JUST DO IT / words

I know it has been a bit quieter around here than usual. Well, the reason is that a big move is coming up. Soon enough I won’t be posting from Cleveland anymore so a lot of preparation is in place.

And now is the moment for me to get all gushy and tell you to follow your dreams and not let fear stand in your way. Fear is just a feeling that has no substance on it’s own. When something is not done just because of a doubt if it would work out, we never even give ourselves a chance to achieve our goals. You know what they say, JUST DO IT.

I’ve been, however, updating my instagram pretty regularly (@karinadejesus__), and here are a few shots.

Happy weekend, you babes!

Erin Barr FW13 / MBFWNY

Photos ℅ Brynne of MAO + me

Remember when I introduced you to Erin Barr and told you that her show was one of the most exciting ones for me to attend? Well, it was everything I expected. From the choice of location to the last look of the collection, this show was an absolute aesthetic magic. Shirt - dresses, silk, zippers, high slits and 90ies minimalism inspired cuts and shapes is something I’d be happy to wear this fall. And, honestly, always.

If you follow me on instagram, you probably saw that after the show I got to meet the beautiful designer herself, only to discover that this collection is a true reflection of her personal style. She shared that minimalism is about a lifestyle for her and a tomboyish style is no stranger to her either. 

See Erin Barr’s collections here.

Happy weekend, sweet cakes!

PS. One thing I discovered during Fashion Week was that if you don’t have a personal photographer, it is pretty tough to take outfit photos during the hectic schedule. Thus, I’ll try to recreate some of my outfits soon and post them from the comfort of my own home. I hope you can understand.

DESIGN your joy

sources are all pinned here

First off, I want to warn you. The more you’ll close your mind, the less you will like this post. So before you read this, decide if you’re going to be open and try to get something out of this for yourself or be all “judgy”. If you are the case NO2, don’t ruin your mood and day, and just skip to the next blog post in your reader. :)

When being in an industry such as fashion or really any creative industry, one can have very high highs and super low lows. One day, week, month you are a part of it all, in the middle of action, creation and adoration. Cloud 9, I’d say. Then a few days pass, and everything gets quiet. If you are in a creative position and always striving, you know how that feels. It can get pretty depressing. In a video with Coco Rocha, Zac Posen shares a very simple reality. He says, “Fashion is interesting. People love you one minute, they don’t like you the next minute.” So how do you go through these times where you are feeling that the world is spinning without you?

I am not religious (the word religion actually means “back to bondage”), but God IS my NO1 priority. So as I was reading the Bible and praying the other day, something came to my mind. “My joy comes from the Lord.” Obviously, I had read that before, but this time it really hit me. My God is never changing and always trustworthy. And if He’s my priority, and He is never changing, and if I put my joy in Him, then I better make sure my joy never changes as well. So no matter how high or low I’m feeling, I should always be joyful, because my never changing God is the source of my joy.

Now how can you apply this if you are not a believer? Look at your priorities! Is it family? Appreciate it! So maybe today the fruit of your hard work and creative passion are not showing. It’s ok! You know they will tomorrow, you will be on your high again, believe me. Everything always ends well, deep down you know it. However, today is the day you will find something in your life that is not changing, that really matters and gives you joy.



PS. Those of you that are still questioning the reason of this post on a so called “fashion blog”, please remember that I’ve always said that as cliche as it sounds, what is going on on the inside is what really affects the outside, and I care about your over all well being. Let’s DESIGN our clothes, styles, and LIVES! Heated comments are always welcome ;) I love you!

Design your LIFE / Different DIY

image source

Counting today, there are 38 days left in 2012. In the beginning of this year we set ourselves goals. At least a lot of us did. Now, I feel, is a good time to look back and evaluate what we have accomplished, what we still need to accomplish and start planning for the next year. Holiday season is a time when everyone just wants to enjoy, party and spend. And I’m not saying these things are bad, they can actually be very energizing (enjoying and partying, not so much spending) if executed correctly, but too much of that can cause us lose focus and and wake-up on January 1st with a lot of regret. Last night my husband and I were craving pizza. Well, actually, we were hungry, and we thought that pizza would be the best way to satisfy our hunger instantly. However, instead of ordering pizza, we decided to push ourselves and cook a healthy meal. Why? Because pizza would make us fat and broke. Same as pizza, jumping into the holiday spirit and forgetting everything might provide us with instant gratification, but it will not last. Let’s not be fat and broke this holiday season, but instead push ourselves to spend some quality time with our families and friends, and accomplishing our goals.

