I'll be leaving soon for DR and I'm becoming addicted to ALL beach towels! I just got my first Fresco (http://rstyle.me/~cz-x6sD), and I'm still looking:).
Here are a few I'm gushing over:)
Boho beach times with a
Live Peruvian Lima Blanket / Wrap( $40) on the sand http://www.liveworldly.com/live-peruvian-lima-blanket-wrap/
Get a 10% discount by using code: liveworldly10
The perfect beach towel: GRAND BAZAAR, Orange Double Stripe Beach Towel & Sarong (I'd also use it to create a turban if my hair gets crazy after swimming in the beach:), $45 http://rstyle.me/~cz-x76Z
As a mom of three young kids, tummy time has turned into a time where my babies play on the floor (on their tummy:) to gain strength and skills to start crawling and then walking.
In fashion, I would have said pre-baby, tummy time was all of the decades that trends have been influenced by baring the tummy. Well, kind of:)
I'd say as far back as women in Indian baring their midriff while wearing a sari and still feeling covered.
Then, the 50's where just a little skin was showing and it still looked respectful.
I'd say the most "revealing" time when middrift's were out was in the 90's. I feel like that was more rebellious because pants were low and tops were high. It wasn't my favorite way to style baring the tummy.
Now, the style is back and we are doing it right. Taking styling cues from the 50's and I'd say marrying them with aspects from India and how they bare their midsection.
I think that this style is totally appropriate for a mother that it flatters their body and isn't showing "too much" skin. Thoughts?
-What was your inspiration for the Spring 2013 line?
Our inspiration for the SS13 was girlish, whimsical, innocence. The pastels reminding me of Cotton Candy at a Carnival or the lightness you feel when riding a Ferris Wheel or Carousel!
-Where do you see this lady going/events attending...where do you see her wearing these pieces?
I see this omniscient, powerful Woman at Gallery & Art openings, going to the Farmers' market or local park, Garden or Tea party, riding her bike to/from work or picking up the kids from school. Most of all Enjoying everyday and celebrating the beautify of life!
-How do you see your customer styling these pieces--accessories.
I always respect a Fashionista most when a story is told thru her choice of clothes. Mixing prints and patterns, great vintage pieces, a pop of lip color, hats, cool jewlery and always fab footwear and a fun bag.
-What is inspiring you right now?
I am inspired right now by the beautiful spring colors of Mother Nature and the anticipation & excitement of the approaching Summer! Eating great meals and enjoying being outdoors as much as possible. Wearing comfortable cotton clothing and Living as Royally as I possibly can!
I love seeing how she is wearing the pieces she designs. The details from the beautiful African prints, to the flattering silhouettes and pockets make me excited about every piece!
Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the Spring 2013 line. Secretly, I LOVE them all...but, here are a few to get you excited to check out the entire collection here. Plus, there are some pieces from previous collection on sale right now too!
Stay tuned for a collab with MZ Wallace in June for some fab handbags!
I am in love with the Maxi Angeline dress! The silhouette is AMAZING! Taken it at the top and looser at the bottom with pockets! It looks fab with high heels like I have on here or with flats. Believe it or not, the print on here is airplanes. Which I can't wait to rock on a vacay and it will be perfect at a gathering for my hubbies job since he is in the Air Force. It's just genius! So flattering for every body shape! I'm excited to share that the designer, Maya Gorgoni is also offering a discount to Fashionalities readers for 30% off when you mention 'BUMBLE BEE' in the comments section for this particular dress!!! P.S. she has the cutest designs! So many amazing silhouette and fun prints! Get ready to fall in LOVE!
I was so excited when I heard that Royal Jelly Harlem had collabed with MZ Wallace on their Summer Shop! Here are the items that will be available:
Royal Jelly Harlem 'Luna Tunic', 'Slim' headband in Blue Waves & Xtra Lrg 'Perfect for Two' Red &; Blue Towels!! Get them now while they are still available!
I was beyond excited when the designer of Royal Jelly Harlem offered me a custom made dress from her line...but, wasn't sure how to take one of my measurements she needed. I found a how to on youtube that was all wrong and decided I would share a good one in case anyone decides to purchase their very own Royal Jelly Harlem piece.:)
You can definitely go to a seamstress in your town. If you do, where a tank and leggings so it's as close to your skin as you can feel comfortable doing. Or, if you are in New York, make an appointment with Maya, the designer. But, if you are like moi with a little lady who won't sit still...sometimes you just need to do things by yourself:) And here is how to do it.
And, to prove I did a good job on my measurements, the dress fits like a glove!
P.S. Another exciting thing about having a dress custom made...choosing the fabric! Here the options I had for this dress:
I was beyond excited and glued to the TV while watching Fashion Hunters one episode because of a consigner, Maya Gorgoni who walked in wearing a dress that I knew I had to have. I of course decided to do some research to find out who she was so I could ask this fashionista who her dress was by. Was I amazed when I found out that she designed the amazing dress that had a 50's silhouette and African print! I decided that there wasn't enough out there about her and her line and I had to share what I could find out because I knew all of you would love her style as much as I do:) Here is a glimpse into the up and coming line I know we will be seeing of everywhere. I love getting into a creative person's mind...so inspiring! Makes the pieces you buy even more amazing. P.S., I can see Solange Knowles and Tracee Ellis Ross rocking these designs for sure!
1. How did you get onto Fashion Hunters? (I'm always curious how people get onto shows like this...so, I thought I'd find out...in case anyone was wondering why I asked:)
1 A
good friend/fashionista referred me to ‘Fashion
Hunters’. I spoke with the
shows producers and told them I had two great vintage pieces w/ great stories
behind them. One was a YSL and the other a Valentino. They chose the
“Valentino” anecdote.
