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!!!

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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."

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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"

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

NEW collaborations with old friends: zagb in Mellina+Co's Spring '12 lookbook

 Zaida Adriana Goveo Balmaseda featured in Mellina + Co's Spring '12 lookbook! Yes, that is right!

Mellina+Co & Duccio Cambi's Jewels layed out before the shoot!

After The Green Fashion Competition -in Amsterdam- I went back to Florence for one more week.  I was trying to catch up with all my friends, as I knew I wouldn't be seeing them until I went back to Europe.

I had been planning to meet up with my friend Melanie Guardino who I met 08'-09' while we were both studying abroad in Florence, IT through FIT.  Melanie is the CEO/Founder of Mellina + Co, "a bijoux jewelry company that was created to fuse classic sensibility with cutting edge contemporary style. All the pieces are hand-made in Florence, Italy and shipped right here to New York."

After graduating from  The Fashion Institute of Technology (majored in Fashion Merchandising Management) Melanie decided to start her own company... she currently goes back and forth between The Big Apple and Florence, Italy- and whenever we happen to be in Florence at the same time, we try to meet up and reminisce!
Melanie was super supportive during my participation at TGFC, and when she saw the pictures of the collection on the runway she said she had an idea for a collaboration. I got super excited, as I am a firm believer that we young entrepreneurs and creatives need to work together and help each other... PLUS; Melanie is a doll, and I knew this had to be something good!

The lovely Melanie sporting my CEMENTATION_dress (bottom panel worn as SCARF) she was really loving it!

She was planning a photo-shoot for her latest collection of jewels and asked if I'd be up for lending some pieces from my CALAFURIA collection; I immediately said yes!


Mellina + Co is collaborating with Duccio Cambi a Florentine Designer who makes handcrafted, pieces ranging from Bracelets, Earrings,  and Necklaces to Rings. She sent me the "line-sheet" and I immediately fell in LOVE!

Mellina+Co & Duccio Cambi's Jewels I want them ALL!

We were incredibly lucky to find a model (Veronica Bellandi Bulgari), a photographer and a location and plan the shoot right before I returned to NY!

I ended up being the hairstylist for this shoot... just fixing a few things, we wanted it to be as close to PERFECT!

The shoot took place at the famous REX Café, an awesome location with a decor that evokes Barcelona+Gaudí: the central wall, covered with a large mosaic of rich colors, reminiscent of the motion of the ocean, the curved-shaped bar, copper back-lit wall ... just perfect for Mellina's Jewels + my Knits!

Below some pics of the shoot we had with the amazing Riccardo Polcaro. 

Make sure you also check out his blog!

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_jkt +TAFONI_pants + Bamboo Ring Gold 2 + Dangling Bamboo Gold

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_jkt +TAFONI_pants + Bamboo Ring Gold 2 + Dangling Bamboo Gold

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_jkt +TAFONI_pants + Bamboo Ring Gold 2 + Dangling Bamboo Gold

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_jkt +TAFONI_pants +Rocky Situation + Rock Combo + Pizzo Earrings

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_jkt +TAFONI_pants +Rocky Situation + Rock Combo + Pizzo Earrings

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_jkt +TAFONI_pants +Rocky Situation + Rock Combo + Pizzo Earrings

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_jkt +TAFONI_pants +Rocky Situation + Rock Combo + Pizzo Earrings

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_cape/skirt+ TAFONI_pants + Mystique Spheres Silver necklace +Glitz Me+ Dazzle My Flow

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_cape/skirt+ TAFONI_pants + Mystique Spheres Silver necklace +Glitz Me+ Dazzle My Flow

Veronica is wearing the TAFONI_cape/skirt+ TAFONI_pants + Mystique Spheres Silver necklace +Glitz Me+ Dazzle My Flow

Veronica is wearing the CEMENTATION_dress + Neon Flow Circle+ Got Flow Circlebracelets + My Circle Girlearrings

Veronica is wearing the CEMENTATION_dress + Neon Flow Circle+ Got Flow Circlebracelets + My Circle Girlearrings

Veronica is wearing the CEMENTATION_dress + Neon Flow Circle+ Got Flow Circlebracelets + Ms. Argy's Balancenecklace

Auralis + Zaida Adriana Goveo Balmaseda: knitwear accessories for Fall'12

Last Fall when I returned to NYC after my Euro-trip (the Mittelmoda competition, and the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris) I re-connected with my ex-boss, fellow puertorrican eco-designer, and friend Auralis Herrero Lugo; the designer behind Auralis (an eco-friendly label of exquisite clothes with an "Urban-Tropical" flair) .

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I interned with Auralis in the Fall of 2010 during my senior year of college, and helped with the preparation for the launch of her line during The Green Shows. It was an amazing experience, and I felt very connected to her vision and her line. It was super heartwarming to work with/for someone who comes from my beautiful little island but is out here trying to make a difference. 