To look back at my year and set new goals I’ll be using a template posted by Hillary of Dean Street Society (she also had an article on IFB). Thanks so much for inspiration, Hillary!!

- learned to be thankful

- signed with 2 modeling agencies

- saved up enough money to not work most of the summer, but instead…

- … develop my modeling portfolio

- … double my blog’s traffic

- … contribute to my husband’s school payments

- … make an investment

- attended NYFW, IFB Conference, and FSTS seminar

- developed new contacts

- traveled to San Francisco, NYC (x3), Moscow, Los Angeles and Puerto Rico, and enjoyed time with family in Atlanta and Cincinnati 

- gained more focus for my blog and redesigned it

- figure out how to put more focus on other people through what I do 

- help people achieve financial independence

- figure out how to help the elderly in Latvia

- move to NYC

- sign with a modeling agency in NYC

- make modeling and my blog my main income streams

- learn how to be an awesome, super supportive and more caring wife

- go back to Latvia to see my family

- develop a clothing line

Few things to remember the 38 days left in this year and next year:

“Nothing becomes dynamic until it’s specific,” Dani Johnson. Even though I have set these big goals, that is not enough. I have to set specific dates by which they will be achieved and figure out exactly how I am going to achieve them. That leads me to other thing Dani has said: ”Look at people that have what you want and do what they do.” I will be learning, learning, learning from successful people, and I will be investing in my skills.

If you need more encouragement and a clearer vision for how to push these 38 days, I highly recommend this audio.

So what did you get done this year? What will you do the next 38 days and next year?

If you decide to answer on your own blog, please, let me know!! I want know more about you :)

Be your best, babes!!!

PS. You might wonder, why I am posting all this on a fashion blog. Well, since the beginning of the blog, it was never intended to be just a fashion blog as one of the categories always have been “words". It’s not enough that we design our styles, looks and clothes. We have to design our lives. Also, I have disclosed some goals to you that are very personal so I really count on you being discreet and open to be honest with me as well. 

MMM x H&M Part I / Interview with Margareta van den Bosch

Photos courtesy of H&M

Last night was a magical night in the fashion world (and my world) as MMM with H&M collection was launched at a beautiful historical building in the New York City's financial district. The launch was exactly what I would have expected from a strong visionaries and creators - stunning location, dance installation to present the clothes and to make everything even more surreal - confetti rain. Unfortunately, I was not there, BUT I do have something very special to share with you. Thanks to some very cool people at Polhem Latvia, I had the privilege to conduct a small interview with one and only Margareta van den Bosch. I don’t think any more introduction is needed. Enjoy!

How would you describe your
own style and does that influence your designs for H&M?

I have always believed in the importance of personal
style, and of mixing together different influences to create a style that is
truly your own. This has become even more important to me in my role as
Creative Advisor at H&M, meeting all the different designers we have
collaborated with and learning about the essence of each particular brand.

In your opinion, what is
minimal dressing, style, fashion?

Minimal dressing is about purity in design, reducing
everything down to its essential few details. What’s interesting is how
minimalism changes with time. In the 1980s and 90s, minimalism was very strict
in its terms. Miminalist clothing had to be completely without decoration.
Today, this is not the case. A woman can wear a minimalist dress of great
purity, and match it with an extravagant piece of jewellery. It’s all about
finding the right contrast.

What prompted you to
initiate a collaboration with MMM and what are your expectations?

Maison Martin Margiela are one of the most important
fashion brands of the past three decades. They have influenced all of our
wardrobes, and created some of the most iconic pieces in recent fashion
history. I am thrilled that Maison Martin Margiela have agreed to create
re-editions of some of these pieces in collaboration with us. I hope that
fashion lovers around the world will love the opportunity of owning some of
these iconic designs for themselves.

What is one "a-ha
moment"/ piece of wisdom that you have learned while working in the
fashion industry or life in general that keeps you going?

Each designer collaboration proves to me how at the
heart of every successful brand, there are creative people who love to design
and create the most amazing garments. No matter what the look of the clothes or
the feel of the brand, creativity has to be at the heart of everything.

We are all already
day-dreaming about spring. What are your favorite trends for SS'13 that we will
also see at H&M?

I can’t wait for SS13 either! I think there’s a real
sportiness that’s becoming more and more important, made even more exciting by
the decoration and cut which makes this sportiness more feminine, and more
romantic. It’s a really thrilling mix.

