Gothic-Romantic City Chic

Dress: BCBG MaxAzria 'Braidey' $198 (with pockets!!!)

Shoes: Nasty Gal's Shoe Cult 'Living on the Wedge' Bootie $98

Purse: Vince Camuto 'Mikey' Tote $278

Hat: Forever 21 $10

Scarf: Jim Thompson $48

Belt and Necklace: Unknown

                     These shots were taken somewhere along Lake Shore Drive shortly after Travis and I attended the open house for The Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I'm currently reading Nasty Gal CEO Sophia Amoruso's book #GIRLBOSS (which I have yet to finish but so far it's fantastic) and found out that Sophia had also attended and worked at The Academy of Art University in San Francisco! I'm not exactly sure if that's supposed to be a sign or a warning, but I'm choosing to take it as a sign. 

                     Not only is this school located in an amazing city where I already have family, but they provide their students with so many opportunities like getting to work on NY fashion week, and having famous designers critique their work. Sounds amazing, I know. So my goal now is to vacation to San Fran in February or March 2015, so that Travis and I can plan to move there by summer. 

                     While this is all way too exciting, it's going to take a butt-load of work and planning on my part. I need to get my transcripts from the three schools I've already been to, finish my projects for class, update my resume so I can apply for jobs out there, purchase various household items, and like a million other things but I won't bore you with the details. 

                    I've only actually moved out once on my own before and it was to an already furnished apartment which, I wan't even paying the rent for... The cost of living in San Fransisco is high. Like, super high. But I'm hoping that means the pay is higher too. I'm not sure how exactly I'm going to be pulling all of this off but I know I'm ready for my new big-girl lifestyle. Wish me luck!!!

Happy Birthday, Kristina Bazan!

I had the pleasure of meeting the incredible Kristina Bazan last week at Macy's State Street for an event with Michael Kors. Kristina is the founder of Kayture, one of the most influential blogs in Switzerland as well as internationally, with over 1 million followers. Since 2011, she has been traveling the world working with high-end designers such as Louis Vuitton, Dolce&Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent, and Jimmy Choo just to name a few. Did I mention that today is her 21st birthday? She's only TWENTY-ONE!

Kristina, I can not elaborate enough what an absolute joy it was to meet you. It was so refreshing to see that with all your accomplishments and publicity, you're still so humble. You treated each person that came to see you like they were long-lost friends, and spent time talking with each of us. You're ambitious, kind, and beautiful inside and out- and that's what makes you so inspiring! Not only are you living the life that every girl dreams of, but you're doing so with grace. 

Have a very happy birthday, darling! May your celebrations be filled with all your heart's desires!!

                                  xoxo,

                                      Jackie Rose

                                  'The Fashion Fairy'

Louis Vuitton's Handbag "Zoo"

(I guess this is old news, but no one I've talked to seems to know about it so...)

In honor of the design house's 100th anniversary in 2012, Louis Vuitton commissioned British artist, Billie Achilleos, to create the "Maroquinaris Zoologicae", a collection made entirely out of the brand's signature handbags and small leather goods.

Wait, wait, wait...

Louis Vuitton is making fake animals... out of real animals?

Yyyyep!
23 gorgeously hand-crafted leather animals to be exact...

Iguana, duck, squirrel,

armadillo, 

cricket, 

and life-size panda bear, just to name a few...

           On the one hand, I'm incredibly impressed. Coming from a background of selling designer handbags at Nordstrom, attending designer triangle meetings for insight on exactly how the pieces are made, taking classes and attempting to sew leather myself (and breaking three needles), it's not at all hard for me to be able to appreciate such amazing craftsmanship that went into this installation- not to mention the time it took to execute! The giant panda alone took two months and 74 bags to complete... If that doesn't deserve applause I don't know what does.

           On the other hand, I try to shop vegan when I can. I don't necessarily believe that animals are here for us to "use". I am very much aware that in the wild, creatures hunt, kill, and use one another for sustenance, but we humans have this thing called "money", and we just don't know when to stop. We take more than we need, and it creates imbalance. 

           I'll be the first to admit that I'm always ogling over the latest Ferragamo satchels and Valentino totes, but the excessive use of real animal to create fake ones here does make me the tiniest bit uncomfortable. I think I would have really loved to see Vuitton using such a magnificent display as a way to create hype for a non-profit organization in order to help animals that might be endangered or something, giving the collection a more meaningful and pro-active purpose. But alas, the world is round, the sky is blue, and Louis Vuitton does what Louis Vuitton wants. 