Every time I went to the studio it felt a bit like going back  home... and thats how I became part of  her eco-venture. We've kept in touch ever since, and she's been incredibly supportive of my creative endeavors... given me advice and even wrote an article about the work I exhibited at the MMXIproject on Elpuntoes!

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Anyhow, when we re-connected last September, she told me she was experimenting with natural-dyes at her studio. Since I was very interested in learning more,  I offered to go help her out+learn  for a few days. From that a knitwear collaboration was born. 

Auralis wanted to include a knitwear element in her collection and I got really excited about developing some samples for her. Its the first time I collaborated with someone else and made accessories. It was a challenge, but definitely learned a lot and the pictures look amazing!

3+ months and MANY samples later (we tried various hat, scarf and headband shapes)  we ended up with a turban/headpiece called "chacón headband" and the "iris scarf" all in reference to Iris Chacón. “Iris Chacón was a character I grew up watching in Puerto Rico. She had a variety show in the island for over 12 years. She was a fashion and beauty inspiration to all Puerto Rican women of my generation” 

 "For autumn 2012 Auralís collaborated with fellow sustainable designer, Zaida Adriana Goveo-Balmaseda. The collaboration includes a scarf and a turban, knitted using a blend of organic merino, baby alpaca and silk yarn; luxurious on the skin and beautiful on the eye. All yarns were also dyed naturally at the studio."

 

*pics from Auralis' blog

"In Auralis’s vision Iris Chacón travels from Puerto Rico to Scotland via New York wearing the Autumn 2012 Auralis collection; she leaves all the men in kilts speechless. This Urban Tropical takes her city chic attitude combined with her Caribbean flair everywhere she goes."

The Knitwear accessories I created with/for Auralis which were just shown at MINTfair in Amsterdam and at CAPSULE NYC during their respective FashionWeeks and will also hopefully be up for sale online through Auralis' e-shop.

"Auralís just showed the collection at Amsterdam’s MINT Modefabriek and in Europe for the first time with Origin 23 Showroom, “MINT is a driving force for the eco fashion world which is where the future of fashion lies”. – Eileen Moran, who started Origin 23, brings together talented eco designers and gives their collections a home."*

*from Auralis' Fall 12' press release. 

I'm posting my favorite pictures from her Fall '12 collection below (and some process/behind the scenes pics as always)PLUS a wonderful video by Emerald Gold/Omar King. You can see more looks in her lookbook.

So much talent on that photoshoot! 

Auralís Herrero Lugo for Auralís
Jewelry - Luiny Rivera Gelpi
Talent - Laura Wilson, Collin Tanner
Director - Mónica Félix
Shot/Chop - Omar King
Makeup - Karlo Beau
Hair - George Ortiz
PA - Mayumi Yamada
PA - Jenny Macgregor Dennis
Mario Sweet "Mario" 

new chapter + UPDATES!

Returning to New York has been -as always- a bit strange. 

In the past few years I've been spending some time in Europe, and the more time I spend there, the more It becomes a 3rd home (Puerto Rico my first, NYC my second, and Europe-mostly Italy- my third).

It is always bittersweet, as many of the great opportunities I've been given as an emerging designer have come from initiatives happening in the OLD CONTINENT:

Last year Mittelmoda in Italy, and The Ethical Fashion Show in Paris, and this year The Green Fashion Competition during Amsterdam Fashion Week. Not to mention our latest feature on Mellina+Co's spring look-book which we shot in Florence last month.

I have this never-ending argument with myself, as after graduation I didn't imagine myself being here in NY. I was/am relentlessly searching for opportunities abroad... and every time I go, I want to stay; but this time it was very, very different. 

I realized that although the European mindset is one that I appreciate, and that I admire their respect they have for a lot of things  (like arts+crafts/ personal+family time/quality of life/social programs)... it will take me twice as long to get things done there, to promote my in-the-works brand, and to excel. The fastness of this city is both what I love and hate, its what makes me want to be here and what makes me want to run away.

HOWEVER...Now that I've started building my company,  I think will be here for a bit longer and take advantage of the wonderfully supportive design community I'm part of, the endless and accessible resources and the flexible/versatile/varied- yet intense lifestyle you can have here. If I get tired a few months/years down the line I can always run to my other/adoptive homes in Europe or Puerto Rico for a bit (or a while)...

Anyway, following will be a set of blogposts updating you about the articles where my work has been mentioned, what I've been concocting lately and the very-exciting collaborations we've been a part of.  

