Links à la Mode, A Touch of Frivolity

My interview the other day with Portland-based designer Janeane Marie was picked for this week's Top 20 posts from IFB members! Check it out if you haven't read it already and, while you're at it, read some other great posts by clicking the links below. And don't forget to cheer for Janeane on tonight's episode of Project Runway!

A Touch of Frivolity

Edited by Retro Chick

It’s been a long time since pay day and this weeks Links à la Mode brings a touch of much needed frivolity as we crawl into the second month of a new decade. Idiosyncratic Style takes Scooby Doo’s Velma as her style inspiration, Dirty Hems is inspired by dolls houses and Ode to Awe shows off her leopard print nails. Want something for nothing? A few Goody Gumdrops has an Aspinall of London bag to giveaway and Retro Chick (that’s me!) has 2 Valentine goodie bags to giveaway worth over £100 each. We’ve also got some great designer interviews and some practical advice.

On a more sober note there’s some timely tips from Sway, Sway, Sway! on how you can continue to donate to Haiti without getting scammed, Shoe Daydreams discusses Tanya Golds “Why I hate Fashion” article and Ventures of Jenn shares her opinions on the body image debate.

Bring on February!

Note from Editor : Please be sure to check out the IFB Conference at NYFW : Evolving Influence

Links à la Mode: January 28th

• 39th and broadway – 5 Questions To Ask Before Beginning a Career in Fashion
• A Few Goody GumDrops – A Few Goody Gumdrops and Aspinal of London are Giving away an ever-so chic and sophisticated beige patterned skin clutch!
• Analogue Chic – Looking good while doing stuff – braving the weather and the commute with a sense of style.
• Bonne Vie – Invest in Quality Denim; featuring How-To Tips from Denim Debutante
• Cafe Fashionista – Style Secrets: Cowboy Boots Made Classy
• Cindy Whitehead – The Modern Snow Bunny
• Denim Debutante – Aeropostale Gives Back with Teens for Jeans Campaign
• dirty hems. – In the Dollhouse – Miniature inspiration and a teeny resulting DIY
• Dramatis Personae – a feature & interview with the designer behind i am dorkas
• Fasshonaburu – I challenge myself to follow my own dress code regulations in order to wow up my day to day ensembles.
• fête à fête – Clarins debuts first certified organic beauty soap
• Idiosyncratic Style – Inspired by the sartorially underrated Velma Dinkley.
• Independent Fashion Bloggers – IFB Presents : Evolving Influence Conference NYFW 2010
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS – Interview with Janeane Marie Ceccanti
• Ode to Awe – I review Minx Nails, plus my glamourous Russian Garnet cocktail ring
• Oranges and Apples – Vintage teenage hair inspiration
• Retro Chick – Valentines Day is on it’s way and Retro Chick has 2 goodie bags worth over £100 each to give away to help you celebrate!
• Shoe Daydreams – Fashion Influences (?)
• Style Eyes Fashion Blog – I have avoided eco and ethical fashion in the past because of the price but I have just discovered it is affordable and stylish.
• Style Symmetry – How to Choose Items at a Clothing Swap Party
• Sway Sway Away! – A passionate plea from a member of the global community to her fashionable brothers and sister: help Haiti!
• THE COVETED – Suzy Menkes, Facehunter, LeMads & The Coveted talk about fashion blogs
• ventures of jenn – on body issues

Interview with Janeane Marie Ceccanti

I briefly flip through my Etsy favorites lists a couple of times daily, just to see if there are any new items posted by my favorite designers. One day, a thumbnail photo for a new dress listed in the Janeane Marie shop caught my eye, as it was exactly what I hadn't known I was looking for. I instantly messaged Janeane through Etsy, and she was kind enough to send me close up photos as soon as she got to her studio. As I was waiting though, I read through her profile and was instantly intrigued by her stance on being an eco-friendly designer. And so, when replying back concerning the dress that was soon to be mine, I asked her if she would be interested in answering a few questions for my blog. Little did I know that the day before it had been announced that Janeane was a contestant on the 7th season of Project Runway, which was about to start a couple weeks from then! I am quite honoured that Janeane took the time to answer my wee little questions, especially as she is quite the busy girl at the moment. So, set your VCRs for Thursday night (does anyone else still own a VCR?), and get to know the newest Etsyian from Portland to take reality TV by storm...

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What is the very first piece you remember designing?