           What's your take? Are the leather animals more impressive than inconsiderate? Or is it just too ironic to be able to enjoy?... I'm really on the fence here- I wanna know what you think!

Original article from The Denizen, April 2012

Photos by Rex Features 

2 for 1: Designing Through Decades

                    Ohmygosh, it's been so long since I've posted anything! I took a brief vacation to visit one of my close friends, Kate Noreen, at The Ohio State University. I had never seen her school before and her sorority was throwing a "Great Gatsby" themed party so of course, I took the opportunity to come up with a killer costume.
                   My boyfriend plays League Of Legends, and one day I had enough curiosity to ask him to show me all the "champions". One character that really caught my eye was "Jinx", a 1920's flapper, (pictured below) and we joked around about how we could be each video game characters for Halloween. It was sort of just a soft glow of an idea, but then once Kate mentioned the Great Gatsby party, I got SO excited and started buying supplies to begin my transformation into Jinx:

• I found the dress at Goodwill for only $5. I cut off the sleeves, made it into a v-neck, and added two layers of white fringe ($6 from Hobby Lobby). 
• The pearls, green pendant, and green brooch were also from Goodwill at about $5 total for those.
• The stockings were $5 on Amazon.
• Gloves, $9, also Amazon.
• The garter belt is where I really splurged- $12 from Lover's Lane.
• And last but not least, a feather from Hobby Lobby- $1, with a purple headband I had from home.

                Not only did I have a blast "droppin' it like F. Scott", I also got so many compliments on my outfit. Everyone was impressed that I made it myself. A few people even knew who I was! Now I don't have to worry about Halloween coming around the corner... (different parties, different states, I think that's allowed right?)

               Speaking of Halloween, have your seen American Horror Story Freak Show yet?? Cause I haven't. I heard it's really creepy! I did however complete and submit my entry for their costume design contest! 

               She's a psychic fortune teller who dabbles in snake charming and trapeze flying. My inspiration came from ABC's Once Upon A Time, Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame, and of course the 1950's where Freak Show takes place. In retrospect, I'm not really sure if anything actually goes together? But hey, it was fun to create and if I get picked I get to execute my design on the set of AHS!

           In other news, the transition to the new location at BCBG Max Azria is slowly unfolding now that we have a new store manager, and I'm now channeling all my energy towards my school work as I wrap up the semester. I'm still creating, still learning, and still looking for more inspiration and new opportunities every day. 

                      Love and Light, 

                                   Jackie Rose 

Current Projects

                                                      What's on my plate:

• Starting work at BCBGMAXAZRIA 
• Submitting designs to the American Horror Story Freak Show contest
• Making a vest for myself
• Making a vest for Carolyn
• Making a Jinx costume
• Making a Maleficent costume
• Hemming Jackie Noreen's dress
• Repairing Trav's pockets

                                I've obviously bit off more than I can chew...

                                Am I gonna eat all of it anyways? Hahaha Of course.

The Amèlie Sequin Skirt

Introducing: The 'Amèlie' Sequin Maxi Skirt

          This six-gore, high-waisted, zip-back sequin skirt was inspired by a piece in Danielle Rose Castano's closet. I drafted the pattern to fit myself- Industry size 6, commercial size 2. The fabric used was a basic sequined mesh with a black chiffon slip underneath (fibers unknown), both from JoAnn. 

           While this was a very rewarding project, I hope to never have to duplicate it, at least not by myself! The prep-work alone took about 3 weeks to complete (granted I was also working and going to school). Special thanks to boyfriend, Travis, and parents, Harold & Cindy for clipping sequins with me after hours!

            It was super fun being able to model my own creation with Mariah Moore behind the camera, and her 16 month old daughter, Aurora Jade as "stylist in training." We were short on time because Miss. Aurora needed a nap, but were able to get a decent amount of shots in.

           The name, Amèlie, came from the 24-hour french bakery in Charlotte, NC. I spent many nights there doing homework, eating pastries, and of course, drinking coffee till my brain turned to mush. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that achieving your dreams requires an insane amount of work and un-faltering dedication, which is just what this skirt embodies. 

It's fashion week and I'm not in NY...

