What I did with my semester

This semester I took a cutting and draping class. It took me all semester but I finally finished my dress. It is a replica of Audrey Hepburn's dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's designed by Givenchy/Edith Head. I draped and constructed the entire dress and fitted it to myself. I finally feel like I have the perfect LBD. I am so glad that the dress and the semester are done!

Gift Ideas

Gift Ideas by karalynfactor featuring long sleeve blouses

Tory Burch long sleeve blouse
toryburch.com

Burberry
mytheresa.com

Jason Wu slim leg pants
kirnazabete.com

Yves Saint Laurent flat shoes
barneys.com

Chanel
malleries.com

Alexis Bittar yellow gold bracelet
alexisbittar.com

Christmas Box Vector Graphic
dryicons.com

One Holiday Down, One to Go

Skirt: French Connection | Top: H&M | Shoes: H&M | Sweater: BCBG | Clutch: H&M

On Thursday night my family and I went out for Thanksgiving dinner. We went the Wharf Tavern which is on the water in Rhode Island. We got to see the sun set over the water. It was unseasonably warm that day so I didn't even need my sweater. It isn't unusual for there to be snow on the ground on Thanksgiving. Hope everyone else in the US had a wonderful holiday! Of course now I am back in Philly to finish up the semester

Vegan Corn Bread

This weekend I channeled my inner domestic goddess and made some vegan corn bread. On Monday I am celebrating Thanksgiving with my Uarts theater design family and I am bringing this. There is no eggs or dairy in this recipe that I found online. Instead it uses silken tofu and soy milk but tastes just like the real thing! I haven't made corn bread in such a long time it was really nice and it only takes 20 minutes to bake!

Impractical Fashion: Chanel beach Bag

Via dressempire.com

This new Chanel beach bag from the Spring 2013 show has definitely been getting some mixed reviews. Its basically a bag made with two hula hoops. I'm pretty small so the bag is probably about the size of me. The thought is that it can stand up on its own and you can drape your towel over it. Since it is Chanel you can image what the price point will probably be. Would you really want to put your very expensive Chanel bag in the sand, then drape your wet towel over it? Wouldn't putting your towel on the back of the beach chair be more effective? It just seems like another heavy thing that you have to carry down to the beach. Some people think it is genius but I believe it is just another example of impractical fashion.

Interview Attire

Interview Attire by karalynfactor featuring leather tote bags

Chiffon blouse
vj-style.com

Chloé pleated pants
$495 - farfetch.com

Miu Miu kitten heels
net-a-porter.com

3 1 Phillip Lim leather tote bag
net-a-porter.com

Stud earrings
$280 - kabiri.co.uk

Dolce Gabbana square scarve
thecorner.com

Gucci tech accessory
$270 - profilefashion.com

Impractical Fashion: Hobble Skirts

In the Edwardian Era designer Paul Poiret started freeing women from their corsets. But this freedom came at a price. No piece in fashion history was more impractical than Poiret's hobble skirt. Inspired by the tiny steps of the geisha, the hobble skirt restricted women's movements to tiny steps with it's extremely narrow hem. Women would also wear a "fetter", which is a belt worn around the ankles to restrict movement, so women had "hobble" around. Poiret also designed a tunic top to be worn with this skirt. Only a man would design a skirt where women could not walk. This trend of course did not last as soon designers such as Chanel began to take over.

Anara Original Ring giveaway!

I will be giving away an Anara Original ring to one lucky winner! Anara Original is a custom design house based in Delaware. This piece will definitely make a statement with any outfit. All you have to do is post a comment with your email address and follow Anara Original on facebook or twitter. The winner will have to post a picture of themselves wearing the ring on either their facebook or twitter.

The winner will be selected randomly on July 31st.

Interview with Abby and Katie of Smak Parlour

Photo Courtesy of smakparlour.com

Abby and Katie, best friends since high school, created their own clothing line at a very young age. They created something that is uniquely them and uniquely Philly. They opened their Old City boutique in 2005 and their website followed in 2011. Recently I was able to ask them some questions.

1. What college did you both attend?

Drexel University

2. What made you start your own line?

A passion for design and fashion and a love of entrepreneurship.

3. What do you do to find inspiration?

We find inspiration from each other, as corny as that sounds. We've developed a unified and distinctive aesthetic through the years. We design and carry what we want to wear and hope other people want it too!

Split neck dress, 76.00 smakparlour.com

4. Is it hard being business partners and friends?

No. We've been bf's and practically inseparable since we were 16 years old. We fundamentally understand each other and work very well together.

