Category: Fashion & Beauty
3, 2, 1…Happy New Year!
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It’s party time. There’s no better day to shine bright like a diamond than New Year’s, and models Eva-Christine, Megan, and Cassidy are here to show you exactly how to work your sequins and feathers, your fur and your lace.
Because we all know half the fun of December 31 is what you wear. Have a happy New Year!
Creative Director/Stylist: Emily McBride
Editorial Assistant/Right Hand: Emily Schoone
Hair/Makeup: Kate Foster
Photographer: Emily Brown
Production Assistants: Sarah Bennett, Rebecca Sivak
Models: Eva-Christine Hall, Megan Larsh, and Cassidy Reeser
Photo Editor: Brando Herron
Location: Suska
Street Style Profile: Andrew Lam
This week we’re happy to feature a little taste of the style of art student/secret gamer, Andrew Lam. Andrew is one of those guys who just exudes cool without knowing it – the kind of guy well suited for the streets of NYC.
He tackles pattern mixing like he just don’t care- and pulls it off every time.He rides the line between minimal, refined, and just havin’ a good time- always adding a fun and quirky twist, be it his colorful socks or our personal favorite – his amazing llama handbag.
Read on for more about Andrew and what inspires him in life and art making, and don’t forget to check out his super sweet playlist (hint/warning: Miley Cyrus in your future)
1. How would you describe your personal style and/or your approach to dress?
Whatever I can find on a sale rack or at Goodwill. I love layering, knitwear, fun patterns, and comfortable, oversized pieces. Colorful socks are also a must! Most days, I usually don’t have time to pick anything out since I’m always late, so my approach to dress is throwing on any article of clothing that is somewhat clean from my bedroom floor.
2.Do you have any special pieces or accessories with a story attached?
Maddie Zerkel‘s leaf sweater that she got from Goodwill. I borrowed it for a night and ended up wearing it for a week straight unwashed. She didn’t want it back after that and gave me the sweater. Thanks, Zerkel! Also my hair pins that say “Good,” “Bad,” and “Rad.” They help keep my unwashed hair in place.
3. Who or what inspires you right now?
Miley Cyrus. Then, now, and forever a dirty hippie.
4. What interests you within your discipline- what you aspire to do in the future?
It’s fascinating how we can weave fabric out of really nothing. It’s literally made strand by strand. I’m interested in building upon that by making functional or nonfunctional garments and even making sculptures. Right now, I’m weaving unwearable by humans, but decorative costumes that are worn by colorful soft-sculpture dolls. I’m still working out the details. It’s really hard to think about the future when I’m barely surviving right now. Though, I would like to move to an urban area and buy myself a loom. That would be the next step I think.
5. What is something not many people know about you?
I play a computer game called “League of Legends” almost daily with my good friends from Canada. We’ve been gaming friends for over two years now. I actually met one of them for the first time this year when he came to Atlanta for his math conference. Never thought we would ever meet in person, so it was definitely a cool experience. I’ll have to visit Canada now.
#RockRollRide: Let Stuart Weitzman’s New Short Be the Standard for All Fashion Ads
Shoe designer Stuart Weitzman has partnered up with Julia Restoin Roitfeld to produce what I believe is a perfect model for all fashion advertisements.
The short film premiered today during Paris Fashion Week and has a lot of buzz going around for its series of firsts. For one, this is the first shortie from the shoe designer to be shot by a female director. Julia Restoin Roitfeld, daughter of former editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld, directed the film for her directorial debut.
Of course, what would a high fashion short film be without high fashion models? The flick stars Poppy Delevingne and fresh face Dylan Penn, daughter of Sean Penn and Robin Wright. To top it off, the short film was set to the sounds of dream pop princess Lana Del Rey.
The music, the lighting, and the graphics are phenomenally matched together, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I found a commercial that mimicked the style soon- oh, look – it took me three seconds.
Sultry music, cute boots, gorgeous models, and simplicity. Perfectly breaking the mold for the typical high fashion ad. I approve, Stuart and Julia. I approve.