I made a realllllly bad sleeveless top for a introductory draping class. I was assigned french darts and a convertible collar. I dyed the muslin salmon pink, and sewed the collar to the armhole by mistake.

What is your most treasured piece of clothing?

I have a vintage silk taffeta skirt in black, it's really beautiful. I got it for $7 in a town at the coast, it's worth so much more! And I also have a black lace LaCroix skirt that was given to me by a friend that didn't fit it anymore... I really don't own any designer label pieces, so that one is special to me.

Do you wear your own designs?

I just started to. I'm wearing the Colony dress now (pictured to the left), from my Fall/Holiday 09 collection. It might be my new favorite thing! I've never had time to make myself pieces before, but sometimes I'll pull a sample from my rack and say, oooh look at you, you are mine now.

Portland seems to have such a treasure trove of designers and other artists. Does living there affect your designs?

Absolutely. I am really inspired by nature - the mountains and the sea, trees, the sky... it would be hard for me to be any place other than the Pacific Northwest.

You previously worked for Leanne Marshall, winner of season 5 of Project Runway. Is this what prompted you to apply for Project Runway?

Working with Leanne didn't effect my decision to apply. I actually never had the desire to be on the show. It all sort of happened at the last minute.

You've said: "I don't consider myself an eco-designer, since I see that it is a part of good design to be as environmentally efficient as possible." How do you incorporate this into your work? Do you find it difficult to be eco-conscious in the fashion industry?

I think that designers have a vital role in the future of this world - my goal is to make people stop and ask: do I need this, or do I want this? What am I supporting if I buy this? Fashion can be really tricky for me - I love what I do, but I'm always trying to remind myself about WHY I'm doing it. At the end of the day, I believe in it. I can't rely on materials to be more ethical. I really think that business practices outweigh the materials when considering ways to be sustainable.

Being in the fashion industry is especially difficult. It's notorious for causing pollution and bad work environments for underpaid workers around the world. I can't change everything - but I can do my part, and make choices to produce locally, and NOT use certain fabrics for example.

Do you listen to music while you work, and what is your favorite?

Always - music is a big part of what I do. right now I'm listening to Cassadega by Bright Eyes, and also Conor Oberst, The Flaming Lips, the Brian Jonestown Massacre, Le Loup, Yeasayer, the Black Lips, Bat for Lashes.... the music has to be the soundtrack for the mood. I need all my senses engaged when I design!

If you were not a designer, what do you see yourself doing for a career?

If I could meet four-year-old Janeane and look her in the eyes, I would hand her a pain of drumsticks and say: "Here. Learn how to use these and get good. Then go make music forever." So, I'd would definitely play the drums if I could do anything else. Even though I have absolutely no musical talent in this lifetime. Or I would make pottery. That is more likely. Live by the sea, make pottery, and write.

Who would you most like to see wearing one of your designs?

A woman who can take one of my pieces and make it their own - just love it and work it and feel amazing in it.

What is coming up next for your label?

I'm trying to wrap my brain around that one myself. Things are happening so fast. I've got to be smart!

And lastly, what is your most favorite piece from your newest collection?

I love the mini leather skirt, but also the Totem Dress (pictured below)... It's very simple, but throw on a giant necklace and great pair of shoes and it's instantly chic!

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I know the show is already taped and what not, but all the best to Janeane on PR! You can catch Janeane on Project Runway Thursday nights on Lifetime, and you can own a little bit o' television history if you bid on her gorgeous designs from each episode's challenge here (the grey and burgundy burlap sack dress above is being auctioned until Thursday night!). Also, make sure to visit Janeane's website, Etsy shop, and her blog for updates on this brilliant Portland designer!

(Top profile photo from The Oregonian, Project Runway Episode 2 photo via here)

A little PR for Janeane Marie

Janeane Marie has been in my Etsy Favorites list for quite some time, but a lovely new listing caught my eye and made me go visit her shop this afternoon. And I am rather glad I did. I've been looking for something black, sleeved, with shoulder detailing, and rather simple. The Gravity Dress is all of those things and more, as it's also a knit piece, and it looks spectacular close up (trust me!). AND, it has just been announced that Janeane is a contestant on Season 7 of Project Runway, starting next month! Not too big of a surprise there though, as she is from the genius-making city of Portland (and she was Leanne Marshall's intern!). Methinks I should buy that dress before Janeane gets swept away in those PR clouds...Congrats Janeane, and I can't wait to watch the new season!