`twentythree Handmade Jewelry Sponsor Interview

Now as you guys probably know by now, I hate it when I see someone wearing something that I have. Sure, I shop at H&M and Forever 21 and other cheap factory-made stores, but I just want to believe that I have the only darn piece of that in the world. Now I can be the proud owner of 100% one-of-a-kind jewelry by `twentythree, a handmade store featuring unique and ultra-inspired rings, necklaces, earrings, cell phone charms, and hair accessories. The best part - each piece is super affordable ($5-15 USD)! 

Today I have an interview for you with Viel Catig, the proud owner of `twentythree.

1) How did `twentythree get started (origin of the name too)?

`twentythree started back in 2006, as a creative venture to take me out of the hectic craziness that was college and my nursing classes. In the summer of 2005, I made a trip back to Manila,Philippines... a homecoming trip if you will back to the place where I was raised and grew up. My sister-in-law took me to Quiapo, which had a fairly large jewelry district... so when I came back to California I started playing around with some of the pieces I bought. I started incorporating vintage pieces like found ephemera and such around 2008, and `twentythree's current style kind of evolved from that.

2) Where do you get your inspiration from when you're designing your pieces?

My design inspirations come from a fairly wide and eclectic bunch... my main inspiration comes from Asian Street Fashion, from Korea and Japan -- the cuteness yet elegance and quirkyness that it always has. My two most recent collections are inspired from vastly different sources. Fantastique Fantasie came about my innate sense of geekiness, and love for popular culture... it was inspired by Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland and the like. In contrast, my Rock, Crackle, Pop: Midnight Collection was inspired by rock songs from all decades such as The Beatles. Other times its completely random, like a walk around Los Angeles' famed Fashion District would inspire a filigree ring... just a couple of days ago I heard Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" playing somewhere and it totally inspired a fierce lookin' bow headband.

3) Name some of your favourite `twentythree pieces that you would recommend to my readers

Here are a couple of things that I love ~ (see photos above)

• Pinked Out Yule Ball -- inspired by Hermione's pink dress in the HP series
• Crown Jewel Effect
• Jump Ringo
• Blue El Roy

4) I read on your blog that 2NE1 wore your jewelry in concert. Tell us more - I knew I'd be dancing an Irish jig.

It was actually quite the happy coincidence! I am very huge fan of 2NE1, both of their music and fashion sense... I love they have that feminine confidence that portrays alot into their colorful and funky clothing. On one of their debut performances they sported Lego accessories that were customized by their stylists for their hit single Fire. A year after that one of the 2NE1 fan forums I was actively participating in was holding a anniversary gift project for the four members of 2NE1, so I decided to contribute with an exclusive collection called Fierce Femme -- four specifically inspired Lego rings for each of them. Their youngest member Minzy ended up wearing the Sharpique ring to their Pink Play Concert for korean cosmetic company Etude House. I was floored to be honest when I found out about it... it was kind of surreal having something I created to be worn in person by a group that I absolutely adore. At the moment I am also working on another feature... a customized pair of mismatched earrings for, shall I say "internet celebrity..." It will be surprise this summer hopefully :) 

5) What is your favourite jewelry trend this season?

I really don't go much by trends but recently I've been in love with fringe jewelry -- lace, chains, or ribbon fringe necklaces and earrings are just so lovely. I think they look like a more tamed down version of statement jewelry that also popular... its very wearable, yet striking. I also adore anything peach or apricot hued -- I think an oversized ring with a peach colored mineral (like this one from TopShop) or some apricot orange colored pearls would totally hype up a plain summer outfit.

6) What are some tips for accessorizing a fashion outfit to make it stand out? Balance. I've always thought that there is always a fine balance between looking fashionably chic or resembling a circus performer. Most of the pieces in `twentythree are often times can be a little over the top... but that's what I love, you can totally wear a bright pair of mismatched earrings like Pinked Out Yule Ball with an outfit with muted grays and look amazing. My motto is to go with simple and minimalistic with an outfit that stands out, and brighten up an otherwise boring outfit with a bold statement piece of jewelry. A plain tee and skinny jeans can be easily brought to a whole new level of chic by just sporting something like Little Miss Sunshine and mustard colored pumps.