#RockRollRide
Street Style Profile: Sarah Kennedy
Sarah Kennedy caught my attention immediately with her great style and lovely curls that are just the right shade of cotton candy. She’s friendly and approachable, an attitude that goes hand in hand with her laid back style. Though Sarah is as sweet as her cotton candy hair, she’s also got a super-girl-power vibe and a true understanding of her own taste that shines through in the form of quirky details and added accessories- which we obviously love. (Plus, she shares my affinity for glitter so double love) This week we’re excited to feature Sarah and talk to her more about “cool but not chill” style and her Atlanta based art collective. Plus a super awesome playlist by the lady herself. Enjoy!
1. How would you describe your personal style ?
My personal style is all over the place. Some days I purposely try to look effortlessly cool like “I woke up like this.” Other days I literally did just wake up like this. On the style spectrum, I sometimes lean a little toward elementary school art teacher, or on the opposite end, pre-teen boy. When I asked a friend how they would describe my style, their exact quote was, “cool but not chill. Dope.” Which may mean literally nothing, but it kinda resonates with me.
2. Who or what are you currently inspired by?
Annie Clark, a.k.a. St. Vincent is my inspiration for most things, but in particular she gives me some major hair goals. Also, Arcade Fire’s Reflektor era has given me some pretty major metallic inspo, whatever that means. In reality, most of my style inspiration comes from my friends and the outfits they put together.
3. Do you have any pieces of clothing or jewelry that have a special story attached to them?
I’m pretty attached to all of my beaded friendship bracelets. I wear three specific bracelets very regularly. One bracelet has my name and the word “alone” on the other side; one of my buds has a matching one. My bracelet that says “Troop” is something my mom made me, and it’s for the teen-girl art collective, called Troop (duh), which I founded and curate in Atlanta. My third bracelet simply has the word “Kanye” on it, which I very seriously wear as a reminder to stay confident in my art and in myself.
4. Describe a wish you had that came true…
I saw Usher at Target one time.
5. What is something not many people know about you?
Pink isn’t my natural hair color.
6. What are five things you can’t live without, fashion related or otherwise
1. My buddies
2. My pup
3. My Nikes
4. My tunes (lol)
5. Glitter
Do Seasonal Fashion Rules Still Exist?
Climate change has been a hot topic in our nation since the whole Al Gore scandal of 2004. However, is seeing the effects of climate change influencing our fashion decisions?
Some of the hottest trends of this Fall include colorful rave prints, business cozy a la sportswear, and traditionally summery trends melted into the crisper winter months (see all white well after Labor Day, y’all).
Street stylers and influencers from LA to NY are rocking these springier trends this Fall, and with the arrival of 60’s and 70’s-inspired silhouettes in the Spring/Summer 2015 collections coupled with dark and warm color palettes, we have to wonder…are our fashion seasons shifting, too?
Thanks to celebs like Cara Delevingne and Miley Cyrus, along with the music festival fashion obsession and the resurrection of 90’s bold color prints, the rave scene look is in full swing. Companies like Lazy Oaf’s and Urban Outfitters have used this influx of 90’s counter culture to their advantage, profiting on the demand for these prints and grunge-inspired looks.
While grunge is very Fall, loud bold prints are more closely associated with the Spring equinox or Summer solstice. As the consumer drives the fashion cycle forward (or should I say backwards?), these trends are picking up on the runways.
In last spring’s Fall/Winter 2014 shows, we saw bright colors and bold prints gallivanting down the runway in the shows like Diane Von Furstenberg, Rag & Bone, and even the likes of Chanel. We also saw Pantone’s bright color of the year, Radiant Orchid, peppered throughout these Fall shows.
However, the Spring/Summer 2015 shows have just wrapped in the Empire State, and we can see the same type of backward coding throughout the runway. While neutrals have always been the name of the game for some of these designers, the dark neutrals are unexpected for the warmer seasons.
