collecting fabric scraps: AGAIN!

My dearest friends:

Its that time of the year again!! 

YES, SCRAPS collection time!

You may be familiar with my hand-spun scrap fabric yarn, which I used to knit some of the pieces for the CALAFURIA collection I showed at The Green Fashion Competition in Amsterdam last January.

http://zagb.blogspot.com/2011/12/17skeins-spun-so-far.html

http://zagb.blogspot.com/2012/01/scrap-fabric-yarn-plying-more.html

I collected fabric scraps from designer friends, the Textile Arts Center, and just from my own leftovers. However, most of those have now been re-cycled and turned into something new, so ITS TIME FOR ME TO COLLECT MORE.

If you are a designer and have fabric scraps you want to get rid of, if you are a recent or to-be graduate and your locker is FULL, if you are moving, or just have too much fabric you can't/wont use... then I'd be happy to give it a new life.

If you'd like to "donate" please email me. 

I can come pick it up (NYC area).

THANK YOU!

xoxo

 

Mellina+Co's homepage!

Back in February (right after TGFC) I helped and lent my pieces to the lovely Melanie Guardino from Mellina+Co for a photo-shoot. The pieces (from the CALAFURIA collection) were to be used as a complimentary element to her line of BIJOUX!

We had so much fun shooting together at Rex Café in Florence, and really got some nice shots!
So much so that she is using one of them on her website/web-shop's HOMEPAGE!!!

woot-woot for collaborations! 

THANKS MELANIE for the support!

FEATURED: VNB Magazine's APRIL Issue!

GUESS WHAT???

Some of my pieces are featured in VNB Magazine's APRIL issue/ The Sexy Issue!

VERY EXCITING; this is the first time my clothes have been photographed and published in a fashion/beauty/lifestyle magazine!

Back in March, I met the lovely Kelana Derow, who was going to be one of the featured models for VNB Magazine's APRIL issue. She reached out to me asking if I'd be interested in lending her some of my pieces for the shoot. I agreed, and actually went to the photo-shoot. That is where I met LE QUAN, the Founding Editor-In-Chief of VNB.

Le's Studio+Home/The magazine's headquarters are in Brooklyn, NY. Kelana (the model) Rosemarie Bundy (MUA), "J" (Stylist) and Le were such a wonderful team.  It was very inspiring to meet people who are so passionate about what they are doing and willing to help others out.

You can see the FULL online version of the APRIL/The Sexy Issue HERE!

 Scroll down to see my favorite shots!!!

 ___

I asked Le to send over some information about him and the magazine and here is what he had to say:
What is VNB Magazine all about? What does it contain?
"VNB magazine is the first and only Asian fashion magazine that is devoted to discover and celebrate beauty. Our editorial covers multiple works of up-and-coming models, photographers, make-up artist, and fashion designers that want to reveal glamour, exquisiteness, style and splendor to the world."

What led you to start this publication?
"I started VNB Magazine because I believe everything is possible and that hard work pays off. After 5 years of experience as photographer, I had worked with many talented people and did not see many of them being featured or properly rewarded. I wanted to create a platform that featured those talented people that hadn't been discovered before and brought them out to the public eye.

Since I will not live forever I wanted to create something that could last for a long period of time. So, I took the risk! I know I won't regret it when I look back 10 years from now."

How does your background as a photographer translate into you creating your very own magazine?
"My background as a photographer heps me shoot for whichever theme I want without needing to rely on others. It also helps me to deal with the models, makeup artists, and other collaborators. It gives me the courage to try new ideas and execute my concept."

What are your plans for the magazine?
"In 5 years from now, I would like to publish 50000 copies of the magazine and have it distributed to all states in America."

  ___

I played around with some of the colors here... hope Le doesn't mind!

 

 KELANA wearing the "mossformations+cutouts_tunic"

 KELANA wearing the "root-ed_dress"

KELANA wearing the "CEMENTATION_dress"  (with and w/o the hood!)

                                                  KELANA wearing the "TAFONI_jacket"

ZAGB x QC: Competing Creatively

In a "recent" conversation with my friend Rosa Ng from QualityControl I told her about how important the competitions I've participated in have been. They've given me A LOT of exposure (which has brought other opportunities) but also (and I think most importantly) encouraged me and given me the confidence to go out there and keep working on my art.

Later on she emailed asking if I'd be interested in writing a little something for QC sharing my experiences with the various competitions (Mittelmoda & TGFC) as she thought students would love to hear about them.

I didn't have to think about it twice; I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE everything about QC:

1)Because it is a wonderful community/industry-building initiative. I am so proud of Rosa and Tiffany for coming up with this idea and keeping it going!

