Thursday, March 31, 2011

Designer Spotlight: Tsumori Chisato

2011 year marks Japanese designer Tsumori Chistato's (shown above) 21st collection. It strongly reflects colorful 21st century design. She is extremely popular in both Japan and even in the U.S. and her line have been featured in magazine such as both Elle and Vogue. With her super colorful, super fun and super creative designs, you can't help but smile when you see her collection.



*all photos are from the Spring 2011 collection









Daisy Dukes White Top on Top



Name: Daisy
College: Revelle
Major: Psychology
Spotted At: Goody's Place and Market

Outfit:
Brown sugar brown jacket
: "I almost got nothing here, I got this jacket in Korea."
Button Down Top: Korea
Short shorts: Urban Oufitters
Sheer Tights: Forever 21
Zig Zag Bag: Metro Park
Fringe Binge Shoes: Wild Pear

Q: How would you describe your fashion?
A: Really girly! I usually wear subdued colors, flowy clothes and comfy clothes. I try to wear plain tops with lots of accessories. But I really like prints as well.
Q: What is your favorite piece you are wearing?
A: My white top. I like that it works with so many different kinds of outfits.

Miss Daisy's outfit is "grade A" fashion. With her comfy jacket matching her shoes and ease of mobility of the outfit, nobody could have done it better. Her purse may be zig-zaged out, but her simple outfit allows her to wear the bag tactfully without hurting your eyes with crazy patterns.

Suggestion: Daisy couldn't be more right. A white top is such a versatile, must-have item in your closet. You can change it's look by wearing a belt, or putting on wildly colorful jewelry.

New Postcards!


Don't ya just love getting goodies in the mail? I sure do. I was excited to open the package from Overnight Prints that contained my postcard order. Thanks to a GREAT sale on postcards, I was able to get a good size batch. I chose artwork for the postcards that represented my different styles of mixed media artwork: vintage vixen, art journaling and still life.

Receiving this box of goodies was such fun, I think it may be time to place a Dick Blick order. Yep, I do believe so!

© Nancy Lefko

ecoTOOLS appoints Lauren Parsons as official make-up artist

Lauren Parsons has been appointed as the official make-up artist of environmentally minded beauty accessories brand ecoTOOLS.

After training at Glauca Rossi School of Make-up, Lauren assisted make-up artist Hannah Murray for three years where she worked with photographers Patrick Demarchlier and Mario Testino before going it alone. She currently works with photographers such as Alasdair McClellan and Boo George as well as models including Alice Dellal, Lily Donaldson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jaime Winstone. Lauren was named as one to watch in 2011 by VOGUE and has recently worked on campaigns for Liberty of London, McQ and Anya Hindmarch.

Mixed Grill Favorites Podcast


It was my pleasure to chat with Cindy Jones Lantier, of Mixed Grill Favorites, about my creative life and all that it includes. My first podcast interview (with a few more uh's and you-know's than I'd like) is a little glimpse at my inspirations, techniques/materials that I like and how I find time (or don't!) for art in my busy life.

If you'd like to take a listen, you can do so at this link.

Image © Cindy Jones Lantier

Giles Deacon helps to select the winner of Central Saint Martins Palladium Jewellery Competition

Fashion designer Giles Deacon and Jewellery designer Hannah Martin (pictured) led a judging panel to identify the winner of the Central Saint Martins Palladium Jewellery Design Competition. This is a collaborative design competition between Palladium Alliance International and Masters Design students specialising in Jewellery, Ceramics and Furniture culminating in a ceremony at the Institute of Contemporary Arts. Bespoke jewellery pieces by finalists were unveiled in front of guests that included Matt Horne, PPQ, Jade Parfitt, Gizzi Erskine, Luke Worrall and Olivia Inge before announcing student Leigh Cameron as the overall winner.

The winning ring was made from the precious metal palladium was inspired by large architectural shapes. Winning student Leigh Cameron said of winning the competition; “It has been an amazing experience, I never thought that I would win and as I am studying Furniture designing jewellery is a whole new experience for me. Working with palladium has been fantastic and I look forward to working with it again in the future.”