Rag & Bone’s looks consisted of dark denim and other navy blue components. Diesel Black and Gold prepared us to expect the unexpected when they showed black, white, and — you’ll never guess — gold looks for the season of new beginnings. The dreary doesn’t stop here. These dark neutrals are featured in other designers’ Spring collections as well. Check out Pantone’s coveted colors for Spring/Summer ’15 and discover burgundy, forest greens, and (my favorite) the classy Toasted Almond.
Don’t get me wrong -I like this juxtaposition between the feels outside and the feels inside. Sometimes, a summer day just calls for all black (a.k.a. when you’re mourning the end of the series you just binge watched on the Netflix, or when it’s not quite sunny enough to justify a pool day), and when summer days are drifting away, you just need to get your last drag on the season by busting out your favorite sundress and combat boots.
The climate is changing, but so are our traditional color preferences for the four seasons. Bizarre, exciting, and evolutionary are a few words that come to mind when I think about these shifting color schemes. Will they continue to shift? Or is this an anomaly? Only time will tell.
NYFW SS15: Street Style Edition
As New York Fashion Week comes to an end, we can take a moment to appreciate the fashions that are somehow more relatable and less intimidating than their counterparts that just finished tromping the runway.
It seems as though Americans have always been a little slow on the fashion side of things. Revolutionary mass production assembly? No problem. Innovative technology? You got it dude. Yet, we can’t seem to get ahead of the fashion curve…but we are finally catching on. Thanks to beautiful pieces created by masterful designers and inspiration gathered from these fashion shows, American street style is a force to be reckoned with. While most of the world’s gaze was turned to the sporty and vintage-inspired looks rocking the runways, a few heads were turned to the streets.
Street style is the phenomenon that is taking our newfeeds by storm. But what is street style, you ask? Street style is literally what people on the streets are wearing (duh). Organically grown and observed (for the most part). However, thanks to digital cameras and sweet social media platforms like Tumblr, Pinterest, and WordPress, we can now observe New York street style all the way from China if we so desire. Not to mention plenty of fashion influencers like Olivia Palmero, Courtney Trop, and The Blonde Salad have made street style blogging a spectator sport. So let’s adjust our gaze from the catwalks to the front row of the shows, and see what the audience is wearing for a change.
Here’s the guide to the scandalous, chic, and tres wearable street styles witnessed at New York Fashion Week 2014 (this is in no way a best dressed list).
Scandal — everyone’s favorite television drama (and my favorite word), but also the perfect word to describe Miley Cyrus’ get up. Oh MiCy, how we love to hate. But I say, let your freak flag fly – but maybe not at Alexander Wang’s after rave (yes, rave) next time. Cyrus showed up to Wang’s rave in little more than black jeans and sunglasses, and to hide the goods? Cyrus sported ice cream cone-shaped pasties (confidence and liquid courage to pull that off, no doubt).
*Photo c0urtesy of MiCy Instagram
This look I am calling Scandal Marries into an Upper Class Family Named Les Chic. This sports bra clad fashionista is taking this everyday item and elevating it to a classy street style ensemble. Paired with sick boyfriend jeans, a classy blazer, and some sick pumps -she literally can do no wrong.
Chic — in a word, that’s how I would describe this show-goer’s ensemble. I love the look due to its minimalistic nature and her middle finger to that old cliché, “no white after Labor Day.” Rebellious in the best kind of way.
*Photo courtesy of Elle.com.
Instagrammer and Street Styler, Irene Kim (@ireneisgood), wowed us with this 1950s Throwback. The blogger edges this look up with a cropped top, multicolored paneled midi, and her wildly colored hair. I love the new take on the old school letter sweater. The perfect amount of slouch elongates the lines on the skirt, and even Danny Zuko would be electrified by her cool composure. For more of Irene’s sick looks, check out her Instagram.
*Photograph by Mark Iantosca.
Girl, you better work. This Minimalist look is everything; from the color neutral color palette to the dramatic flair of her palazzo pants, this look screams city chic. The boxy silhouette straight from the fall ’14 runway demonstrates just how ready-to-wear the trends of spring will be.