Quality Control is:
a SPACE to read and share about your internship experiences while streamlining the word-of-mouth operation within the fashion internship community.

 

a TOOL to provide easy-access tutorials, templates, and guides relevant to daily tasks in the fashion industry.

a RESOURCE for those interested in the fashion industry and those who have a sense of entitlement to knowledge.

an INSPIRATION for your mood, archive, and portfolio.

2) Because I would've loved to have someone share some insightful information about the competitions when I was thinking about applying to them. Plus, I want to spread awareness about all the great opportunities that are out there and encourage more students/recent-graduates to take advantage of them!

CLICK HERE to see the FULL article!

My collection on MUUSE

On MARCH 7th my thesis collection "MANIFESTO_of_creativemoulding+criticalweathering" was launched on www.MUUSE.com!

MUUSE is an online platform that supports emerging designers by selling limited edition pieces -made to order- of our collections.

I am super excited for this, as it is the first time my pieces are up for sale, and the MUUSE team has a nice following that will help my work be recognized by a broader audience. Plus, it is wonderful to be considered part of a project that has so many talented designers.

CLICK here to see the communication they sent to announce the launch. I'd love to hear your comments (feedback always teaches us something) and would love it if you shared this with people that could be interested in shopping for one of my pieces!



 

CLICK here to go to my "designer" page on MUUSE!

CLICK here to go to my MANIFESTO page on MUUSE!

I have to take this opportunity to thank Michael Butterfin + Jordan Cortese for the beautiful photography, Mallory Matoush for being my earthy-woodsy-mossy nymph/goddess and to my sister Ileana for helping out at the photoshoot!
You can see the FULL LOOKBOOK here:

Open publication - Free publishing - More jordan cortese

xoxo

"z"

March-April UPDATE

My wish to make the updates to this blog (and my website) a part of my regular activities is still far from being fulfilled; especially while living in this relentless city. However, I have loads of news for you and I hope you are ready and excited to read about them!

besitos

 xxx

"z"

MARCH was a BIG month for me!

• I had a B-DAY

Torta de Santiago @ TIAPOL!

• Started setting up my temporary studio UPSTATE NY 

working on a knitted swatch with my recycled fiber handspun yarn!

• My collection was launched on MUUSE, and I am now one of their featured designers!
• My clothes were used on photo-shoot for VNB Magazine's April issue!
• I wrote an article for my friends at Quality Control regarding my Competition Experiences!
• Finally began to work on logos for the BRAND!
• My CEMENTATION_dress made it to the homepage of Mellina+Co!
• I received some press opportunities and collaborated with amazing photographers: 

-Photographer Darina Boycheva and Stylist DaMara Hernandez

-loaned my clothes for the recording of the PILOT for A-Style reality show

- Sent my clothes to Italy for a chance to be featured in VOGUE talents 

-Was interviewed by ANORMALMAG. The article will be published online on APRIL 29th.

Backstage w. MUA Rosemarie Bundy and Model Kelana Derow x VNBMagazine

photo x Darina Boycheva. Styling x DaMara Hernandez

The KNITTING PARTY

A few weeks ago my dearest friend Rosa Ng from QualityControl hosted a Sunday KNITTING PARTY!

I had never been to an event like this, and didn't really know what to expect. Nonetheless, I was really looking forward to see Rosa and some other former classmates; and to catch up while knitting or teaching others how to knit!

It was a total success! There was tea, pastries of all kinds, churros, munchies,  and chocolate. Plus, we had nice music as a background to our endless and boisterous chatter. We had so much to update each other about.

such a beautiful tea-set! our guilty pleasures!

All of us are either out of school (graduated from FIT last May) or on the last semester. Its incredible how much things have changed since we've stopped frequenting the classrooms on 27th street. We spoke about first jobs, corporate vs. non-corporate companies, our study-abroad experiences, travels, design competitions, the NYC Garment Center, career ambitions, and of course, our love for fashion, craft and KNITTING.

There were 3+ conversations happening simultaneously and each story was interrupted by an “okay now, I’m going to show you how to purl”, a  “wow, what’s that super pretty yarn?” a “wait, can you show me that again?”, "how to wind a ball of yarn", or “ What’s circular knitting all about?”…

All I can say is that it was the most fun I’ve had in a while! There is nothing like sharing your knowledge, ideas and passion for craft while catching up with your friends (and making new friends) over delicious banana/pecan-banana-bread-yuminess and warm tea on a cold winter Sunday!

Maybe we are nerds, but I know we all loved it! This should become a regular thing!

Enjoy the nice pics x Rosa Ng!

snacks on the table, yarn in our hands... this is how it started!