Harley Street Skin introduces new non-surgical anti-ageing procedure

Pellevé is a newly developed, non invasive and non-surgical procedure specifically designed to treat mild to moderate facial wrinkles. Typical areas and problems would include sagging under the chin, nasolabial folds, wrinkles around the mouth, lines or folds between the eyebrows, lines on the forehead, excess skin on the upper eyelid, crow’s feet or a tired or unhappy expression. Pellevé works by heating the deep layers of the skin without damaging the epidermis or top layer. This heat initially causes the collagen in the skin to contract and tighten, then after treatment, the skin starts producing new collagen, resulting in an improvement of skin quality, firmness and tightness. Results can be seen immediately and should last up to six months.

Pellevé is now available at Harley Street Skin, 48 Harley Street, London W1. The clinic is under the direction of Dr Aamer Khan and Lesley Reynolds Khan and both are available for consultations or quotes.

www.harleystreetskinclinic.com

NEWS: BABY ZOE ♥


Rachel zoe posted a photo to her twitter and facebook this morning showing off her newborn baby boy, Skyler Morrison, and she looks as stunning as ever. Having only been a mum for a week, she's already back into a stylish blazer, big vintage-y earrings and red liptsick.

Such a cute family.. We ♥ Rachel Zoe!!

Alexa Chung the new face of Superga for centennial anniversary

Superga has announced Alexa Chung as the face of the new campaign. Alexa teamed up with Superga for a new shoot featuring the 2750 style and other pieces from the range for the brand’s 100-year celebration.

Simon Bamber, CEO of GLinvest who owns the rights for the brand in the UK, said: “We are really excited to have Alexa be part of our story, especially for the centennial year anniversary. She is one of the most influential style icons of our time and a huge Superga fan. I think her effortless style and personality suits our collection and brand so well.”

New Diet Coke collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld

Diet Coke has announced its second fashion collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld. The designer will create three new and exclusive designs for the iconic Diet Coke bottle. Available this summer, the ‘Diet Coke Limited Edition Collection by Karl Lagerfeld’ uses elements of his trademark style, a contrasting black and white palette and clean lines broken with colour or detailing.

For this collection, Lagerfeld has taken inspiration from the new Diet Coke heroines; Bernadette, Eleanor and Irene, puppets that will appear in the brand’s new TV campaign across Europe. The first design is a polka dot pattern in brushed metal grey contrasts with glossy white. The second bottle features a pink swirl encircling the bottle, while the third has a bold stud pattern. All three designs feature Karl Lagerfeld’s silhouette and are numbered (1,2,3). The ‘Diet Coke Limited Edition Collection by Karl Lagerfeld’ bottles will be available individually or as a set in an exclusive prism-shaped Collector’s Box created by the designer.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

What Are U up to Today? Wednesdays - No.2


After all of the errands and chores were done for the day (who am I kidding, there's still laundry in the dryer!) I stole a few minutes at my art desk to continue work on this piece. It's gettin' there...little by little.

Check out what Jen Osborn and others are up to today at "What Are U up to Today? Wednesdays." And maybe you'd even like to play along!

© Nancy Lefko

Westfield launches new Tweet Mirror

Westfield London has announced the introduction of a Tweet Mirror at The Big Fashion Wardrobe - a one-week fashion and beauty event running from now until 3 April to launch the arrival of SS11. The Tweet Mirror - by Nedap - allows customers to see themselves in different new outfits and share the experience with others directly by e-mail or sharing images via social media pages. With a digital camera built in, and a real time connection to the web, shoppers can receive feedback on what they have decided to buy.

In the Go Virtual zone at Westfield London, customers can use the Tweet Mirror to wear and compare different outfits. Images can be sent to e-mail address, text, and twitter or to Facebook. If a shopper has taken a picture but not bought the item, the picture will be on their computer at home or work and will link back to the brand’s website for the second opportunity to buy online.

For further information on Westfield London, click here.

The Sleep Room introduces new designs

The Sleep Room is set to introduce its first new bed for 2011, Nomad, a colonial-inspired addition with a hand-weaved rattan headboard and a white finish.

Following the launch of The Sleep Room’s range of bedside tables, Nomad is the second chapter to the brand’s new bedroom furniture and accessories collection, which is set to continue throughout the year.

