perfect imperfection.

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Imperfection is how Prabal Gurung describes his latest project. He is teaming with Sally Hanson to bring upon a new line collaboration. Together they have designed two adhesive nail designs that are modeled after his Spring collection that can be found here.

 

Everyone fawned over Prabal’s violets and florals that graced the runway last fashion week. Now to have influenced designs on your nails for a price under $10? It can’t be beat.

 

“With florals you can easily get too sweet. I wanted them to be beautiful but with a [hint] of impersion, a kind of tech-y quality, for that little bit of edge.” -Prabal Gurung (Vogue April 2012)

 

So what does this mean for future nail enthusiasts? Are we going to start having seasonal nail collections? I must admit there are some designers out there that would make some incredible nail designs!

George Washington Women in Business

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Being apart of Intern Queen allowed me to attend this years George Washington Women in Business Conference. I accepted the invitation days before the event and wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I haven’t been to DC since my middle school days, so at the very least it seemed like a great opportunity to visit the city.

 

This event ended up being so much more than I imagined. It was amazing to be able to represent Intern Queen and have everyone keep asking about the company! You should check out Intern Queen! It truly is such a great company that was started by an inspiring women, Lauren Berger!

 

I’ll be doing an entire blog post about GWWIB for Intern Queen (so look for that!) but I also wanted to share some of my favorite parts with you as well.

 

Did you know: women only make up 40% of the workforce but contribute to 65% of global spending?

 

The college’s Dean began the day with a quote I really enjoyed; “Who better to invest in women, than women?” Although, both the panels and guests were not made up of entirely women, it is believed that women should support one another. Shoutout to the guys that were there, though!

The first keynote speaker was Princess Yasmine Pahlavi. I loved her story. Her best advice? No decision is ever right or wrong if you want to make it. Make the decision that will open up more choices for you. If it expands your choices, it’s the right decision. She also said to listen carefully. She believes our calling is already inside of us and we just have to listen. She was married at 17 and had her first daughter at 23. When asked if she would have changed anything about her life, she said absolutely not. “Point a to point b is fiction.” Find your own path and take all of your opportunities that come to you. It will lead to success.

 

I attended a few panels throughout the day, but the one I looked forward to most was the fashion one. Who would’ve guessed. The best thing I took away from this was a story designer Laura Lee shared. She emphasized the importance of connecting with people and keeping in touch. She had kept in touch with a professor from graduate school over the years. When it came time to launching her handbag collection her graduate professor had a connection for her…the CEO of Coach! They are now networking constantly and great outlets for each other. If that isn’t a prime example to not only be nice to your teachers but keep in touch with everyone you come across, I don’t know what is.

 

Best advice from Brook’s Brothers’, Lisa Crawford: “Be nice.” You will be remembered for it and it will take you far.

 

Katherine Boyle, fashion columnist for The Washington Post said: “Show that you’re willing to do the work beneath you, that’s how you move up.” 3 years ago she was a nanny. I’d say she knew how to move up!

 

Among the women that participated in the fashion panel, were many other inspirational speakers. Other keynote speakers, Bobbie Llyod of Magnolia Bakery (@magnoliabakery) and Alexis Maybank of Gilt Groupe  (@giltfounder) were exceptional! I could probably write pages on what I learned yesterday, but I will instead leave you with a few tips I picked up.

I would like to thank the ladies of GWWIB for having me and putting together an excellent day of events!

sweets.

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I’ve wanted this amazing scarf since I first learned who Alexander McQueen was. I’ve fawned over it. This last trip to New York City, my mom and I strolled up to his storefront. I couldn’t believe I was in his store surrounded by Alexander McQueen’s finest. That’s a little lame, isn’t it? Who cares! He’s my favorite designer and will always be an inspiration to me.

These are actually from Delaware. Don’t get too excited. They’re from Nordstroms that just so happens to be in located in Delaware. I fell in love right away. Find these Trouve wedges here.

Steve Madden can make a shoe. These are fantastic. Comfortable, flattering, wearable with literally anything! The Wizarrd can be found here!

I was very, very hesitant to buy this wallet. It doesn’t have any slots for cards. It has two pockets the size of a dollar bill. It works for me, though. I’m a believer that a girl can never have too many wallets. This one really wasn’t as scary of a price as I expected. Find it with a slightly changed style here.

Don’t get me wrong, the wallet is a terrific accessory that does not need to go with a bag. Buuuut, it’s too good to not have. I’ll fully admit that I am a bag hoarder. I am completely and totally obsessed. I’ve been deciding between the Proenza Schouler PS1, a Balenciaga, and an Alexander McQueen for quite some time. After going to Bergdorf Goodman’s (ah!) and literally looking like a kid in a candy store, I decided on the PS1. I don’t regret it whatsoever. Who would? Take a peek here. 

I’ve wanted a pair of these for quite some time. After searching online for a bit of time, I found these Pembrooks by Steve Maddens. Can’t wait to wear them all around the city!

These were also picked up down in Charleston. The color is perfect for everything. Okay, I’m going to declare myself to be Steve Madden obsessed. These are the Wardenn.

I’ve never been one to go shoe crazy. I guess people do change because it’s quite evident that I have gone shoe crazy! My excuse is that I need them for my internships. Sounds reasonable, right?

southern belle

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I go to school in the South, but am the farthest thing from a southern belle. My friend from school told me to treat the weekend’s festivities as “Halloween!” The festivities I’m referring to are the one and only Carolina Cup. It’s a horse race held in Camden, South Carolina every year that nearly every student from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia attend! The main ingredient to this event? A classic dress (not in black, I tried), and a big obnoxious hat. Here’s my recipe for disaster.

Dress: Jessica Simpson-No Longer Available

Hat: Nine West-similiar found here

the university of fashion

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It’s been over six months since I attended the 2011 Teen Vogue Fashion University. I was reminded of how amazing of an opportunity it was, just this morning while in an Interview. Founder of College Fashionista said that Teen Vogue Fashion University is such an incredible opportunity that not many people hear about (and they should!). I have been fortunate enough to attend the past two years and plan to keep going until I’m 22, which is sadly the cutoff age.

As I said, this was one amazing experience. I attended seminars of Alexander Wang, Chris Benz, Whitney Port, Proenza Schouler, the Teen Vogue editors, Michael Kors, and a panel of bloggers. I had a fantastic lineup of speakers. It may have been the fact that I was #1 to register. I had THAT good of a time last year!

Looking back through my notes (and I took a lot), I still find the words to be just as inspiring. I took the most notes from Chris Benz’s seminar. He was so down to earth and his advice really spoke to me. I can now announce that I will be one of his interns for this summer!

Here’s a few of the wise words of my summer boss himself!

  • What does Chris Benz consider to be a strong intern? Someone who has ambition, humility, willingness, is interesting and fun, has a point of view, and identifies with the brand. 
  • His advice on where to gain inspiration: open your eyes! Chris takes pictures and turns them into new patterns! Look for some interesting new patterns in his upcoming collections.
  • “Do what you know how to do in the best way you can”
  • “Work for others for as long as you can stand it” –this makes you well rounded
  • Ever see H&M or Target have very similar designs to those of our favorite designers? Chris believes it’s a compliment to be copied. He finds it important to get your designs out there!

I really did enjoy the hour I had listening to Chris Benz from the front row. I cannot wait until I am working daily in his office and really learning the ins and outs of his business. After all, he himself said that working for other people is how to succeed!