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So I’ve been writing for this little blog for a year and a half now (probably closer to 2 years if truth must be known), and in the beginning I had no comments. Ever. None, zilch, nada, zip. For more than a year. Then, maybe about 4-5 months ago, I started really working hard at this ol’ internet blogging thing – i.e., trying to network, joining groups, commenting on other people’s blogs…and as a happy result, finally receive feedback and comments from my readers (not a whole ton, mind you, but 1 or 2 per post). I love hearing what other people have to say, and responding on their blogs, finding new interesting bloggers…what a world out there.
But the major drawback of the internet is that it’s anonymous – you can spread nastiness quite easily, and do it without fear of repercussion. Take my first nasty comment (above) on my post about how to DIY your own Katherine Hamnett tee using handcut thermoflex vinyl lettering. If the commenter had specifically said what they didn’t like, I’d be able to respond in kind, or at least be like, okay, that’s their opinion, perfectly legit, fine, whatever.
What’s hideous? Are you an SATC/SJP-hater? Are you saying my final product pales in comparison to the original? That I look hideous in the photo? (I’m probably with you on that. I’m no model.)
But wow. 2:45 AM may not be time for Anonymous’ close-up.
My first negative comment! I’m finally somebody!!
I’m not looking to encourage nastiness or negativity, and I don’t want (m)any crudeness on my blog.
How do I deal?
Bwahahahaha it’s my blog, I’ll DIY if I wanna.
xoxox
Carly
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Jelly Garcia (love the name) is a Japanese brand that is one of my faves. I always stop by where they’re sold when I’m in Tokyo. The pieces are drapey, multi-functional, soft, and unusual, mixing bohemian and industrial sensibilities. (more after the jump)…
Here is the woebegone English description (directly from their website): “Jelly Garcia was launched in 2002 for the autumn/winter collection in Japan. The brand aims to establish conceptual ideas as the inspiration for cloth making. The notion of elegance is explored and constantly experimented, mainly through the military style. Different concepts are incorporated for each season to create a piece of clothing that has always an “elegance factor”.
“The anatomy, also the study of materials is particularly considered at the pattern making stage. They are then put under production often using materials that are invented originally or exclusively manipulated in our own method to create the classic design.”
Designer Hideaki SAKAGUCHI was born in 1973 in Tokyo, Japan, and after briefly working for DC meson, founded EXPERT WORKS TOKYO co. ltd. He then established his own label “Jelly Garcia Premium Wear.”
“Our aim is to create “the most beloved piece of garment” in wardrobes.”
Qojelly (with the “Q” pronounced like a “K”) is kind of the little sister to Jelly Garcia (“Ko” means “child” or “younger/smaller” etc. in Japanese). It’s a little more youthful and is smaller in scope, putting out fewer pieces each season, and offering more accessories and shoes. Below, some photos from some past Qojelly collections:
A pair of Qojelly shoes I bought last year:
This is the Jelly Garcia dress I bought last time I visited 55Hotel Boutique at LaForet Harajuku [a huge shopping plaza mall in the heart of Harajuku in Tokyo]. I love the industrial feel to the straps and the heavy-duty canvas fabric couple with the beautiful asymmetrical hem and feminine cotton gauze lining. It’s adjustable and can be configured into multiple styles (which I love – that was one of the premises of my old line RIVETED when I launched it 2 years ago). A couple photos below:
Configuration 3: Outer layer open, one side of inner layer spread open and wound around neck, other side laced under the outer layer strap to tie at back.
I wish I were more photogenic so the true beauty of this dress could be seen. I was even wearing it when I had a fashion sketch done of me at the tents at New York Fashion Week this past February. (Chambord was doing this free promotion thing.)
I had belted the dress above with a thin studded black belt.
It is indeed “the most beloved garment” in my wardrobes. (And when I put it on to take the photos my son said “Oh Mama! You’re wearing a pretty dress!” Testimony enough.)