5. Why start a boutique in Philadelphia?

We love Philly and feel that the girls of Philly needed some SMAK. Old City is a great spot for us being amongst other indie boutiques.

6. Is there a chance that you will open another location?

In the future, maybe, but [we're] not thinking about that now. We're devoting all of our spare time and energy to the website.

7. What is some advice that you could give to people who want to get into the business?

Its hard work to own a shop and design clothing. You put in long hours and have to be sure you're willing to put in the work and time required in order to be an entrepreneur! We wouldn't trade it for anything though.

If you have a passion and a dream, go for it. There were many people that didn't believe we could do it on our own and actually be successful. Its scary taking the plunge but you only live once (don't listen to dream- crushers).

Old City Store

You can shop their collection on their website smakparlour.com

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American Apparel: Hipster Chic

I have never understood American Apparel. Its hard to understand who their demographic with their Cosby sweaters, 80's hair bands and body suits, and high prices. I never took the store seriously. If I ever needed an 80's workout costume, I would go to this store. Flashdance anyone? Not to mention some of their ads show more skin than a Victoria's Secret catalouge.

Then it hit me. American Apparel is so out dated and uncool that it is cool. The only explanation is that it is aimed towards hipsters. Who else would find all this spandex appealing?

Blogging event

Next Saturday I will be at the PNK Elephant on South St for the Walk the Talk event. This is the second year for this event but it is the first time that I will be attending. It should be fun. Hope to see you all there!

Fairest of them All?

Skirt -Blouse- Blazer- Heels

Today the new film Snow White and the Huntsmen was released. I don't think you know how much I hate Kirsten Stewart. The girl has no idea how to keep her mouth shut, which is the same mouth that does not know how to smile.

Recently though I was pleasantly surpised when I saw what she wore to the LA premiere of the movie. I am OBSESSED with this outfit. It is all Stella McCartney and I love it. This outfit is way different from all the other outfits that Kirsten has worn to other premeiers. Good for you Kirsten. You must have hired a stylist.

Schiap wears Prada

Schiap wears Prada by karalynfactor featuring cross body handbags

Prada strappy sandals
$890 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Havaianas flip flops
£22 - bankfashion.co.uk

Prada shoes
illtakeboth.com

Prada cross body handbag
$795 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Diamond cocktail ring
jewelry.1stdibs.com

How far is too far?

Photo shefinds.com

This dress was put on Etsy.com by Greek designer Lina Petrauskiene. Yes that is a giant cutout on the ass. Nothing better than showing off your best feature, your crack. What might be more surprising is that someone actually bought it. The question is, would you be that daring? Can you even go out in public with this legally? Of course this brings back memories of Rose McGowan's backless dress she wore out with Marilyn Manson.

You can find more by this designer on her esty site.

Sad News

Photo: Fashionista.com

It came out this week that designer Betsey Johnson's company has declared bankruptcy. Supposedly they have been having problems for years and lay offs began weeks ago. Some stores will be closing and it is unknown whether or not there will be a show in September for fashion week. Her lower priced collection will still be available.

This made me seriously sad. I have always loved this brand, even wearing Betsey to my senior prom. Betsey started her brand in 70's and it has been awesome ever since. But there is always her reality tv series to look forward to!

1920's and the Great Gatsby

Once again I find myself working on a project that requires me to research the 1920's and my flapper makeup post has been one of my most popular.

 In the time of the Charleston, hems rose to an unheard of knee length.

 Women bobbed their hair and the finger wave became very popular.

 Waistlines dropped to about the hip line. Women would put powder on their stockings to dull the shine of the material. Flappers did not like to wear stockings so they would roll the down and put rouge on their knees to draw attention to the fact that their dresses were so short.

Cloche hats were also very popular because the brim allowed people to see your bobbed hair!

Clara Bow was a famous silent film star and the cloche hat was very popular because it showed off the short hair cut.
The term flapper was coined by writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby. As most people probably know a remake of The Great Gatsby is being released starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Toby Maguire. Anyone excited?

The 1930's

The 30's are often overlooked in fashion history because of the Great Depression but the 30's were full of movie glamour and fashion innovations. Waist lines moved up to the natural waist, the wedge heel was invented by Salvatore Ferragamo and the bias cut was used in evening wear. Hems were not as short as the roaring twenties but they no longer grazed the floor.

Famous 1930's actress Mae West

Ferragamo heel