This brings us to Wearable, my favorite street style category because not everyone can pull off a chic scandal.
This cool muscle tee and midi skirt combo is perfect for the average Jane. The layered necklaces and shear stripe give this conservative ensemble just the edge it was missing (it’s all in the details, you know).
*Photo courtesy of Elle.com
Gigi Hadid nailed the wearable look. This simple get-up is totally doable for your average fashion lover. Destroyed boyfriend jeans not so neatly cuffed, a basic black tank, and the right booties, and you are set for a traffic-stopping look.
Who knew that black destroyed denim and a white blouse could look so…good. This effortlessly sexy street style is perfect for any season (although you Georgians may want to be careful in the summer). These girls add the right amount of drama to these looks with their too cool for school shoes.
NWFW: SS15
As summer fades to fall here in the Classic City of Athens, GA, it’s a fresh spring day over in City that Never Sleeps. The 2014 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC commenced September 4, 2014, officially kicking off the big four fashion weeks. We’ll start in NY, hop across the pond to London, journey over to Milan, and come to a climatic end in the City of Love — Paris, France. While we can impatiently wait for the upscale Parisian show or the edgy London show, there is a certain amount of pride to be felt for these American designers.
Here’s an overview of some of my favorite looks of the Spring/Summer ’15 shows. These pieces also capture the overall themes of the seasons, 70’s inspiration, bright colors, exquisite prints, and bold/menswear-inspired silhouettes.
Jordan Warmflash unconventionally ties together bold prints, colors, and vintage silhouettes in her Spring/Summer collection. She tells Style.com that she was inspired by the Pop Art movement, particularly pieces from Tim Wesselmen. She declared at her spring show, “I liked how he would take ordinary objects and make something special out of them.” Warmflash was quickly moved to create her own Pop Art.
My favorite look of the collection wasn’t the simple evening gowns or white leather bib tops, but this sick romper. The bold citrus print, bright colors, and carefully crafted garment quality are a symphony to my eyeballs and truly a work of art.
*photo courtesy of Novis
Prabal Gurung held our hand and led us to complete the journey we started in his Fall ’14 collection. Using lighter fabrics and colors, he steered us through spring in the Himalayas. In this look, we see the bright colors and a cleaner silhouette than in some of his knitted looks.
It’s easy to love this dress due to its textural intricacies and slimming color blocking. Are you in love? I am.
*photo courtesy of Kim Weston Arnold and Style.com
Alexander Wang. I couldn’t leave him/one of his looks off the list, because he’s as much a part of pop culture right now as his celebrity party guests. His show was awesome and has a lot of scandal surrounding the shenanigans that took place before and after (see Miley Cyrus and Nicki Minaj). However, Wang took inspiration from menswear and—believe it or not—tennis shoes. No, this wasn’t a challenge from Project Runway, he simply re-imagined the materials of the athletic shoe.
This black and white suit is chic, classic, and fresh all at once. I personally love the high waisted black trouser that serves to lengthen the leg and slim the waist, but maybe my inner vintage queen is showing.
*Photo courtesy of Yannis Vlamos.
Kaelen Haworth is doing something right. She found the balance between masculine and feminine, boxy and shapely, sexy and cute, earthly and ethereal. I’ll have what she’s having. This macro-botanical print, boxy silhouette, and mix of bold colors make for a perfect storm.
*photo curtesy of Kaelen and Style.com
With the New York shows wrapped we can wait in anticipation for the next shows form our old favorites and new comers that will happen in February for Fall 2015. Until then it will suffice to say, Spring/Summer 2015 will be everything we never imagined and more. With athletic materials and comfort taking importance over traditional silhouettes and fabrics how can we not love the giant floral, short shifts, boxy maxis, and bright, bold prints? Spring is just around the corner…or is that a pumpkin spiced latte I smell?
Street Style Profile: Thomas McCallister
Thomas McCallister is a down-to-earth Athens native and aspiring artist, and by the looks of his wardrobe, we’ve gathered that he’s also a semi-professional thrift store shopper. His style is equal parts polished, rocker, and rugged. And though he’s definitely too modest to admit it (lets be frank here), those blue eyes and chiseled jaw put him in the should-be-a-model category.
