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"

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!!

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

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!

The Green Fashion Competition: RUNWAY

Marijn, Mirte, Sagal runway ready! photo x Marco Turini

I am so excited to finally share with you the FINISHED product of what I've been working so hard on for the past 3+months!

 As you may know, I was chosen as one of 4 finalists for category 2 (young designers) of The Green Fashion Competition. There were 3 rounds of the competition and I am still so honored to have gotten all the way to the last one... and to have the amazing opportunity to show my collection [3looks] at the Grand Finale which took place this past Friday, Jan 27th, during Amsterdam Fashion Week!

TGFC has really been one of the greatest learning experiences. Although I did not win [the €15,000]:

• I had the chance to meet wonderful people [other young designers (like Carrie Parry, Narelle Dore, and OhMyBag), visionary makeup/hair artists, the incredibly helpful and encouraging AFW/TGFC staff (Martin van der Werff and Holly Syrett), the amazing choreographer Max Hitipeu, super fun video wizards Cezanne Noordhoek and Bas, my fantastic models who cared for the show just as much as I did (Marijn, Mirte and Sagal), and catching up with the wonderful Irene from EcoBloggerNL (who has been supporting us since the beginning of the competition)]
• Entering and being chosen for this competition gave me a lot of confidence. It allowed me to focus on taking my work/art to the next level, to think about how I can really have an impact on the things I care about by being more just an artist/designer...and being a young entrepreneur. I had to write a business plan, which forced me to really think about where I am right now,  where I want to go, and what I want to do with my work... It was a real challenge, and to be honest, I did not think I was ready for it/or good enough; BUT, this opportunity knocked on my door 3 times (first I was just surfing the web and bumped into it, then Sass Brown suggested I checked it out, and lastly- Holly Syrett, the project manager- saw my garments at the Ethical Fashion Show in Paris and reached out to me encouraging me to consider it), and I JUST felt it was RIGHT to take it!
• After the show, I was able to relax and catch up a bit with myself! I've received wonderful feedback and am so blown away by everyones support. Not to mention a the great honor of a beautifully written Eco Fashion Designer Overview on Sass Brown's website Eco Fashion Talk which was reposted by the Ethical Fashion Forum, another feature on Abigail Doan's Ecco*Eco ! and there are some other little projects sprouting like tomorrow's photoshoot collaboration with FIT in Florence friend Mellina+Co

I just have no words to express how grateful and happy I am right now... so I will just stop talking, and let you enjoy!

I would LOVE to have your comments/feedback!

p.s.: Photo credits to Peter Steigter

THE SHOW IS ON!

MARIJN opens the show!!! wearing the ALVEOLO_tunic/top (as top) [from deadstock wool.felted and embroidered, dyed with annatto, curry and turmeric] and TAFONI_cape/skirt (as skirt)[organic cotton  sateen(grown and woven in USA) naturally dyed and free-motion quilted with recycled PET batting+ COMPLETELY REVERSIBLE]

 

ALVEOLO_tunic/top closeup

TAFONI_cape/skirt detail + handspun scraps yarn as bracelet

MIRTE goes 2nd!... wearing our TAFONI_pants+TAFONI_jacket[organic cotton  sateen (grown and woven in USA) naturally dyed and free-motion quilted with recycled PET batting+COMPLETELY REVERSIBLE] and CEMENTATION_top[handknit from hand-spun recycled textile scraps from NYC, and LB®Undyed Organic Cotton Yarn. this top can be work upside down too!]

 TAFONI_jacket+CEMENTATION_top closeup

 TAFONI_pants closeup

SAGAL wears our 3rd and last look!...  our CEMENTATION_"dress"[handknit from hand-spun recycled textile scraps from NYC, and LB®Undyed Organic Cotton Yarn] I say "dress" because this one is transformable and can be worn a million ways! Here she is wearing THE WHOLE THING... This showpiece was knit from ~5.5lbs of fabric scraps. Good thing they did not end up in a landfill!

CEMENTATION_"dress" closeup!

 CEMENTATION_"dress" EVEN CLOSER

SURPRISE! MIRTE/SAGAL rocking it... transformation on the way!

CEMENTATION_"dress" turned into a sexy little number with a HOOD! SAGAL looked so HOT!

SAGAL, MIRTE +MARIJN walking their wonders!

SAGAL + CEMENTATION_dress closeup!

MIRTE takes TAFONI_jacket off + shows us it is reversible... PLUS we see how sexy the CEMENTATION_top can be! oooh the "cutouts"!

and... MARIN wears the bottom panel of CEMENTATION_dress that SAGAL was wearing AS A SCARF!

ALL IN FRONT of +150 people including Princess Maxima of the Neatherlands!

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

THANKS TO everyone that made this adventure ECO_FABULOUS!

mama.mimi.abuelo.ileana.omar.don.tiojorge.dorian.alida.brandon.jessica.daniela.leonardo.

wendy.sohee.mannyrico.auralis.tara.daniel.sassbrown.abigaildoan.owyn+textileartscenter.alina.pabloshablo.

hannaeke.borreakkersdijk.marcoturini.mariannagiustino.chunweiliau.samuelmoore.cristinalopez.peoplefromNHEC+++

andeveryoneELSEwhohasbeentherewithmesinceday1!

none of this would be possible without you