Electric Sasha

Our designer we would like to introduce this week is, Sasha Corrodus-Odom. When you read her answers to our questions you'll really get to know her. She is a great addition to our blog-o-designers!

What inspires you?

Movies, art, dance, life,...Just about anything that strikes me at any given moment. Right now I'm being struck by the two forces between Suri and Pumpkin in Memoirs of a Geisha.

What other shows have you designed for? (Or any other information about your design history)

I did a show my Freshman year at Pratt Institute in New York in '01. I did one in New Jersey shortly after. It was nothing fancy. My big show was the Strut show at VCU earlier this year. I learned many lessons that day...

Are you from Richmond? Or how did you come to be in Richmond?

I'm not from Richmond. I'm from Washington, DC and live in Hopewell. I was

stationed at Fort Lee for 3 years and just finished my military service in the Army this year.

When, or how, did you know you wanted to be a designer?

When I was 11. I always drew things because my father is an artist. I never really took an interest in sewing, even though my mother sewed. But it just so happened that one day, I was looking in a fashion catalogue and it all appealed to me. From then on, I've been drawing and making designs and

it became very popular. By my senior year in high school, I knew this was what I was destined to do. I couldn't escape from it.

If you could meet any designer (deceased or not) who would it be?

I would loooove to meet Patricia Field. I went into her store in NY and fell in love. It was so daring and strong. Her garments speak very loudly. That's a good thing.

What types of fabrics do you like to work with?

I like to work with fabrics that have personality, such as textured silks, faded chiffons, metallic denims, and sequinned lace.

What is your favorite garment to design?

I love to make garments with an element of surprise. My favorite was a pair of jeans I made when I was a teen that were shorts with the Jamaican flags painted on the back pockets. Then I had calf pants (they are almost similiar to leg warmers) made from the same material. That garment got a lot of attention.

What style of clothes do you wear?

I call it psychotic style, a style that changes with the mood. Sometimes, I like to bend the rules and wear a skirt with some colored striped socks, some days, I wear soft pieces in an "organic" pallete (greens, blacks, tans). I'm all over the place but it works.

Where is your favorite Richmond spot to go and relax?

I don't live in Richmond so I don't really go there much. I've been to Godfrey's a few times and I

love it there.

Describe yourself in one word.

Electric

feature on threadbanger's blog!

a big thanks to threadbanger, who posted about our upcoming show...check out their blog post here

Threadbanger is: a network for people who love to DIY, recreate, refashion and craft. Forget about corporate stores, we’re here to help you create and find your own style! From our episodes, forum and blog to our newsletter and contests, there is something for everyone. Our goal is to bring together people who can share their ideas, tips and advice with others and help make the world more fashionable – Threadbanger style!

first friday recap

last night we headed out to first friday with a few friends and of course, our favorite intern, Leilani...

between the random spurts of downpour, we had a really great time...

we met Gabe, who was making rings right outside of Quirk
+ had a nice conversation about the crafting community.



we visited the zoo - zoo valdes that is.



there were several new galleries/shops open, including ghostprint gallery & v for the home and there is even a new place to go for an artini - rendezvous, right next to 27.


and remember next first friday, we will be at new york deli post first friday for an indie fashion show...

model call

hello ladies! pins+ needles is having a model call, saturday september 13 at 2pm in the commons on vcu campus. we are looking for average sized models who are dying to rock the indie threads. check out the awesome flyer below for more details.

huge thanks to otis for creating such a fabulous flyer!

Rockin Julien

Photo credit - Scott Elmquist for Belle magazine

Julien Archer is the second designer interviewed in our "meet the designers" series, and many people who read our local fashion magazine Belle would have seen an article on him in the most recent issue. Below are Julien's answers from a recent interview we conducted to learn a little more about one of our designers for the upcoming show!

What inspires you?
"The unnoticed details in nature"

What other shows have you designed for? (Or any other information about your design history)
"I participated in the Appomattox Regional Governor's School annual fashion show my freshman year as a student there and my sophomore year collaborating with a student that attends there, winning the show that year. In November of 2007, I participated in the VMFA Teen Caffeine Cafe Stylin' Show, winning Best Ready to Wear. I was also a participant in Worn Again 3 2007."

Are you from Richmond? Or how did you come to be in Richmond?
"Yes, I am a junior at Trinity Episcopal High School."

When, or how, did you know you wanted to be a designer?
"I have been designing since I was a toddler. I actually still have sketches from when I was 3."

If you could meet any designer (deceased or not) who would it be?
"Nicholas Ghesquiere from Balenciaga."

What types of fabrics do you like to work with?
"I like to work with various vinyls, heavy knits, really rich fabrics."