Nicole learning how to knit! She was determined to knit an entire sweater before she left the party...

I was fixing one of my CALAFURIA pieces w handspun scrap yarn

oh the laughs!

 The following Sunday,  I caught up with Nicole. She told me she's hooked with this knitting thing and that she bought "professional needles" because "a professional needs professional tools"

WE LOVE YOU NIC and we also LOVE KNITTING!!

A post about Michael Butterfin

On my previous post I showed you the pictures from my latest photo-shoot with Michael Butterfin + Mallory Matoush. These two talents helped me get ready for my collection’s launch on MUUSE.

I’ve been on a COLLAB frenzy and there is no better feeling that the one you get when you recognize and support a fellow artist whose work you believe in. 

So this post is dedicated to MichaelButterfin.

I found Michael through Model Mayhem, a platform for models, photographers, MUA’s and designers to connect; and hopefully work together. I’ve known about MM for a long time, but never had the courage to sign up and give it a chance. But... you know what they say: “desperate times call for desperate measures”, and since I needed to get some pictures of my clothes ASAP, I recurred to it.

I posted a "casting call" and Michael was the first one to contact me. I'll admit I was a bit skeptical. Nonetheless, I responded to his email. He impressed me with diligence and I decided to go for it. I am so glad I did, as that was the beginning of a great collaboration. Working with Michael was just the best! He convinced his friend Mallory Matoush to model for us (she is so amazing!) and the whole shoot was a smooth ride! He knows what he wants, but also has the great ability to understand other people's visions and to listen. I think together we were able to create something magical that satisfied everyone’s needs for their portfolios. He has a wonderful sense of direction and is passionate about it; but the best part is that he knows exactly how to communicate with the model. Butterfin definitely knows how to capture the beauty and essence of things... whether of our model or my garments, each at their best! 

I asked Michael if he’d be up for a feature on my blog and he was so excited!!!

ENJOY this blurb about the guy behind the lens:

Michael Butterfin was born in Burma.  He spent his childhood in Russia and his teens in a small town in Canada. “My mom traveled a lot for work so I moved around with her growing up.”

The next stop was Bangkok, Thailand, where he attended Art School for Graphic Design.  “Before my final year I met a girl. Things didn’t work out for one reason or another and I just wanted to go away. So a few friends suggested that I travel, and I did. Actually, that’s when started taking proper photos, after I dropped out on my final year. I just couldn't picture myself sitting in front of a computer all day for a living!

I went backpacking for about 3 months. I was in Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan. I hiked through some jungles, slept at some hippie bars, and random stuff you wouldn't believe. But that is when I discovered the real beauty in people, places and cultures... Of course, I fell in love and I think that brought out the emotional/creative sense inside of me."

About his interest in FASHION

"I can't really describe how I got into fashion. I've always been so much into art. My mom says that I started drawing before I would write, and that in my childhood I was praised a lot for the crazy stuff I drew... dinosaurs, monsters, and of course, girls (but not in a nasty way or anything, LOL!). . In college I was always hanging out with the designers and models; that probably sparked my interest in capturing fashion and beauty. Plus, I was brought up closely with a single mother and I remember reading her magazines while growing up: Elle, Vogue, etc... Maybe that had some effect too? I dunno.

Before coming to NY Tokyo was my last stop. My mom was there, so I stayed with her for a while.  It’s got its own right of being a fashion capital. There, I would hangout at the fashion areas; admiring the ad campaigns, all those beautiful models on the posters, and billboards. I wanted to create that kind of beauty.”

About coming to NEW YORK:

“The move to NY was random. I didn't know what I was going to do back then. I was a lost 19 year-old kid who thought life was all about partying and girls. The place I really wanted to be was Paris actually. But... somehow life turned things around. When I got here to NY, I thought I'd start out by assisting. I wasn't sure which kind of photography I wanted to do yet, and the first assisting gig I applied for, I got a call from this guy. I went and it was for VOGUE Italia! I was overwhelmed! There were agency girls, Make Up Artists who work for Dolce&Gabbana, and everyone was so nice and creative... I just absolutely fell in love! Shortly after that, I was shooting on my own and here I am :)"

It is funny because before all this, to my close friends, I was this loud, rowdy guy who'd be so far off from being interested in fashion. They still ask what happened, and I'm like... 'Well, spending my day around beautiful models and taking pictures wasn't exactly a bad idea ;)' "

About PHOTOGRAPHY

“My all time idol in the industry would be Guy Bourdin. He's a French photographer from the 80’s and he was shooting every cover of French Vogue for centuries. What I love about him is his interpretation of female beauty is very sexualized, yet in a very creative and artistic way. Many of today's most well know fashion photographers pay homage to Bourdin. Google him. His shots will blow your mind!”