Last but not least, here are some of my picks! I love quirkiness and movie/book-inspired anything, so these pieces are a real treat.

• Hedwig's Ballad
• Material Girl Remade
• Nella Fantasie
• In Arms and In Swords
• Cherish Cherries (for double piercing!)

Check out `twentythree handmade jewelry! I hope Viel creates more statement chunky rings that jazz up any outfit. Thanks for the helpful fashion tips, too! 

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These opinions are completely my own and `twentythree is an ad sponsor of Pandaphilia. 

Styleta Fashion Night Out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Fridays ago, I went to a fashion show hosted by Styleta, our new fashion student organization on campus. The venue in the DUC Commons had a homey feeling and the girls set up a makeshift walkway right down the middle of the three rows of seats. The yellowish lighting there made my photos grainy but that's okay - Lightroom to the rescue! I owe some of these photos to their Facebook page (credit: Becky Mak) and feel free to check out all of the models and outfits there. I was sad I didn't RSVP in time for a goody bag because they were giving out all sorts of beauty products too. The trunk show immediately after featured a lot of the pieces that the models wore and I nabbed a cool versatile camel sweater seen in a previous outfit post here. 

On the topic of modeling, there were some amazing hidden talent stomping that runway. The pieces varied from flashy dinner party dresses to casual menswear and I couldn't stop staring at the shoes. There was also the adorable fur cape, but then found out it was real fur so I put it back on the rack. Also, those crazy punk hairstyles in the last round were awesome. A lot of work went into this fashion show and I'm hoping to see more of these shows from Styleta in the near future. Whilst I obsess for hours hunting for the perfect SLR and lens I want to save up for ... I'm slowly finding my way around Lightroom. Today I found the "expand tab" button and now I can edit all sorts of fun things. Improvement day by day! PC Vignette 2 is also a fave for making the models the center of attention.

Last but not least, I had the opportunity to interview Yifan, the Style Director at WashU, to learn a little bit more about what Styleta is all about.

What is Styleta and can you give us some history about the organization?

Styleta (www.styleta.org) is an upscale, modernized take on the brick-and-mortar charity store. Our student-run, nonprofit organization offers fashion-savvy consumers the chance to do good while shopping online for discounted designer duds. The concept was born when Styleta’s founder and CEO, Yifan Zhang, witnessed the women on her Harvard College campus throwing out their valuable designer clothing. Few charities focus on high-end fashion donations, leaving these gently-used clothes to fill landfills instead of closets. Styleta has given these donors a place where they know their clothing will go to good use.

For Holiday Season 2010, Styleta will be holding a special “Double Your Impact” online sale to allow customers to double the charitable impact of their purchases. When you spend $20 on a new top, a donor will match $20, so a total of $40 will be donated to help women around the world.

I understand that the WashU Styleta branch is brand new. How have things been going and what events have you hosted so far?

The Wash U Styleta campus started in August of this year, and we have been immensely successful. We have recruited and established a presence on campus, ran a clothing drive, hosted two photoshoots, and presented a large scale fashion show & trunk sale. Our fashion show/trunk sale was completely reserved out, ~160 ppl attended the event and we sold a lot of merchandise at the trunk sale.

What are you goals for Styleta in the near future?

Nationally, we want Styleta to be the go-to place for designer clothing donations. Additionally, we want to expand from 4 operating campuses to over 100. For the branch at Wash U, we'd like to host more charitable, fun events in the future and spread Styleta's influence on campus even more.

What does fashion mean to you personally?

To me fashion is warm boots, colorful winter coats, and pearly bracelets. It is a method of expression.

Give us a highlight of the show from backstage.

Backstage of any runway show is crazy, ours was no different. We had three professional hair/makeup stylists working backstage as well as a number of student stylists. The awesome hair and makeup that defines our three collections were not possible without our stylists. We've also got a lot of volunteers helping backstage, physically helping the models dress during the show since the changing time is so short.

What are some of your favourite pieces of the night?

The last collection, fun/edgy, was my favorite in general. The fur coat outfit was great for me as well as the one with leather pants, white bandeau, and black puffy jacket.

How can interested fashionistas and -istos get involved?

By sending me an email at ymeng@styleta.org! We are always accepting new members to our general body.

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