Hope you enjoy reading:

xo 

zaida adriana

• The Knitwear Accessories I created with/for Auralis which were at MINTfair in Amsterdam and at CAPSULE NYC during their respective FashionWeeks
•  Zaida Adriana Goveo Balmaseda featured in Mellina+Co's Spring '12 lookbook
• My MANIFESTO_of creativemoulding+criticalweathering collection shot by Michael Butterfin + model Mallory Matoush for MUUSE
•  The KNITTING PARTY at Rosa Ng's (from Quality Control)
•  The photoshoot we just had for VNB Magazine's April issue where our clothes will be featured!!!
• The launch of my collection on MUUSE.com on March 7th!

recap: TGFC/AFW backstage

first things first, UNLOAD and organize. which shoes for which model?

recap: TheGreenFashionCompetition/AmsterdamFashionWeek 

BACKSTAGE

a collaborative 

photo/reportage

by 

MarcoTurini+ZaidaAdrianaGoveoBalmaseda

early on, starting to adjust the knit dress

 

January 27th, THE BIG DAY! 

At 11:00am (running on 3 hrs of sleep) I walked into the backstage area of the AFW location at Westergasfabriek with my huge PINK suitcase full of goodies. 

Marco Turini decided to be my official backstage photographer and with a little bit of luck he was able to start documenting early in the day. 

I was also extremely blessed have my dear friend and amazing KNITTER Sohee Bae be my "backstage assistant" and "dresser". This girl works her wonders, and really loves me! She stayed and helped me with everything regardless of her upset tummy. 

After unpacking, we put everything on the racks, did one last fitting with each model and then steamed the clothes. 

Usually backstage(s) are super hectic, with tight schedules and full of very stressed people. Surprisingly this one was VERY different. Everything was super organized, the models were all on time and ready to work, there were plenty steamers and irons+boards, and the hair and makeup team was very enthusiastic. I knew things were taken care of and that allowed me to "relax" a bit and focus on the finishing touches! 

Thank you Martin van der Werff, Holly Syrrett and all of the AFW/TGFC staff.

I LOVE MIRTE! this is pre-hair/makeup MAGIC

this is NOT what it looks like. I was probably just making another funny face!

After we fit the models and sent them off to hair and makeup, Sohee and I stayed by our "rack" doing some last minute edits. We only had to do two things: add snaps to the bottom panel of the knit dress, and mattress stitch some ankle knit cuffs.

Little did I know that putting those snaps on was going to take me MOST OF THE DAY!

all of these faces in less than 30 seconds. uugh, backstages are INTENSE. in the end we are always happy though!

 

At ~1:00pm Mr. Max Hitipew, the amazing choreographer, came to meet with each designer and call us for a rehearsal! This man is full of positivity and encouragement and does an amazing job!

zaida.sohee.max: reviewing the looks/schedule

The rehearsal went great, and when I came back it was time to WRAP THINGS UP.

I was so happy to be done with ALL those snaps!!!

so rewarding to see my collection ready. note the ditto® hangers

marco was slightly obsessed with shoepictures. he took like 5. this one was my favorite

we met some really nice people.  the backstage photographer taking pics of me. not used to this.

  Then we went on to check on Hair+Makeup (Haar+Make-up)!

Hair was done by View Agency. I met with them and we discussed ideas, but the "creative director" asked to see some of my pieces. When I showed him, he immediately thought of something and asked if I had anymore of my hand-spun scraps yarn. Of course, I brought EVERYTHING with me just in case, and handed him a whole "roll". What they came up with was impressive, but was most touching was that in our discussion, the director said "this is in honor of the meticulous work you've done". 

He said he wished he could meet designers 3 months in advance to really get to know them and understand what is behind their work -in order to create together-. 

Makeup was done by House of Orange. There was chemistry here too. When I met with the "head person" she pulled out my "mood/concept boards" and immediately knew what I wanted. COLOR was ON!

It was wonderful to have these experts/artists helping us communicate our vision to the public!

                                        

MIRTE getting her face prepped!

SAGAL getting her makeup finished!

hairdetail. they sewed the yarn onto their hair

                  

hair DONE, makeup DONE. sagal+mirte posing!

 

I LOVE THESE GIRLS! Wonderful spirits!

Mirte, Sagal and Marijn were just the BEST models. They were cheerful, helpful, hardworking and super encouraging. They made this experience a million times better. They LOVED the pieces, fit them great and wanted me to have a great show and be happy. THANK YOU LADIES!

TIME TO GET DRESSED/GENERAL REHEARSALS/then... THE SHOW!

general rehearsal. marijin opens!

discussing the choreography, trying to get things right!

Marijn, Mirte, Sagal pose for  Marco. (from left to right)

Marijn, Mirte, Sagal pose for  Marco. (from left to right)

ITS SHOWTIME!

this is a LOT of press

two of my looks on the runway

photo credits to MARCO TURINI on this post PLEASE!!!

THANK YOU EVERYONE for such a MAGICAL experience!

I had lots of little angels helping me until the last minute and sharing this journey with all of you just makes it a MILLION times more special!

The show looked super professional, and I felt super empowered by having your all your support! THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING!

The next post will be dedicated to the RUNWAY pictures of finished and polished images. I just wanted to share what happens BEHIND the scenes, as the ride should be just as meaningful as the destination!