I just finished the third sketch of the collection. It's a premium Italian leather trench coat, iridiscent denim fall front jeans trimmed in black suede with button-up ankle closures, a cotton tank top with an organza/lace/ribbon trim and lace buttons, a structured "Veve" frame handbag with the Veve for Baron Samedi, point d'esprit lace fingerless gloves and a Victorian style veiled mourning hat. I did anoter pair of boots too this ones have a rose vine going up the black part of the shoe... Read Full Story

I just finished the second sketch for the collection. This one is a back view since I have to do one. I did a Victorian-style riding jean in a brown velvet flocked denim with seat and thigh insets of italian premium leather. I also did a white stretch cotton t-shirt with beading and ribbon around the neck to simulate a slit throat ( Yes, I know but it's the movie and it's original) , red Swarowski crystals to simulate blood drops and a crushed velvet lettering applique that says " Never... Read Full Story

I have been feeling pretty desperate and anxious since I lost my job and went into freelancing so I could devote more time to my fashion. Well that and because the economy is so desperately shitty that the jobs have been scarce. Specially good, high paying medical writing jobs that don't want you onsite , busting butt 60 hours a week, in basically... New Jersey. Yes, I have gone hungry. Yes, I have been pulling through for the last 8 months by the sheer grace of God and the Loas and my... Read Full Story

Steven Cojucaru, the dude that does red carpet reports and pimps stuff for several mags a la InStyle, happens to be from my Monty. That is Montreal. My adoptive hometown where I was happy for the first time in my life. Everyone knows I spent a big chunk of my life there for school I believe he hails from Notre Dame de Grace and he went to Dawson which is the best known fashion program there... I've hear he might have gone to Concordia too. I went to Universite de Montreal which is like the... Read Full Story

I am thinking of incorporating Veve's into some of the accesories for the "Sweeney Todd" collection. This is what Veves are.... The Voodoo religion as it is practiced in the United States has its roots in the African Diaspora. The African Diaspora refers to the forced enslavement of Africans from Africa to the Western hemisphere.The slaves brought their traditional religions and spiritual beliefs with them, which eventually became cloaked in Christianity in an ingenious move to avoid further... Read Full Story

I have always been a devoted worshipper of Coco Chanel. Being that by religious faith I am Lukumi meets Buddhist, I believe in the concept of "mounting" Get your minds out of the gutter...not that kind of mounting. In Lukumi or Regla de Ocha, mounting means that a spirit takes you over. Sometimes it's the spirit of a Loa ( or Orisha, that is a deity such as Oshun or Yemaya) or the spirit of a person or ancestor. I like to fantasize that the spirit "mounting" me, is that of Coco Chanel... Read Full Story

I am insane busy this week I have 22 flats to re-do and ink, 2 more full illustrations a 12 page research paper and a midterm to study for. That on top of a six-hour "battery" style job inteview on Tuesday. So bear with me.... But meanwhile here is the first sketch of the "Sweeney Todd" collections... This one is called "There's No Place Like London" and it's a skull-print organza off the shoulder blouse, tailored distressed corduroy paisley waiscoat and fall-front jean "breeches" . I also... Read Full Story

I am working on the flats for the Sweeney Todd-inspired " Never Forgive, Never Forget" collection for my final... It's coming out TWISTED. It's VERY Westwood-Moschino-Schiapparelli-Thomas Wylde- Chris March-cum Tripp Gothic Threads.... But seriously, that is like my style all the time. I am doing a dress. A quite obscene Victorian dress... See, I am taking elements from the movie. In this case, Mrs. Lovett's Pie Shop. I designed a very simple Victorian dress with a high neckline with a kick... Read Full Story

There are several models out there that people many embrace for finding a good mate. The astrological model is one that we may not all be familiar with and is a good model to hoist up into the spotlight, for it can take the scrutiny. With a resounding anti-arranged marriage sentiment here in the U.S., the call for 'let me make my own mistake!' rings loud and clear. Yet in the ancient ways, there was a reason for arrangements that was not necessarily related to concentration of wealth and... Read Full Story

I am a big Project Runway fan and I have been writing reviews of the episodes, past contestants post-show collections and so on. I am also friends with some past contestants. I constantly get asked by my friends, family, schoolmates and teachers why I do not try out for the show and why I have not done so. The reasons are multiple. Project Runway is a contest-show that is 20-30% about design, 40% about fast sewing and construction skills and 30% about being a "personnality" and making for... Read Full Story