Rae Marie

Diet Pepsi Refresh Studio fashion show... The Process to getting ready

2012-02-06T17:36:00.001-08:00

I’m refreshing these themes to reflect a very Denver feel with my signature design esthetic. Simon’s feedback on my work has been invaluable – I cannot wait to meet him in person! We have to make sure we keep it young. I wanted to use braids through out the 3 looks I am designing. So I played with some different braid looks. Here are my boards for inspiration.

Diet Pepsi Refresh Studio Fashion Show

2012-02-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

I’m so excited and lucky to have been handpicked by Diet Pepsi to represent Denver at the Diet Pepsi Refresh Studio fashion show! Showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City is truly a dream come true! I am still in Shock!!! I am extremely grateful that Diet Pepsi has given me this crucial opportunity in my career. I also super thrilled to have Simon Doonan as my style mentor in this process! He is such a great character and has given me invaluable advice! He concepted three themes for us based on key style trends for the season: fierce animal prints, avant-garde work wear and metallic finishes inspired by the Diet Pepsi can. I have been sewing away and have come up with 3 looks that I love. I cannot wait to share pictures with you ☺ And I cannot believe I leave this Tuesday! I have too much Work to do! I will be touching in tomorrow to show you some of the images for my hair and make up to complete my looks! XOXO

Rae Marie

The Diary of a Fashion Designer

2011-11-14T13:24:00.001-08:00

Man oh man oh man! A lot has changed since last time I wrote. Where to begin?...

We had an amazing Photoshoot with James Morales at the Oxford Hotel and Lynn Berry as the model! Lauren was my amazing assistant and we rocked it. I will post all of pics in a future blog! But I LOVED IT! It is so nice sometimes to only have to worry about one model. And the talented Jena Ayala did both Hair and Make-up. She was fantastic as well! We even had the doorman pose in a few of the pics, he was decked out in costume so the juxtaposition was really nice.

Here is a sneak preview:

We didn't make it into the Gen Art Competition... Sad day. I think my brand definitely is going in the right direction, but we definitely need to get into more boutiques! So if you know of any boutiques the brand should get into, please let me know!

We did make it to the Next stage of The RAW ARTIST AWARDS. We showcase this Thursday at the Jet Hotel at 8pm. Please come out and support, show us some love and help us make it to the Finals in Hollywood. The prize package is so amazing and would really help propel the Fashion House of Rae Marie to the next level. SO I hope all of our fans and supporters can come. Here is the link:

http://www.rawartists.org/denver/rawards2011

I participated in the H&M Madness on the 10th of November. Let me tell you. It was crazy! It was also freezing and we had to sew a garment in 4 hours! My talented assistants Jackie Renee and Tyne Hall, I couldn't have created the garment without you!

Here is what we made:

I loved my garment, but as usual, I came in last place... Out of 4 designers. There feedback was mainly about them not liking the fur cuffs, which My team and I agreed that we loved and they said they didn't like the shoes... which I had no control over since models got to bring their own shoes, but the shoes weren't bad, I actually liked them. But I cannot please everyone. I loved my look, I thought outside of the box and combined my Fashion sense with YSL to make something I foulnd to be extraordinary. I wish the fit was a little better, but to make a tailored jacket and skirt in 4 hours, I think it looks pretty good.

We participated in Denvhere Fashion Weekend at Megafauna. The outside show was actually really pretty and the models were really sweet and down to earth. I really loved how the collection looked. I went more wearable and less high fashion, but the statement was still there!

We also participated in the Colorado Fashion Week! The event was a huge success and I thoroughly enjoyed it! My favorite venue by far was this venue, at the Buelle Theatre. It just reminded me so much of the runways I wish to be on :) Jackie Renee and I dressed 8 models in 26 looks and without an intermission. It was so much fun though! And it came together so brilliantly. Here is the Video Post of It :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=r2KHYk3WqRo

Next was Forever Darling... That was crazy and fun. There was a full house. 20 Models to share between 11 designers with around 10 looks each. But The collection that the Fashion House of Rae Marie did was beautiful. Here is an Interview from it:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2465123069739&set=t.100000075372058&type=3&theater

We made the most brilliantly cute Halloween Costume inspired by Victoria Secret. It looked Fantastic. Here is the inspiration.

Here is what we Made!

We have brought on some new faces onto the team. Stay tune this next few weeks as we introduce our team members. I know you will love them as much as I already do!

Look out for our Little Black Dress Collection as well as new pieces at Fashion Denver, Rakun and Online.

We are always taking custom orders especially for New Years Eve. Consultations are free and price points are reasonable. Contact The Fashion House of Rae Marie at customorder@fashionsbyraemarie.com or raemarie@fashionsbyraemarie.com to set up an appointment today!

So what a whirlwind of a fall it has been and It is just getting started!!!

So what is coming up next you ask?

What isn't coming up next!!??

We are getting ready for POOL in August, The Raw Artist Awards this Thursday, The Red Ball December 4th, December 11th Holiday Market and so much more. Yes my life is hectic, yes it gets crazy... Is it glamorous? For about 10 seconds it is, but that is what makes it so worth it! Until next time... this is my life as a Fashion Designer!!

Fall is In! Summer is Out.

2011-09-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

Here are the Rae Marie Looks for Fall that will have your wardrobe saying Good Bye Summer!

The Diary of A Fashion Designer

2011-09-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a crazy day! OMG! I was out of the House on a freakin' Sunday at 8 am in the morning. I blasted my Ipod on my way to my meeting to help wake myself up! "Moves like Jagger" is my Jam right now! It kind of worked. I was meeting with my technical designer Jackie, aka the rock. We had a miscommunication so I sat there for an hour catching up on Facebook, people watching (and there are some interesting people at starbucks on an early Sunday Morning) and working on my to do list for FASHION! A guy politely asked if he could sit with me but I had to reject him since I was meeting with someone and the seat was taking. He looked at me as if I was a Liar...

The Rock finally arrived and we got to business, catching up, venting a little and then brainstorming. Guess what we decided?!? Some great news. Rae Rae will be born soon. This is our new line. I don't want to spill the beans too soon, but it is a much needed line for Colorado, the Fashion House of Rae Marie and our Customer. We are super excited. We also finalized the Designs for our newest collection and came up with a plan to move the Fashion House of Rae Marie forward. Our biggest objectives, to make a more affordable sister line, to make money and to hopefully be able to support ourselves as designers. I take a sip of my Cinnamon Dolce Latte and Dream. Man it would be so great to make a living off of just designing! One day soon...

Next it was off to a great meeting with one of My models who got engaged to the love of her life! I am so Happy for her. We discussed details for the Large Bridal Party and I showed some preliminary sketches. The first meeting is always the most nerve wracking... you never know what they are going to say. But luckily my Bride had a clear direction and we established some silhouettes and the color scheme, which is gorgeous by the way! Now the fun part begins. I have to start finding the fabrics, sketch finalized gowns for her brides maids, maids of honors and Mom and customize them to individual body types. This is why I love my job. I get to work with so many different body types and personalities. I left Starbucks number 2 feeling very optimistic.

Next I was off to the Studio. A very cute and fun yet professional salon off of 11th and Bannock. I was there for the Model Casting for the Colorado Fashion Week. I walked in and was quite shocked, in a great way! There were tall, beautiful models everywhere... there were around 30-40 new faces! It was great! I met the stylist for the show as well as the beauty expert. Both were friendly and professional. The Model training was intense but I definitely saw improvement in the short 3 hour rehearsal. It was grueling to pick which girls to snag, I ended up with about half of my show casted, but I am hopeful for the next casting!

On top of all that, no one mentioned I was going to have to do a video interview and pictures! I was dressed, not to impress. My hair in a messy bun, my jeans, tank and sweater and my comfy sandals. I was a hott mess! I had to suck it up and act comfortable in front of the camera, but inside of my head I was like OMG, Can I at least put some lip gloss on?!?

Next, I finally got to go home and do some Homework... or maybe not... I am a slight procrastinator. I kind of would rather watch Keeping up with the Kardashians... my not so secret anymore guilty pleasure... But I just had to watch Kris propose to Kim... MAGICAL! Well at least for the moment. Until Next Time... Keep following your Dreams!

