Boy wannabe.

I will never be able to explain my 'love at first sight' experience with this old v-neck graceless sweater. It called my name...and getting it was not a difficult task at all, I found it at a thrift store for about 30 lempiras (not even 2 dollars). It's reeeally old, a hideous green color and had tiny holes all over.

So I brought it home and performed some serious snipping. =)

If I were Kate Moss I'd probably wear it bra-less around the house...

Remain calm, I threw it over a thrifted dress. =P

It's love and oh my, it's worth the pity provocations. ("Poor girl must be cold", "Poor girl must not own a decent sweater") heehee...

MOVING ON...

The photoshoot, as promised!

In case there's any doubt, I am not a model. I suck terribly. I trip on my own feet. I get tense and start dancing like a geek when the camera gets me nervous. I don't possess that "je ne sais quois" that could possibly make up for the fact that I'm 5'2, MAYBE 3.

But a friend was opening a store and asked me to do it for the store's catalogue, and in Honduras it would be the closest thing to a designer boutique so I said HECK YEAH. I'll do it. I'll try hard not to make a fool out of myself.

(Rollers are sepsi and I'm literally smirking at my own "model off duty" shot, right this instance, no kidding.)

Then I met the other two models: legs half mine's thickness and twice mine's length.

Geez.

This si Irlia:

and Natasha:

I tried my best and the photographer was pretty darn awesome.

Side note: He like totally laughed in my face when I stained my front teeth in black lipstick and believe it or not, that made him awesomer! I'm weird, I know.

Then his gorgeous model girlfriend showed up. She surprised me with a deep raspy voice that did nothing but add to her cool factor. The girl basically TOWERED over me so I tried to stay away a couple feet away from her to avoid feeling like a midget. Haaaa!

Over all, it was an AWESOME beyond awesome experience. My hair reached heights I thought it never could and my lips looked shapier that I thought they ever would.

I'll post the actual pics as soon as I get the catalogue in my hands. *Woot woot*

'Til later lovely people,

xoxo

Fabs

I'll settle for poofy.

Fashion Week was fun!

Take this in consideration, though:

A. The activities I usually dress up for consist of soccer games, fruit shopping, church, or deposit archiving and

B. in Honduras, Fashion related events don't just pop out of every corner!

I also must add that to my very much embarassment, even if my agenda was to be crowded with events, I wasn't exactly born with God-granted socializing skills and I'd end up staying at home anyway.

There. I said it.

Nowwww let's move on to the good & the bad of FW, and my latest sewing projects. Woo!:

FW attendees.

I really don't mean to start this on a negative note but WHERE ARE THE RISK TAKING PEOPLE?!! Not like I was expecting to see the outrageous McQueen "armadillo" heels or Rodarte dresses but I was definitely expecting a bit more pluckiness...perhaps neon? Or spikes&studs? Atleast? Anybody? Somewhere?

However, I did like these girls PLENTY. Electric blue+elegant shoulder pads+a superbly exposed back+vintage jewelry... .you know how I feel about that! Two best dressed girls of the night in my book! I believe the white shirt is from Zara.

A few boys rocked my boat as well, but no pics. Darn it.

As for the shows, my fave collection was Tirso Rubio's.

In my opinion, his collection was the most cohesive.

He sews all of his clothes HIMSELF and word on the street is he buys scraps of fabric, lives downtown, and went to school with who is now his muse...I'm in love!

Not that I underestimate designers who don't know how to sew or patternmake, but I definitely have a thing for those who are also craftsmen. HANDS ON all the way!

Muzzy Kafati SS10. Alot of cocktail & evening dresses. I'm pretty sure most girls in Honduras would wear them.

About 50%of the designers who presented shows were teenagers/early twenties, with the help of daddy's trust fund. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just saying.

Carlos Campos also presented his collection, but rather than looking at my terrible pictures here's his site with the professional ones from his NY FashionWeek show.

source: dannijo.com

Same with Mr.Miguel Chong.

And for all others here's the official site:

Fashion Week Honduras

Disappointments.

Honduras has plenty of artistic talent, so why on Earth would we have to imitate the big leagues?

The Estilo+FW09 tshirt. (Estilo is a national magazine):

Ring a bell?

Change of subject, PUH-LEASE!

A personal FW highlight:

I got to hang out with Marjee from La Joie de Vivre!

How cool is it to find someone you can have a conversation with that includes referrencing Ann Demeulemeester and "last season Chloé"?!! In my case, priceless!

I look angry...I was only hiding the excitement, ok?

Latest sewing projects.

Any picture of me from the show is hideously unflattering, but here's one from one of the nights. I made the dress from scratch...pattern and all. One sleeve only, gathers all over, a mustard-like color:

Necklace: vintage. Tights: Zara. (Can you believe there's not one, but two Zara stores in Honduras?!)

(took this one back home, heehee)

I've been looking for tailors around my town that I can work with and learn from, and I found a sir with good references. I took my drawings and he was soo excited (which doubled my own excitement) because he usually only gets hired for wedding gowns & prom dresses...

This was the dress I got him to make for me:

Dress: own design. Fauxfur bag: gift cousin got me in Thailand.

