The Head Honchos

Finally now that is our last few days, three to be exact, it's time for me to let you get to know my two bosses. These two women are the brains behind it all and are the mothers to this show. I am so honored for them to take me on as their assistant/intern. I asked them a series of questions that will help you see how the show was created, and some unconventional questions to see how they are outside of the fashion industry.

First up is Ono Mangano:
What made you want to put together this show?

"Both Erin and I are very involved in the indie craft scene and we see a lot of indie fashion but hardly any indie fashion shows. We have been really inspired by Stich in Austin and we wanted to bring that same kind of spirit to the east coast indie fashion scene."

What part of this show are you most excited about?

"Just watching and enjoying the show and knowing that all of this work was worth it."

How did the name Pins+Needles come about?

"We thought forever about the name, but I think it was Erin who came up with it."

Why did you pick to make this an Indie show?

"It is more of a lifestyle choice than anything else. Being part of the indie handmade craft community leads to doing an indie fashion show, it would be contradictory to make it mainstream."

If you could pick one celebrity to come to the show, who would it be?

"It would have to be a 3 way tie between Gene Simmons, Peyton Manning, and Chuck Todd."

What do you dislike most about putting a fashion show together?

"Not having enough time to work on my own designs."

If you had a super power what would it be?

"To be invisible, just like wonder woman."

If you could pick one song to describe your life as it is right now, what song would it be?

"Hmmmm, tricky. Right now? Probably In My Room by Nancy Sinatra, I seem to find myself singing it while I work in the studio.Who knows, it may make it's way into the show."

What is one thing you can't live without?
"Love of friends and family, it's really all that matters at the end of the day. Did you mean an object? Then it would be my seam ripper, it's a life safer."

If you got one day off from all responsibility, what would you do?

"Sleep in and then read until my eyes hurt. I would also love to spend some me time in the studio just working on my own clothes."

Here's Erin Taylor
What made you want to put together this show?

"We had our own fashion show last spring, which inspired us to organize an indie show incorporating numerous local designers. We wanted to give our fellow Richmond designers a platform they could use to showcase their talents."

What part of this show are you most excited about?

"The final product - seeing the models walk down the runway. Stop. Pause - right in front of the huge glass windows at NYD. What if this is so big that there are people standing outside, looking in? hottness."

How did the name Pins+Needles come about?

"I am by nature a yearbook geek - so I had a list of fashion related gab...we were sitting at starbucks, post rcm meeting, just throwing fashion/sewing related words around, and we really loved the pins+needles concept..."

Why did you pick to make this an Indie show?

Well, both of us coming from the craft mafia, we are focused on the handmade, the unique. I think it's more about anti mass production than anything else. With the whole locavore scene in upswing with markets, etc - it's only appropriate to showcase the local indie fashion talent..."

If you could pick one celebrity to come to the show, who would it be?

"Oh, well...there were two people I actually invited...Mark Montano- I met him at this bag ass book of crafts book signing - he is a fashion designer, and really fabulous, kind-hearted. I heart him...I kind of dropped the ball, cause I only mentioned it at the very beginning of our planning stages, and never followed up....then, when we were in Philly packing up from art star craft bazaar....Jay McfreakinCarroll strolls through...although very cool to meet, I am not sure he dug the whole Indie/come to richmond deal-yo...he was. underwhelmed...Ono and I will be the local celebrities at this shindig, I'll have you know!"

What do you dislike most about putting a fashion show together?

"The anxiety of it all...Ono will attest, it's easy for me to get wrapped up, and I have a hard time letting go...having an intern and having a partner in crime helps though..."

If you had a super power what would it be?

"The thought of flying is exhilarating..."

If you could pick one song to describe your life as it is right now, what song would it be?

"Rolling stones - you can't always get what you want...the stones always have the right things to say."

What is one thing you can't live without?

"Music - if I don't have my stones or pixies or something blasting, I'm not in a productive mood. I like to have something to kill the white space, and help me focus. Close second- my iron, cause it presses all my garments to make them runway ready. owow!"

If you got one day off from all responsibility, what would you do?

"Haha - where do you sign up for those? I would just relax - sleep in, make a big breakfast go out and about for a walk/coffee/wherever the day would take me."

more press- mash up

check out our interview with mashup rva! go here to see it...we are the sept 26 edition...

tomorrow we will be giving a sneak peek at cbs 6, good morning virginia...check it out between 9 and 10am tomorrow morning...

we had our run thru with all of our lovely models and talented designers last friday, and we are very excited about all the talent that will be marching down the nyd runway this coming friday!

From S. Korea to the RVA meet Ra

This soon to be graduate is another fashion designer that will be joining us on October 3. Her designs will be walking down the runway in two more weeks, and we can't wait to show you what she has in store. Here are some interesting facts so that everyone can get to know this lovely designer.

What inspires you?
"I'm usually inspired from the nature; the way water flows, trees, flowers, and more. And the history of fashion is really inspire me too such as silhouette, a mood, the iconic person in that era."

What other shows have you designed for? (Or any other information about your design history)
"I'm a student studying fashion design. It's the first show, except for vcu fashion show, so it's meaningful to me. But I did internships during summer in NYC, preparing their 09's/s which is showing now with the professional."

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

"I'm from South Korea. I came to the us about three years ago for the school, and will graduate in 09' may."