This week, Thomas curates an awesome playlist for us, and tells us about his theory on venturing to new places.
1) What do your friends call you?
Anything that will get a laugh out of others, but T-Mac on occasion.
2) How would you describe your personal style
I tend to be inspired by my peers. I would say most everyone I associate myself with carries a pretty cool appearance. Goodwill is a wonderful place.
3) Can you tell us about your creative process when it comes to art making?
I enjoy working with recycled materials, whether it is physical or digital sourced media. As of now, my focus is on the human psycho-geography in relation to oneself becoming lost within a space– I personally embrace the feeling of not knowing where I am or what I’m looking at.
4) As an Athens native, what is your idea of an awesome weekend itinerary
Try venturing somewhere completely new to yourself. This shouldn’t necessarily be a bar or restaurant but an unexpected destination you never thought you would ever see. Take it as pure experimentation.
5) Are there any upcoming shows your excited about?
Athens Intensified is bringing Killer Mike to the 40 Watt on September 12th. Check him out!
6) Describe a wish that you had that came true.
This may sound feeble, but to be happy is my lifelong aspiration.
7) What do you see in your future – or, okay, the next 5-10 years.
Hopefully getting out of this town and venturing into the real world for a second. It’s quite easy to get trapped here.
Street Style Profile: Seyi Amosu
Besides being gorgeous and having a great sense of humor, our featured fashionista Seyi Amosu (pronounced “Shay”) also has a wardrobe that is on. point. people.
We were intrigued by her unique sense of what makes an interesting yet perfectly balanced ensemble; A little feminine, a little smart, and always paired with killer details. Plus, she happens to be great company- which makes our job extra wonderful.
This week, we talk with Seyi about her penchant for DIY style, the psychological side of fashion, and bonus: she maps out the perfect day in Athens, Georgia. Don’t forget to scroll down to hear the awesome playlist curated by Seyi especially for you lovely people!
1) How would you describe your personal style, and how do you approach dress?
Whenever I get dressed, my aim is to feel really great in whatever I put together. There are likely plenty of times that I feel great about an outfit that in reality doesn’t look good on me. I love that. I like leaving the house going, “I don’t know if these colors really go together, but I’m going for it anyway” and seeing where my day takes me. If good things happen, who cares if I layered too many sweaters? I love feminine silhouettes, t-shirts that make me laugh, and wearing pants that are so high-waisted I look like my second grade teacher. I have a hard time pinpointing a specific style that I subscribe to, because I feel like my closet is made up a little bit of everything. I work at Community, a boutique downtown [in Athens], and being constantly surrounded by vintage clothing is both a blessing for my wardrobe and a curse on my (non-existent) paycheck. I think being surrounded by so many stylish people who are also creating stylish clothes has made me more conscious about fashion as a choice.
2) So, the ‘Faces’ dress you have on – we understand it’s a one(ish)-of-a kind; Can you tell us the story behind this piece?
This piece was inspired by a dress of the same fabric that a friend of mine made and wore into work one day, and I loved it so much that had to make my own. The fabric was designed by Maddie Zerkel, a fabric design student at UGA. I was interested in learning how to screen print (and getting some of her amazing artwork on my body), and she agreed to teach me how the process works. We got together a couple weeks ago, and she walked me through the entire process, and I walked away with several yards of some killer fabric. I took it to Community, and Shawna Maranville, our seamstress and my sewing guru, held my hand while I made this dress. This dress was the first garment I’ve ever constructed, so it was a huge accomplishment for me. If it were sanitary and socially appropriate, I would never take it off.
3) We loved your flowing kimono jacket and noticed you wore some really great jewelry – can you tell us a little about the pieces in the ensembles you put together ?