Stay tuned for MMMxH&M Part II as more photos and an exclusive interview with the MMM team will be posted!

silver fox

tank - borrowed from a friend / cut offs - vintage / boots - you know (here) / watch - Triwa via Bloggers Wardrobe

photos - Andre Supa

Another thing I learned while in NY (1st was the fact that not so many people wear black there) was that the combination of hot weather and packed schedule makes me change my mind on what I’m going to wear in a split second. And sometimes it’s not for the better. Also I learned that a lot of girls pre-plan their outfits for the FW day by day to the last detail. I bet that takes off so much pressure once you arrive there. Something to keep in mind for February.

Now to something more fun. While in NY, I had a chance to meet so many talented, inspirational people, it’s not even funny. And one of them is my friend Andre Supa from Denmark. Andre is working on his own collection A.N.D right now, and will present it during fashion week for F/W’13 in Copenhagen. Andre has created (and by created I mean did everything - directed, shot and edited) an ethereal short film surrounding the birth of A.N.D As you may know, I am very inspired by short films so I decided to share. Soak it in, babes! This guy is cool, and he’ll do great things (silver fox is a nickname he gave me, and it has kind of stuck with me).

Polaroid Theme Continues

I just wanted to quickly share this polaroid from a collaboration today with a very talented, determined and super fun couple - designer Kelley Shaffer of JASPR and photographer Peter Larson. And thanks to amazing Kelley, this jumpsuit is hanging in my closet right now.

One more day of work, and I’ll be on my way to NYC this Sunday. YES.

Have a great weekend, babes!!

STOLEN POLAROIDS II

Source - Beauty is Boring

  

Another set of stolen polaroids (don’t worry, they are not really stolen - I have Robin’s approval), only this time I have nothing to do with them except for the fact that my heart stops every time I see them. That’s just how it is, when I really like something, I REALLY like something. The mastermind (make-up and photography) behind these is Robin Black (pretty awesome name, huh?). Check out her blog Beauty is Boring and, yes, you are welcome, my loves!

 

Stolen POLAROIDS

Dress - Romwe

Polaroids - ℅ Taxi MGMT Blog

I just had to share my new favorite dress with you (do I say that a lot? My new favorite shirt… my new favorite skirt… oh well, moving on) As you can probably guess, I just really like the simplicity of it. Of course, asymmetric and sheer is all good (very good), but the first thing I noticed about it was the neck line. The top looks like the perfect white t-shirt, don’t you think? I just want to wear it all the time. And today I have to go to a wedding, and I’m supper tempted to wear this dress, but, you know, only the bride should wear white. I’m struggling.

Anyway, enough about me. How was your weekend, babes?

Enjoy your Sunday!!!

MODELING PORTFOLIO & AA

bodysuit - American Apparel

Photographer - Jemaar Graham

If I have to talk about timeless brands, I can surely name American Apparel as one. Their garments often seem so basic and casual yet you won’t be able to find it anywhere else. Like this bodysuit. And anything else I own from them I’ve been able to wear for years. Since a couple of you have mentioned it to me that you would like to see a little more of my modeling, I decided to share these photos (done for my portfolio, not to advertise AA) because they can easily be translated into what this blog is about - timelessness.

I did share this on my instagram already so if you want to stay in the loop, get in touch with me there as well (username: karinadej).

Love you much, dolls!!

MOCKBA

These are the places and things that I think of when looking back on my trip to Moscow:

-numerous gorgeous cathedrals

-rich history and culture (Bolshoi theater and Tretyakov Gallery)

-memorials built during USSR times

-VDNH and the “Fountain of Friendship”

-view from the Ostankino tower

-riding around and observing Moscow at night

-Red Square

-overload of my childhood’s favorite foods (I grew up in Latvia, but since it is an ex Soviet Union state a lot of food is very similar)

I hope you enjoy the pictures, babes!!

Photo Diary / San Francisco, CA

all tags and more details of the first outfit you can see here

2nd outfit: jacket - ℅ sugarlips / shirt - UO / cut-off leggings - old / boots - thrifted

I have way too many pictures from San Fran to post them all on here, and for some reason I feel like I’m pretty bad at selecting exactly which ones would be the best ones to share to recreate the amazing feeling I had while on my trip. But if you are interested to see more people, more places, and more food, I posted a lot more shots on my facebook. I finally have a good use for it :)

Some suggestions if you are going to San Francisco:

-you can find out about all the tourist spots online, but the Mission District is a hidden gem. Grungy and fun.

-take a fairy to Sausalito and have dinner at a restaurant with a view to SF. As it gets darker the city lights up, and you’ll feel like in a fairytale.

-Burmese Superstar serves excellent Burmese food

-De Young has an amazing photography and textiles exhibition. If I remember correctly, at the end of march they’ll also have an exhibition on McQueen. 

Much love!!