conrad, Tony Woods, Joseph Miller, Matt Kamm, and AJ Bernahl!

ahhh, runway

The zipper from the Heaven Gallery Show. Why yes, Tony's red cords coordinate with the red turtleneck on AJ behind him. Accident? I think not.

photo credit: Eddie Eng
http://eddo.zenfolio.com/

Well folks, another day, another show. And this one was *such* a good one! I couldn't be more thrilled with how everything turned out! I'd like to thank Christina Elizabeth for coming to shoot the lookbook, and to Sean Stevenson for the amazing makeup. To my boys, Erik, Brian, Benjamin, Jake, Tony, Joseph, Matt, and AJ, you are my heartsong. I make the clothes, you make them magic, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Once again I was completely blown away and humbled by the tremendous amount of support I received from my family and friends. To see your faces in the crowd, to know that your weekend included a night for me, there are no words that can express my gratitude. Thank you all so very much!
Now I'm looking forward to the Spring/Summer collection! I hope you all are ready for some color!

special thanks to Lexie Hassinger for designing the poster and to Robert San Martin for the photogrpahy.

Fashion Show

Erin Gotwals and I just went to Wicker Park to reserve a spot at Rodan for an after party. Any and all people in or around Chicago on JANUARY 16 should probably come to Heaven Gallery 1550 N. Milwaukee Ave. at 8pm for our fashion show!
In addition to our Winter collections you'll get the first peek at the new Spring lines from both our houses! (okay, so our "fashion houses" are still our actual apartments, but you KNOW it's only a matter of time before we have our own fashion houses out in the real world, and that doesn't negate the fact that we're making some pretty amazing new designs!)
I hope to see all of you there!

January 16
Heaven Gallery 1550 N Milwaukee
Doors open at 7, show starts at 8
$10 suggested donation at the door