The dress looks very simple, but there was actually alot of work put into it due to all the pleating details. And yes, I have a thing for this color right now. =)

In Tegus, I stayed at Carol's apartment. She's currently working on the design of a building, so I'd hang out with her there.

Top and chain necklace: Vintage. Skirt: Thrifted.

The white spots on the pic are actually dust...my black tights became not so white!

=P

So that's it. Even though I still have trouble feeling comfortable with the "fashion crowd" or with any crowd for that matter, I'm glad there's a Fashion Week. And even if there's still a SUPA long way to go, I'm glad there's people making clothes. Hoooooray for Honduras and for handmade shtuff. =)

xoxo,

Fabi

P.S. Photoshoot 'til next post or this one would last a universe. HUGS!

Caravan Girl.

Boy, oh boy...the things I've seen. In the midst of a political crisis and the most outrageous Human Rights violations I have ever seen (seen, as in I'm saying it not because I read it in the newspaper, or because I was brainwashed into believing so) it's been difficult trying to blog without rambling about the aforementioned...I'll try.

........................
I moved into my grandma's place! Been living here for about a month now. Not relevant for this "fashion" blog?? Wrong! More than relevant...just wait.

YSL hot pink. vintage handbag and suitcase. $3.00 earrings from mall stand.

My bedroom is incredible: aqua walls covered in religious art, furniture twice my age, wooden floors so old there's heel punctures all over. Punctures are my fault, of course. ;) I wake up as in a Virgin Suicide's set and therefore dress as so. Been wearing plenty of frills, my cream vintage ankle booties and nightgowns for day.

thrifted belt, corset and high-waisted shorts I fixed up.

However, don't think it's all been rainbows, unicorns and icecream sundaes with overflowing chocolate syrup (I just had to, sorry). Turns out it's quite the challenge dressing up and expecting to get granny's approval! It bothers her that I wear hats around the house, she's pulled my hem down more than once and makes remarks like the following: "Oh dear, I'm sure you didn't actually mean to wear yellow earrings with that."

Dont' get me wrong, I'm not complaining! I looove it when she judges my sketches and handbags (most of them are vintage, so they usually get a high score).

living room, thrifted top and skirt.

I had also mentioned how I was finally able to get a workplace for sewing and it happens to be in a building a few houses away from grandma's house, so she occasionally visits and brings delicious pastries with her. Mmmmmhmmmm.

September brought alot of inspiration with it, in part thanks to living at grandma's, a weekend on an island, AND a boy (YESSS, there's a boy ladies and gentlemen!!!! And I have to add, he's quite the lad). I share these personal aspects of life because I'd be foolish to say that one thing has nothing to do with the other. =)

bridge on Utila. vintage onesie, skirt made by me.

sister and I sleeping on the ferry.

Updates!
I hadn't posted in a while because my camera broke, and I strongly dislike posts without pictures. :P

Ohhhh, and guess what-to-the-whaaat?? I'm pretty sure I'll be going to Tegus for Honduras Fashion Week (fashionweekhonduras.com) and I'll make sure to come back with all the lowdown. Yeahh!

As for my plans, I've been sketching, testing a couple of tailors, working on dresses myself...I have plenty of ideas, but I'm not exactly sure where I'm going to be honest. I like clothes, I'm going to makes them. Perhaps sell them. I'm completely okay with having a little bit of suspense in life. =) We'll see...keep posted!

xoxo by the dozen,

Fabi

p.s. next post: Fashion Week and a photoshoot. ;-)

EDIT: Honduras reached the World Cup!!!!!!!!! WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!! Soooooo exciting!!!! It's quite the celebration outside, MUST go and join!!! Yayyyy! =D

ThriftTips Part II

I posted something similar on PART I, but I've learned a couple more and figured I should share. No, really, I insist. The subject thrills me. =) I'll share some of my finds as we go. Take note, however, that I've only tested these tips in my town and I'm not sure if they can be applied anywhere else...

1. In most stores, items are priced at moment of request. So don't be surprised if the salesgirl scans the item, rolls her eyes and then adds an "ehhhh" before the numbers.

striped tee: thrifted.

no big deal, but I LOVE it, in all its faded glory. =)

2. Never EVER show excitement no matter how WONDERFULLY the vintage Dior gown shines in the midst of dust, boxes and fraternity tshirts! Bite your tongue if you have to!! Why? Keep reading...

highwaisted skirt:thrifted.

the pockets are the coolest.

3. Barter, barter BARTER!! Do business like you've never. If it doesn't work the first time, pretend you weren't even THAT interested in the item...point out the defects, perhaps even walk away! If you showed any excitement for the piece beforehand, prepare to do the ugly...pay full price ! If the price is still too high for an item that's too "weird" (according to locals, anyway) leave it. Come back a couple weeks or months later and the item will still be there and...oh yes...in the 10 lempira (less than a dollar!) bin!!! Emm...This last part is at your own risk! :P

chair: secondhand. wohooo! It wasn't really a bargain, more of a guilty pleasure. ;)

necklace: thrifted! 50 lempiras, about $2.00! love...