Nomad launches on 15 April and is available in a range of sizes including Single, Double, Kingsize and Superking with prices starting from £625.00 for a single and mattresses starting from £375.00. www.thesleeproom.com

Lily Allen introduces new capsule collection

Lily Allen and her sister, Sarah Owen, who launched their Lucy in Disguise vintage store in Covent Garden last year, are expanding into ready-to-wear with a collection of vintage-inspired designs for AW11. The collection revolves around dresses, including Fortnums, a crepe tea dress with lily of the valley print; Chatsworth, a green maxi-dress decorated with sequins, and Capone, a black sequined and beaded tulle dress.

The collection will launch in June exclusively in the U.K. at Harvey Nichols, and will also be sold at the Lucy in Disguise London store and via www.lucyindisguiselondon.com.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

MEXICAN TOWN FOLK ART TREE PAINTING



MEXICAN FOLK ART ABSTRACT FACE "JUNE" PAINTING


FOLK ART TREE OF LIFE PAINTING

PRISARTS GALLERY

FOLK ART FLOWER BLOOMS PAINTING BY PRISARTS


More Spring!

Since I last posted spring pictures the flowering crab apple trees have been giving us a show.

That's the one in our yard.  The white flowers under the tree is Candy Tuft ... it is just beginning to blossom.  I like that it's an evergreen ground cover the rest of the year.  And the pansies are beginning to bloom their little heads off after very little show through the winter.
 There are a number of lighter pink as well white crab apple trees in the neighborhood.
These trees loose their blossoms one petal at a time.  It looks as if it snowed under the white ones.

The Red Bud trees have just begun.
They are one of my favorite trees.  If anything ever happens to the crab apple in our yard that's what what will replace it. 
 I'm very fond of their delicate small blossoms.
That particular red bud tree is on the golf course.  We get to enjoy it from our patio as well as on our walks with the dog.
Yesterday late afternoon when I took this picture, the light was such that the trunks of the evergreens were violet as well.

And then there's the grass ... or I should say grasses.  The fairways of the golf course have Zoysia grass which turns brown with the first frost, but greens up within a few days ... that will happen soon.  The grass on our grounds and most everywhere else stays green all winter.  Right now the dandelions and violets growing in it are making a wonderful show.
This patch on a sunny hillside has the light blue violets.  There are purples ones elsewhere on the grounds.

I love spring and am looking forward to what's still to come ... the dogwoods and azaleas are the next to make a spectacular show.

Wild Wear



Feeling bored with just plain old jewelry? Then spruce up your outfit and don animal jewelry! They are an easy way to make a wildly wonderful statement. Whether it's a lion ring or a zebra ring, each one will reflect your inner animal showing your bold nature.

What is great about these rings is that you don't have to be dressed up or dressed down to wear them to match. They are a versatile accessory that is easy to love and pretty to look at.



British sportswear brand Admiral under new ownership

British sportswear brand Admiral has recently acquired new British owners, a move that will see the rejuvenation of the brand across Europe. The new owners are Admiral Sportswear Limited, a special purpose vehicle established to acquire the rights to the Admiral brand for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The move sees Managing Director Jonathan Hamburger heading up the new Admiral Sportswear Limited business and the appointment of former Umbro, JD Fashion and West Bromwich Albion executive Tim Gardiner as Sales & Marketing Director.

The plans include the introduction of three product collections for Admiral; Football Performace for the pro and amateur markets, Admiral 'Gold' a brand new fashion concept and Lifestyle, including retro-inspired 'back catalogue' Admiral products, drawing on designs from the 70’s and 80’s.

Originally established in Leicester as Cook & Hurst, the Admiral business was incorporated in 1914, when the company designed and manufactured underwear for the Armed Forces. Through its life, the Admiral brand has been worn by many teams including Manchester United, Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur among others. Admiral was also the first sports brand logo to appear on the England national football team kit.

TREE OF LIFE PAINTING


SPANISH TOWN IN SAN DIEGO PAINTING



FOLK ART TALAVERA BIRDS PAINTING



Donna Ida appoints new brand ambassador

Angela Dunn Radcliffe has joined designer denim boutique Donna Ida as its first Brand Ambassador starting in April. The New Zealand born stylist and model will work with the boutiques in Chelsea, Belgravia, Westfield and Guildford using her knowledge, skill and contacts to seek new opportunities for the company, contribute to expansion plans and help implement sales and marketing campaigns.