When, or how, did you know you wanted to be a designer?
"I've always wanted to do something related to art. When I was in high school, I wanted to do painting. But after watching New York collection, I decided to do fashion. That was one of my most right and important decision in my lifetime."

If you could meet any designer (deceased or not) who would it be?
"Stella McCartney. She always makes me surprised. Her clothes are very unique but still wearable!"

What types of fabrics do you like to work with?

"Wool, heavy weight cotton."

What is your favorite garment to design?
"I do love tailoring. Suits, jackets, and vests. Those are my favorite to design. "

What style of clothes do you wear?
"I like a classic style but always think of adding something streetwear look."

Where is your favorite Richmond spot to go and relax?
"My home!! Haha. I love to relax at home, listening music."

Describe yourself in one word.
"Fashion-geek"

PIns+ Needles feat in Style Weekly!

Photo courtesy of Style Weekly and taken by the fabulous Scott Elmquist...

read the entire article here

woot, woot!

Mother-Teacher-Designer-Elizabeth

Another designer that will be showing their indie fashion in about three weeks is Elizabeth Allums. She's a designer that has been creating and observing fashions since she was a school girl. I can't wait to see her designs she has created for the show!

What inspires you?
"Color and pattern always inspire me - but mainly I am inspired by my childhood memories - the dresses my mother would make for me - vintage prints and calico - whimsy of little people."

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

"Like many school girls, I always imagined I'd be a fashion designer. I still have sketchbooks filled with my designs. Instead, I received my degree in Painting and Printmaking, and later Art Education. Once I became a mother, I really began to return to designing, but for children. My line is The Monkey and Me - I create handcrafted original children's clothing. I sell on Esty and at Indie Craft Fairs. This is The Monkey and Me's 5th year. I am often asked if I create adult wear - so this is a new venture for me. Check out my kids line at www.themonkeyandme.com "

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

"I am originally from Williamsburg - just a short drive down the road. I was a student at VCU - one of many who never left and made Richmond my home."

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

"Like many young girls - as a child - except I had a subscription to W (back when it was in newspaper format). I couldn't wait to get each issue - I cut them up and created scrapbooks from images I'd collect."

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

"Though Betsy Johnson or Patricia Field would be a blast to work for, I admired Perry Ellis, who had a keen business sense, classic style, and was a VA designer."

What types of fabrics do you like to work with?

"Almost exclusively cotton - I like wash and wear fabrics with fabulous prints."

What is your favorite garment to design?

"Children's clothing - and skirts"

What style of clothes do you wear?

"I am an art teacher by trade so I keep it simple - solid tops and jackets paired with easy slacks or jeans. I like to add a little indie edge by wearing handcrafted jewelry by my favorite Richmond Craft Mafia designers."

Where is your favorite Richmond spot to go and relax?

"I'm partial to a good coffee shop - many of the good ones are gone - like Captain Buzzy's in Church Hill."

Describe yourself in one word.
Tenacious

New Mama Brenda

If you are keeping up with our posts you will see that the other day Ono posted a blog about Brenda and Humblebumbleb. Even though her schedule is busy with two newborn twins, she gave us the time to answer our questions and tell us about herself. I have to give her mad props because she's so intriguing.

What inspires you?
"I am inspired by the past. No specific time period or era, but more of an attitude toward women's clothing and accessories. When women really used to care about getting dressed and made up on a daily basis, not just for special occasions. A time without velour sweat-pant suits and flip flops."

What other shows have you designed for? (Or any other information about your design history)
"This is my first fashion show. I have done two indie-craft fairs in the past, Stitch Rock 2007 in Delray Beach, Florida and Indie Craft Experience 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia."

Are you from Richmond? Or how did you come to be in Richmond?
"No, I am from West Palm Beach, Florida. I met Ono at I.C.E. and we talked about the fashion show."

When, or how, did you know you wanted to be a designer?
"I've been into art/crafting/designing since I was a little girl. My mom taught me how to use a sewing machine as well as kept us busy with crafts as kids. I graduated from FAU with a BFA in ceramics. I use a lot of the sculptural, three dimensional techniques I learned in school when designing my hats."

If you could meet any designer (deceased or not) who would it be?
"I've always been a huge Betsy Johnson fan. Her designs are fun and she (from interviews I've seen) seems like a genuinely nice person to talk to. And she doesn't seem like she takes her self too seriously."

What types of fabrics do you like to work with?
"I use mostly 100% recycled plastic felt as well as polyester/wool blends."

What is your favorite garment to design?
"Hats"

What style of clothes do you wear?
"I am a huge thrift store junkie. I have taken a vow to only purchase second hand, vintage, and hand made clothing and am slowly converting my closet to my dream wardrobe. I am a huge fan of pin up style and 50's house wife wear."

Describe yourself in one word.
"Humble"

Handmade Hat Hottness

Early in June, Erin and I headed to Atlanta for ICE, the Indie Craft Experience that is. Although it was heinously hot we still managed to chat it up with as many fellow indie crafters as possible, seeing old friends and making new.

During our rounds we stumbled upon Brenda, of humblebumbleb, who had hiked just as far as us, from Florida. Even though the heat was melting our brains we were still smart enough to invite her to show at pins + needles as a guest designer.

Brenda designs 3 different styles of retro felt hats made for looking hot, not keeping warm. Of course I bought one and will totally be rocking it at the show.

Humblebumbleb will debut in Richmond at the pins + needles show on October 3. Look out RVA, West Palm Beach is bringing the hottness to you.