You break everything that you own; even precious friendships

You have a sharp tongue and careless hand; you shatter everything into pieces,

I don't want you back.
Your selfishness has earned you a life you never have before and you so now despise in silence.
Nowhere to hide, your life is transparent...
only you can fix what you have broken...
I've been there for you before but not now...you have to outgrow your own skin and find yourself without having to use anyone or imitating me...
there's wisdom to your broken life, if only you will find time to bend your knees!

Hour glass bridals

Ruffled fitted hour glass bridal gown with detachable bolero and tail.

Drawn upon request of bride-to-be Dale Dantes.

Bridal gown inspired by a $10,000 Giorgio Armani halter gown.

You can never have too many colored markers; they're just lovely!

Preparing my tools for the 2 drawing classes. Flats Drawing will begin tomorrow.

Alexander Mcqueen Spring Summer 2008 Womenswear Full Show.

Had I not chosen to write about Alexander McQueen for my homework in Modern Fashion History, I wouldn't even know he passed away in February 2010! Clearly, I need to study these great designers and stop flipping the pages only for those that I know and like. I need to open up my scope wider.
If only he was still around, I would dare ask him to take me as an apprentice. McQueen and my hubby are about the same age. He was very young when he passed away but he did left a work that will make the world remember him for a long time.

Leather and Lace

Wearing lace blouse and long sleeved shirt from Conway, leather skirt from XX21, boots from Merona, jewelry from Charlotte Russe and headpiece from my favorite Korean fashion jewelry shop in Washington Heights.

Watch from Walmart and sunnies from a thrift store.

Soft versus sharp

The first two designs of my fashion fairytale---more to come!

The concept? A unicorn who wants to shed off her softness over to some sharp modern mortal wardrobe.

Interchangeable suits:

knotch collar, set in sleeves on a fitted jacket over a pencil skirt with a sharp knotch collar with faux fur, set in sleeves on a fitted A-line jacket over capri pants.

My son's own Lego design---he is breaking rules too, using the doors as windows or panels as he says.

Leather and Jeans

Wearing XXI leather jacket over DIY tattered jeans.

Necklace, black floral ring and puffed sleeves boyfriend jacket from Charlotte Russe, brown boots from Target and leg warmers and hat from a thrift store.

Why be a fashion designer?

It took me an hour and 30 minutes to get to school today all because it was a Saturday and Manhattan's trains don't run on their regular schedule and route.
Professor Collura and the class were already going over the homework, examining each design if it has achieved the objective. The critic wasn't really focused about how creative the design was; it was more of whether or not it has achieved the objective.
When the group came to my work, they appreciated the design and color but upon critic, only the coat and the bubble dress passed the objective. The gown for Rihanna failed. It was a creative design but it did not achieve the objective.
Lesson #1 as designer: Achieve the objective.
That's how it in the industry, the professor shared: the creative director will tell the designers to design a particular shape, neckline, sleeves, skirt, pants, lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear and sportwears---and the designer has to do what is asked, adding their personal creativity in the design. Phew! Tough life!
So, the rest of the morning was all drawing and drawing, learning all possible fashion terms we can cover for the day. By 1pm I was hungry and dizzy. I ran out of school, took the train and rush to Around the World magazine store just next to Bryant park to buy last year's collections so I can do my personal homework---tagging all the clothes for their shape, neckline and sleeves so I will get better at them. I also dropped by the New York City Public Library to borrow books on Fashion and a review book for My LAA. I waited for the bus but was getting impatient standing in the zero degree weather of NYC and so I ran/walk all the way back to school in the fashion district!
I thought that it was all draw and draw the whole day when the professor shared a personal experience which really made me cry inside. I could tell you the whole story but this is what I picked from the sharing that really touched me in a really special and meaningful way:
"It is an honor to be a fashion designer. It is rewarding to dress people to bring the energy they possess outside by the clothes they wear. It is life changing when you are able to bring people out of their depression, to change their perspective, change their mood, their feelings, change the way they see themselves and change their lives. To be a fashion designer is to make people realize how special they are."

I was in awe.
I felt like hugging the Professor Collura. I feel like finding another stone in my life's purpose and knowing exactly that I know what to do with it! To me, fashion design is not just about glamour, it's about making people realize how beautiful they are---something that I know how to do from the heart. I have, in all these years of teaching been doing that---making people realize how special they are. I never thought I would do the same in fashion design. Now, you can expect that all my designs are not going to be about me anymore, it will all be about other people from here on.
Lesson #2: Design for others.
I want to be a fashion designer!!!

Let Fashion Fix begin!!!

Still thinking what would be the name of the clothing line and what signature to affix. Before OLIVEA, I signed my sketches MOJ.

I went to school for photography last winter. This winter, I am enrolled in Fashion Design. This is a much longer commitment...and clearly, more demanding. Before enrolling, I had a sit-down with My LAA. He believes in me and in what I can do; he approved me going to school.

So, here I am, cramming for my designs that are due tomorrow, while the rest of my fellow Cebuanos back home are cramming to have fun. This is for you Sr. Sto. Nino, Pit Senyor!

Done with the first plate! Will Rihanna wear this??? Prof. Collura is a very meticulous prof/designer---but I know she will understand. It's only our first week! And this isn't for the sketching class yet---this is just Intro to Fashion Terms.

Sketching this took me 3 hours---I wonder how long sewing will take me.

{I'm like the ring leader, I call the shots...}

There's only two types of people in the world

The one that entertains and one that observes

Well baby, I'm a put-on-a-show kind of girl

Don't like the backseat, gotta be first!

I'm like the ring leader, I call the shots,

I'm like a fire cracker...I make it hot

when I put a show!

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins,

spotlight on me and I'm ready to break

I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage,

Better be ready, hope that you feel the same

All eyes on me on the center of the ring, just like a circus

When I crack that whip, everybody go'n trip just like the circus

Don't stand there watching me, follow me, show me what you can do

Everybody let go, we can make the dance floor just like the circus!

Just the way...

Yeah, I know, I know, when I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so, sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look ok, I say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are(yeah)
Her lips, her lips, I could kiss them all day if she let me
Her laugh, her laugh, she hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful, and I tell her every day

Oh, you know, you know, you know, I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for then just stay the same
So, don't even bother asking if you look ok
You know I'll say

When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing, just the way you are
And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while
Because girl you're amazing, just the way you are
The way you are, the way you are

Happy New Year and New Decade!

Life is to be enjoyed soul deep!

Wearing Harley Davidson copy shirt, New York Fashion charm necklace, white Conway long sleeve undershirt, Maybee NY shop neoprene leggings, faux fur leg warmers, Timberland lady snow boots and my new favorite, a boyfriend jacket that was on sale for $10 at Charlotte Russe! What a find!
My striped fedora...I am wanting a new hat for this new year.=)
Leopard print ear fluffy ear mufflers with matching not graded fashion glasses, favorite shorts, plaid mittens and Charlotte Russe bling!

Started this New Year and Decade by pushing myself outside my comfort zone: shooting in the privacy of our room. Well, that's what we are made of, we just keep pushing our limits and broadening our horizon. This snow covered park (10 inches on this particular day) seemed the fitting place to do my first outdoor photoshoot.

I have to confess that it was a little awkward, but there are always first times, right?

May this decade be it for Olivefotografix and Fashion Fix!

Happy New Year all!