Ms. Fabulous Mother's Day Gift Guide

I'm off to visit my family in Toronto. With me as always, I am bringing gifts to the wonderful women in my life. It will be Mother's Day, so my childhood friend, sister and actual Mom will be getting some of the goodies here.

Citizen watches are fast becoming a favorite of mine. This stainless steel Citizen Ladies' Diamond one is a posh treat for Mother's Day that I have decided to keep for myself, (sorry Mom!) I just fell in love with it. I am super picky with my watches. I like them sleek and dressy enough for the most formal occasion, but can look great with jeans too. I really groove on their Eco-Drive technology, not just for the eco-friendly aspect but because I am lazy and hate to change batteries. 

Mom loves color. MyWalit has a great collection of brightly colored wallets with beautiful leathers and color-block design straight from Italy. I thought she could use a compact wallet ($68) with lots of pockets to brighten her purse.

Those of you who follow me a lot know that I also moonlight as an embellishment designer for other brands. If you wanted a pretty accessory for yourself, I have been producing one-of-a-kind embellished headbands, cuff bracelets, necklaces and belts under the label Weng Meng Design Studio. Supermodel Carol Alt and actress Genevieve Rodriguez have worn them, why don't you take a look? 

I was introduced to DCL Skincare  by Ms. Fab contributor Geraldine. It was developed with serious science to treat your skin at multiple levels. One of the few drawbacks with looking young for your age (runs in the family, don't hate me) is you still get breakouts long after you should have stopped. The "Build Your Beauty" ritual function on the website is very helpful in finding the products for specific for your needs. Now that I have tried a few, I am a convert. I brought up the Spot Therapy ($32) product for my family to try.

I brought Modern Doll Cocktail Lab enhancements ($10) for the tired Moms this weekend to spike their coffees and teas with. Each variety was inspired by a strong woman in the arts of an earlier generation.  Cocoa Canelle is a chocolate and cinnamon bark infused liqueur with fashion icon Coco Chanel as the muse. The Vicious Purple was inspired by writer Dorothy Parker. The bitters are made from flowers like hibiscus, lavender and elder-flower.

I recently went a little crazy during the Bauble Bar sale. The dramatic crystal necklace is going to my Mom. She is going to look amazing in it. 

For my sister, she has more Minimalist taste. This delicate Ilana Ariel necklace is elegant and small enough not to get in the way of her hectic day.

The ladies in my family love our hair products. I was already a big fan of Strivectin skincare and jumped at the chance to try their haircare too. I already blazed through the shampoo and conditioner. Dry hair and annoying wispy little baby hairs run in my family, the Bodifying Radiance Serum is going to be our secret weapon. Since my family travels a lot, the UV protection helps too.

Mom is traveling to China, Lithuania and Russia this year. I got her this trio of Diane Von Furstenburg leather pouches ($70) for her toiletries, vitamins and jewelry. Three of them in super bright colors are nestled into one another like Russian Dolls (felt appropriate). They are very cute on their own as a clutch bag and easy to maneuver in a filled suitcase on a big trip. Hope she loves them!

Ok, what is everyone else getting the Moms in their life? If you're a Mom, treat YOURSELF. You more than deserve it. Happy Mother's Day!!!

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Happy Holidays from Ms. Fabulous

Happy Holidays my stylish friends! It is my sincere wish that you are spending some time with the people you love most. I am fortunate enough to be doing that right now.

It has been an interesting year for the fashion industry and for myself. 2016 should be more fascinating still. My treat to myself this season is getting back to sketching and making stuff. I am back to creating embroidered fashion accessories for my fledgling label Weng Meng Design (new pieces will soon be up on Etsy). I took my love of a good craft cocktail to the next level by experimenting with making artisanal bitters and liqueurs. Those who attend my next house party will be subjected to tasting them!




I may not have posted quite as frequently the last two months as I have been busy knocking out style and entertainment stories for MODE. You'll find my geek-tastic take on your favorite pop culture trends and how they have taken over the fashion world.

I'm looking forward to finally watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens today and diving face first into my sister's culinary achievements tonight. Hopefully by the end of the day I will NOT have broken any limbs either skiing or skating, but I DO hope there will actually be enough snow to give me the opportunity to. (Should we in the Northeast be happy or terrified of this heat wave?)

May your holiday season be a great one. Thank you to all of my friends, collaborators, mentors and special people in my life that put the FAB in Ms. Fabulous. I hope you know who you are.