And For those of you that don't know me, I work another job to support my dreams. I am also a grad student reinforcing my skills with a fashion MFA. I work at a Law office, which is awesome, but not what I want to do. I am writing these blog articles to show you a day in the life of a Designer in Colorado. I hope you will follow me on my journey to become a top Fashion Designer, as I start with nothing but my dreams, a few dollars, a Rock and creativity! Wish me luck! Here I go...

Fashion House of Rae Marie Fall 2012 RTW Collection

2011-08-11T09:55:00.001-07:00

For this collection we created the modern wardrobe for the stunning and enchanting Ava Gardner whose tumultuous marriages and sultry siren looks deem her as the ultimate sex symbol and bad girl of Hollywood. Never shy with her curves or sensuality she started her career at the birth of Rock and Roll. Our collection showcases modern Gardner influenced by Rock and Roll, Glamour, sophistication and femininity all in the current Day Hollywood. Starring in 50+ films through out her career, she was a huge celebrity and married to top men such as Mickey Rooney and Frank Sinatra. We had two disting silhouettes and played with pleather, beadwork, stripes, prints and metallics. Our Color scheme was purpls, pinks/corals, black, white, grey and Metallic. We really focused on color blocking and cutouts. It was a sophisticated way of playing with color and fabric!

vitaminwater® uncapped LIVE: denverJULY 21st-24th

2011-07-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

what: vitaminwater® presents vitaminwater uncapped LIVE - a custom created gathering space for brand fans and friends that gives denver a unique opportunity to experience emerging music, art, fashion, and street culture

when: from thursday july 21st until sunday july 24th check www.vitaminwater.com/denver and the vitaminwater denver Facebook® event page for updated event listings and schedules (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=239938986032618)

where: space gallery765 santa fe drivedenver, co 80204 background: vitaminwater is giving consumers a chance to experience some of the new voices of denver, all brought together in one place. programming will feature local music and entertainment in addition to a variety of fashion, graffiti art and action sports related events.

partners: ktcl 93.3 fm colorado music buzz magazine snowboard-colorado magazine booth 66 spy sunglasses

artists: chasing rainbows so-gnar llc munro masterpiece gayngs dj mu$a double // shadow dj rockstar aaron take to the oars the foodchain regret night t-shirts 4 tomorrow be brave one too many from the top breakdancing crew fashion house of rae marie equillibrium yellow designs stunt team contacts:danielle dubois, press – vitaminwater, 718-746-0087x305, ddubois@coca-cola.com jennifer newman district marketing manager – vitaminwater, 214-288-8320, jennewman@coca-cola.com

Maxed out

2011-06-30T10:35:00.000-07:00

By Hannah Linder

I remember cringing the first time I saw maxi dresses hit the shelves a couple of years ago. I mean, let’s be honest, a floral length dress, typically in a heinous floral print sends my mind straight to the thought of an 80-year-old grandmother in Southern Florida. I watched as girls attempted to hop on the trend train but missed the boarding call by minutes or hours.

And as the maxi dress came and went throughout the past couple years, it has taken it’s place on this springs fashion platform and can be seen displayed in just about every store window. I spent the last few months with my nose held high in the air, ignoring the trend whichever way I turned and sticking to my higher hemline summer wardrobe.

But after a long day shopping adventure and an extremely persistent salesperson, I gave in and tried on one of the overwhelming monstrosities. At no surprise, the first attempt at the maxi dress was just as I expected – terrible and reminiscent of my grandmother. The salesperson urged me to not give up on the lengthy trend and brought me a handful of other options, varying in cut, fabric type and volume. It took about 25 attempts but I finally found a maxi dress that I couldn’t dare leave the store without. This beautiful Winter Kate silk, mixed floral print dress had me sold on the trend and left me with a desire to find another.
Maxi dresses, just like any other trend, can play out several different ways based on the consumer body type and style. And while some trends tend to merely appeal to one style sector, the maxi dress adapts to each style aesthetic like a true chameleon, appealing to the boho chic, the girly girl, and the punk rock princess. With each adaptation comes an alteration in silhouette, fabric type and amount of volume. And while the number of combinations seems endless, along with the search for the perfect combination, the end purchase is well worth the search and frustration.

I decided to pull together a few of my favorite maxi looks that can take a girl anywhere from a casual Sunday afternoon brunch to a nerve-wracking first date with the guy who just moved in next door.

First Date

http://www.polyvore.com/evening_maxi_look/set?id=33010449
Work Friendly

http://www.polyvore.com/work_maxi_look/set?id=33254844

Saturday Night Concert with the Girls

http://www.polyvore.com/striped_maxi_skirt/set?id=33011879

Sunday Brunch

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=33255338

If you are a skeptic like I was, I challenge you to go out and find a maxi that will work for you. And if you are a maxi fiend, I am sorry my initial doubt. Either way, show us how you wear your maxi and what works best for your style and body type.

Meet the lovely Corina

2011-06-28T08:17:00.000-07:00

The Fashion House of Rae Marie teamed up with the beautiful and talented Corina for an amazing Rock and Sexy photo shoot! We wanted to show our followers where we were taking the collection for fall. Corina has all the magical ingredients to be a Rae Marie Model. She is sassy, vibrant, unique and sultry. And I love love love her freckels! She is also a sweet heart and that is important. No person wants to be stuck behind the scenes for hours with a DIVA! And she is no DIVA atleast not in a bad way! All Photos shot by James Morales of The James Studio!!! He has a Raw Artist Exhibit at the Jet Hotel Thursday July 7th starting at 8pm! I will definitely be ther hope you will too!

WE Love Corina! And I hope you love her too!!

XOXO Rae Marie

The Contrast of Fashion Industry Style

2011-06-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

Now it is time to meet Dylan. He is our newest assistant and wea re excited to have a male's perspective on the fashion industry! He also has a quirky sense of humor, a fantastic british accent and Australian accent and has fabulous hair! We are still thinking of a nickname for him, but we have a few in the running! So please read Dylan's Blog: The Contrast of Fashion Industry Style!

XOXO Rae Marie

The Contrast of Fashion Industry Style

By Dylan Curt

Consistently striving to remain unique and in a category of my own, in regard to more than just style, I have always had a fascination with company’s that are founded and maintained on these distinctive principles. Out of the box ideals are probably a more appropriate way of accurately describing this niche taste. For me abstract thinking goes beyond the pattern pieces drafted on the table, the silhouette draped over a mannequin or choice of seductive, opulent fabric. What is most intriguing lies in the inspiration, influence and drive behind the creation of the garment, the mitigating factors that these designers and companies use as original influence in creating their masterpieces.

The difference between each niche market in the fashion industry has been captivating since I began my journey into this discipline. Each entity operates in a well thought out and systematic manner that is tailored to their company’s specific needs, all eventually contr ibuting to the continual evolution of fashion design. Fashion houses in Paris, New York or L.A., create lavish gowns and sexy, cutting edge pieces that are symbolic and often considered art. Creative workshops affiliated with action sports positioned all over the world’s mountains, lakes, streets and coastlines create unique, detail oriented performance gear to withstand the daily tasks of their team athletes.

As you could imagine the inner workings of the action sports industry are far more relaxed and placid than the allure provided by many New York or L.A. fashion houses. Though, high fashion and sports fashion are both equally important to evolution, the garments that are produced in these two disciplines are unique and creative in their own way. A new pair of board shorts or new snow jacket puts me in an exciting giddy mood, knowing I will find some new technology, a nicer fit, a more resilient durability or convenient storage.

What initially sparked my interest and influenced my plunge into design was the disdain I felt for a day to day men’s wear. Shortly after my initial interest in fashion, I quickly caught a new influence with my first purchase of a pair of highly technical outerwear gear from 686, similar to the Smarty jacket above. After purchasing a new piece of clothing, my favorite part is immediately turning it inside out and examining the seams of construction and all of the features that they provide. This pair of snowboard pants presented so many unusual characteristics that fascinated me then and today still fuels my burning desire to learn as much about the construction of these garments and how to implement their details and functionality into others.

