Pajama Jeans THEY LIVE!

Dear discerning individuals who wish to leave their house comfortably,

Please do not assault my eyes with the visual monstrosity termed Pajama Jeans.

Sincerely,
A college student who doesn't wear comfy clothes to class

My discovery of epic disbelief began as it always does: in the checkout line of Wal Mart. Don't get me wrong, I love Wal mart. My mother will forever shop in Wal mart, Costco, Sam's Club...you get the picture. I'm still surviving off of packs of pens and reams of paper she bought at closeout rates when I was 8. If I recall correctly, one pack of 4 pens was no more than 5 cents.

So yes, when my mom's paying, I can stomach the interesting encounters Wal Mart provides.

So back to school (college) shopping provided the purchase of usual necessities: wholesale volumes of laundry detergent, bath soap, fruits and veggies, and a few magazines if I say "But Mommy!" and bat my eyes a few times. And I thought it only worked on making my dates pay for dinner, apparently the eye-batting gets me what I want from everyone. Winning.

Checkout line: I load everything on the conveyor belt and hope that it's not filthy or wet from the frozen food condensation the guy in front of us left behind. Mother will make the cashier wipe it down before we load our purchases. And then make me wipe off the groceries before I put them in the fridge at home.

Not lying.

The smell of Clorox bleach immediately invokes memories of my mother and my sterile childhood. I rarely got sick.

ANYWAY, back to the conveyor belt and our purchases. So I'm waiting for mother to pay and we conveniently were in the "not sold in stores" and "weird trading cards" aisle. Yep, you know which one I'm referring to. You go there just for the shake weights and dachshund snuggies only sold in pink.

Look at this sexy beast. I wish I had a dog who knew what channel he wanted to watch. Don't worry, boy dogs wear pink snuggies too, and they get the ladies. Remember, tough guys wear pink.

And then I saw it PAJAMA JEANS. Oh yes my friends. "Buahaha, look mom, pajama jeans," I said.

Mind you, my mom replies with a straight face: "Oh, good. Do they have your size?" And for 2 seconds, I seriously considered committing one of the biggest fashion faux pas ever. Mostly because they're just really comfy, I felt it. They only had mediums and larges.

Watch, in 2 months I'll issue a retraction saying how sorry I am for bashing pajama jeans and actually wear them and buy them as gifts for everyone I know....

Too far? I guess. But until then, Pajama jeans are just. Plain. Odd. The cashier, in her early to mid 20's (of sensible constitution I believe), then turns to my mother and says: " Ahugh, yee-ahh, and they're so 'come-feeah.' Eye-uh have a pare muselfe"

I shot my mother a look of horror and confusion. Translation please? Mother hurried to rectify the situation: "I bet you have some, they look pretty comfy." (*Sarcasm masked with grace.) What country am I in?

And I attend college in this town. I hope I've retained my clipped Washingtonian diction. I mean, who knows, I was about to buy those pajama jeans.

The Bostonian

Yes, I have gone back to knitting and I know it's summer and hot as crap, but winter will be here soon. SO for all of those pro-active individuals who like getting snugly with scarves, here is my first forray into scarf selling! Tell your frends and family!

Go here for more info: http://www.etsy.com/listing/76534380/knit-scarf

I originally made this for my friend moving to Boston, MA. (My brother studied up there so I know how cold it can get.) But he'll be here in August, so I have time to make another.

So, needless to say, I will be more than happy to ship one to ya! I'm making one in alabaster presently. Photos to follow soon!


Till soon, much love,

Southern Fashionista

Hello from Wine Country!

Yes, I know the wine festival at the Inn was over 2 weeks ago, but I need to give the posting its due justice and time as well as highlight the vendors there. However I did want to mention that this newly minted 21 year old, pictured below, had in no way passed up the opportunity to enjoy wine and its effects in a responsible environment: namely an open courtyard in broad daylight with wineries from all over the county and beyond.