My favorite items are one that I serendipitously find. I snagged the hat at a yard sale at the beginning of summer (also from the closet of Maddie Zerkel) and have been wearing it non-stop, even though it’s made of wool, and the temperature outside hovers around 1,000 degrees. All of my jewelry is from the insanely talented artists we carry at Community. The earrings are by Laurel Hill, and when in doubt, I just throw them on. The necklace is also by Laurel Hill. I had been coveting it for years and finally a few weeks ago, I decided that it was time to welcome it into my wardrobe with open arms. I haven’t looked back since. Rhys May designed more than half of my rings. Rings are my accessory of choice, and I usually try to cram as many as I can onto my fingers while still being able to use them. The brass chevron ring is hands-down my favorite. Once, I lost it, and I was so distraught that by the end of the day, I bought myself a new one.
4) Ok, academic question just for the hell of it (And being that you’re a psychology major): Do you think that there’s a certain psychology behind the act of dress or a psychological element to the way one dresses? (Hope were not making you think too hard, it is summer after all!)
I think that a person’s psyche absolutely influences the way that they dress. Each outfit an individual picks out is a like a curated experience of their personality, and I am fascinated by that. Our clothing choices are the first option we have to communicate something about ourselves to the people we encounter. What someone is wearing can tell you about the type of day they are having, or even what type of day they want to have. I really don’t pay much attention to high fashion, but I go crazy over what the people around me are wearing. I love when I see someone wearing something that I adore but would never actually wear myself. Half of the fun is just appreciating what is out there. The word ‘fashion’ sounds girly and trivial, but the ways people use dress to shape their environment lends an importance to the subject that can be easy to overlook.
5) You have such a beautiful and unique name- can you tell us where it’s from? Where you named after someone or does your name mean something?
My name is Nigerian, as am I. My full first name is Oluwaseyi, which means ‘God has made this.’ It’s a mouthful and even the shortened version gets tilted heads. Any time a new person has to say my name aloud, I watch them experience a moment of panic before they finally go for it. In Yoruba, the language my name is from, the ‘S’ makes the ‘Sh’ sound, so my name is phonetically correct, just not in English. My name is pronounced incorrectly more often than not, and growing up it was a pain. Now, I’m perfectly content with the name I was given and I couldn’t imagine trading it for another. I like having a name with a story because it connects me to my heritage, especially my parents who put a lot of thought its meaning before they gave it to me.
6) What are currently your top five weirdest hobbies. You know…or normal ones.
1. I’m currently in the process of moving. Since I don’t believe in buying new furniture, I am ransacking every thrift store for building supplies and other knick knacks that I can thrust upon my roommates when they get back to town. The back of my car is crammed with planks of wood, a tool box, and a gallon of paint that I really should not leave sitting in the sun. It’s like a Home Depot in there. My obsession has fixated on finding wooden crates, so if anyone knows where to find some, help a girl out!
2. This is embarrassing to even include as a hobby, because it makes me sound incredibly maladjusted, but I just got a new planner, and I spend a little time each day color coding birthdays, concerts, and holidays. I really have a passion for office supplies, making list, and anything where I can carry a clipboard. Basically organization in general, so writing in my planner gives me a thrill.
3. This summer I have been making a lot of silly tank tops. It all started when I happened upon a Rocket Summer t-shirt with Betty White on it at Habitat for Humanity. I had to have it, but wasn’t quite ready to embrace my love for the Rocket Summer by wearing a t-shirt around, although I stand by the fact that “Brat Pack” is one the greatest songs of our generation. I cut Betty off the t-shirt and stitched her on to a new one, and my summer project was born. I looked up different ways of transferring images to fabric and just finished making a shirt covered in pictures of Kim Kardashian’s crying face. Steve Harvey is next.
4. This hobby is seasonal, but last the winter I picked up crocheting, because I ‘needed a hobby.’ I got so competitive with myself that I would try and break arbitrary records for how quickly I could finish the project I was working on. Once, I cranked out four scarves in a week and nearly broke all my fingers in the process.
5. Only cooking Mexican food.
7) Tell us the story of your perfect day [in Athens].