About the FUTURE

“Unlike most guys out there I don't just want to be a photographer. I don't like the term "professional photographer" or "photography". I’m just me and I just want to be me: Michael Butterfin.  I want to be known that way, but of course to be all the way to the top!"

Why COLLABORATE

“I collaborated with you because the moment I saw your work, I was amazed and I had to, had to shoot it! :)"

Make sure to check out his work here!
AND ENJOY some of Michael's favorite pictures from our shoot BELOW!

Thanks AGAIN to model Mallory Matoush for putting up with the cold, and to my assistant Ileana Goveo Balmaseda!

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_dress"
made w. organic/recycled yarns, and hand-dyed w. vegetable and non-toxic dyes
 VOTE for this PIC on VOGUE.IT and maybe we could be PUBLISHED!

MY FAVORITE!!! 
Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_dress" made w.crocheted organic+recycled yarns (from de-knitted sweaters)and knitted dead-stock yarn.

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_dress" made with crocheted organic+recycled yarns and knitted dead-stock yarn.

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_2way_shrug" and "moss_formations_skirt"
all made with organic/recycled yarns and hand-dyed with vegetable and non-toxic dyes

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_cutout_tunic"
made w. recycled cotton yarn (from T-shirt production waste )and hand-dyed w. vegetable (coffee +curry) and non-toxic dyes. embellished w. hand-embroidered french knots

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_cutout_tunic"
made w. recycled cotton yarn (from T-shirt production waste )and hand-dyed w. vegetable (coffee +curry) and non-toxic dyes. embellished w. hand-embroidered french knots

MANIFESTO_of creativemoulding+criticalweathering on MUUSE. Photoshoot w. Michael Butterfin + Mallory Matoush

Pictures of our latest photo-shoot are here!!!

Have you heard about MUUSE?

MUUSE is a really cool new platform for emerging designers. "It exists in order to bring better design to the world and help young fashion entrepreneurs launch collections, through bringing a new and more sustainable business model to the fashion industry." 

They sell limited edition pieces and it is all made to order. A very sustainable concept!

I've been trying to work with them since last fall, but timing just was not right... UNTIL NOW!

HOWEVER... I am super excited to announce that some pieces from my thesis collection "MANIFESTO_of_creativemoulding+criticalweathering" 

will be up for sale through MUUSE starting MARCH 7th (hopefully)!!!

My thesis collection is the one I showed at the 19th edition of MITTELMODA, in Italy last July.

Although I had some nice images from the runway + from a shoot with friend/amazing photographer Jordan Cortese... I did not have detailed images of each garment.

In a bit of a rush I was able to organize a photo shoot (with the help of Model Mayhem) and was super lucky to find a wonderful photographer and model. We planned everything in 3 days and had the shoot at my uncle's apartment in Brooklyn Heights.

Thanks:

-MODEL: Mallory Matoush

 for understanding our concept and being such a trooper. you are a true beauty!

-PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Butterfin

for helping me organize this in such a short time, and being so passionate about everything you do!

-Hair/Makeup: HELP Ileana Goveo Balmaseda

hope you like the pictures as much as we do +
catch me on MUUSE on MARCH 7th!
xox

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_cutout_tunic"
made w. recycled cotton yarn (from T-shirt production waste ) hand-dyed w. vegetable (coffee +curry) and non-toxic dyes. embellished w. hand-embroidered French knots

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "moss_formations_dress"
made w. organic/recycled yarns, hand-dyed w. vegetable + non-toxic dyes

 

  

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "mossformations_HWskirt" made w. museling-free wool, 

hand-dyed w. low-impact/non-toxic GREENER Dyes® + vegetable dyes. 

embellished with hand-embroidered french knots. 

AND the "root-ed_2wayshrug"  made w. crocheted + felted 100% organic + recycled wool (from de-knitted sweaters).

Mallory Matoush is wearing the  "root-ed_2wayshrug" 

  made w. crocheted + felted 100% organic + recycled wool (from de-knitted sweaters).

 

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_transformableshrug" made w. crocheted+felted 100% organic + recycled wool (from de-knitted sweaters).

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "birch-en_cuffedleggings" 

made from 100% recycled cotton (from T-shirt production waste). 

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "onesleeve_croptop" made w. 100% organic cotton and hand dyed w. low-impact/non-toxic GREENER Dyes®.

            

Mallory Matoush is wearing the "root-ed_dress" outer part made w. crocheted organic+recycled yarns (from de-knitted sweaters) base textile is an irregular rib knitted from dead-stock yarn.