The Online Lookbook

It's FINALLY complete!  I feel as if the world stopped while our lookbook was being put together.  But it was worth the wait because I love the way it turned out.  Thanks to THE best photographer on the planet, Polina Osherov, the beautiful Michelle Pemberton modeling, and last but definitely NEVER least the incomparable Fashion Stylist Nikki Sutton for the front and back covers of the lookbook. These pictures were taken from the Sweet Revenge Lingerie show called Cabaret Lingerie back in March of this year and the corsets shown in the beginning and the end are available for sale.  They are hand done with impeccable precision and workmanship - they are simply a work of art for the body.

CLICK HERE for a peek!

Creating a lookbook these days is of the utmost importance!  If you are going to talk to anyone intelligently about your business you have to have something to back it up - a lookbook is a good place to start.  I decided to start with an online lookbook simply for convenience.  I am able to reach important out of town contacts instantly and they are able to see what we have to offer on the spot upon the arrival of an introduction email.  There are some appointments (face to face) when I do use our printed lookbook and my clients are given a copy of that to keep.  They will also have access to the online lookbook as well for their reference or if they need to send it on to one of their affiliates. 

The process was relatively easy to do but it did take a lot of time and effort.  Remember when you are putting together anything that has to do with marketing or branding that YOUR name is on the line and it is important that you make a very good first impression.  I know your mother always told you to "never judge a book by its cover" and for most situations that does hold true - except for this one.  Lookbooks are your clients very first introduction to who you are and what you are about and you need to get it right the first time.  Whomever your client may be please know that they are inundated with people trying to sell them things every single day.  You have to find a way to set yourself apart and make your brand stand out.  Customer service is a HUGE way to set yourself apart but you won't get a chance to offer that part of your business if you don't get a first meeting.  The way to a first meeting is a good lookbook. 

I'm not only referring to fashion lookbooks here.  Photographers, models, artists, designers, interior designers, Marketing/PR businesses, there are many different sects of business that can benefit from a lookbook and an online lookbook is a good place to start for the novice.  I count myself in the novice category and I plan to learn and grow every day as well.  For now I need to make sure my designers have a presentation that represents them and their brands well and professionally because I am making a first impression for them and that's why I take so much pride in what I do. 

There was a wonderful blog post written in one of our very favorite blogs Style Sample Magazine regarding how to set up your own online portfolio.  Take a look at their view on lookbooks and hopefully you'll get a feel for if an online lookbook is best for you or if you will invest in a printed version - or there's always the combination of both which can only increase your chances of gaining that GREAT first impression!

Until Then:  "Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself." - Truman Capote

NY Fashion Week & Fashion's Night Out

I just get giddy with excitement around this time of year (then again in February).  The anticipation of the new, the ornate, the outlandish in fashion just has me all in a tizzy!  Along with all of the hype of Fashion Week and it's new digs at Lincoln Center we also have one of fashion's biggest nights tomorrow (Friday, September 10th) Fashion's Night Out (FNO).  Here's more info about FNO directly from them:

ABOUT FASHION’S NIGHT OUT: Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry’s economy, and put the fun back in shopping. For one night last September, in New York City and twelve other cities around the world, designers, celebrities, models, and fashion editors staged exciting, one-of-a-kind events in stores open after-hours to the public. Shoppers were able to see Sarah Jessica Parker singing standards with Oscar de la Renta, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen tending bar, as well as Michael Kors, Justin Timberlake, Kate Hudson, Rihanna and Gwen Stefani (just to name a few) at various stores throughout NYC supporting the industry. Retailers saw a surge of new shoppers and increased sales, while customers relished the street-party atmosphere.

FASHION’S NIGHT OUT 2010: FNO will return to New York City and launch in cities nationwide this year on Friday, September 10, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Last year, in NYC alone, more than 800 participating stores across the five boroughs feted thousands of shoppers who supported the fashion and retail industries—we expect this year’s event to be even bigger and better, with a lot of fun surprises!
FASHION’S NIGHT OUT ON A GLOBAL LEVEL: In the United States, FNO is a collaboration between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York. Around the world, countries led by at least fifteen international Vogue editions, will once again participate in the festivities. Nations including Australia, Britain, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, and Turkey, each country will tailor its Fashion’s Night Out celebration to appeal to its unique retail environment.
CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS: A percentage of the sales from the Fashion’s Night Out T-shirt will be donated to the New York City AIDS Fund in The New York Community Trust. Be sure to check back in August for retailer information and locations.

