Friday, September 17

My design website is up now!

Please check out my new designer website!

ElianaSmithDesigns.com


Also follow me on FB for the latest updates and news!

Designer store opening in the end of October.

Blog up and running again in about two weeks :D

Eliana

Thursday, May 27

Soon to come...

Hello my lovelies.

I have been gone for a while. I had been gone finishing up the last few weeks of my design degree and currently in the process of moving.

In awesome news, TheStyleManor is also under-construction.

When we have its official site up and running and the craziness of the move is behind me, i'll be back to fill you in on more fashionable adventures.

Can't wait.

TheStyleManor

Thursday, April 15

Alice in Wonderland via Annie Leibovitz!


Vampires are so 2009...
Whats the trend for 2010? Alice in Wonderland.

With all the hype of the new upcoming movie by Tim Burton its no surprise that the fashion industry is never far behind on incorporating this fantasy into amazing editorial spreads.


I recently have fallen in LOVE with a spread featured in Vogue UK.

Not only is one of my favorite models on the cover, Natalia Vodianova, but Annie Leibovitz did the photography. Im telling you, ANY work this woman does turns to gold. Take a look below at this awesome spread!


Designer: Tom Ford

Designer: John Galliano

Designer: Jean Paul Gaultier



Designer: Nicolas Ghesquiere


Designer: Christian Lacroix


Designer: Marc Jacob

Designer: Karl Lagerfeld

Designer: Viktor & Rolf

Designer: Donatella Versace


*Photography via cyanatrendland


TheStyleManor


Thursday, February 11

Designer Spotlight: LORICK


I don't know about you but im sucker for any fashion secrets. Many of you might already know this tidbit of information but I recently discovered the face behind some of the most fashionable looks on one my favorite series, Gossip Girl & i absolutely had to share for our designer spotlight today!



"The mastermind behind Lorick and Ghost designer for Eleanor Waldorf on Gossip Girl, is Abigail Lorick. Born on Amelia Island, Florida, Abigail knew the South couldn't contain her...


BIO
At the age of 18, she moved to Paris and Milan to model for designers such as Alberta Ferretti and Mossimo while appearing in acclaimed magazines French C'osmopolitan, American Elle and American Harper's Bazaar. Working as a model only enhanced her love of fashion and led her to move in 2003, to New York City to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology while working simultaneously at T.S. Dixin. By 2004, Abigail was designing T.S. Dixin's entire collection. After proving her vision over a few seasons, Abigail's production manager in India, Verma Singh, approached her to create a collection of her own. Quickly thereafter in the Spring of 2007, she conceptualized and launched the Lorick brand." (Source)


Abigail got her Gossip girl gig through connections within the costume staff at Gossip Girl and was approached to be the ghost designer behind Eleanor Waldorf designs and her daughter Blair too.


To see how exactly she ties into the series TAKE A LOOK at the following Vid.


.......

One of my favorite things about LORICK? Her WEBSITE! Im really into visual media and i was trul impressed with it as its simplicity, beauty and chic feel make you want to explore every crevice of it. Click image below to enter the LORICK word.


To finish, i read a wonderful interview about her that i thought i would end with. Colleen Nika from Interview Magazine seems to ask all the questions i was asking and Abigale is more than happy to share. Read below and get to know this talented designer a little more as i have. Im a fan for sure!

...........

Something to Talk About

Colleen Nika

Fall/Winter 2009

CN: Did you come from a fashion background?
AL: No. I grew up on an island, although I started buying Vogue in fifth grade.


CN: When did you become a model? AL: I started at fifteen, and truth be told I knew one day I really wanted to be a fashion designer. It was a door into the industry.


CN: What was an influential moment during your modeling days?
AL: Meeting Alberta Ferretti and walking in one of her shows. And seeing models pass out at a presentation that I was in; they started dropping like flies. It was kind of hysterical.


CN: Did modeling lead you to design or was it something you always aspired to do?
AL: It was something I always aspired to do.


CN: You often say the South couldn't contain you, but does the "Southern Belle" legacy influence your taste in fashion?
AL: Yes, it does! We appreciate color and big sweeps. But I knew at age seven, that this is where I wanted to be.


CN: How did you initially get involved with "Gossip Girl?"
AL: Meredith Markworth Pollack (assistant stylist) and Eric Damen are good friends of mine. They actually proposed to the producers that there be a ghost designer behind Elleanor Waldorf. I went in with the collection and met the producers and it was just a great fit.

CN: What was the first outfit that made it onto the show? Who wore it?
AL: It was the "GG" dress. There was an electric blue strapless dress that Blair gave to Jenny, because her mom designed it and she said it was so outdated and "so last season".... Then Jenny tried it on and stared at herself in the mirror. It was great, because the dress was supposed to represent the world that she envied and wanted to be a part of. The dress mentally took her to that world.


CN: Who is your favorite character to dress?
AL: Leighton [Blair Waldorf], of course!