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Siempre Mujer Shoot with Genesis Rodriguez

Are you fan of bridal or embellishment design?  If you are not familiar with my side project, Weng Meng Design Studio, I create one-of-a-kind pieces based on my artisan embroidery designs.  Earlier this summer, a cool stylist by the name of Carlos Franqui contacted me after seeing my feather capelets on my Etsy shop. 

He was working on a fabulous white fashion story for a cover shoot for leading Latin magazine, Siempre Mujer.  The gorgeous actress Genesis Rodriguez was starring in this photo spread.  He said a white falcon would be the co-star and wanted a dramatic feather creation to accompany it.  Of course, I was out of town at the time and pulled an all-nighter the day before to make this happen. 

I layered long and medium length white feathers and stitched several rows of stitches to keep them
together on a base of soft tulle.  I used the natural curve of the feathers for shape.  I used shorter feathers for the collar area.  I added short, burnt coque feathers as accent.    I further used silk charmeuse to face the area where the ends of the feather shafts met to protect the wearer (very important when designing with feathers!)  I was really happy with the final product.

Let me tell you… All-nighters when you are 19 are very different from where I am now.  After I came home from the photo shoot, I crashed out with my head on the couch, body on an ottoman and a cat sprawled on my chest.  

The team at the photo shoot were terrific.  I hung out and helped with the set up for a bit to watch the stylists and photographers in action.  I absolutely loved the final result!

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DIY: How to Make a Birdcage Veil

It's June and a classically popular month for weddings.  I recently made a DIY birdcage veil for a bride.  She wanted the veil to coordinate with the necklace she purchased from BCBG.  I took cues from the pearls used on the strands and the crystal-studded leaves.

You need:
- short length (about 1/2 yard) of netting.   For this diamond pattern, it is usually called Russian or French netting and can be found in most bridal supply stores or online at places like Etsy.com.
- a pair of metal combs (short ones).
- taffeta, organza or satin (if you have a swatch of it from your dress, that works)
- beads, rhinestones, pearls (your choice)

For the DIY Wedding veil, you need to gather the ends of the netting and take a needle and thread attach it to the top of the comb.  It doesn't have to be precise, just wrap the thread around and around the loops of the netting and the teeth of the comb and secure it by knotting it off.

Now that you have the basic birdcage veil, you can just start embellishing.  I stitched leaf motifs onto silk taffeta to match the bride's dress. Then, I embroidered tiny crystals on them to look like her necklace.

 However, you can create whatever shape you want from your swatch of fabric.  You can make flowers (see some templates here) or abstract shapes.  You can then stitch beads, rhinestones or pearls in the middle to give it some bling:

Once your leaves, flowers or abstract pieces are done, you just need to attach them to the top edge of the comb by either glueing or stitching to the top ridge of your comb. Make sure to cover the gathered part of the netting. Voila! You own DIY birdcage veil. Style for the aisle!

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DIY: Flowers for the Cancer Society Golden Daffodils Gala

My Mother devotes a lot of time to volunteering for the Canadian Cancer Society.  One of the most glamorous fundraising events that they host is the black tie Golden Daffodil Ball in Toronto taking place tonight.

The fact that my Mom is volunteering her time after retiring from working full time for the organization for over 20 years says a lot about how much she believes in it.  Her passion for all of the outreach, fundraising and help the Cancer Society gives of course has rubbed off on me.  I have sold daffodils in grocery store, manned tables at rummage sales, done door to door canvasing over the years as my own tiny contribution to her cause.

This year, to contribute to their "crystal" themed gala, I created a bunch of handmade silk flowers embroidered with crystals.  They are selling fashion accessories for guests to wear to engage in their theme at the beginning of the event. The brooches/hair clip combo lets you wear it in multiple ways.  I have also donated a gift package of a custom designed veil, headpiece or sash for a special event for their silent auction from my design studio, Weng Meng Design.

I admit, I'm not the most philanthropic individual, but when it comes to easy and pretty ways to give back, how could anyone say no?

If you want to try your hand at making some these on your own, you will need:

-Brooch/clip metal backs (I ordered mine from TrimWeaver) 
-Organza, satin, taffeta or any other fabrics you think are pretty
-Sew-on rhinestones

When I cut my flower petals out, I use a mix of existing stencils, or rough sketches I make myself which give is a more natural, handmade look.  You can download some from here.