What is your favorite garment to design?
"Currently I am into designing really long gowns and tops that resemble the gowns, but that are more wearable."

What style of clothes do you wear?
"I going for an early 1960's era rock image."

Where is your favorite Richmond spot to go and relax?
"I love stopping in to talk at Heidi Story. I also like just being with my friends wherever."

Describe yourself in one word. "Quirky"

Meet Philissa Williams

This week I would like to introduce one of the designers for our show coming up, Philissa Williams. I had a quick interview with her and this is how it went.

What inspires you?
"I am inspired by patterns, shapes, colors, people, art and travel."

What other shows have you designed for? (Or any other information about your design history) "I have been designing for 10 years and have had several fashion shows, trunks shows and photoshoots during this time. I am also a personal shopper and stylist."

Are you from Richmond? Or how did you come to be in Richmond?
"I am not from Richmond. I was asked to be apart to this show at the Silver Spring Crafty Bastards."

When, or how, did you know you wanted to be a designer?
"I started reconstructing my own clothing and people started liking what I wore, so I tried to sell some things and next thing I know, I was designing and sewing.. Never stopped since."

If you could meet any designer (deceased or not) who would it be?
"Galliano.. I love how exotic, sexy, bold, artistic and glamorous his couture is. He creates wearable art."

What types of fabrics do you like to work with?
"I like to work with denim, cotton blends, and leather."

What is your favorite garment to design?
"Dresses!! They are fun, great for all occasions."

What style of clothes do you wear?
"I wear all styles. It just depends on my mood or the occasion."

Where is your favorite Richmond spot to go and relax?
"Never been"

Describe yourself in one word.
"Original"

meet our assistant show coordinator, Leilani!

The other day we had the pleasure to meet with our new assistant for the pins+needles show, Leilani. she is precious, and we are so very excited to have her as an assistant coordinator for the first annual indie fashion show: pins+needles...we had a little q+a to find out some details...

O&E: First off, what is the origin/meaning of your name?
L: "My name is Hawaiian for heavenly flower"

O&E: What is your style influence?
L: "I would surprisingly have to say that my style influences come from two far
ends of the fashion world. My rebel-experimental influence is from Vivienne
Westwood. My more 'clam down' influence would have to be Ralph Lauren, of which
I have to pay my respects to my mother! I've always loved shopping with and for her."

O&E: What has been your fashion experience to date? [other than your current project, wink!]
L: "Well I am über excited about helping out with the Pins and Needles fashion show but I have had previous experiences with other shows to help me prepare for this one. I have done numerous shows which include Cure by Design fashion show, I've helped out the past two years, I've done a Macy's show, and have worked on a Primrose Productions fashion show. In addition, this year I am working on Strut fashion show as a store/design coordinator through Virginia Commonwealth University. It is there too that I am studying Fashion Merchandising and can't wait for the school year to start."

O&E: What is your favorite fashion item of all time?
L: "I will have to admit one of my favorite items would have to be the stiletto. A great stilettos is what every women needs in her closet and not to mention makes her thighs look amazing, one should not live without them!"

O&E: Where will you be in 10 years?
L: "In ten years I plan to be working for a fashion cooperation or for a renowned magazine as a top stylist. I will continue to work on fashion shows because it's what I love to do. During the ten years from now I would have put myself through beauty school so I can be a triple threat in clothes, hair, and makeup and be a fantastic stylist."

O&E: List 3 little known facts about yourself:
L: "I was a military brat most my life and I got to travel to fun places all over the U.S. and other places like Seoul, Korea and London, England.
I love to eat ramen noodles with an egg in it, and maybe some cheese.
I can drive a stick shift."

O&E: What is your favorite travel destination?
L: "My favorite place to go to that I have been to in the past would have to be London, England. If I could pick somewhere where I haven't been yet, I would want to go to India or Japan."

O&E: Favorite beverage to consume while working?
L: "It is known that I love, love, love, love, water. I'm not into energy drinks but I can go for a coffee every now and then."

O&E: Favorite jam out music while you're working?
L: "Anything old school Michael Jackson I love and I don't mean Jackson 5, not that I don't like it, but songs like The Way You Make Me Feel and P.Y.T. His songs always put a smile on my face, and if he's not on than anything that is upbeat and happy."

O&E: If you could live in any other era, which would it be + why?
L: "The era I would live in would have to be the 50s. The two main silhouettes that were around this period were fun and more glamorous than what an everyday women wears in this era. I loved the accessories because for one the stiletto was first seen, the hats were cute, and the glasses were even neat, heck I even liked the cars. It would be like playing dress up everyday, and I would find that very entertaining."