4. This should've been the first one: dress comfy. Flats, nothing too fancy or ostentatious. You'll fall in the "This one's rich, an eye for a top!" category if you do otherwise.

velvet vest: thrifted.

necklace: vintage, gift from grandma.

5. Prepare yourself. For what? A serious arm & back workout, cockroaches (that might sweep up your arm at some point), rats, soar throats caused by dust, and the occasional attitude from salesgirls.

Jumpsuit: thrifted. not good for peeing urges, though. Heehee :P

That's it.

Now, enjoy ladies! Enjoy the salesgirl's grin as you pay for the hideous item she thought know one would ever buy. Enjoy knowing that she has no idea how good you're gonna look in the silky Moschino skirt as soon as you fix the zipper.


xoxo,

Fabi

p.s. next post? guess who's FINALLY getting her own sewing room? MEEEE!!!!!! =D

edit:You can now follow my blog with bloglovin! =)

How ugly...

Quite the times for my country...earthquakes, swine flu, our President kidnapped and now destituted by Congress...we find ourselves in a political turmoil that, for the sake of this blog's purpose, are subjects I've decided not to rant about. More info here.

My thoughts are everywhere, but dry style-wise perhaps due to the current situation. :P
However, the good thing is that I WILL use this post to please a couple of requests from lovely readers:
Here are two somewhat clearer pictures of the ruffles on my dress from last post, just as asked for!

And as for the questions on the outfit from this post, what I did was I layered a white, sleeveless (thrifted) BCBG dress and the blue, strapless vintage one over that. Quite simple...big fan of dress layering! Here's a better pic, not very flattering but ehhh...

and here, the white dress:

I have to run home now because apparently there's a national curfew at 6pm! XOXO to all!! Please pray for Honduras!
'Til next post...

Fabs =)

Beeyuti queen.

A couple of weeks ago my sewing teacher, Dario, asked me and my friend Courtney if we would come with him to Olanchito (a small town an hour away from Ceiba). He was dressing about six girls that were competing to be the Carnaval Queen of said town and needed assistants to help with the sewing and the backstage stuff.

We arrived early for the fittings and turned out that pretty much all the girls were C-cups so seams had to be ripped and re-sewn...and fast! Tulle and satin was EVERYWHERE and an incident with a lit candle+dress made us burst into nervous laughter for about 15 minutes!
The event was at the "hottest" club in Olanchito. The crowds cheered while the girls modeled under a discoball...


The ladies in casual wear!

Check out the bathrooms...heehee :P
To the event, Courtney wore the purple skirt I made a while back and I ended up wearing the muslin I made for last post's pink dress. All I did was add a lining,a random polkadotted ruffle on the front and then hemmed it on the bus to Olanchito. =)

Our favorite girl of the night turned out to be the winner and after a game of pool and the witnessing of a catfight we called it a night and headed back to our cute little hotel. =)

To be completely honest with you, I have always considered Honduran beauty pageants to be quite...ehh...funny. With the demanding mothers, cheesy stage decorations, poofy dresses and all...it's quite difficult to take them seriously!
However, after I saw how much effort Dario put into the dresses and how excited all the girls were I must admit I really got into the whole thing! I'm now officially a hardcore pageant fan!! It's a part of our culture that I have definitely learned to enjoy.

xoxo to all...


sunsmooched Fabi ;)

Sew sweet.

Happy!!
My sewing machine has been acting quite friendly and here are a couple of the more recent results of such acts of kindness. ;)

I was soon to be attending wedding in Tegus and I insisted on a strapless dress with boning. I wanted it in a cheesy pink because I never went to prom. I had to torture myself with little food so the zipper would close. It did.

I didn't get ONE decent picture of me in the dress, so please ignore the face. :P Hehe, the face did not come out how planned but the night sure did.
The winning compliment of the day?: "Your dress is...ehh...different" HaHA!
Next morning, sisters and I hopped on a bus back home.

Before I continue, let me formally introduce you to Diana. I have already talked about her before...Youngest sister, trouble, flaming red hair. I love her with ALL my heart! However, I am SO not kidding on the 'trouble' part...hehehe...

I am trying to beat my sewing instructor's time record for making a skirt...and Diana gets to keep my trials. Here's her favorite. She wore it to school today.

As for me and my recent purchases let me emphasize ONCE more on one word: thrifting! I was going to come up with a (darn good) excuse like "I'm on a budget so I thrift", and I am on a budget but please: I thrift because I LOVE it. period. :P

dress: cheap. cheap!!
La Ceiba is INCREDIBLY HOT right now. Skimpy clothes and the beach are pretty much requirements for summer survival (we have two seasons down here, rainness and summer. and I make words up during both).
So anywayyyy when thrifting, I keep that in mind.

Flowerprint onesie was about Lps. 60.00 (aprox. $3.00) Comfyyyyy

Sewing school is good. Both that and the patient (how long has it been??) wonderful people who comment keep me motivated! I'll be posting other "skirt trials" on my next post!!
I'm off to dinner, mama is calling as usual!!!

xoxo


Fabi

who by the way is NOT letting go of that sewing tape =D