Support FNO and look good doing it by purchasing a piece from their collection.  You can find out where to purchase HERE.

Until Then:  "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."  - John F. Kennedy

Fashionable Indiana Archives

Each month I can't wait to rush to the mailbox to see if my new VOGUE has arrived.  Oh, VOGUE, in all it's fashion glory with its beautiful people and fanciful items adorning each and every page.  It's like a gift to myself every month.  No one in my house is allowed to touch it before I do!  My oldest daughter knows that she is not to leap through it or read any article until I've done so first.  It's my own little pleasure in life.

One of my very favorite sections in VOGUE is NOSTALGIA.  I have learned about many incredible, intelligent, gorgeous, strong, independent women in so many of their articles.  I get to live each month in the past for just a few moments while I read about stylish women who wouldn't take no for an answer and persevered on to do extraordinary things with their lives and careers.  In the same breath I've also learned of many others who had it all but at the end of their lives died alone with no one knowing who they were.  The latter group are the women I enjoy reading so much about - they took chances and lived life to the fullest and even though they may have left us unknown, VOGUE somehow resurrects them each month so they really are never forgotten. 

I do believe that I lived in the 30's in Old Hollywood and did something to be rich because I'm just enamored with that era.  The clothes the clothes the clothes let's not forget about the clothes in this era - simply stunning and classy.  That was when people dressed to impress and it DID matter how you presented yourself to the world.  Once I get wealthy in this life I will only be in vintage Chanel, Balenciaga, and a few rare Elsa Schiaparelli pieces added in.  It sounds funny to think that one must have money to wear "old" clothes but it's true and when that day arrives that's what you'll find me in!

Along with my love of fashion I'm an absolute history nerd.  I love love love history and everything about it.  Art history, Russian History, US History, World History, you name it I love it - the only classes I received A's in when I was in school in fact :)  My major in college was Anthropology and I wanted to be Margaret Mead since I was 4 when my mom read me a story about her.  I say all of this leading up to the reason I browse the Indiana Historical Society web site all the time. 

During one of my recent investigative sessions I came across some wonderful images from the Root Store Fashion Show to the 4-H Dress Revue winners from the Indiana State Fair to the Herz Store League of Terre Haute Fashion Models.  I was surprised and elated all at the same time.  You don't think of the Midwest as being fashion forward but I was pretty impressed with the images I collected from their site - proud as a matter of fact.  Proud that back in 1933 these women not only made most of these creations themselves but they looked AMAZING and always put together at all times.  Now I can't personally go back to 1933 and hear what New York or LA were saying about our style here in Indiana but from what I dug up I don't really care. 

I hope you enjoy this trip back as much as I did!

Until Then:  "In the adjustment of the new order of things, we women demand an equal voice; we shall accept nothing less."  - Carrie Chapman Catt

P.S. - Thank you Indiana Historical Society for the wonderful images!

Re-Creations by Christopher & Julia

Aesthetic Design Style is happy to announce our newest venture - Re-Creations by Christopher & Julia!  We will continue our endeavor of making independent fashion and accessory designers come to the forefront of fashion - that's our main focus.  But now we've become multi-faceted by creating makeup artistry for photo shoots, runway shows, editorial spots, etc. 

I began as a Makeup Artist nearly 14 years ago.  I always kept my "foot in the door" but didn't welcome the idea of going back to it more seriously until recently.  Christopher Thompson, CEO of Re-Creations by Christopher, and I worked together on several fashion events/shoots and we just got to talking about the possibility of coming together to help more people.  So, we did.  We are now able to be in two places at once when it comes to makeup while still being able to balance our other full time careers.  We look at this partnership as icing on the cake. 

PRESS RELEASE

We are very excited about this partnership and we look forward to the many new people we get to work with!!

Until Then:  "The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team."  - John Wooden

ShaSAM3 Giveaway Winner!

Aesthetic Design Style and ShaSAM3 congratulate Kelly Oswalt of Indianapolis, Indiana for winning our very first giveaway!  Stay tuned for more amazing giveaways in the near future!