Taking nine credits over teh summer was one of the worst ideas ever. How did i expect to accomplish that much in 6 weeks? But I have, victoriously.

Until then, I would like to say that I will feature 1-2 vendors per post from the festival in an arbitrary grouping. Or perhaps a deliberate grouping, we'll see how this goes.

Anyway, till soon, much love,

Southern Fashionista

AmareSinh Says Hi from Shanghai

AmareSinh is self ascribed as "a distinguished brand that provides sexy, edgy, yet sophisticated clothing that enhances the architecture of a woman's body by infusing concepts that ultimately creates for each woman the feeling of being alive, empowered, and aware of her sensuality" (http://www.amaresinh.com/about.html). With its fresh bold colors and simple silhouettes outlining and enhancing the female figure. Fashionistas ogling from this year's Shanghai, Philadelphia and Cincinnati Fashion weeks  flock to their ranks to be outfitted. Consequently, AmareSinh was listed in a CNN article as one of the top 5 best trends in Shanghi's fashion week (http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/shop/5-best-trends-shanghai-fashion-week-770813). Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with boutiques all across the globe, AmareSinh designer Huy Tran corresponded from several timezones away in Shanghai and provide the following interview for Southern Fashionista!

Tell us a little bit about your background

I'm Vietnamese-American and grew up in Philadelphia. I started my studies in fashion design at Philadelphia University and later went to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. I have always been interested in woman's wear, perhaps it's from growing up surrounded by girls, but I remember as far back as middle school that I have always loved fashion. Today, I'm extremely happy that I have gone this far with myself and hope to grow better as a designer.

How do you incorporate your lived experiences into the design?

I guess everything is somehow connected with each other like a cause and effect, our [past] experiences somehow affect the way we do things, think and act. I think my lived experiences [are] always connected to my designs in aspects that I cannot point out myself because it's not something that we actually don't think about.

What is your biggest inspiration?

I would say my biggest inspiration is my family because they have helped me so much in pushing me to get this far. I only want to do better almost as a token of appreciation.

Is that a geographic or time limit?

AmareSinh was just recently launched and so far the biggest limit is budget. I'm always running over budget because I want to do more. Time is always an issue, and I think it happens a lot in the fashion industry. I don't think anyone is ever 100% on time.

If you were to describe the line in one word, what would it be and why?

Empowering, because this is how I want women in AmareSinh to feel.

Describe the quintessential AmareSinh girl:

The AmareSinh girl is sexy, sophisticated, and determined, among other things... If I had to pick someone to represent the label I would pick Natalie Portman. I think she has amazing presence, she stands strong yet elegant and her look is flawless.

Do you design for your clients or yourself?

I'd like to tell myself that I'm doing it all for myself, but the reality is I most definitely have to keep in mind who the consumers are.

If this year's collection were a genre/type of food which would it be?

Romance

What hot new looks should we be on the lookout for in the near future?

Definitely a lot of color playing, more bold [looks]

Which materials do you work with most often?

Silks, chiffons, cut & sew knits. I like feminine, drapy. It's like a dream.

What is your favorite piece/ look created by the line?

I really like the flap trousers with the silk chiffon hem. I love the contrast of colors and fabric.

Photo Credit: (http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0044/5632/products/audrey_trench_large.jpg?122)

Who have you outfitted with your designs?

A Chinese celebrity in Shanghai.

What does AmareSinh do to give back to the local/ global community (website)?

We are working with local artists, models, photographers, jewelry designers, and organizations like RAW Artists to grow the fashion industry in Philadelphia together by helping each other. Before my sister helped me to start AmareSinh, she started a non-for-profit in Vietnam and she still sits on their board of advisers. We would love to continue to support them as AmareSinh grows.

Where can I buy the line?

Anyone - no matter if individual or professional buyer - can contact us at http://AmareSinh.com and the email address info@AmareSinh.com. In case you live in Philadelphia, come to EA Effect Boutique (see'Where to buy' on the website for the address).

All photos courtesy of AmareSinh.