Toby Bost is a 40 year old executive that maintains his sanity and balances his work and recreational activities by melding the two together. As the CEO of the La Jolla Group which controls the brands O’Neill and Rusty it makes it easy for Bost t o enjoy a variety of sports while he tests the gear that LJG produces. Many of the LJG employees are also involved in some type of sport or group within the company such as mountain biking, running club, company sponsored surf and beach days as well as employees who skate the halls, a common method of transferring notes and memo’s between departments. LJG group as well as various other companies within the industry are equipped with skate ramps, full gym’s, basketball courts, race tracks and even private lakes like one owned by Hyperlite Wakeboard Mfg in Washington. These all provide employees with enjoyment as well as serve as a testing ground for team athletes. The outerwear brand Patagonia even offers a get out of free jail bailout if an employee is arrested during a protest or measure for good cause deemed by the company. For those lucky enough to be established along the coast, or in the mountains, surf or lift chair breaks are not uncommon at an extended lunch and are often invited.

The methodologies of management in action sports companies is unconventional compared to most others in the apparel industry. The excitement of each day holding different tasks and adventures, the relaxed dressed down atmosphere and inspiration of many kinds, all within arms reach or the push of a skate are what make the action sports industry unique and progressive. These unique characteris tics and unconventional business methods are what set the action sports industry apart and fuel the progression for their designs. However it is important not to forget without a balance it is tough to achieve a healthy progression, which is why high fashion houses are not presumed pretentious or unrelated as each organism helps to push the boundaries of betterment for fashion as a whole.

For the Love of Stripes

2011-06-09T14:47:00.000-07:00

Today, Meet Tyne Hall! Tyne is another Assistant of mine that was here last summer and fall. She is super artistic and I always find it amazing to see her passion for art and fashion combine! Today she is talking about one of her favorite trends and showing you how she has applied it to her latest collection! Hope you likey!

XOXO Rae Marie

For the Love of Stripes

by Tyne Hall

I’m mad about stripes. I love striped jewelry, striped walls, striped pillows, and of course striped fashion. Just thinking about them drives me wild, so hearing that stripes were one of the latest trends was music to my ears. Finally, a trend that can actually become a staple piece in your wardrobe. There’s nothing worse than taking a trip to the mall to get your hands on the latest fashion trend, only to find that in the next month’s issue of Elle your recent buy should be tucked away deep in your closet-boho chic anyone? The stripe, however, is a timeless pattern that never really goes out of style. It’s versatile and multifaceted. You can mix it with other patterns to create interest or pair it with a solid for a bold punch. Stripes can be edgy (perfect for your inner bad ass) or feminine and soft. The possibilities are endless. So where does my love story with stripes begin? I guess you could say it began in a fabric store, where I found a bolt of a cream and black striped silk. It was love at first sight. I grabbed the bolt and bought 5 yards of the stuff. It was the first pattern fabric I ever used in a collection. I loved how it added a bold and edgy quality while still keeping to my love of sophistication and classic style.

Pieces From Tyne Hall's Collection

From then on I couldn’t get enough of ‘em. I looked for striped inspiration everywhere. My favorite piece was a black and white striped jumpsuit worn by rock legend Steven Tyler in the 70s. What may be perhaps my absolute favorite striped collection on the spring 2011 runways was the Prada collection. This collection was full of bold color and really highlighted the classic nature of the stripe. The beautiful striped fur stoles-I’m in love with the black and white striped ones-were perfect accents to the collection. What I love most about the reemergence of the stripe is that anyone can take the pattern and personalize it. My favorite approach to stripes is paired with a solid for an unexpected bold punch. How do you do stripes?

Stale, Stolen or Status Symbol?

2011-06-08T15:28:00.001-07:00

Man, A lot has happened since we last blogged... so a brief overview is definitely in store! WE have a new Studio Space on 3501 Wazee Denver CO 80216! Come and visit us this Saturday June 11th for Open Studio and Fashion Show at 4pm!

We also got Hannah and Tyne back and are introducing the newbie Dylan! It is going to be a fun some. So today, Hannah will be writting a major blog on the talented and amazing Marc Jacobs! A favorite designer of mine. Hannah interned for me last summer and after all of that has decided to come back to Denver to work. She is so talented and brings a feminine yet creative eye to the group! I love her, and I know you all will too! So here is Hannah's Article: Stale, Stolen or Status Symbol?

XOXO Rae Marie

Stale, Stolen or Status Symbol?

By Hannah

Every fashionista can describe the experience that surrounds buying their first high-end designer piece that kick-started their addiction, obsession and love for the fashion industry. For me, it was my 16th birthday. With my new driver’s license in hand, blinded by excitement and confidence, my mother and I headed to the Cherry Creek Shopping Center for our annual all-day shopping extravaganza. Every year we would go shopping from store to store, trying on outlandish outfits, finding items we just couldn’t live without, and being hyper critical of the outfit choices of those around us. But as the day would progress, my anticipation would grow. We would always save Nordstroms as our last shopping destination, knowing we would leave happy, fulfilled and inspired as we ended our yearly adventure.

We went about our day that year, buying clothing and shoes as we went along, but at our final stop my mother started to hint that maybe I needed a new bag to carry the glorified piece of laminated plastic that I had recently acquired. I guess my not-so-subtle hints of my desire for Marc Jacobs “Alfred” bag in Nutmeg had finally sunk in. But then again, how subtle is printing out a giant picture, outlining all of the bag details along with locations to purchase, and strategically placing it among her work possessions with “MY BIRTHDAY WISHLIST” in big red letters across the top. Nevertheless, my seemingly ‘sneaky’ plan had worked.

As we entered the purse section, I tried to contain myself, looking nonchalantly at different bags and designers, but somehow stumbling upon the Marc Jacobs section and frantically looking for “the one”. I didn’t see it anywhere. Panic set it. Just when I was about to turn around, call for my mother and start to complain, there she was, holding the pristine Nordstroms box that was wrapped up and beautifully tied with a white bow. She handed me the box silently and I proceeded to slowly untie the bow, opened the lid slowly, I closed my eyes and sent up a little prayer hoping it would be “the one”. Once the lid was off, I opened my eyes and there it was in all of its luxurious leather, heavy metal chain glory.

It is moments like this that define our first interaction with the quality, luxury and exclusivity that come with designer items, which then in turn create a certain sentimental attachment to a particular designer, mine being Marc Jacobs. With this attachment, it can only be obvious that I have specific feelings and opinions towards the recent New York Times article done on Marc Jacobs, entitled “The Survivor”, and I am not the only one.

After the article was released, fashion editors, bloggers and avid followers were all in a tizzy about the degrading article presented. Twitter was in an uproar as some of my favorite style icons and magazine editors put the New York Times on blast for the words and attitude that oozed from the article.

Starting off with subtle criticisms and slowly snowballing into outright jabs on the designer and his talent the author did not skimp on ensuring his personal thoughts set the tone.

Marc Jacobs has received a plethora of awards – the Chevalier of French Legion of Honor, nine Council of Fashion Designers of America (C.F.D.A.), including women’s wear Designer of the Year and recently the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. While most designers would be ecstatic to receive such an award, Jacobs finds it to be a bit uncomforting, saying, “It should have been a half-lifetime award…that seems very final, like I’m done. But I’m not”. (La Ferla, R. (2011, June 2). The Survivor. New York Times, E1.) Regardless of Jacobs’ opinion on being awarded, it goes without saying that as a designer he must be doing something right.

The New York Times brought in a few credible and not-so-credible critics of Jacobs design ability, ranging from Andre Leon Talley, Vogue’s editor at large and Eric Gaskin, a known fashion blogger. With each man having their varying opinions of the designer, there was still this underlying doubt of Jacobs credibility, talent and originality that festers under the surface of the article.

The author, Ruth La Ferla, takes a harsh stab at Jacobs midway through the article claiming that Marc Jacobs has not established a “signature look” and from this point forward the article seems more fitting to be “The Roast of Marc Jacobs” opposed to a look at the obstacles the designer has overcome.

I paused when I came across the line that insinuated that Jacobs was merely a copycat and trend following aficionado. I began to look back at some fashion’s most established design houses – Prada, Fendi, Balmain, and Dior just to name a few. Comparing the design aesthetic of these companies during their first 25 years to the aesthetic that they currently are displaying it is like night and day. Considering that Jacobs has only been showing since 1985 it makes it hard to believe that he should have already established a “signature look” that could even begin to be compared with the fashion giants like Chanel, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, which are notorious for their chic, simple aesthetic.

