Fashion New Year’s Resolution: Convertible Apparel
By Candace Wheeler

During the winter months many of us find that our activities become restricted to indoor only ventures. The greatest source of entertainment for many Americans is the television. Recently I was partaking in the great American pastime of TV watching when I came across Bravo’s newest show “Launch My Line”. The basic synopsis is that experts from professions such as architecture, music, journalism and so forth are paired with fashion experts to create a line. Each of the contestants is considered the head designer and is responsible for creating a cohesive collection that if they become the winner will be launched into major retail stores. The biggest inspiration of the show has come from contestant Merle Ginsberg. As a fashion critic and journalist for many years Ginsberg is well versed in the trends, flattering silhouettes, and just the right amount of detail needed for any garment. The signature of her line is convertible garments that can serve dual purposes. One of her best designs for example (below) was a ball gown with a beautiful train that with a built in zipper was removable and then could be transformed into a party dress. Though the outcome of the show still remains unknown, the idea of convertible wear, if done tastefully is a trend to watch. Remove the thoughts of mere jackets that you could wear inside out with an eye catching print on either side and instead envision more sophisticated garments that could be used as transition pieces from day to evening or from one important event to the next. With the state of the economy the label of Recessionista is one that we have all had to take on. Our latest apparel purchases are now viewed as investments rather than impulsive buys and what better investment is there than having an outfit that can be worn multiple ways? Ladies as we begin to think beyond the cold months of winter and the stores are already filling with spring clothing, keep an eye out for garments that serve multiple purposes. It’ll be the greatest resolution you can make in the New Year.

I was browsing online and came across the creative work of Chanel Kennebrew, the visionary behind the frames and the entire Junkprints operation. The indie culmination of hip-hop punk products and apparel is based out of the most thorough borough (I wish you would say the Bronx) and has been making a buzz in the world of street fashion. Moreover, these glasses are fly, geek-chic with an inspirational stance. I like the idea of our generation putting aside the stunna shades for a visionary perspective. The sentiments of pop culture hopscotch between hard-core and angry, superficial and supreme, and/or depressed and emo… I’m glad someone finally rolled optimism…

Extreme Makeover
By Arlice Nichole
When Solange first appeared on the music scene, she had her own thoughts on what fashion was. Even then full glam was not her style motto. Retro and hippy girl digs was the look of choice for her, even if it wasn’t the trend of the time. Over the years as she has grown into a woman, her look has become bolder…making attention-getting statements. It’s even been a little spacey and out-of-this world hot! Shiny jumpsuits, yellow lipstick, white eyelashes, and I can’t even begin to explain her solid streaks of eye shadow. She’s stepped out in shoes that were literally optical illusions, and even though she’s been spotted in what one might think are typical, but nice looks you might see on others, you could still see an element of who Solange truly is style wise. There is always one or two details that have Solange written all over it. I doubt any stylist is ever working alone here. And while just about everyone was shocked when she suddenly chopped off all her long curly-bouncy-shiny locks, I wasn’t. I like to think it was an extreme but necessary move to fully getting back to owning her look.

Sometimes shopping in department stores can be a monotonous experience. As you go from aisle to aisle you see the same similar styles, colors, and fabrics. A bunch of square holes, but you are that round peg that likes to take the road less traveled. Going against the fashion grain you find freedom that stems from the no limits and boundaries you place on life and yourself. 2010 is about the freedom of being bold not bland. Kay Dane does exactly that with her line of unique fashions. She-blogs sat down with her to chat about the fashion freedom behind her designs, comfy couture, and her eclectic childhood closet.

She-Blogs: When did you fall in love with fashion?
Kay Dane’: Wow, I have been in love with fashion since I was about 8 years old. I started playing in my mother’s dressing room. It was fully lined with mirrors from ceiling to floor. My mother was a shopaholic so I had duds from Neiman’s to TJ Maxx, from Paris and Italy, to the islands. My mother had everything, in every category, so I dressed myself in it on a daily basis and fell in love. Fashion became a part of me at that point.

She-Blogs: What is your definition of style?
Kay Dane’: Style to me is the way a person effortlessly expresses themselves through what they wear.

She-Blogs: Did you go to school for fashion?
Kay Dane’: No, I went to school for film and after a couple of years decided school would have to wait.

She-Blogs: Being a self-taught designer is definitely a gift. What are some of the advantages and challenges you faced thus far?
Kay Dane’: Well the advantage of being self-taught is that I rely sole on my own emotions, ideas, and vision. I am free to create whatever I want without feeling restricted by industry standards. And now come the challenges(lol): To survive in an industry that has been around for so long, one has to play by the rules to a certain degree. It’s important for me to know what fabrics do what, what fabrics work for what season, knowing the exact stitching techniques to achieve the perfect finish for each garment, etc. I am learning so much as I go and I feel blessed to have a natural eye for fashion and such great people around me to help with that vision. I work alot with Ashleigh of UBER CHIC…she is a very talented stylist and visionary. www.uberchictalk.blogspot.com

She-Blogs: Looking at some of your pieces they are very cool and funky similar to fashion outside of the US particular the harajuku girls of Japan, are you influenced by fashion, flavors, and style in other countries?
Kay Dane’: I see so many of the young women in Japan and get excited. They are completely fearless with their wardrobe. They try color, layering, prints, and spandex:-everything that I live for. Then there is Italy; that has the perfect shoes, the most AMAZING shoes. I promise you, I design my clothing with my favorite shoes in mind.

She-Blogs: What inspires your designs?
Kay Dane’: Comfort plus runway inspires my designs. I am in love with the creativity, shapes, and colors used on the high fashion runways, so I pull from that energy and create designs that can be done in an everyday kind of way. Beautiful colors, bold prints, and soft fabrics are essential in every collection.

She-blogs: How did you come up with your line?
Kay Dane’: I simply started sketching ideas that I wanted to wear, but couldn’t find them in stores anywhere…at least not under $350.00.

She-Blogs: What void does Kay Dane’ fill in the fashion world?
Kay Dane’: Kay Dane’ brings comfort, functionality, and quality to runway inspired clothing at a very reasonable price point. That unique combination birthed “comfy couture”. I personally haven’t seen that as a standard in any other line besides, Kay Dane’.

She-Blogs: Please describe your philanthropic efforts with your line.
Kay Dane’: It is pretty simple. I wanted to give back, so I decided to donate a dollar amount to one of my favorite foundations, CORE foundation. The vision of Core Foundations is to provide public schools a legal opportunity to explore the claims of Christ. The mission of Core Foundations is to empower communities to develop and operate quality Released Time programs. Released Time programs is the concept used in the Unites States public school system wherein students enrolled in public schools are permitted by law to receive religious instruction as long as classes are held off school grounds, no public money is used to fund classes, and students have parental permission. That’s about it. I am happy to be able to do so.

www.kaydaneonline.com