FIDM Student Blog: Michelle Smith

emerging from my rabbit hole

    Hello honey bunnies! I can no longer deny the inevitability that is...my return to the classroom. *dun dun DUNNN* So bittersweet! I have been enjoying my time off immensely...submerging myself into art, bliss, and relaxation. And though I'm not exactly looking forward to overwhelming stress, I am excited to get back to work and see what all my inspiration and adventures have amounted to.

    One thing that I will take with me from this summer is the lesson of responsibility. Nothing is more attractive than someone who is responsible, n'est pas? Of course, it can be difficult to perfectly balance EVERYTHING in life, but by being accountable for your actions, your words, and your image...it makes the whole process easier. I've been taking a more independent approach to handling my own finances and living expenses, and also practicing inner strength and courage to help me make mature and conscientious choices in life. Balancing my need to live freely and artistically while also remaining respectful and productive.

    On one hand, sometimes I feel like I'm going through this "growing up" process a little too late. I can't help but get anxiety, worrying that I'm 19 years old now, and I don't own my own clothing line, I'm not dressing celebrities, and I'm not traveling the world exploring different cultures and lands. Sometimes I worry that I'm already old news. But of course, the notion is ridiculous and I try not to dwell on it. Instead, I focus on my path. I am still working on manifesting my ideal life - but I do the best that I can, so by the end of the day there are no regrets. I simply continue building on what is a solid foundation in the making. I'm still a student (and technically, I will always be a student), and by absorbing and learning as much as I can now, I can feel a delightful, warming sensation of light growing around me; growing, strengthening, nurturing...so I will deliver spectacular things in the future. Creations to encourage and empower all who look upon them. I am enjoying this path of exploration and experimentation, and eagerly await my opportunity to make all of you, who have inspired me so much, proud of me.

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

First Year Review

It still baffles me to think that I am already halfway through my career at FIDM. This time last year, I was just getting acquainted with friends I'm now close to today. This time last year, I was walking the halls utterly dumb founded. And here I am one year later, sitting on the second floor of the main campus typing this up; comfortable yet confident with campus life. The whole process is so normal to me now, that I forget how it was only one year ago I was intimidated and lost.

So far, I'd like to think my experience at FIDM has helped me approach my artistic endeavors in a whole new light. I am learning a more sophisticated, business sense to complement my outrageous, creative momentum. I'm learning how to channel the chaos of my thoughts into cohesive inspiration, and thus, I feel I am becoming more of a mature creator every day. I believe my biggest difficulty may be adhering to regulations. I'm not a rebellious person per say, but when I have a vision or an idea, I can be stubborn. Not to say I do not like constructive criticism, or input from anyone so gracious enough to it to give me. In fact, I thrive on social connections, so that is usually preferred. I suppose it's more along the lines of... I enjoy expanding minds and I detest having to hold myself back. Unfortunately, not every person appreciates or even respects such bizarre innovation. But that is life, and I'm learning to not take personal offense and how to be capable of accommodating a client while still maintaining my artistic integrity.

Though I am taking the summer off academically, my being has been turned on artistically. My brain is a flurry of fantastical images, and I've been unleashing it through experimentation in various mediums. I have been having a lot of fun with paints lately (thank you left over Color & Design Theory materials!). Something about slathering color all over white canvas tickles my imagination ever so wonderfully, and I feel quite ready to transfer that delight into garments.

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

P.S. The image in this post is a mural done by Eddie Colla. Love it!

Pink Hair Pondering

I've reached an interesting point in my path of self exploration. I wouldn't call it a "bump" or a "block", because it isn't negative, nor a hindrance. Simply a point of self reflection and pondering. The first of July was my one year anniversary of having pink hair, and I suppose that made me contemplate just what my mane means to me. I do adore having pink hair. I enjoy how it makes me easily memorable, and how it immediately labels me as someone who is just a little "odd", hehe. I love having it "kid approved", as I call it, when children squeal in shocked delight. Pink itself, I feel, captures a lot that I am. It's feminine, mischievous, sweet, and silly. It makes me think of frosted cupcakes, dreamy fantasies, and wonderfully glossed lips. It's innocent, yet versatile.