It may be true Marc Jacobs has yet to establish a “signature look”, however he has created an attitude aesthetic that embodies the type of clothing and style that his “signature girl” embraces with eagerness, which is evident by his celebrity and socialite packed tents at New York Fashion Week. But beyond his clothing, Jacobs hair and makeup are continually at the forefront, inspiring artists, celebrities and everyday women. Jacobs lack of a “signature look” allows him to grow and develop as a newer designer and even pushes more established fashion houses to step outside of their predictable aesthetic and incorporate new concepts. I mean, Louis Vuitton brought him in to completely re-vamp the brand. Obviously the man is on to something.

Maybe I just have a soft spot for Marc Jacobs since it was the first luxury fashion item that came into my possession, but all sentiment aside, fashion is an industry that can change in a matter of hours and Marc Jacobs is a designer that embraces that opportunity, while others hang out in the safe zone. Regardless of Jacobs’ struggles with addiction and lifestyle choices, the designer has established himself as a household name in the fashion industry in a relatively small amount of time. This article presents Jacobs as a survivor in a way that suggests his success is merely luck that is emphasized with smoke and mirrors. But in reality, his dedication to his work, his triumph over obstacles and criticism, and his never ending persistence have lead to his continual success and characterizes Marc Jacobs as a survivor.

Photos Courtesy of the Internet.

Petite Models Photo SHoot!

2011-04-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

On April 10th the Fashion House of Rae Marie Did an Amazing Water Photo Shoot with our Petite Models in honor of starting a petite Collection coming soon! The Lovely Models: Melissa Weintraub, Niki Xiong, Natasha Ayala, Calandra Hicks, Marya Myszczynski, Nancy Garcia and Jennifer Ayala, were all soaked in water from head to toe and they were freezing! I felt bad but the job had to be done. The pictures came out beautiful and ended with a group hug...I guess they got their revenge on me. The Photographer was the Amazing James Morales with The James Studio. Makeup and Hair was done by the talented Paige Kistner and well Wardrobe was done by me! The Hair Concept was a wet look but it was styled Semi-dry like Blake Lively's Hair Below

The Make-up was a dewey wet look with running mascara similar to below.

The Photoshoot went really well! Nice Job Little Ladies!

Who will take over at DIOR?

2011-04-20T10:18:00.000-07:00

The House of Dior is well known for their injection of romantic and lady like clothing that can at times be dramatic, vibrant, fun and a bit whimsical. A lot of this was due to Their Creative Director John Galliano who was quite a character himself. But with his recent Scandal, LMVH has decided to take on a new creative director. Now this may be old news to many people, the whole scandal and all, but the list was just released on who the potential replacement will be for the recently fired John Galliano. And although his behavior cannot be condoned, it is sadden to see a legend fall so far from grace. But anyways, the list is out and the prospectives are some of the top designers in the world! The biggest question is which one will they go with?
The List of Prospectives:

Riccardo Tisci

Creative Director of Givenchy and A fantastic choice, His work is known for the beautiful details he puts into his garments and simple elegance that they evoke. Sometimes his clothing comes off a little dark but that element of his designs is quite lovely, it could give the House of Dior a slight edge and make the house more modern. Biggest question here is who will run the house of Givenchy?

Tom FordAnother Amazing Choice. Not only is he kind a bit of a heartthrob and a rebel, he is also well known as the Gucci Savior! Yes folks, he revamped Gucci and made it into a leader in the fashion world and now has done the same for his own clothing line which is spectacular as well. He would add a sex appeal that Dior is lacking, not that Dior isn’t sexy in a lady like way, but Tom Ford is walking Sex! Biggest question here is will he have the time to also take on another huge Fashion House? Time will only tell!

Hedi Slimane

Maybe not as well known as the previous two designers but still a talented one at that. He has already worked for Dior and tried to leave LVMH but was offered a sponsorship to start his own collection as an attempt to keep him. Now he may become the Creative Director For Dior! That would be a great way to keep it in the family! What he would add to Dior is an Avant Garde Feel. He has a very unique perspective and is one of those visionary political artists. The Biggest Question is will he be ready for a job like the House of Dior?

Olivier Theyskens

Former Artistic Director of Nina Ricci, he is a designer of couture. Known for drama and statement pieces, he could make an interesting transition into the House of Dior. And he actually almost kind of looks like John Galliano if you squint with one eye… The Biggest Questions here is He just launched Theory or is going to and would he have time for both labels?

Nicholas Ghesquière

Another worthy fashion Genius and creative director for Balenciaga. He is known for Avant Garde and out there fashion. Many stars have worn his pieces and he definitely is a creative genius. He would bring another artistic eye to the House of Dior and provide the client with more hard and edgy pieces that would mix with some of the lady like soft and delegate pieces of Dior. It would be an interesting combination. The biggest question here… what about Balenciaga? They are practically connected at the hip.

Alber Elbaz

Talk about yet another fashion genius, once groomed to be creative Director of YSL, but is instead designer for Lanvin, he is immensely talented. Not to say that the others are not, but He just has a way with ruffles that is almost magical. He would bring a structured softness to the collection and would be a great character for the House. The Biggest Questions is the same as before… What about Lanvin?

Haider Ackermann

Launching his own line in 2001, this designer knows what work hard and hard work means. His line has been extremely successful. He definitely has a darker aesthetic that is both chic and sexy. He could revamp the Dior Label and make it more modern and avant garde and appealing to a younger client. But he is still trying to make his baby a power house, so will he be able to handle both?

Prabal Gurung Don’t let this young designer fool you, he is determined and driven which is proven through his 2009 launch of his own collection and him doing well in the given economy. He can offer a young hip and cool feel to the House of Dior which could allow for a different more youthful clientele. Biggest question here… Who needs who more?

Sarah Burton An Amazing Designer who took over for Alexander McQueen after his tragic death. She has done a good job trying to fill in the shoes of a legend. Although her designs are more wearable than daring, she has found a great balance for the house. She would add a unique drama that is more artistic and not so much romantic. The biggest Question here is McQueen or Dior?

Now there is no question that these talented designers couldn't handle more than one fashion label, it is just that many of them work for Fashion Houses already and thus a choice would be inevitable. Well, one thing is for sure, the person making the decision has a tough one to make. Each designer would have such a great voice at the House of Dior that it just depends on the direction Dior wants to take the house in. The thought of someone young in the mix with a newer perspective may be nice, but at the same time, that is a lot of weight for someone who is new to the industry to carry. Only time will tell…

Fashion Film... Our New Obsession!

2011-04-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

Wow, where has April gone! Things have been so busy here at the Fashion House of Rae Marie! We are getting ready to open our new studio and you are all invited to come! We will have fliers with more details so look out for those! Todays Blog is brought to you by our lovely Marya M about our new obsession... Fashion Films! Please enjoy!

XxOoXxOo

Rae Marie

Fashion Film... Our New Obsession!

By Marya M

I have a new love, and that love is fashion film. My obsession started after I stumbled across the short film “The Show” directed by Mike Figgis starring Lanvin for H&M. The film takes us into the mind of Lanvin’s artistic director Alber Elbaz as he drifts into a dreamlike state while working on the new collection. As we seep further into the world of Lanvin we find ourselves in the middle of the mayhem behind the socialites, adulteresses, male callers, hotel staff and other fascinating individuals all set in an upscale hotel. Not only do I love the fabulous characters and mysterious plotlines but also I feel like this campaign is effective on so many levels. A film can reach people on a different level using movement, visuals and sound to sweep audiences into the world of the brand. In this particular film it is the world of Lanvin and I want nothing else than to be a part of it. “The Show” has a perfect mix of colorful visuals, a very clever sound track, intriguing characters, styling that screams chic, and most importantly makes me want to buy every dress, accessory and shoe in the film.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NqxL4uwqHE(“The Show” short film)

(photo from the Lanvin print/online campaign)

Lanvin artistic director Alber Elbaz describes the meaning behind this particular concept focusing on the yellow dresses. He says, “The logo that we have at Lanvin is the mother and the daughter, the two generations, which is also something we pushed here to be more democratic with the people that will be wearing the clothes. That is why I love the idea of the grandmother, the mother and the daughter all wearing the same dresses.”