I shape my petals with antique millinery flower moulds or a ball iron.  If you don't have those, you can use the pointed tip of the iron and shape the edges of your petals so they don't look flat.  Then layer a few petals on top of each other.

Embroider a few rhinestones through the center of the petals to hold them all together.  Hot glue the flower to the brooch back.  Add a few additional stitches through the flower and around the holes of the brooch back for extra security.  Voila!

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Trendspotting: Origami Fashion

I grew up making origami, originally taught to me by mother.  A traditional childhood paper craft, she never thought it would become a lifelong obsession with me... In high school, I graduated to making origami jewelry and greeting cards that would become my little side hustle at craft fairs.

For my senior year fashion design thesis at Parsons School of Design, I created a wedding dress out of silk gazar origami birds on a hooped satin organza base (see above).  This one got a lot of mileage, as fashion magazines from the U.S. and Spain asked to feature it.

Origami also became another side project in later years when I taught children to make their own creations at an Upper West Side restaurant which then turned into a business of creating folded paper decor for events.  Go figure.

In fashion, I am clearly not the only one to be inspired by this ancient craft... Mainstream couturiers like Chanel in 2009 and John Galliano for Dior in 2007 have had very popular collections.

The Pratt Institute and the MOMU Fashion museum at Antwerp had featured exhibitions of dresses made from folded paper.  Other artists and up-and-coming designers are also creating new couture pieces using manipulated folds in metallics, paper and fabric.

Etsy is full of artists creating everything from jewelry, handbags, t-shirts and party decor:

Some great DIY tutorials on origami-inspired fashion accessories

Origami flower change purse:

Origami Earrings:

photos by Giovanni Giannoni,Mauricio Velasquez Posada ,Bobbin Talk, David TW Leung,Francois Guillot,Francois Guillot

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Design Trend - Global Warming

Refreshing your home and wardrobe is healthy. My aesthetic right now revolves around global chic and hot shades of red...Lots of them. My pad is a mix of Asian antiques, I love using Eastern motifs in my design work and fall's hottest colors are crimson and oxblood.

I love textile design and the many tools that go with it, I had to pick up the hand-carved printing blocks from India when I saw them at a market.  International rug company Pavoni gave the most literal example of mixing interior and fashion design with a theatrical runway show using their carpets.

I designed a contemporary felt applique embroidery design using an updated version of chrysanthemum motifs to be used on a coat or cushion...I haven't decided which one yet.  One of my favorite decor pieces is the antique opium pipe my mother gave me which features carved silver inlaid with turquoise and carnelian.

Using ethnic inspiration doesn't have to be literal.  You can create the palette of colors you want to suit your taste.  Make styles your own by changing the fabrication or applying classic motifs in a new way.

What worldly designs inspire you this season?  Chat now at #DysonFallRefresh !


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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dyson via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dyson.

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DIY Master Class - Fall Statement Necklace

Fall jewelry time!  For this statement necklace, I was inspired by the chunky beaded sleeve of this Prada jacket from their Fall 2012 collection.  I love purple, silver and black so I kept the same color palette but different materials.

Prada used long bugle beads, opaque "cosmic" stones, smaller rosemonte crystals sewn on top of the holes along with round cabochons and ring shaped stones.  The final effect is a chunky, but contemporary organic look.  The fall 2012 collection itself had a futuristic, Blade Runner effect while they projected "digital princesses" on the runway.

My seasonal dinner with the Glam Network is like New Year's Eve for me during NY Fashion Week.  I wanted to make sure I had something fabulous and on trend to wear to look good for my fellow Glam bloggers.  I drew upon my embroidery design and crafting skills to make a necklace that would be on-trend, but totally my own.

Materials :

-large "cosmic" shaped crystal stones in a a black diamond color.  Swarovski Elements are stunning, but if you can't swing it, you can also substitute similar glass versions. (I like Beads World , Harman or Ebay)
-leatherette covered cabochons at M and J trimming
-extra long silver bugle beads in different lengths
-small sew on crystal stones   (I like Beads World or Ebay)
- purple leather (Leather Impact)
-black silk satin
-embroidery frame (Any craft store)
-black grosgrain ribbon (I buy ribbons from Paper Mart)

You can begin by embroidering the basic motifs with your bigger stones on satin.  Start with the large leather cabochon, then the side 'cosmic' stones.  Top the holes of the cosmic stones with the smaller crystal sew-on stones.  Then use your long bugle beads with stones or beads in between.  I like to make things asymmetrical, so I fill in jewels or beads in odd places for a richer, dimensional look.  Freestyle it!