WHHYYYYYY!?  :(

I wasn't even able to watch the shows online because I was in class this morning, but apparently, BCBG Max Azria put on a really rad show in which they posted pictures of the outfits on instagram, and then you could go 'like' the photos and get an e-mail sent to you with links to buy the garments directly! Pretty neat.

Generally speaking, the top fashion houses that hold my interest include (but are not limited to) Stella McCartney, Valentino, Milly, Elizabeth & James, and 3.1 Phillip Lim. But right now all of my attention is focused on BCBG Max Azria.

Just about a year ago, I joined the BCBG Max Azria sales team. I loved every minute of it- from styling my clients, to floor sets, even early morning markdowns. The only thing I was not so thrilled about was the pay. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't quite where I needed to be, so I went and applied for a job at Nordstrom.

Needless to say, I was offered a sales position in the handbags department! I was nervous because I'd never worked with handbags before, and never worked on commission, but it was an exciting new challenge and I tend to work well in faced-paced environments.

As anticipated, I learned fast and sold faster! Nordstrom was, and is, a great place for me to be. There are so many opportunities for us "nordies" to learn and grow with the company weather it's workshops, personal styling, managing, what-have-you. However, what I really want to be doing is design.

A few months ago, I stumbled upon various job applications online for BCBG Max Azria runway, atelier, and evening-wear designers. In the descriptions, they ask for 5-10 years of design experience. While I don't have that yet, I sent a quick e-mail yesterday asking for any recommendations on how to acquire said experience (to which I have not yet received a reply).

But until then, I want to show BCBG that I am loyal to the company, so I spoke with my area's district manager about re-joining the team. After explaining my story and my designing dreams, she seemed just as excited as I was! Today, I had the opportunity to meet with her and the other managers, and do what's called an "interactive interview". The review that they gave me was a positive one and what really takes the cake is that this time, I will be earning commission (Hallelujah!) and I will be bopping around a couple of different stores (retail, partner-shop, & outlet) which will also look good on my resumé.

While it's been a long process, I am very excited to be able to do what I love and sell clothes again. (Handbags just aren't my thing - I'd be vegan if I could). Then hopefully one day, I could be developing the designs for BCBG Max Azria, and maybe, just maybe, I'll get to sit front row of New York Fashion Week~


"Arise, and be all that you dreamed." - Paramore

♥ Jax

Here we go!

I've always had a fear of blogging. Like really blogging- not just posting pictures on Tumblr like I'm used to. 
My fear stemmed from two things: 

1. That people wouldn't like me/think I'm stupid
2. That there are a billion fashion bloggers out there already. Do we really need another one?

The answer is yes, we do... I do!
Ever since I was little I was able to figure out color and space like nobody's business. In high school, I was voted "Best Shopping Companion" (and not to mention "Best Smile"), and my entire life I've had friends and family come to me for advice regarding fashion, beauty, style and design. 

So this is my niche. 

I knew I wanted to be in the fashion world, but doing what exactly I had no idea. 
Summer 2010, I bought myself a sewing machine and went to The Art Institute of Chicago. I then fought with said sewing machine for the next year, and gave up. After that I tried interior design at Queens University of Charlotte, but it just didn't hold my interest. When I came back home, I decided to try to make friends with my sewing machine. It was my passion after all, I'd just needed some encouragement. With a little thread, and a lot of patience, I was able to practice my sewing and finally found joy in the process! 

Now that I know what I'm doing, I'm constantly wanting to make more and more things. I have sewwww many ideas (insert dry laugh here), but like most people, my schedule only allows so much room for activities. I'm not worried though. In time, I will be able to create everything I think up!

Right now, my life consists of selling designer handbags at Nordstrom (Gucci Gucci Louis Louis Fendi Fendi Prada...) and taking classes at College of Dupage. I also enjoy spending time with my boyfriend, eating pickles, drinking iced tea and/or coffee, reading tarot cards, and mother nature. 

I hope that as I write, and as you read, we can inspire each other. This blog is basically going to be an extension of my life, including my struggles and successes of becoming a fashion designer, various fashion inspiration, lifestyle inspiration, & spiritual insights as well as other random, glorious activities!

I'm not scared to show the world who I am anymore. Because who I am is awesome, and I know I have a lot to offer! If you're like me, and your head is always in fashion magazines, always creating, editing, & improving, then join me on the road to success! It sounds cliché I know, but I definitely believe in the power of community~

If you have ideas, don't be afraid to let them shine.
Thank you for reading!

♥ Jackie Rose