(another photo from the Lanvin print/online campaign)

What I love even more about this campaign is that there is so much room for growth. The characters from the film translated perfectly into a print and online campaign and were easily brought onto the runway in this New York fashion show all while keeping inline with the delightful (almost scandalous) feeling behind the film. Overall the Lanvin for H&M campaign was one of the most solid concepts I have seen in a long time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fygm809PJdw(New York fashion show)

Watch the Movie and tell us what you think!!

Inspiration For Collection

2011-03-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

So I have walked you through a part of the newest collection with the Aquarium. I know I still need to post those pictures, but I cannot find the cord that hooks my camera up to my mac...! Once I do, I will definitely share them with you. But for now, I want to show you some more inspirational photos for this collection! It started off with sea life and water and now it is becoming a little alien-esque and a little exotic. So almost a fantasy!

Something about the architecture and columns really speaks to me. The intricate carvings on each colum is so ancient yet so modern. Love the play on illusions with this space. The shapes and lines are really interesting.

I am intrigued with reflections and how they are opposites.

This is just really cool!

Love the white with the hints of neon lime green!

Again, This is just a really cool peice of architecture!

Looks like Star Trek meets Star Wars...

Love this and how the water helps to create the garment. It has a magical sort of feel to it!

This had a fantastic effect to it and shows how the garments inspired by water should move.

This is just crazy. Water Goddess...Octopus... Alien Chick say what!! I love this picture!

Sensuality and fluidity all in one drawing. It is sexy and captivating but leaves some to the imagination!

Follow my blog to see how all of this inspiration comes together into one amazing collection!!

XxOoXxOo

Rae Marie
All of these pictures were found on the internet through google

I Need More GOSSIP

2011-03-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

I am a Gossip Girl Junkie! There I said it, Duh! I am going through withdrawal. It is my one guilty pleasure that I can partake in and there are no new episodes until APRIL! OMG... what to do until then? I tried watching Glee but no offense it just doesn't work for me. The clothes are horrible and Its not in New York... I guess I find myself fantasizing about New York, The City that never sleeps and is full of sex and scandals. Now that is a high school show! I mean I want fantasy and action, if you know what I am saying. I don't want songs and dance... I just want Fashion and Gossip. And so as I sit here in withdrawal, I would love to share some of my favorite Faship (Fashion+Gossip).

Now I have admitted one of my dirty little secrets... what's yours?

A little Inspiration goes a long way...

2011-03-09T13:41:00.000-08:00

So facing the spring a lot sooner than usual, My Spring collection is going to be a little more girly with a touch of spice. It is a departure from my usual sexy injected aesthetic but I wanted to make something a little different. Please do not get it twisted though (lol) there will still be some edge. Rae Marie will always be Sexy...Edgy...Chic.
I am going to the ocean for this collection. I was super inspired by a trip to the aquarium with my cuter than ever little brother Ghavin who is 3. He is such a ball of energy and wanted to show me everything until he had to go potty and then we were practically running him to the bathroom! You would think they would put more bathrooms in that place!

I just love how peaceful and serene it is yet so full of life and chaos. It really is a magical place down there. I often wish I were a mermaid of the sea. They are so enchanting and ethereal like goddesses...

Here are some pictures of inspiration for the collection. I will post more from the aquarium (or querum as Ghavin calls it lol) Next time.

Stay tune for more images, sketches and pieces of my newest collection... Or you can just follow my blog. Please feel free to suggest what my next collection should be inspired by...

Meet Rae Marie Model Kaitlyn Amick

2011-03-03T10:28:00.000-08:00

by Kristen Thawley

Kaitlyn Amick is one of the faces of the Fashion House of Rae Marie. She is a fierce and badass girl on and off the runway, who is always embodying the Rae Marie motto- sexy...edgy...chic.

Kaitlyn started modeling in her childhood , but it wasn’t until later that things got serious when she was scouted during a trip to Los Angeles, and joined a Utah agency shortly after. She began modeling for FHRM in January of last year, during an Alice and Wonderland all grown up photo shoot, and has remained a staple member of the Rae Marie team ever since!

Kaitlyn loves modeling for FHRM because she knows she doesn’t have to hold back anything- she can be as fierce and intense as she wants, and can always pull it off in the brands clothes, which are equally as fabulous. She admits that when she gets really into a runway show or photo shoot, her alter ego is released, and she works it. She embodies the Rae Marie aesthetic because the clothing is designed for a woman who is powerful, independent and confident, and that is what she wants people to see in her.

Even when not modeling, she stays true to the brand, and personally believes that not being a girl who fishes for compliments or complains about how she looks, creates a confident and fierce persona. In her own words, “People don’t want to have to convince you of your greatness, so don’t make them.” Well said! Not only does Kaitlyn model for the brand, but starting in September of last year, she began interning as well to get a behind the scenes experience in the industry and learn about all aspects of fashion.

She is hoping to learn more about what goes into shows and shoots, and believes that interning and modeling will complement each other and give her a better understanding of how she should model depending on the show or shoot. Her favorite shoot with FHRM is her latest shoot with the James Studio for Rae’s upcoming look book. Her favorite show she has done so far is the Red Ball, a benefit that raised money for AIDS research here in Denver, which was hosted by Project Runway’s Mondo Guerra. As Kaitlyn said, “That show felt so good, I could tell that the people were there for fashion. It was a crowd willing to pay 30 bucks to see FASHION, who appreciated the show, models, and designs. I also killed it on the runway!” Check out a picture from the runway of this show: Here is what Kaitlyn had to say during her Rae Marie Interview:

KT: Who is most influential to you and who is your inspiration?
KA: For inspiration for modeling, Coco Rocha is huge for me, she’s spectacular. Straight inspiration is getting past myself and my doubts and fears of going out and actually doing it. I think that one has to be inspired first by others, and then by themselves, otherwise it just becomes getting compliments.

COCO ROCHA (Image found on the Internet)
KT: What are some of your current hobbies or favorite things?
KA: Right now I love dubstep, and am learning how to DJ (slowly but surely) and surround myself with fashion.
KT: Describe your personal style.
KA: My personal style is eclectic a bit, I like to mix different styles; I have a bit of boho to me, a lot of urban, and some chic to me as well. My favorite everyday outfit is a cool t-shirt with skinny jeans and boots or platforms.
KT: What is your favorite Rae Marie piece you have worn?
KA: Hmmm… I have a few. One is the brown and purple print dress. I love it so much and want to wear it every night. The other is her white tuxedo outfit with the train. It’s so fierce.
KT: How did you get into teaching runway classes and what is your favorite part about doing it?
KA: Well, I met up with Dress to Thrill because of a FHRM show at Tamarac Square and then kind of helped out the girls at the show. After, Richard Bemis, the owner, asked if I’d be interested in teaching a General Networking Class, Model Posing Class and Runway Class. My favorite part is watching the transformation in the girls I teach. There’s always a moment where it all just clicks and they change and get a surge of confidence and adrenaline. I love that moment.
KT: On that note, do you have any advice for people who want to model or are new to modeling?
KA: Be realistic about what modeling would suit you, research, study and practice. Classes are super helpful as well.
KT: Where would you ideally like to be in the near future? Do you want to continue with modeling?
KA: I want to be modeling still, teaching modeling classes if I can, and being in a fashion capital if possible.

Racap of the Oscars Best and Worst Dressed Nominees

2011-03-02T07:37:00.000-08:00

So as everyone in the fashion word knows, the Oscars were this last Sunday. Much debate is out about whether Anne and James (Our youthful host and hostess) were cute and a breath of fresh air or whether they were a complete let down and a bore. Although my bet is with the later of the options, they did make a darling couple on stage even though they their acting was a bit contrived at time. Anne took it a little to far with the cutesy stuff, I had wanted her to be more like her characters that she portrayed, nerdy but still cool and James, although cute, was a little awkward…
But lets get to the important stuff… who wore what and how they wore it!
I must say that this time I had some major likes, some major dislikes but as a whole I was disappointed. Stars were too laid back, I wanted more pow, more pump , more va va voom and it was a little lack luster in my opinion. You don’t have to pull a Lady Gaga, but some Cinderella moments or something would have been nice. I guess my idea of the Red Carpet is supposed to be magical and dazzling. This is the perfect time for people to make an entrance! Oh well, maybe next year!