CN:What outfit featured on the show proved to be biggest hit with customers?
AL: The backless dresses that Leighton (Blair) and Blake (Serena van Der Woodsen) wore in the "Bad News Blair" episode.


CN: Do you enjoy the connection the Lorick brand shares with Gossip Girl or do you think it might potentially limit your appeal to other customers?
AL: I enjoy the connection. The "Gossip Girl" team is a great team, it has been an absolute pleasure working with them. Lorick will evolve on it's own accord; we will see if the "Gossip Girl" sticks with us. I believe she will.


CN: Will you be involved next season?
AL: The Lorick brand will always be the brand of Eleanor Waldorf. It is
up to the producers if she will be written in the script.


CN: Gossip Girl loves to play with the distinction between the socialites and artsy hipsters. Do you associate more with the "downtown" or "uptown" fashion and nightlife agenda?
AL: I don't really go above Houston Street. But I do love the clean, chic, old school lines of uptown. A wonderful trait of our Lorick lady is that she is the Uptown girl in a Downtown world by choice...

......

With the debut of LORICK in Spring 2008, Abigale Lorick became an instant success to this day! Her designs have a retro sensibility that relate beautifully to the modern woman. They are chic yet vintage an i know i would love to where ANY of them.

(LORICK Spring 2009 - Click to Enlarge)


To finish the interview above Colleen Nika asks Abigaile, Who is the "Lorick Lady"?

To this she reply's "She loves playing dress up, she finds it as one of life's greatest pleasures. She wears gloves in the summertime and oyster shells in her hair. She is independent, loves working, loves life, enjoys aging, she is a free spirit, and a delight to have in the room. She enjoys writing thank you notes. AL: She is a modern version of my grandmother. She is found in the women all around me that are pursing their dreams, that is where their real beauty comes from."


* Images via mondemateriel, krftd, interviewmagazine & LORICK

TheStyleManor

Thursday, February 4

Signe CHANEL

With the Haute Couture shows in Paris behind us & the beginning of my own collection underway (will talk about that at a later time) I have collections, designs, pattern work and construction constantly on my mind. It can get overwhelming at times but all those design aspects are KEY when forming a great collection.

Speaking of, i was so inspired by the Haute Couture shows this season. This years looks were very original & truly inspired me.

Do you know what i Haute Couture?


Haute Couture means "high sewing," and is the term reserved exclusively by those European fashion houses that offer made-to-measure apparel in or around Paris. Following strict guidelines regarding number of pieces shown per collection and number of collections shown per year, current members include venerable fashion houses like Balenciaga, Chanel, Hermès, and Valentino. More specifically Couture clothes are those that are fitted and sewn specifically for a client, often requiring several fittings for an exacting fit. The clothes may be specifically designed for the client, such as a one-of-a-kind wedding dress or a one-of-a-kind red carpet ensemble, or they may be part of a designer's couture collection, which are the pieces the designer shows that are available for custom fit.

........

My friend Michael recently told me about an Episode series called 'Signe Chanel' where cameras follow Karl Lagerfeld through a complete Haute Couture collection.


Its a series of 5 Episodes but MAN you will love it and really appreciate the work that goes into a major house Haute Couture collection.

Watch Episode 1 Below

Saturday, January 30

Emma W. (& brother) for Burberry Campaign


As i flipped through this months issue of Vogue the new Burberry Campaign caught my eye. Not only because Emma Watson was on it yet again, but because it was so stunning, modern and beautiful.

I truly am a big Burberry fan so i went on the prowl for the other set of pictures found in the campaign & found all these lovely treasures below.

Take a look at the 'behind the scenes' vid below & a gander at the beautiful images afterward. It's truly stunning!



Make sure to click on pics to enlarge them to get the full size effect.

Enjoy.










*Photography via thefashionw


TheStyleManor

Thursday, January 28

A lil doggy must have!

So the other day i was looking through old albums & found the most adorable picture of my baby pup Ginny. She was probably three months old at the time and was taking a rest after her eccentric owner (*cough*Me*cough*) dressed her up in an outfit given to use by my funny family.


Haha... ok

Im SO not one of those owners that dresses up their dog in outfits. No. This is actually the only time i ever put a top on my pup & im SO glad i documented it. Adorable.

But the best part of this outfit?

The Chewy Vuitton...

Yes the handbag shes holding :D

Take a look...

video

Again, I thought it was HILARIOUS that my pup liked this particular toy so much & still does to this day, a whole 2 years later!

What a GREAT GIFT IDEA for those fashion pet owners/lovers right?

I had to get on this & find more of these awesome doggy designer-inspired toys. The original came from Las Vegas but couldn't head there... so where do i go? & where to i find the best price?


I found them at Trixie+Peanut.
This New York City pet Boutique has such affordable prices (even better than amazon) & sells treasures i never even KNEW about!

