Bobbin Talk

The Accessory Design Book Launch Party

Planning my book launch party was one of the most grueling projects I have ever done! I am very good at drawing and making things but organizing an event has never been on my horizon. I had less than a month to make everything happen and spent a few sleepless nights, going from panic to hysterical laughs with friends and helpers. We went through quite a few last minute changes but the final results were better than I could have ever imagined. So for the next few posts I'll walk you through the ups and downs of making it happen!

Here is a look into the accessory exhibition. Featured are handbags, shoes, hats and other accessories from designers featured in the book.

Aimee Kestenberg's Tammi Tales winning design for best use of Swarowski Crystalized elements.

The Accessory Design book is available at Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com and you can get a signed copy at my own website {here}.

Andreia Chaves Shoes

Walk a mile in those shoes, and then we can talk.

Fabiola Arias on Kickstarter

One of my favorite designers and Parsons fashion design graduates Fabiola Arias is about to launch her Spring 2012 collection and looking for your help! She has reached out for funding through Kickstarter and is offering various rewards for the different levels of sponsorship. They vary from a personalized Thank You card to a signed illustration from her collection, an invite to her presentation, and even a tour of her studio. What a great way to help an emerging designer who has already won two awards this year: The Fashion Group International Rising Star Award for women's wear, and the Gold Coast Fashion Award.

Visit her Kickstarter page here and contribute to her project! Here is Fabiola presenting her collection.

 

 

Glossy Box Feature

About a month ago I was asked to become a stylist adviser for a European shopping website called Glossy Box. What followed was a 3 day whirlwind of video and photoshoots and the final result is finally online at GlossyBox.de I am featured alongside the Italian photographer ... and the British ... The feature just went live today. You can see the collage of my favorite things {here} They certainly captured my love for bright colors and patterns. Most people assume that because I live in NYC I wear mostly black. I actually look for the opportunity to wear color and pattern any time I can and the last couple of seasons I have been very happy to see the bright palettes come to the runways in full force.

The written interview is in German, but the video is just subtitled so you can actually hear my voice. Here is the video with the interview on the website {here} and the youtube below:

My Accessory Design Book is Finally Published

After almost three years of writing, editing, collecting art from designers around the world I am extremely happy to announce that my Accessory Design textbook is finally printed, bound and hitting the stores around the world!

Here is a sneak peak at the cover before it was bound. I received just a printout of the cover (front and back) on the actual paper before the book! I liked the open cover so much I sent it out to be framed in a simple black on black mat and frame.

Here is the finished and bound book.

And me proudly clutching the first copy in ecstatic disbelief that it's finally here. I couldn't wait to snap a photo with my newly published "baby"!

 

I cannot express enough gratitude to everybody at my publisher Fairchild Books for an amazing experience through this grueling process. I have tremendous appreciation for all the designers, who contributed with sketches, photographs and other artwork, and the people around me who helped with advice, support or were just patient with me while I worked on this endless project.

The book is now offered in the US at Amazon.com {here}, and BarnesandNoble.com {here} and around the world at the following links:

Amazon.fr

Amazon.de

Amazon.jp

Amazon.uk

WHSmith in the UK

Waterstones.com in the UK

Flipkart.com India? (I think)

And last but not least I'll be selling autographed copies on this blog and AnetaGenova.com. I'll be setting that up in a few days.

Fashion Week NYC is Coming

Having models and designer events can get really intimidating for people who are not involved in the events, and really stressful for people who are. There certainly are different approaches to what people wear. Mine? Not sure yet. It's whatever I feel like that day depending on the weather and where I have to go and also how much time I have to think about it. But certainly not this:

Even on days when I feel like this: {which is today}

Stay dry and find a way to enjoy the rainy weather in NYC if you can!

Shaun Samson

Knitwear has been on my mind all day long, so I was really excited to find Shaun Samson's fall/winter 2011 collection. Sponsored by Woolrich, as part of London Fashion Week in February 2011, he presented his first collection. Shaun worked with oversize Scottish tartan and plaid flannel shirting, seamlessly joined with wool fabrics. What a great mix of knits and wovens!

California-born designer Shaun Samson studied fashion design in Los Angeles while working for Jeremy Scott, where he designed 4 collections. Then he continued onto Central Saint Martins, where he earned a BA and MA degree in Fashion Menswear. This is his first collection.

Men's Fashion - 1975

The hair! The glasses! The patterns! The poses! Not sure if I should laugh or cry!

Evening Gowns for Young Girls

From Economics and Homemaking 1929

Governors Island Jazz Age Lawn Party 2011

This is one of my favorite outside parties where people really take it to heart to dress up. Some people really put in a lot of effort into their costumes and use authentic 20's clothing and accessories. The Jazz Age Party is an annual event in the beginning of the summer held on Governors Island, just a short free ferry ride from Manhattan or Brooklyn. I sat for a while watching the people coming from the ferry. Lots of guys in cream or white pants with a vest and a bow-tie. It's so wonderful to see guys dressed up and enjoying it.

These girls might not have had the most authentic dresses but the yellow crochet cloche hat was wonderful.

On the lawn cars were another huge attraction! Who doesn't love a perfectly maintained shiny retro car. Lots of people were lining up to take a photo in front of them. 

And last but not least here is me {on the left} with my friend Julia. She's got the perfect shoes for this era, AND a long cigarette holder!

Photos by Aneta Genova and Alex Popov