Online, Angela will add her creative input to Donna Ida’s blog by posting guest articles on trends and presenting videos to help customers identify their body shapes in the ‘Denim Clinic’ section of the website. The Donna Ida Denim Clinic was launched in 2006 with the opening of the first store and continues to be one of the most popular of the Donna Ida services.

Donna Ida opened in 2006 and now has four stores in Chelsea, Belgravia, Westfield & Guildford as well as the website. Donna Ida stocks a collection of denim brands including Current/Elliott, Goldsign, J Brand, Tucker, Joie and Wildfox.

BrandAlley.co.uk introduces iPhone App and YouTube film



Designer discount etailer BrandAlley has launched a new iPhone App to allow members to browse and shop its growing collection on the move. BrandAlley is launching the Fashion iWall video on YouTube (shown above) to coincide with the launch of the new application, which is compatible with iPod Touch, iPad and iPad2. The video shows a girl stood behind the “i-wall”, which is made up of iPads and iPhones, and sees her look transformed several times across the shopping categories available on BrandAlley; fashion, beauty, home and travel.

The video and App are part of BrandAlley’s strategy to engage with all social media channels and reinforce its broadening offer, now including fashion, lingerie, accessories and homeware with designer brands offered at up to 70% off.

The BrandAlley App and Fashion iWall video will exclusively launch to its members tomorrow (30 March) on www.brandalley.co.uk. To coincide with the new App BrandAlley members will have the opportunity to enter a competition to win the latest iPad 2 on www.brandalley.co.uk/fashioniwall.

Aldo Zilli introduces new range of baby food

Celebrity chef Aldo Zilli and lawyer and entrepreneur Dean Dunham are launching a new organic baby food range into supermarkets. Zilli and Dunham, who each have young children, started work on the new range in 2009 and, following market research and kitchen trials, the first recipes in the Baby Zilli range were created.

The Baby Zilli range initially caters for babies between 4 – 12 months and is divided into four categories; Brekkie (6 months +), Stage One (4 months +), Stage Two (6 months +) and Stage Three (9 months +). Eight initial recipes are being launched, including Zilli Fishy Dishy (salmon and mash) and Cock-a-Leekie (chicken and leeks). Twelve further dishes will be launched in April along with a new Stage Four range (catering for 12 months +).

The new range will be available from June in all Waitrose and Tesco Extra stores, through Ocado and Amazon online and in selected Independent Health Food Stores. Prices range from 89p for Brekkie and Stage 1, £1.29 for Stage 2 and £1.69 for Stage 3.

Amanda Wakeley Sposa 2012 collection to launch at White Gallery London

Amanda Wakeley Sposa will launch her 2012 collection at the White Gallery London on 22-24 May 2011. Presenting a luxurious range of dresses, injecting new shapes and contemporary light fabrics, silhouettes are defined. Contrasting crisp double satin and silk Mikado through to silk georgette and silk tulle is a signature style for Amanda Wakeley Sposa. Embellishment, folds, drapes and ruching are key with an emphasis on enhancing the body from clever draping and contoured panelling rather than restrictive corsetry. Amanda Wakeley launched her signature label in 1990 and has been designing for the last two decades. Through her designs, she has developed an international reputation and was awarded an OBE for her services to the fashion industry.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Lions Rampant rebrands and opens first stand-alone stores

Young lifestyle brand, Lions Rampant has rebranded as Rampant Sporting, a move that signals a new era for the business and includes the opening of its first stand-alone stores. The first store will open in Exeter this April and will sell the full range of Rampant Sporting products. The brand will also be launching a new website with more videos and interactive content. Founder Richard Hurtley dreamed up the idea for the business while studying at University and has now been named by the Spectator magazine as Rising Entrepreneur of the Future and as one of the Drapers New Generation 30 under 30 rising stars of the fashion industry.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Model Profile: Lily Cole

Lily Cole's modeling career began by a serendipitous encounter with Benjamin Hart when she was only 14 years old. Since then she has walked the runway for an innumerable amount of big designers and graced covers of countless magazines. That's not all she does though! You may recognize her from the movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. She is an actress and model who's sultry doll eyes and fiery red hair get's ingrained in your brain due to her strong photo and film presence.