London In 3, 2, 1...

Nothing like going to England to make you take a long second look at your wardrobe. I must have tried on at least 20 outfits today, in all sorts of combinations, and that doesn't even include jewelry and accessories! Keeping in mind the November weather, the London sophisticated style, travel comfort and needing to take up as little space as possible in a bag, I've snagged some Kendry Bird staples, including:

*The Mod Dress. This is what I describe as my signature dress, because I can always count on it and have worn it for so many amazing days in my life since rescuing it from a second hand shop. It's truly a dress that people have come to associate with Kendry Bird.

*Kate Hudson for Ann Taylor dress. This dress is just plain sexy, while still being comfortable. I've only worn it a couple times, so it's perfect for a club, should I hit one up while in London. Watch out, English cuties!

*The Sparkly Black Skirt. This is another signature piece in my wardrobe. Since buying it a few years ago, I've worn it maybe 100 times. It never goes out of style, it never stops being fun, and it always makes people smile. It's getting a bit old and the sequins sometimes scratch my skin, but there's always a little pain in the name of fashion, right?

Only a few days away now! Can't wait to head to England after years and years of dreaming of it!

Fashion Photographer Spotlight: Che Correa

 Sometime in late 2012, I was far from home physically and metaphorically, wandering the spectacular movie-set-quality TeslaCon event in Wisconsin. TeslaCon is famous the world over for its genius visual and immersive experience, created by Eric Larson. Between jetlag, though, and a stomach bug, I had spent most of the first two days of TeslaCon hiding out in my hotel room. By the third day, I reemerged to find that my friends were quite busy with their scheduled appearances at the event and I was quite alone, so I poked through the dealer room and ballroom. Along the way, I met a group of cool goths who looked as if they might have time traveled back from a war-torn, post-apocalyptic wasteland to share their desert-chic fashion sense and enjoy some cold beers, and a beautiful young woman wearing a colorful dress and some truly awesome glasses.

What started out as a chance encounter ended up becoming a night of laughter, whiskey shots, cheese sampling and an ongoing contact with photographer and cool nerd Che Correa.

Midwest-based Che Correa has an eye for dark subject matter, interesting lighting, and poses that are subtly provocative. Her style is perfectly jarring at times, and blends a feminine and masculine eye for fashion and shapes. Her personal style is enviable as well, mostly because she always looks so at-home in whatever she wears.

I had the opportunity to chat with her recently about her photography, her work for Cloud Orchid Magazine, an alternative fashion magazine that promotes fascinating new talent, and some tips she can give models who are interested in increasing their chances at landing gigs.


1. As a fashion photographer what is the most important thing you look for in models?

What I look for is the ability to transform into a character. To feel the emotion and transpire it onto the photograph. A grace and flow when it comes to the body and awareness of the light when posing.

2. Do you have certain settings that you prefer (indoor, outdoor, etc.)

Right now I'm working solely on studio settings. My ultimate goal would be to create my own sets or go to locations where I can create elaborate stories.

3. What is your advice for curvy fashionistas who are interested in becoming models?

Whether you are curvy or not, it is essential that you take care of your body. Your body is the tool you use the most to do your job, so take good care of it. Exfoliate, lotion, keep moisturized, and pamper your skin; condition and nurture your hair, etc. It shows when you walk in the door when you are trying to book a gig.

4. Who are some of the fashion designers you'd love to shoot for?

I would love to work with designers who love geometric shapes and pastel colors. That's why I really enjoy the works of Not Equal, which you happened to introduce me to. Also, I recently saw some of Amato Haute Couture gowns and they inspired me so much and Would love nothing more than to collaborate with them. I am also particular to masks and head dresses and one designer that stole my heart with her fabulous designs is Miss G Designs, from California.

5. I've seen that in your photographs, too, that eye for geometry. And NotEqual does certainly fit the bill, so I'm more than happy to have introduced you to their work. Now, you have to tell us a bit more about Cloud Orchid Magazine!

Cloud Orchid Magazine is a labor of love lead by my friends and partners in crime, Bryan Thompson and Little Alice. It is a magazine that focuses on Independent and new designers with a taste for Alternative Dark Fashions. We encourage designers with wild looks and fresh new designs to submit images for publication and love to see amazing photography showcasing the new fashions.

6. Very cool; designers, listen up! So, what do you think about Steampunk? We did, of course, meet at TeslaCon...

 I think Steampunk is the work of genius. The fashion is amazingly complicated and fun. The characters I've met make me want to dive right into that world and seriously never return. It is beautifully addictive and enchanting. I love it.

7. What is the best way for people to keep up with what you're doing?

The best way to keep up with via Facebook at facebook.com/CheCorreaPhotography, however, I also encourage people to follow me on other social media avenues, such as: 

Instagram: @fire_lies_within
Blog: http://checorreaphotography.wordpress.com/
Google +: +Che Correa.