And the Nominees for Best Dressed are….

Camila Alves, in Kaufman Franco, with Matthew McConaughey, in Dolce & Gabbana.
Talk about a picturesque couple. True, they did black, but they did it well. I love how they go together but still work well alone. Neither one of them are the others accessory!

Michelle Williams, in Chanel Haute Couture, with Harry Winston jewels.
She looked stunning. This is how I want her to look. I love the color and the sheerness. The dress hugs her in the right spots and shows the world that she has a great body. Her hair in the shorter look is so flattering on her as well!

Halle Berry, in Marchesa, with Neil Lane jewels.
Big step up from the cat woman dress… I love this dress, I think she looks like Halle Berry. I just wish we couldn’t see the shoe…

Cate Blanchett, in Givenchy Haute Couture, with Van Cleef & Arpels jewels.
I love this dress, It is a walking piece of art work! It is so beautiful, the only problem is we kind of forget about Cate…

Gwyneth Paltrow, in Calvin Klein Collection, with Louis Vuitton jewels.
Now, I like this dress and think it looks fantastic on Gwyneth, but I don’t really see it on anyone else. So I wonder if it is her that makes this dress so special, and there is nothing wrong with that. The only problem I have with this dress is the bottom.

Hilary Swank, in Gucci Premiere, with Anna Hu jewels and a Roger Vivier clutch.
I really love the dress, it is such a moment. But I am not sure that I Love her in it…

Reese Witherspoon, in Armani Privé, with Neil Lane jewels.
Classic, elegant and timeless. She couldn’t have gone wrong if she tried to! I thought she looked like such a lady!

Hailee Steinfeld, in Marchesa, with Salvatore Ferragamo shoes and clutch.
She is such a beautiful girl and this dress was so fresh, young and fun. I loved it on her and I love Her!

And the Winner is….
Mila Kunis, in Elie Saab Couture, with Neil Lane jewels.
She just looked so stunning to me. The color was so different and the mix of lace and sheerness, she looked like a Goddess! I would love to dress her some time!

The nominees for Worst dress are…

Melissa Leo, in Marc Bouwer, with Jay Carlile for Forevermark jewels.
No comment because I don’t even know what she was thinking with this dress…!?

Keith Urban with Nicole Kidman, in Dior Haute Couture, with Pierre Hardy shoes.
I get the point behind this dress and usually love Dior, I just think it wasn’t flattering on her and just didn’t fit her right. Maybe if it was more form fitting to the body…?

Sharon Stone, in Dior.
Another Dior gone wrong, Man they just aren’t having any luck this month! And Sharon… So Bad!

Mandy Moore, in Monique Lhuillier, with Harry Winston jewels.
I don’t know what to do with Mandy Moore, I use to love her! I like this dress, It is just off for me on her. It doesn’t look right and the hair and make-up are not working for me on her… Maybe if Mandy Moore and Hilary Swank switched dresses it would be better?

Virginia Madsen, in Romona Keveza.
I actually love this dress, I hate her styling. I think that this dress should be on someone fresher and younger with a sleek and sexy pony tail and it would be perfection.

And the winner is….
Marisa Tomei, in vintage Charles James from Lily et Cie couture, with Van Cleef & Arpels jewels and a Kotur clutch.
Ok, maybe this dress was a dress that you had to see in person, but it was just too much dress, and I do not like the styling at all! New dress and new girl!!

Who was your worst pick?
XxOoXxOo Rae Marie

The Fundamentals of Fashion...

2011-03-01T07:10:00.000-08:00

In order to have that fantastically put together Fashion Ensemble, you have to think about the foundation! The perfect Lingerie to go underneath or to wear on its own. Either way, Lingerie should be a staple in every womens closet! Marya has a passion for Lingerie and hopes to one day start a lingerie Line, but in the mean time, she shares her passion here on this blog with everyone! Enjoy!
XOXO Rae Marie

The Fundamentals of Fashion...
By Marya M.

Lingerie can be a fun, wild and even controversial topic to bring up. But in the spirit of our newest bondage inspired collection I think its only appropriate to strip down and take a look at some bondage inspired lingerie as well as a few lingerie inspired looks. When I think of bondage I think of constraints, shiny black material, strappy belts, curvaceous corsets, flawless hourglass silhouettes and strappy garter belts. Some of us, including me, are a little faint of heart to go any deeper into the mystery that is bondage but I, being a lingerie fanatic, can appreciate the pure aesthetic of a few bondage elements.

To start talking about sexy bondage inspired lingerie we must mention a designer who has the dark sexy lingerie look down pat- John Paul Gaultier.

John Paul Gaultier is one of my favorite designers due to the fact that he is so inspired by lingerie and bondage. Many of his pieces have some of the bondage elements that I have mentioned before.

http://dreamlandapparel.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2010-Lingerie-Jean-Paul-Gaultier-for-La-Perla-2.jpg

http://i629.photobucket.com/albums/uu19/KOVAS/jean-paul-gaultier-for-la-perla.jpg

I really love the creative use of lines in the material of this set. I also love his innovative take on the bra straps. Its so creative and again very bondage inspired

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00306/96207652_10_306544s.jpg
He has a very recognizable look to his pieces. Choosing to use very neutral color tones but very creative use of lines and materials he creates a look that is sexy chic and mysterious. For example, this nude tone corset and panty set is at first very bare but a closer look you can see the intricate detail in the fabric.

Dolce and Gabbanna is another designer that put a couple bondage/corset inspired looks down the runway this Spring season. Very form fitting dresses with strappy neck lines and geometrical shapes just give off that darker bondage feel.

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/S2011RTW-DGABBANA/#slide=49

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/S2011RTW-DGABBANA/#slide=21

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/S2011RTW-DGABBANA/#slide=64

And I couldn’t write an article about lingerie without talking about one of my favorites Trashy Lingerie (trashy.com). I Just love the Trashy collections. I would almost describe it as costume lingerie. Each collection is based on a character. For example, the new French Quarter collection.

http://www.socialitela.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/78266.jpg

http://www.trashy.com/images/collection/margin_655.jpg
It has a very vintage feel with a Parisian intricacy that is really fun and playful. It’s a much more “girly” take on bondage using the classic corset as its staple.
And to continue on the Parisian feel we have the Marie Antoinette collection.

http://www.trashy.com/modelpics/200x300/40123.jpg

Again it is much more flirty and speaks more to pleasure than pain but none-the-less the bondage culture has its roots within the Parisian society of the past.

Although there is a certain stigma surrounding bondage it has inspired several designers and collections and it has been just as inspiring for the Fashion House of Rae Marie. So please stay tuned for the newest bondage inspired Rae Marie pieces.

Fashion Do’s and Don’ts...

2011-02-28T06:53:00.000-08:00

Wow Guys it has been a while. Sorry about that Month off. My February has been hectic, but now we are back and ready to rock! We have tons of trends, events and photoshoots to discuss. Also if you LOVE The FASHION HOUSE OF RAE MARIE, Make Sure to nominate us for your favorite fashion at the Denver Style Expo. It takes two seconds. Just go to www.denverstyleawards.eventbrite.com register one and copy and paste Fashion House of Rae Marie into the Nominations Best Clothing Design and then submit. IT is that easy! We would greatly appreciate your support.

We come back with an article from Kaitlyn Amick on Fashion Do's and Don'ts. Enjoy!
XOXO Rae Marie

Fashion Do's and Don'ts

by Kaitlyn Amick

I’m back and with some solid Fashion Do’s and Don’ts, pictures included. First and foremost; FHRM and myself is not about bashing on people, FHRM is all about promoting a good body image; you don’t need to be a size 2 to look good, but you can dress for your body type!
Fashion DO; Keep it simple. I’m not saying less is more, people can take that to the extreme and be a little slutty, but STOP adding trend after trend in one outfit. If you have knee high boots just wear leggings and a cute top or something… DON’T put on a glitzy tank top, wear 2 scarves and knee high boots, like this girl did… There ‘s just too much going on.