My perfect day would definitely involve a questionable amount of pulled pork from Pulaski Heights BBQ as well as a cupcake from Viva. Okay, several cupcakes from Viva. At some point, I would go for a drive and sing/cry to Christina Aguilera in the car. My drive would take me to the Botanical Gardens to sit by the river and read a book that I would be too embarrassed to read in a place where other people could see the cover. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to include a movie-esque montage where me and my friends are getting ready and trying on a variety of hats and a million pairs of sunglasses. Once the Clueless soundtrack fades away into the background, I would want to end up at a dance party at Little Kings, and I would boogie to the point of shin splints. Then, me and my roommates would sit in our living room, eat Pub Subs, and laugh absurdly hard about nothing in particular.
Don’t miss Seyi’s awesome playlist below!
Street Style Profile WEDDING Edition: Anna Hall-Edwards
Anna Hall-Edwards is the epitome of graceful. She is sweeter than a summer night, and her style is just the same; laid back, easy going, and bohemian. She’s also an extremely talented jewelry designer and maker. You can always catch her working hard in the studio, and you can always count on her looking flawless, even with goggles on and a torch in her hand.
This week we had a chance to do something a little new and different for our style profile. That’s right, folks – it’s the Wedding Edition!
Once we found out that Anna was goin’ to the chapel, we knew we would have to find out how this lovely hippie-chic lady would style herself for the big day…and we can still hear the bells ringing! Read on to see Anna looking flawless for the wedding, and also to find out about her inspirations in life and in the studio.
1) How would you describe your personal style and/or your method of dress?
The way that I dress has been really funny looking back. I always dressed differently from other people, especially growing up – not necessarily in a good way! In retrospect, I realize how crazy I dressed as a kid, but hey, I felt like I looked good then! I think I have always just worn what I love…as a kid, that was bright colors, crazy patterns, and big plastic jewelry. Now, it is usually a dress with jeans and clogs or combat boots! My method of dress these days is definitely influenced by my work in the studio: dark colors so that you can’t tell that I’m dirty even when I am, closed toe shoes, and my golden rule: long and loose!
2) Can you talk about your approach to jewelry making – what is your process like, and what inspires you?
I find so much inspiration in nature. I am a sucker for a good floral pattern, and once I find one, I hang on to it for a long time, using it over and over again. I feel like the Lord has created nature to be one of the most beautiful parts of the world – awe-inspiring and breathtaking – so I never want to miss out on admiring it while I am working. It is my way of bringing the beautiful wonders of outside into a smelly studio…usually, I do a lot of experimenting, and when I find a form or composition that I love, I work it into a wearable piece of jewelry. Usually, I just make things that I personally love and then hope that other people love it, too!
3) What is one of your most treasured pieces or jewelry or clothing ?
My most special piece of jewelry that I have is definitely my wedding ring. My sweet and wonderful husband designed it for me – all a total surprise. He has always pegged me from day one when it comes to picking out things that he knows I will love. It has a series of bands, but they are all actually one big ring. It is really textured, because I don’t love shiny things, and it is even asymmetrical, which is a characteristic of things I love! Later, I found out that my diamond was his great-grandma’s diamond in her wedding ring. I knew his Mema growing up and visited her often, so I was so blessed and honored by that! When he proposed, I was stunned by how absolutely beautiful the ring was. But more than its beauty, the ring is a sweet constant reminder of the covenant that I have been so blessed by in getting to be married to the man of my dreams!
4) What was special to you about what you wore on your wedding day?
