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