8. If designers or models are interested in being featured in Cloud Orchid, who should they contact?

They should contact Bryan Thompson, Co-editor of Cloud orchid at Bryan@cloudorchid.com.



_________
Thank you so  much to Che for the interview. I definitely suggest everyone check out her work, and follow her on social media. She promotes healthy lifestyle choices and posts interesting anecdotes about life as a photographer, as well as travel stories and links to art she loves.


**ALL photographs in this piece are courtesy and property of Che Correa. Do not post elsewhere, cut, or alter these photos.

(Me- far left, and Che, third from left, at TeslaCon! Photo courtesy of Cloud Orchid Magazine)

Fashion, Fat, and the Power of a Pair of Shorts...

I think I first learned the power of clothing as a young teen, when a group of my teen peers descended on my house after a long bike ride in the New England summer heat. I offered cold juice and water and a few pairs of shorts to the girls, an innocent desire to share refreshment and clean clothes. One of the girls accepted a pair of my shorts, folded them in half and then laughed and said something along the lines of, "I'd have to fold them in half for them to fit me."

Boom.

Just like that, every negative voice in my life that had told me I was overweight, ugly, disproportionate, pudgy, fat, etc, came swirling together in confirmation, in the voice of a 13 year old girl. I'd heard it a million times from my father, a few bullies at school, some members of my extended family, but this was different. My shorts were a flag of fatness. My clothes were a mockery, twice as big as the clothes of my peers.

For many years after that incident, I found excuses to avoid wearing shorts. I was too warm or none of my shorts fit right. For every reason someone could suggest I bare my legs, there was a reason not to. And it wasn't just my legs, of course, it was everything, sometimes even my neck. I hid in clothes that were baggy and ill-fitting and far too mature for a teenager. For years I drowned in turtlenecks and baggy pants, long skirts and shapeless tops.

Many years later, after much soul (and clothing store) searching, I dared to wear a short dress with tights. It felt frightening at first, but it was just one step of many. And then it happened... some miraculous combination of style liberation (great cuts, great colors, great FASHION!) and bravery and a bit of extra spending money allowed me to buy clothes that I looked great in. I experimented with colors and shapes and styling, borrowed from various eras long past and created a few pieces all of my own.

Shockingly for someone who had gone though a painful 6 or 7 year period of hiding under unflattering clothes, I had good taste, daring style and original ideas. Unlike the years of disappearing into a crowd, I suddenly stood out of a crowd- and received positive feedback! People liked it!

Fashion is far more than pretty clothes on skinny people. Clothes have the power to make or break your day, your year, your era, your life. Clothes can drown you or they can announce your entrance. Clothes can help you blend in or they can turn you into a star. Glitter, fringe and feathers can tell the world that you're a sparkly and daring person inside, whatever size you happen to be. Clothes can make you feel taller, thinner, curvier, more powerful, whatever.

If you've ever found yourself drowning in unflattering, boxy, oversized clothes for the sake of someone who might ridicule you... there's a dress out there to change it all. Or a pair of jeans. Or a crazy great shirt. A hat! A chunky necklace. A short skirt.

Don't give up. Don't drown. If you're a warrior princess inside, buy some more studded jackets. If there's a Carrie Bradshaw inside you just dying to get out, wear that fluffy pink skirt and feathered headband. Find the clothes that make you feel how you WANT to feel, not how you think others see you. The more you dress like yourself, your true self, the more you'll see your true self. 

And so will everyone else.

New Interview with Project Runway Season 12's Kate Pankoke

I had the pleasure of interviewing Project Runway Season 11 & 12's Kate Pankoke. Listen in as we talk about weddings, princesses and Zac Posen:

Make sure to follow this blog for lots more interviews and fashion goodness!

Kendry Bird Interviews Project Runway's Gunnar Deatherage

Recently I had the honor to speak with Project Runway Season 10's Gunnar Deatherage. Since leaving Project Runway, Gunnar has kept quite busy with his passions, delighting customers at his salon and taking part in creating photospreads for NFOCUS Magazine Louisville.

Here's the interview in full:

Q: Hello, Gunnar! First of all, I have to say- and I’m not the only one to think this- I think you have the most epic name not only of anyone on Project Runway but of a real person on TV. You sound like some really cool character from a dystopian novel or something. How do you feel about your name? And as a novelist myself, would you be okay with me using the name Gunnar at some point in tribute…?

A:I actually really enjoy my name! I never actually put much thought into what my name consisted of growing up, so it wasnt ever a big thing. When I moved away, the hype on just the name itself was unreal. And I promise, it is my birth given name! I just have cool parents I guess! And by all means, you can most definitely use the name in one of your novels!

 

Q: You seem to have been up to a lot since your appearance on Project Runway Season 10, including providing some much needed (and much appreciated!) hair love for friends and fans at your salon. Can you tell us a bit about that?