I didn’t have anything that I wore on my wedding day that was extremely sentimental, but I had so much fun coming up with what to wear and what my girls would wear! I found my dress online from Free People and loved it immediately. Prior to that, I had gone into a few wedding dress boutiques, and my mom, my sister, and I just laughed every time that I put on a dress. They all looked silly on me and were totally not my style. I was officially on the hunt for an inexpensive and “different” wedding dress. Little did I know that the combination of inexpensive and unique were few and far between. Finally, I got the idea that I could look for white dresses online at my favorite stores, and then I could change it to be what I wanted. When I was in high school, my mom let me design both of my prom dresses, because when else do you get to do that for fun? Prom was a great excuse! So I went back to the drawing board with my sweet relative who is a costume designer, who had helped me years before. When I saw the white gown on Free People, I freaked and ordered it immediately on a whim! It came in the mail in a bag the size of a gallon ziplock bag. My mom sent me a picture of the tiny bag with the dress balled up inside; we got a good laugh out of that! Needless to say, I think it is one size fits all. It fit like a nightgown and was the most comfortable thing I had ever put on. I knew I wanted flowers (my favorite thing in the world) on my dress, so I shopped for dainty and elegant stems to incorporate into the design, as well as some different laces and beading. Pam, my seamstress relative, and I had a blast, and she helped me create the dress of my dreams!
5) Why was it important that the two of you designed each others rings? Can you tell us about that design and process?
I actually had no idea that Christian was going to design my ring, although it didn’t surprise me a bit when he did. He has always been a romantic and a darn good one at that…I found out later that he actually had a drawing and a diagram (better than most of my ring designs!). He took it to our hometown jeweler and had them make it for him. Now it is just a constant reminder of how special he is. It was really important to Christian that I designed and made his ring. I guess just because its technically “what I do.” I was so nervous, because it’s kind of an important ring. I thought about lots of designs but knew to keep it really simple. Finally, I just went to work on a wax. I used some recycled gold that his parents gave me and embedded a piece of steel in it, to make it more manly. There is a teeny tiny diamond in the middle just for fun! I knew that he wanted it matte with no shine, so I filed the wax ring before casting it!
6) In what ways did you incorporate your personal style or the “feeling” of the day you wanted into your wedding?
Our hearts for our wedding day were that it wouldn’t be about the “wedding.” There are so many details that go into a wedding – all of which I absolutely LOVE – but those details can get crazy and overwhelming if you let them! We wanted our wedding to be centered on what a wedding actually is, which is an expression of the gospel that we believe. We kept it really simple and called on a lot of people to make it happen. My dad sells antiques and has a lot of doors, so he and his friend made all of the tables out of doors. My roommate, Jenna Gridley, who is a local potter here in Athens, made tons of pots, and we set them on the tables. And then I told our family friend to have her way with the flowers and do lots of greenery. Flowers are one of my favorite things in the world. Everyone chipped in, and my friends and I decorated a couple of days before. It was really fun, and I wouldn’t change a thing looking back.
My bridesmaids were also a huge part of incorporating the feeling of our wedding day. Their dresses were all different. I really wanted them to look like themselves, because they are all so cool and unique and beautiful.
7) What inspires you artistically, and what do you want your jewelry to say or do for the people who wear it?
As I said before, I am super inspired by nature and flowers and patterning. I love raw, uncanny aspects of nature and its spontaneity. It is always changing, always transforming, and always awe-inspiring. As for my jewelry, I really just want people to love it when they wear it. I want them to feel special and unique and love to put it on!
8) Do you have any exciting things happening or future plans that are exciting to you?
Yes! My husband and I are working to launch our jewelry business. It is called Dustmade, and we cannot wait to get started! We will be launching within the next month on both a private website as well as Etsy!
9) Lastly, do you have any tips for us? How do you stay creative and inspired?
I stay the most creative and inspired when I am around the people that I love. I have a precious group of friends who have so much input into what I make. My husband and my family also love me so well and give some of the best advice and encouragement. When I have a creative block, I chill. I spend time with the people that I love and enjoy rest. An idea is sure to come when you are filled up with joy and laughter.
Keep an eye out for Anna and Christian’s new project, Dustmade. For personal jewelry commissions or if you want to be on the Dustmade mailing list, shoot an email to annahall@uga.edu!
You can also follow her personal instagram @annamarieedwardz to look out for more information regarding Dustmade. There will be lots of giveaways and exciting things happening in the next month!
Also, be sure to give a listen to Anna’s wedding playlist below – and grab a listen to Jason Gridley, who played her reception!
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