However, at the same time, it just feels sort of "unnatural" now. On a physical level, my hair is still soft from being constantly conditioned, but the ends are fried. I have to bleach my roots and re-dye my hair at least every month, and when the pink fades it's bleach blonde and my split ends are evident. I'm curious if going back to my original dark brown hair would help me, on a more philosophical sense, reconnect back to my roots. If by going back to a more natural color, I could feel more comfortable with myself, and no longer stress about covering exposed roots with a scarf, or showing too much blonde, etc. I'm afraid that perhaps I rely too much on the brightness of my hair for attention, rather than relying on the vivaciousness of my personality? After all, it's still quite possible to be a creative force of loving energy without pink hair. It's just on a deeper degree, I feel I have defined myself by it too long; I'm afraid of being forgotten when I can do longer include "pink hair" as my identity.

 

What do you think? :-)

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Class Project: Neon Clowns

For my final in Pattern Drafting Essentials, we had to create a cotton dress, with the bodice and skirt meeting at the natural waistline. All the patterns had to be neatly organized, we had to draw technical sketches of our dress, and a fashion figure in it, and write up the sewing sequence; all that jazz.

Originally my inspiration was Thumbelina's wedding dress, when she was being forced to marry the mole (Unfortunately, I couldn't find any images of this online, but it's all the more reason to check out the movie if you haven't seen it already!).

I wanted all the pieces to be alternating black and white fabric, and the sleeves to be pushed out--straight out--as if stuffed with shoulder pads. However, as I was drawing up the patterns, all I could think of was COLOR. You see, towards the end of the quarter, I was beginning to feel drained and dull. I had all this frustrated, pent up energy just building in my core, anxious to erupt, but with no proper way of doing so. School and obligations were taking up all my energies, so I never had time to take up outlets of my own. And so I used this project as a way to channel just some of that. I was yearning for an opportunity to freely explode, but I knew that a final project with so many requirements wasn't exactly the place to do it. However, to keep my sanity, I allowed my insanity to handle the dress. I wanted it to be so strangely random, that the viewer felt awkward with how much they loved it. As if you know this should be wrong, but it felt so fantastically right. I wanted it to fit well, yet be comfortable. I feel I truly accomplished all of that.

Pictures don't do it justice, but it fits and wears beautifully, (I was delighted to discover I can wear it too!) There's a hidden back zipper, and the sleeves are called "leg-of-mutton", (which you should know all about if you took History of Costume.) The sleeves were really what got me, since we never actually went over them in class, I had to teach myself with assistance from the textbook. I slaved away trying to make something so voluptuously obnoxious, however my muslin samples came out so flat. It wasn't until I put it on myself that I discovered you actually have to wear it in order to see the "poof", therefore, I was doing it correct all along. The only problem then was, because the fabric was expensive, I couldn't afford HUGE. Nonetheless, there is volume, and the rainbow pattern was well worth it in my opinion.

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Imagination

“Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless." -Jamie Paolinetti

“You see things and you say, 'Why?', But I dream things that never were, and I say, 'Why not?'” -George Bernard Shaw

    Two separate quotes both resonating with a desire for the resurrection of imagination. Sometimes we get so caught up with responsibilities and obligations, that we temporarily lose that sparkling enthusiasm that motivates us to do what we love. I personally went through a short period where I was feeling absolutely drained; running on empty, you could say. When I feel complacent it immediately sends an alarm in my brain. After a quiet moment of self evaluation and meditation, I realized this little experiment of occasional "check ins" are crucial to not only maintain sanity, but to assure that my mind is always happily open to receiving and giving; as opposed to being so focused on the to-do list. I discovered a problem, rearranged my schedule, and now I do not feel so overwhelmed. This way I have that delightful spirit of fantasizing ideals that I wish to create into reality, hehe.