Or wear some outlandish outfit, that just is confusing to even look at…

A perfect example of Keeping It Simple is…
(Picture of the forever lovely Veronica Glass)

Fashion DON’T; Don’t try too hard. I feel like people become instantly cliché when they choose a style to dress like and then push it as hard as they can.
We get it you’re “hard,” and so rocker chick. I’m okay with being rocker, or being glamorous or being chic, but don’t let your clothes wear you. Have your personality match your style so it looks natural and not look like a lot of work to look so “heroin chic,” like, Taylor Momsen.

I miss this version of her… Now that’s a good amount of edge and sexy in an outfit!

Fashion DO; Dress for your body. Don’t squeeze into your clothes, this goes for EVERYONE, I don’t care what size you are. Muffin tops can happen to anyone, don’t let them happen to you!

Not dressing for your body doesn’t just refer to something as extreme as a muffin top, Remember things as simple as horizontal stripes are hard to pull off and not the most flattering thing to wear sometimes.

But some horizontal stripes done well are (Dress by Rae Marie)...

Another version of stripes but done vertically are an example of a DO (Another dress by Rae Marie) … The ULTIMATE Fashion DO is be yourself. Express yourself through your fashion and if you really think that a trend is you, then wear it!
Fashion Do’s and Don’ts are totally subjective and almost all fashion rules can be broken, but one must KNOW that without a doubt they can pull it off! So don’t be afraid to try new things, put some thought into your clothing choices and stay fabulous and fresh!
We’ll continue these Fashion DO’s and DON’T’s in other blogs, if you have any you’d like to share feel free and email us, comment or post on the page!
Until next time,
<3>

Spring 2011 Couture Trend Reports

2011-01-31T09:09:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things on the Runway is Always the Haute Couture collections presented by top Fashion houses. the collections may not be wearable but can be appreciated for its artistic interpretation of concepts and elements!

Meet Erik Ziemba! He is the Fashion House of Rae Marie Lead Stylist and Brand Director. He wrote a great piece on the trends of Haute Couture. Haute Couture designs influence the trends for the next season! Enjoy!!!

Spring 2011 Couture Trend Reports

By Erik Ziemba
Last week in Paris and Milan designers such as Chanel, Givenchy, Christian Dior, and Armani Prive showcased their 2011 Couture Collections.
When designers show their couture collections its gives them a chance to show their true design ability. Haute Couture is not meant be to wearable; its to show the art of fashion.
Armani Prive did a very futuristic collection with geometric construction and gun metal electric color. I love how Armani played around with the 80's glam and mixed it with year 2050. Very Innovative!
John Galliano also showed off his AMAZINNGG collection for Christian Dior. In true Dior Fashion the collection was over the top Parisian Chic! I love the dramatic make up, feathers, skirts, and the 1930's hair! Dior is very much all over the place with the design aesthetic and hair and make up choices, but it always seems to work. Not many designers can pull this off tastefully.

Givenchy also had an over the top collection with the futuristic hats where Tron meets antlers meets a cone head. Something that has defiantly not been done on the runway. The color choices were right on as well I love the neutrals with a pop of pastel! Givenchy always does gowns with fringe so well I love the shearness... Sexy with out trying to hard!

Chanel stayed very conservative for this Springs Couture. Like always Karl had the typical Chanel novelty knit suiting. This time Karl played around more with sequins and surprisingly more colors than black and white.
This was an amazing collection no doubt, but I wish Karl would have been more over the top for his couture line. It looked very similar to his ready to wear lines. Chanel Couture Spring 2010 was doing so well and was very Parisian Haute Couture.
Here are some pictures from last years 2010 Coutoure Collection.... Which I LOVED!!!!
Hopefully we will be seeing more of this from Karl in his 2011 Fall Couture Collection!

All Pictures were taken from www.style.com and are not the property of The Fashion House of Rae Marie.

On a real note…

2011-01-27T08:43:00.001-08:00

I have been struggling as a fashion Designer in Colorado. There I said it! Its not easy to be a designer here. I am a full time Graduate Student, I have a full time job and then I have a full time career in Fashion Design that is time consuming! I love my Career, I just wish I had more time for it. I often find myself frustrated with my work because I do not have time to complete the looks that I want to send down the runwayI think mostly, I am fed up with not focusing on quality instead of quantity. I think by really focusing on how I want to represent my self and my collection and limiting the numbers in my collection I can show you some real quality pieces. Some of my favorite pieces are:

The Painting the Roses Red Dress to the Right. This piece was the ultimate Party dress and was a vision of art. I made this dress in 2009 when I was inspired by the Queen of Hearts in Alice and Wonderland. The dress is one of my signature bubble dresses.

Another one of my best works was The Red Dragon Dress. I took a big risk with this departing for the first time from dresses. It is one of the first patterns I created and was extremely difficult at the time for me to master. But I wanted something more avant garde and theatrical. So when I did a Circus Show in 2008, it was the opportune time to create this garment. I still have this piece and will keep it forever.

So to recreate the Red dragon dress, I made a piece for a Parisian show at the Botanical Gardens last Summer. Its the White Dragon Dress! It was my version of a different type of wedding garment. I took this look one step further and added a tuxedo pants with beaded detailing on one leg, and the jacket is backless giving it a slightly sexier feel. I love the train and I love how it looked on my model. I thought this piece was so successful.

Lastly, I really love my sweater-hooded jacket that I created. The pattern was complex for me because a hood is a lot harder than it looks. The Wool Jacket was lined with silk and had a soft drape to it to give it the feel of a sweater. It was comfy and stylish. It could be paired with Jeans and a t-shirt or dressed up with a cocktail dress or mini skirt.

Then there were some bad moments as well. Mainly due to lack of time and lack of knowledge. Although I am not happy with those pieces, they have helped me learn and grow as a designer and has helped me to push myself to the next level.

Right now I am focusing on Quality and not quantity which is good to learn right now while I am 25 years old. This is supposed to be my golden year!

Here are some of my plans to improve the quality of my brand:

- Focus more on patterning the garment and fit.

- I make my patterns by draping and flat patterning so this is crucial to any fashion designer. Having a great fit is key for luxury brands.

- Construction

- I will be taking more time to construct the garments to give them that extra pizzaz and polished look to make sure it is always Sexy...Edgy...Chic!

- Fabric

- This is something that a lot of people get misconstrued. Just because you create things out of silk does not mean that it is necessarily better quality. Quality comes in consistency and knowing how to use a fabric to it's fullest potential. So I will have better qualities in fabric as well as know how they can be used in construction of garments.

- Thought

- Being more thoughtful on how to put a garment together and paying more attention to the details.

- Having Standards

- More involvement in quality control and not just putting anything down the runway.

- Great Customer Service!

I still feel like I am missing some key ingredients... A little help please?

Sexy… Edgy… Chic! Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be on top?

2011-01-26T07:27:00.000-08:00

Today you will meet my original muse. She was one of the first Models that I really became infatuated with. Every great designer has had their muse and I can truly say that mine has been a great source of inspiration for me. Lynn Berry and I met years ago and she has stayed with me through thick and thin. What can I say, I have a thing for Asians with Freckles!

Photos courtesy of The James Studio

Meet Marya Myszczynski! She is the Fashion House of Rae Marie's Director of PR and Advertisement. She was thrilled to cover the story on Lynn. As a model her self, she talks with Lynn about Rae Marie and what it takes to be a model. I hope you enjoy!

Sexy… Edgy… Chic! Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be on top?

by Marya Myszczynski

The Fashion House of Rae Marie stands for sexy, edgy, chic women and where would we be without our beautiful models that live this motto everyday. One of our very first models that still work with us today is Lynn Berry.

