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