When you are done with the embroidered motifs, trim around them.  Use some fabric and leather glue just to take the beaded pieces onto the leather, then stitch tack them in place as well.  Trim the leather a little bit past the edges of the satin.  Stitch the finished piece to grosgrain ribbon.

Voila!

Prada runway photo by Monica Feudi of feudiguenari.com

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Embroidery Design Innovators - Stitches Magazine

Embroidery trade publication, Stitches Magazine published a special fashion issue for September.  Titled the "New Age of Decoration" it spotlights seven designers who specialize in embellishment in their collections. 

 I am honored to be one of the seven designers featured (I'm called "The Dream Maker").  Besides giving Weng Meng Design Studio a plug, I loved seeing how diverse seven different embroidery specialists can be in their techniques and aesthetic. 

Artist Conrad Booker considers himself an environmentalist/couturier.  He created embellishments with found objects.  Cecile Hadjian modified Renaissance paintings digitally before printing them on fabric and embellishing them with stones and other materials.  

 I focused on taking classic techniques and modernizing them by varying the size and color of the materials to give embroidery depth or richer look in the fringed skirt.  I used delicate fabric appliques and crystal for the bridal pieces.

Embroidery is so much more than applying thread in little motifs on a garment.  It is a vast textile art that combines the most ancient artisan techniques with the most advanced technologies available today.  Materials go well beyond silk floss and glass beads.  Designers like myself have used everything from computer chips, film negatives, balloons and bubble wrap in our designs.  

You can check out the magazine and my fellow designers online here.

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The Creator's Co-Op store opening - a collective for new talent

The Creator's Co-Op store is a designer's co-operative which is poised to make Astoria a required stop for cool shoppers in New York.  It opened last week with a charming launch party Friday night.

According to the Creator's Co-Op's founder, Kazuki Kozuru-Salifoska , the boutique is  a "co-operative style store of like-minded artists, designers, and craft people."  The space is a roster of  emerging talent from design schools like Parsons and FIT along with other designers who wanted to share their work in a collective design retail space.  The Co-Op houses a diverse group of eclectic and talented designers who make everything from fantastical Lemony Snicket-esque clocks with the secret musical keys to uber  chic, indie children's line, Baby Noir. 

Kazuki is also the brainchild and indie fashion designer of Baby Noir clothing for kids. Baby Noir is a collection of seriously cool children's clothing which is designed and made in New Y ork City.  Baby Noir dresses range from $28 - $78  with every piece lined in cotton as is the brighter, more bohemian line, Baby Solaire.  

Each square foot

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2-Hour Statement Necklace

The hottest trend this year in jewelry has undoubtedly been the “statement necklace” or bib necklace. Every upscale jewelry and fashion house has produced some form of this with escalated price points. I originally had a few made in India based on some of my favorite embroidery designs, but realized you can easily make your own ‘couture’ creation whenever you need an accessory fix.



To start, grab some ribbon pieces, (the standard is satin or grosgrain ribbon, but anything that won’t scratch your neck will do). Next, find some fabric scraps and start cutting out flowers, shapes, obscene motifs, whatever you wish. Then, embellish them with  jewels, buttons or trims that you have on hand.  Stitch them together or thread them like beads and add a side of ribbon to each end… Voila!  I made the necklace above as a gift to my Mom.  I cut some tulle into tiny squares and threaded them with loose pearls and glass leaves.



Not a fabric flower type? If you have a pile of beads, you can string them together between the ribbons for another variation. Old chains from belts, ribbons made into bows, all work as well. Just stagger the lengths of each strand for the 'bib' effect.  The necklace above was made from different lengths of chain samples I had on hand attached to grosgrain ribbon.  I used two loose, Swarovski crystals to attach the bows where the chains connect to the ribbons.

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Gala Weddings Magazine - Designer Profile

Shameless self-promotion time: This summer's Gala Weddings magazine has included me in an article profiling emerging designers. I am on page 33, designated as the "Embellishment Artiste".

I am absolutely honored to be included with so many talented people in this issue. As all creative know, it's a lot of hard work to do what we do. It's (really!) nice when someone notices the effort...

Thank you for the shout-out Gala Weddings!

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