Trends Aren't for Everyone

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It seems like everytime I walk outside my front door, I see people wearing things that, frankly, they should not be wearing.  Trends are seasonal events in fashion and it is not essential that everyone jump on board with every single style. Instead of dressing on trend, I would like to inspire people to dress their bodytype.

Thankfully, we live in a world full of diversity and should embrace the shape that we are.  With the right cut, style, and color, we can find ways to accentuate our best assets. 

At the Belladonna Marie Trunk Show Extravaganza, I will be speaking on this topic.  Find ways to fill your closet with garments that you will actually wear. Understanding what to buy for your body type, and not just because it is on trend, will give you multiple outfits that you love and look great. 

It's time to stop relying on that 'one' dress or pair of jeans.  Embrace your shape and be fashionable!

http://www.belladonnamarie.com/

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Being Happy

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"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be." Abe Lincoln

We were at the beach last Saturday and we overheard a child say "This is the best day!".  Upon hearing this, my husband, Carl, and I talked about how great it is to hear someone say something positive.

Happiness is a state of mind.  You decided whether you want to make a positive situation out of one that may normally seem negative.  Isn't it great that we have the power to be happy whenever we want?

It is sunny in the Northwest today. We tend to live under the clouds and it is so easy to fall into the funk of what some people label 'depression, lack of motivation, being tired, gloom'.  On a day like this, I hope it encourages you to smile and appreciate. Even though we go through a multitude of 'gloomy' days, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel - the sun that decides to say hello.  Let this day be the happy that you need and allow for it to carry you through to the next one.

Happiness begins with you.

Music or Silence

I was once asked, "If you had to give up ever listening to music or ever seeing the world around you again, which would you choose?".  I use both sight and sound to inspire me in both my personal and professional life, and hopefully I will never have to answer that question.

Music plays a huge role in being a fashion designer. It takes the clothing from being lifeless fabrics to animated artwork. What would the runway be without music?

Even when creating my original sketches, music begins to take a foundational role.  I know that many designers work well with silence, but I love how music takes my designs into something I never would have imagined without it. 

Emotion is continually drawn from music. Whether it be ecstatic, depressed, solemn, balanced or any other state of being, music can take us there and back!  That is why I could never choose between sight and sound, and also why I definitely use music to inspire me.

To see my inspired looks for SS2011, check out http://www.belladonnamarie.com/.

Wish I was Better at....

The list for this title could go on and on, but in reference to my fashion design career, I must say that I wish I was better at pattern-making.

Pattern-making is a crucial talent needed in the design industry.  Of course, there are professional pattern makers outer there, but if you can rock patterns out yourself, it's going to save you more than a few bucks.

It is amazing all of the details and steps that goes into being a fashion designer.  Thanks to Project Runway, whether you are in the fashion world or not, we all have a basic idea of the design process.  Of course, seeing it all done in one hour makes it seem almost doable.  However, in reality, there is so much that goes into each and every step, many designers must hire help to complete them.

Although you don't need to go to an art school to learn how to be a fashion designer, it does help.  A lot of times, instructors open up a side of you that may have not come out, if not pushed towards a certain direction. Talents that you may not have known about or seen before can be revealed by taking classes out of your comfort zone, allowing your skillset to truly explore.

Even though I am a self-taught designer, persay, having learned everything I know from my very talented mother, I still have areas that I wish I was better at.  Perservering and research are great, but sometimes asking for help is the best way to go. 

Belladonna Marie, is a brand created exclusively by me.  From concept, to sketch, to pattern-making, I actually did it all!  See the full collection for SS2011 at http://www.belladonnamarie.com/.

How to Feel Like the Biggest Loser

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Last Winter, I was patiently awaiting for the eco-friendly fashion show to come. I believe it is held annually in Portland. For a stay-at-home-mom and fashion designer, I was ecstatic to have a day to myself, running around fashion booths and watching shows.


The first thing I noticed, as we pulled up to the Convention Center, was the massive line wrapping around the building. What! I knew that Green was the new black, but never in a million years did I expect the show to be this packed.  Nevertheless, I was determined to go. Even if I knew I might have to wait in line for 2 hours. That would be 2 hours of me, being able to hear myself think.

Of course, it started raining the second I got out, but I am practically from Portland. We eat, live and breathe rain.
According to me, just like any other event, when you go to a fashion show, you dress the part.  As I walked through the crowd, looking down at my knee-high leather boots, high-waisted, knee-length trench, I started to feel out of place. No-one else was wearing boots! No-one else had a cute trench on! No else even had their hair done!  IN fact, the more I looked around, the more I realized that every single person was in tennis shoes and sweat pants. Sweat pants!  I know this is a Green show, and there are so many variations of what that means, but sweats!

Finally, I decided to ask someone what was going on.  After several 'death' looks, those which you really only recieve in high-school, a lady finally responded.  "This is for the Biggest Loser, and you will definitely not make the cut." I was never more thankful for that, but at that moment felt like the biggest loser.

I immediately made my way to Starbucks and called my hubby to come get me.  Even though I never made it to my anticipated fashion show, I will always have the BIGGEST LOSER story to tell people.

For garments that actually are sustainable and stylish, go to http://www.belladonnamarie.com/.

How To Choose a Favorite Season

Choosing a favorite season, to me, is like choosing a favorite movie.  There are too many things I like about each one, especially when it comes to fashion.

When it comes to just enjoying the season for what it is, summer is definitely up there on the charts.  I love the sun, even if it is only a month long in the Northwest.  Summer fashion is fun, especially the colors, because you can really get carried away without it being too faux-peax. 

Fall...need I say more.  Walking out my front door, in a beautiful trenchcoat, coffee in hand, light breeze on my face, visions of orange and yellow leaves all around me, is a sensory overload I truly appreciate. Being a true holiday-fanatic, visions and thoughts of holidays enter my mind.  All I begin to think about is parties, friends, family, and possible adventure.

A true winter, in my opinion, is filled with white snow.  Having lived in the Portland area for almost 10 years, I just couldn't take another winter without my cold, white friend. So, we spent an entire week in Leavenworth, WA.  If you haven't been there - it is a must see and stay. Think Germany in the USA.
And, don't forget to bring a parka - I recommend something in red, green or white.

Blossoms on the trees are the first tell-tale sign that Spring is here! It is like a cousin who you don't mind being gone, but when they return you don't know how you lived without them. Finally, the sun appears. And then it rains, and rains and rains! Wait a second, I thought it was Spring. In this beautiful Northwest, our Winter and Spring kind of run into each other. BLAH! At least we get to make good use out of those beautiful trenches and raincoats.

If you are already ready for Spring and Summer, check out http://www.belladonnamarie.com/, where the SS2011 collection is on sale now!