2. I LOVED your dress on the show, where is it sold and for how much? (Where can the rest of the line be purchased as well:)
1 The
dress you LOVED (as seen here, if you missed the episode) is called: ‘Paloma’! It is currently available through our
bespoke, made to order Soho Showroom. The other dress worn on ‘Fashion Hunters’ is called the ‘Lola’
and she too is made to order. Paloma retails for $375 and Lola retails for
$295. The rest of the RJH line includes Men’s and
Women’s clothing, Home Décor and accessories. Beginning mid January, four pieces from the
line will be sold exclusively in Japan at SHIPS department stores nationwide.
These are:
·Women’s ‘Pencil’ skirt
·Women’s ‘Maxi Angeline’ dress
·Women’s ‘Jet-Set’ pants
I'm in LOVE!!!
3. How would you describe the rest of your line?
1 Royal
Jelly Harlem has been strongly influenced by the silhouettes of the 1950’s and
1960’s combined with African print. This retro-fit in my opinion was and still
is the best (I totally agree!) fit for Women of all shapes and sizes, but specifically those of us
with curves ;)
4. Where can people purchase your designs?
1 Contact
us at: www.royaljellyharlem.com
for further information on custom bespoke orders and to make an appointment at
our Soho Showroom.
5. How did you get into designing clothing?
RJH
was conceived in February of 2011.
After a trip to Harbor Island, Bahamas with my Mother, I decided it was
time to start it up after getting approached by ‘Sip Sip’ restaurant and boutique owner, Julie Lightbourn. Her
interest in one of my dresses turned into my first order. She loved it so much
she ordered 48 pieces while I was on vacation! The Men’s ‘Tam-Tam’ board shorts
soon followed.
My Mom used to own a boutique called ‘This Time Around’, located on the campus
of Fashion Institute of Technology. I grew up around Fashion and Art, having
been amongst the first generation of kids born in to the new and emerging Art
Community of what is now known as Soho. I love fashion and consider myself a
Fashionista—I have spent a small fortune on fashion to date! It just makes
sense for me to parlay my Passion for Fashion and put my own spin on it. (And, I'm glad you are!:)
6. How would you describe your style?
1 From
high to low price points: YSL, Ferragamo, Prada, Hermes, Dries Van Noten and
Thakoon, Jimmy Choo, and Louboutin to J.Crew, Zara, H&M, Forever 21 and Converse! Best worn in a choreographed ensemble!
7. How would you describe you line?
Fearless,
Forward-thinking and Fabulous are a few adjectives to explain RJH! Our line is
for Men and Women who consider Boldness a Virtue J
8. How did you come up with the name, Royal Jelly Harlem?
1 Royal
Jelly Harlem stems from a childhood nickname “Bee” from the international
cartoon “Maya the Bee”. Below read
the scientific definition:
‘Royal
Jelly is a secretion made by the glands of honeybees and feed to all bee larvae
for the first three days of life. This rich concentrated jelly continues to be
fed to the ‘chosen’ Queen Bees which as a result make her fertile. It is also good for humans,
very high in B-complex vitamins.
The Harlem reference comes from my current
neighborhood, home for the last two years after my year abroad in Rome, Italy
in 2009. It is in Harlem where I found my creativity, starting
with curating culinary dinner events before realizing it was all about Fashion
and African inspired clothing that made me happiest. The one-of-a-kind pieces
and items are inspired by the incredible artistry of each individual
print. All of our clothes are
proudly made in the USA.
I practice Green living and after learning
some years back about the vanishing Honey Bees in North America, I wanted to
draw attention to this. I’m
concerned that we’re going to lose these beautiful producers of Earth’s most
perfect food.
9. What should all fashionalities (fashionistas) have in their closet?
1 All
Fashionistas should have in their closet any one of our top pieces: The ‘Bee’,
‘Lola’, or ‘Paloma’. The ‘Tam-Tam’ board shorts or ‘PJ/Palazzo’ pants are HOT
for Men too!
10. What is your rule to fashion?
1 I
believe in building a wardrobe through investing in good classics, whether
vintage or contemporary, good fabrics/textiles and great workmanship. I love
mixing period pieces with current must-haves. A color palette that makes an
impact both visually and emotionally, and comfort when possible.
11. What inspires you?
I love to travel! Meeting
people from all cultures, tasting new foods, learning new languages---so I’m
very much influenced and inspired by my environment. I’ve been to Africa four
times since my first trip in 2006! I Wish I could visit a new African country
every year J Also, I still need to do a tour of Asia. I like mixing it up, it’s a lot more fun!
12. What are your favorite magazines, blogs, sites?
1 Some
favs in no specific order: Vogue, Bazaar, Allure, Town and Country, WSJ
magazine, Time, Vanity Fair, People and US Weekly. I’m new to Twitter and don’t
really follow any other Bloggers but LOVE Urbandaddy.
13. Which celeb or fashion star would you LOVE to be wearing your designs?
All of Hollywood, Bollywood
and Fashionistas Worldwide!
14. What can we expect from Royal Jelly Harlem in the near future? (Is anything exciting happening soon?)
1 We’re
adding accessories, like clutches and bags with exotic skins (ostrich, lizard,
snake, chamois) all embellished with African prints. Expanding our current Home
Décor line of Duvet covers and shams, place mats/napkins, pillows, shower
curtains with reupholstered vintage and antiques pieces in African fabrics as
well as Woodin. (I'm so excited and can't wait to see what happens! Good luck!!)