Take a look at these fun pet treasures i found on the site!
Item Links Found Above Pics


Brown Chewy Vuitton $15
(Just like Ginny's)



Pawda
Poochi Purses
$12 each


Growlex or Ruff Lauren Aftershave
$15 each


Jimmy Chew
Manolo Barknik
Bark Jacobs
Dolce & Grrrbana
$12 each



Chewnel #5
$15


aren't these so fun?

I had to stop myself from purchasing all of them.

These seriously are such a fun, stylish gift to give that special lil' furry sweetie of your home. Let the pooch get in on all the fashionista action, you know their just drooling too!


*Photo's Via Trixie+Peanut

TheStyleManor

Sunday, January 24

"Let Them Eat Cake"

As i was blog-surfing today i found this SWEET little video...

I love fashion videos and this one is sure made me laugh as well as impressed me visually.

Hope you like!

"Let Them Eat Cake"



TheStyleManor

Saturday, January 23

Heidi Rocks YSL, Now You Can Too!

So as i was watching PR (Project Runway) the other night, I realized how much a just love Heidi Klums personal style. I know i mentioned i was a little disappointed with the end results of season 6 but one thing i just LOVED about watching last season was the total Klum style that dominated in every episode. She stood out in all things hair, clothes and more specifically... SHOES!

But not just ANY shoes, oh no...


she constantly wore the signature YSL Tribute pumps from the YSL Fall 2008 RTW collection and still does in 2010. If you go back and watch the season again, you will see that she wears these pumps in almost every episode!

Best part?

She own them in every color!


Cream


Black/Silver
(like 1st pic shown on top of page)



Black


And my personal favorite!

Grey Suede


From the moment i saw these beauties I just NEEEEEEEEEDED to own them. But I convinced myself that i wouldn't even think about purchasing them till i had a big even or something special going on in my life. Turns out my graduating Spring 2010 Institute Fashion Show where ill be making a 4 look collection seemed just the excuse to purchase these babies!

One problem.

I could never afford the $795 price tag.
EEK.

But as always i did a little research I found them on ioffer for a fraction of the cost.


STORE:
(This seller below has been approved by the rules listened in the
TheStyleManor's ioffer.com RULES)



Best price this seller offers is $108 and lowest $95 depending on the pump style you want. All you have to do is decide.

WHAT A STEAL!


Click on favorite style below for more details.

Grey Suede

Cream

Black

I'm definitely purchasing here. This stores prices are wonderful! Now i too can add that edgy couture look that heightens any outfit. I was so excited to find these since their sold out in most stores! Hope you can enjoy them too.

Spread the word and Enjoy... i know i will ;)

................

*** NEW TO ioffer? For a positive shopping experience CLICK HERE for some simple rules when shopping on ioffer.com

* Heidi photos Via justjared.buzznet, modelinia & style


TheStyleManor

Monday, January 18

Holiday Monday Special!


Happy Holiday everyone!

Heres a fun DIY 'Do It Yourself' Fashion idea for those looking for something to do on this holiday Monday!

This is my version of the now popular
'Ruffled/Rosette Sleeve T'


Instructions below.
Need a closer look?
Click on pics to enlarge for a more detailed view!


To begin, YOU WILL NEED:

- Simple Black T in your size
- 1/2 Yard of Black Chiffon
- Scissors, Needle & Thread


Don't know how to thread/knot a needle?
No worries. Click Here.



Step 1:

- Cut the 1/2 yard of chiffon down the middle so that you have two 1/4 pieces.
- Along raw edge, make 1/2 inch incisions every 2 to 3 inches. These will be your markers when you rip through chiffon.




Step 2:

- Hold either sides of chiffon at snipped points and rip cleanly till the end.


- You will be left with many raw edge strips. We WANT the raw edges. This adds its alluring texture.



Step 3:

- Gather rectangle strips and cut them in half with scissors so that you have more square like pieces to work with.



Step 4:

-When creating the rosettes or ruffle pieces, the styles & ways of creating them are endless. Here are a few ideas.

- Pinch and twist a longer style square with your fingers to create a rounder rosette.


OR

-Layer two square pieces like shown & twist them to a point. The acute edges will pop out and give an edgy feel if you choose this style. Do BOTH!



Step 5:

- While you have these rosette pinched to a point, use your threaded/knotted needle to secure the end of the rosette.
- Using your thumb to secure the rosette in place, thread the needle through it about 3 times before knotting it.




WALLLLAAAAA!
You are done!



FEW TIPS:
  1. Start from shoulder line and secure ruffles/rosettes evenly from front to back of sleeve. Meaning if you do one on the front, do the same sized one on the back.
  2. If you missed it before, here is a tutorial on how to thread a needle and tie a knot at the end. Click Here.
  3. Watch a film or old movie while doing this tutorial. Sewing the rosettes take some time so enjoy yourself.

Look to TheStyleManor for more Do It Yourself Fashion ideas to come!


Supplies I used:
T-Basic black - T from Forever21
Black Chiffon - Joanns

Below are other T color selections. Remember, chiffon comes in many colors so have fun with it!



*All images taken by me. Can Not use without permission. Copyright 2010.

TheStyleManor