What do you do to rekindle your imagination?

Once Upon a Dream...

    Fantasy is where I get my inspiration, and fairy tales are certainly a large contributor to that. The idea of mythical kingdoms, charmingly delightful Princesses, and ever so glamorous gowns... I am determined to make the wearer of my garments feel enveloped ever so lovingly in their own fantasy- to transform their "reality" into their Happily Ever After, whatever that may be!♥

Spring Fever

 

    We are only in the 4th week of the quarter, but already it feels as if my life has been consumed! However, in the corner of my mind I fear that a case of spring fever is festering, causing my focus to waver... What is it about spring that completely sends our thoughts a million miles away from present projects, that fills our minds with flurries of fantasies, and makes our heart flutter like a passing humming bird? Spring time is about the abundance of sunshine, soaking every ray of light to awaken our hibernating winter bodies. It's about anxiously dipping your toes into a pool, though it isn't exactly hot enough to submerge your whole body into the cold water. It's about shedding layers of unnecessary clothing, experimenting with fresh looks, and seeing what new people and unique adventures you can attract into your life. Spring somehow encourages spontaneity, wild flirtation, and lustful makeovers. It brings out our compassionate side, our connection with Mother Nature and the universe. It encourages us to take risks we wouldn't normally dare to take...like striking up a conversation with the cute stranger standing behind you in line for coffee or wearing a pair of bunny ears to the grocery store. Take this as a chance to expand your mind, expand your horizons. Read up on topics you've always been interested in...like palm reading, or even neuroscience! Get outside and listen to your heart, to the birds, to the wind. Spread some magic, find your calling, show off your sparkling smile.

"It’s spring fever! When you’ve got it, you want...oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes you heart ache, you want it so!" -Mark Twain

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Style Inspiration for Spring 2010

    What inspires your style? Some are slaves to trends, who fear straying from the dictation of fashion elitists. Others are emotional dressers, with their hearts on their sleeves…quite literally, usually. For me, runway shows can be inspiring, but I hardly follow along with mainstream society. And emotions-wise, my outfits never exactly seem to match, in fact, I tend to be the most dressed up while feeling troubled, and sloppier when I’m feeling content. I think events and present situations tend to be the most inspiring pour moi. I'll dress to fit an ideal image of who I aspire to be and to complement whatever is currently occurring in my life.

    It could be the rapid approach of spring, or perhaps my latest curiosity for all things light, airy, and free, but I feel that lately my style has been straying from the old “dark and edgy” aesthetic and into a  more relaxed and “bohemian” feel, if you will. I wouldn’t suggest I’m going completely au naturale, as I’m still craving gaudy jewelry, vibrant colors, and loads of makeup. There’s that  hippie inside my that wants to play in a field of flowers and decipher the shapes of clouds…and a posh, psychedelic, mod side that wants to tease my hair, hike up my skirts, and fall down a rabbit hole.

    Thus, enjoy the following compilation of images as I try to bring all these themes together to what will ultimately be the theme for my Spring 2010!

 

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Spring/Summer 2010: Valentino

The new ad campaign for Valentino's Spring/Summer 2010 depicts model Dree Hemingway sprawling about with pink hair! (I spotted this while flipping through Vogues before class in the library with a few friends.) I love to see colored hair slowly emerging it's way into accepted high fashion! Plus, It comforts my mom about my own colored choice to see couture designers featuring it on their models, ha! What are your thoughts?

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle

Astrological Fashion

I saw this spread in Vogue Russia and loved it! Though every photo doesn't perfectly convey it's respective sign, I think it's just charming when fashion interprets the zodiac. The model is Anastasija Kondratejeva, photographed by Matt Irwin. What is your astro sign? I'm a gemini sun, with a leo rising, and libra moon ;)

 

 

 

"Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer -Oh! Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius - I love all y'all" - "Signs" by Beyoncé. I used that song to help me memorize the order, ha!

Loving vibes & virtual kisses,
Michelle