A: Well, I have always been a hairstylist. Even before people knew me for fashion I did hair. I went to beauty school, in hopes of supporting myself on my hunt for fashion, and it did exactly that for me. Upon returning home from Project Runway, I was super burnt-out on sewing, so I focused my attention on my roots, which were in the salon. I'm also the creative director for NFOCUS Magazine Louisville. I put together their fashion spreads and cover photos. I find that it allows me to still remain in the fashion world without having to kill myself behind a sewing machine!

 

Q: Many people might not realize this, but your appearance on S10 of Project Runway was actually your second time on the show, isn’t that right?

A: Yes! I was on season 9 as well! Although my efforts didn't get me nearly as far, I think going to New York for Season 9 prepared me for the gruesome process that is reality tv.

Q: I was so touched by how sweet you were with the gal you made over on Project Runway. I think that sticks out in all of our minds, considering someone else there didn’t give his client quite the same treatment! Have you had other experiences like that since leaving the show… just really making someone’s day with a great outfit or make over?

A:The attention from that episode was so overwhelming in the best way! I feel that's how I was best represented on the show. That's what I enjoy doing at home, and in the salon. I listen to what someone wants, and I interpret it in my own way without losing their initial vision. I think to be successful in anything you must learn to listen. One of my favorite moments with someone who had watched was at the Lord & Taylor event at Fashion's Night Out last year. The makeover challenge had just aired, and we were out walking the red carpet and mingling. When I had to go to the restroom on the lower level, I was stopped by a Lord & Taylor employee who proceeded to cry and thank me for how I made my client feel, and for standing up for plus size women. That is hands down my favorite memory post-Project Runway.

Q: Have you kept in contact with your fellow contestants from Project Runway?

A: I still keep in contact with a few of my fellow contestants! One of my favorite people was Elena, and I'm thoroughly enjoying watching her on Project Runway AllStars!

 

Q: Are you still designing clothes?

A: Not at the moment. I think I'm waiting to be fully inspired and for the timing to be right. Fashion is my art, not my job, and I want to make sure to distinguish the two of those.

 

Q: What is your absolute favorite piece of clothing or accessory that you own?

A: My prized possession is a black and grey vintage Michael Jackson-esque jacket! I wear mostly black and grey, and that is my fall staple!

 

Q: I love InStyle magazine… do you have a favorite fashion magazine?

A: Well I worship W Magazine, and V. However, I look to Vogue to see what people are actually wearing. I much prefer the editorial side of things but I think that the street style is just as important!

 

Q: Any of your fans you want to give a special shoutout to?

My tumblr and Twitter fans are awesome!!! My tumblr fans are always making the funniest gifs of me, and writing cool things! My twitter fans are cool by listening to me actually vent! I use twitter to be really honest about things I feel strongly about and I like that they not only support but also get a laugh from it!

 

Q: How can fans keep up with what you’ve got going on these days, Gunnar?

 

My website www.GunnarDeatherage.com always has my newest and up to date work on it, and I'm always on my social media sites that are also linked up to my website!

 

 

For those reading who would like to make a hair appointment with Gunnar, you can do so through facebook or you can call his salon to make an appointment.

 

Thank you so much for joining us, Gunnar! We all wish you the best (and if I'm ever in town, I'll definitely make an appointment at your salon ;) )

 

Miranda Kay Levy's Kickstarter Has 5 Days to Go!

Miranda Kay Levy, a recent guest of mine on IPMNation, has only 5 days left of her kickstarter. You can help her out by donating anything or by sharing her kickstarter link. She only needs to raise $580 more to make her goal... come on guys, you can help her do this! http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1375067643/miranda-levy-of-project-runway-2014-collection 

Miranda's offering custom lipglosses, cool scarves and a lot of other great stuff as pledge prizes. Plus, if you donate $50, she may or may not make me a killer hot plaid pencil skirt. (And really, I need one of those!) Tweet, reblog, repost and share!

In case you don't know about Miranda, she's a Project Runway Season 12 contestant, a veteran and all around a very cool gal. I hung out with her at Fashion Week and we talked about super heroes, clothes, high heels, expensive wine and lots of other great stuff.

Get to it, fashionistas!

Interview with Project Runway's Karen Batts

Here is the recent interview I did with lovely Karen Batts. Karen is one of the friendliest people I've had the pleasure of chatting with, and you will love hearing her talk about her passion for vintage, Drew Barrymore and how she felt about Michael Kors' guest appearance on Project Runway.

Enjoy!

Dress in progress...

My sister, who works under her Payton label, is creating a special dress for me, just for my signing at New York Comic Con! I'm so excited. I asked her for something with a post-apocalyptic vibe. She's totally making it happen! Here's some sneak peeks as it's being constructed into something awesome...