-Carly J. Cais
UPDATE (8/2009): Jelly Garcia Premium Wear has now changed its name to “The Dress & Co” (though QoJelly, retained under The Dress & Co label, remains the same. They will apparently be showcasing a collection to an international audience in New York in October 2009 (though not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week).
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I have a love/hate relationship with Jo-Ann Fabrics. It’s the only fabric/notions store around; it’s more affordable than my local Mill End Store; it’s easy to get to. It also never seems to have exactly what I’m looking for and the notions are mostly for crafters: cheap, fall apart easily, aren’t made to industrial standards or to withstand heavy usage (don’t even get me started on their selection of snaps, buckles, and sewing machine needles for leathers…inevitably Dritz and inevitably crappy), and, compared to what I could be spending at an online wholesale place (or in NYC on fabric row!!), fairly expensive. I can definitely blow through $40 with almost nothing in my basket. $5.95 for a zipper???? 2″ wide sew-on velcro for $7.99 a yard?? I mean, come on. I understand they are a retail store and need to set the prices as such out here on the West Coast in order to make a profit…but with no alternative supply store here it makes my habits very expensive. It’s also populated with…erm…people who usually have a few decades on me and are thronged around the quilting section. But it’s always there when I really need something – and I can often improvise in their findings/notions section when I can’t find what I want.
My other quibble with them is that the majority of the free project sheets around the store are usually for projects that don’t seem…particularly fashion-forward or youthful. How to make a quilted tea-cozy, for instance. A how-to sheet on attaching 1/2″ red loop fringe to the bottom of your kid’s jeans. I guess they know their current market (which doesn’t seem to be people who are interested in trends or fashion-forward designs).
On Tuesday, Feb, 17 G-Star RAW presented their latest collection in a spectacle of a show at the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yours truly was in attendance, courtesy of FashionTribes.com. The huge ballroom with its echoing ceilings and gilt pillars was packed with guests, including Micha Barton, Natascha Beddingfield, Miss J. Alexander, Robert Verdi, Shenae Grimes, and Tyson Beckford. On a stage separated by a translucent curtain, live classical music was played on two grand pianos, while male and female models alternated stomping down the W-shaped runway. The latter half of the show was marked by actor Benicio del Toro
appearing onstage and reciting as spoken word poetry, the lyrics of Joy Division’s song ‘Candidate.’ G-Star chose the song based on its connection to the film Control from renowned Dutch photographer/director Anton Corbijn, who curated G-Star’s Spring 2009 advertising campaign. Del Toro’s art intervention transitioned the show from traditional catwalk to a G-Star finale, as ‘Candidate’ played in the background, reached a crescendo, and ended the show with all the models standing behind the translucent curtain. (More after the jump…)
The pieces showcased in the collection represented G-Star in its purest form as a luxury denim brand. NY Raw Fall/Winter 2009 magnified the brand’s signature detailing to an unprecedented level; each garment, created by the in-house atelier, blended the finest material, sophisticated design, and extreme utilitarian functionality. Though I‘ll personally be skipping the drop-crotch denim carpenter harem pants, almost every single coat (both men’s and women’s) was to die for. Innovative dying, overdying, and washing techniques had produced amazing denim fur (!) and varnished denim. Extensive bindings and buckles, high-stance necklines, oversized pockets and straps gave the collection a rugged, industrial feel. The multi-belted trenches, aviator jackets with goggles attached to the hoods, plethora of pockets, leather detailing, peacoats, high-shine denim, chunky knit scarves – all evoked an Aviator-meets post-apocalyptic feel that seemed on-trend and current in today’s market.
Below, see all the women’s looks and a few standouts from the men’s:
-Carly J. Cais
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Carly J. Cais I am a DIY’er, designer, sewist, maker, and marketer. Chic Creative Life is where I share what I do, and help others bring their unique style into their own lives.