Lynn has been modeling since age 6, when she was signed with an agency in Ohio. She worked on several local projects including print work for local newspapers and stores. She was determined to be a Super Model. After she moved from Ohio she found it difficult to get back into modeling until her sophomore year in college when a friend of hers suggested she audition for a fashion show. This is where we first met Lynn. We loved her exotic look. The very first piece she wore from Rae Marie was this flowing orange dress and she rocked it. Ever since we have been asking her back to walk for other shows and photo shoots.
Lynn has been more than grateful to be a part of the Rae Marie brand. Lynn says what initially brought her to Rae Marie was Rae Marie’s strong direction to break the stereotypes of the fashion industry
Lynn states, “I am far from what a professional model "should" look like. I am 5'4", I weigh 125 lbs., my boobs are a 34C and my butt is 36" but Rachel saw me and said that I was perfect. Rachel wanted to make runway fashionable clothes for the average girl's body, and THAT gave me hope for the future of fashion.” Photos courtesy of The James Studio

Lynn admits that in the beginning it could be challenging working with Rae Marie. “Rachel really busted my butt to make my walk perfect. I remember one runway workshop that I did with her I would take five steps and she would stop me and make me start over. She was TOUGH! But I can't thank her enough for it because it was all that criticism and practice that I did with her that made me the model that I am now. But as tough as she is, she is that much more encouraging.” Lynn is completely committed to working with The Fashion House of Rae Marie. “She is the one designer that I am PROUD to model for.”
Lynn is the essence of a true Rae Marie Girl.

So what is her favorite Rae Marie outfit?
“I would have to say that my favorite outfit that Rachel has made was her original cocktail dress that inspired all of her others.”

And your favorite Rae Marie photo shoot?
“My favorite photo shoot to date is the warrior goddess shoot.
Photos courtesy of The James Studio

It was so much fun to do, James (with the James Studio, this photographer is AMAZING) and the photos are - quite frankly - THE BOMB! The clothes and photos are sexy, sultry, tough..... just wonderful - and so is Rae Marie. But I can't WAIT for the bondage photo shoot when Rachel is completely finished with her new line. The dress she made for me is the most INTENSE I have ever worn! As a strong independent representative of the Rae Marie brand, Lynn has a strong passion to work with at risk youth. She currently works at a Boulder County Juvenile Assessment Center. “I do security, transport, booking, intakes, strip searches, court escorts, etc. I do a lot there, and I really enjoy the work.”
She is also a well-rounded dancer trained in several different genres but excelling in hip-hop after joining the Verve Hip Hop Crew in college. “Anything involving music is what I love. Dancing, playing, singing. anything! But all this I do for fun like how I do modeling for fun.”
Lynn is a true Rae Marie girl and she has been representing Rae Marie to the fullest.
So any advice for the new models out there? Photos courtesy of The James Studio

“Some advice I can give to new models is that if they want to get into the industry professionally they have to be willing to accept criticisms and failures. The industry is not forgiving at all and it can break a girl down but for those that just want to do it for fun (like me) then the first thing they must do is be confident and love who they are. If they don't like themselves then how can they expect someone else to like them? Technique can always be learned, but confidence is something that the individual has to build herself.
So who is your ideal Rae Marie Woman? We would love to hear your thoughts!

Meet the Amazing TOM FORD!

2011-01-25T07:02:00.000-08:00

I really want to highlight amazing designers who are inspirational to me in my career as a designer, so this week we will start with someone who is definitely on top right now! Meet the amazing designer Tom Ford. He has such a glamourous and sexy aesthetic. Now meet Kristen Thawley, The Fashion House of Rae Marie's (FHRM) Director of Marketing and Sales.She will be introducing you to Tom Ford's greatness, and if you alreasy know about him, than a little reminder never hurts! So Enjoy!

Meet the Amazing Tom Ford

written by Kristen Thawley

Tom Ford is a leading fashion designer who is widely known for completely redesigning and turning around the Fashion House of Gucci during its least profitable period of time. Designing for Gucci from 1994-2004, Ford dipped his toes into many different types of styles and themes, growing as a designer and expanding his talents. Take a look at a few of the varying styles that Ford experimented with during his time at Gucci:

In the mid 90’s, Ford focused on the Gucci rock girl who had a fearless and edgy attitude. In the fall 2002 RTW collection, it was all about that rock star chick arriving for her comeback, but this time she was bigger, better, and much more FIERCE! Wearing things like skinny, satin pants, strappy spike heels, and off the shoulder tops, the models of this collection donned messy and tousled hair reminiscent of late nights, partying, and looking fierce without trying, accompanied by heavy and dark lidded makeup. Ford incorporated fur, knit, pencil skirts, and outerwear elements like boyfriend jackets, and oversized garments to complete the collection’s overall look.

One word to describe Gucci’s spring 2003 collection? Short. And with lots of leg. Ford focused on short hems on skirts, dresses, and shorts. Although I am generally a fan of bright and bold colors, I am in love with the color palette Ford went with for these looks. The primrose blushes, pearly grays, muted silvers, and accents of blacks and browns, created a sexy and sophisticated look, while the production of the clothing promoted notions of vulgarity. I was really inspired by the juxtaposition of womanly sophistication and short and sexy hems creating a cohesive style. Our Rae Marie signature cocktail and bubble dresses represent similar ideals, and are sexy, short, and for the confident and glam woman who wants to flaunt what she’s got!
Fall of 2004 marked the end of Tom Ford’s time as creative director at Gucci. Seeing as he completely turned the entire company around and brought success back to the house, his final collection focused on everything he is about in one word- GLAMOUR. This collection was, as style.com says, “A fabulous farewell in which this perfection obsessed superstar of fashion seized the moment to run his eye over everything he has achieved for the brand and then do it better.” He designed for the sexy and confident woman as the audience was taken through an adventure of memories of all he has done for the fashion house. I think this collection is breathtaking- he managed to rework styles from his 90’s collections all the way to his 2004 collections, creating one seamless and timeless collection. This high glam collection was a perfect send off for Ford, who soon later launched his own brand with similar ideals. As I just mentioned, apart from being the creative director for both Gucci and Yves Saint-Laurent, in 2004 Ford launched his own menswear and accessories brand- TOM FORD. Later, he started working with optics, and launched a beauty brand with Esteé Lauder. Take a peak at some of his ads for his menswear and eyewear collections: Ford has an uncanny ability to mix luxury, lavishness, and insane sex appeal, all while keeping his ads extremely simple. I find looking at his spreads in magazines the most enjoyable because there is never much going on in the background to distract the viewer from the product. Let’s face it- the clothes, glasses, and models are certainly mesmerizing enough on their own terms. In September of last year, during New York Fashion Week, Ford unveiled his much anticipated debut womenswear line. As we know, Ford is all about bringing glamour back into the fashion scene- edgy glamour that stays true to the classics while still looking new and modern. The designs wowed audiences and were recognizably Tom Ford. Check out the looks from this line below- what we see reflected in his line is a combination and new take on many of the best looks in womenswear from the past century- but as always, Ford has reworked them to make them chic and modern. Look at Beyoncé working it !
I’m usually not a fan of matching suit pieces, but the outfit on the left is making me swoon. I love the deep cut of the blouse without showing much cleavage, making it classy and sexy at the same time without overdoing it. My favorite piece from the collection is probably the blue fringe dress in the middle. I have a serious obsession with fringe and Tom Ford does it right with this dress. The color of the blue is captivating as well. Here it is in Bazaar UK, worn by Emily Blunt (it’s also on the cover!), as well as another jaw-dropping dress from this collection!
Ford’s love for bringing glamour back into fashion is an aim parallel with the Rae Marie brand. Ford knows how to dress women so they look sexy, sophisticated, young, and confident, all at the same time- a feat to be accomplished, and an inspiration to many designers today. He designs for the sensual and glamorous woman that is still sophisticated and respectable, as does the Rae Marie brand. As the Fashion House of Rae Marie begins to explore ideas and options in creating a classy and edgy debut menswear line, Ford, with his classy menswear lines, is a muse sure to be kept in mind.

IF YOU LIKE MY BLOG THAN FOLLOW IT!

XOXO Rae Marie

These pictures are not the propety of Rae Marie and were taken from various sites on the website by googling Tom Ford

Bitch Please Fierce

2011-01-24T10:01:00.000-08:00

A Note From Rae Marie: So from here on out, the team will be writing a few blog posts for Rae Marie! I will still be blogging but this is a good opportunity for them to express themselves through the eyes of the Rae Marie Staff. First up, please meet Kaitlyn Amick, The Fashion House of Rae Marie's Director of Communications and Model Liason. So enjoy her article Bitch Please Fierce!

I know you will!

The Runway Walk of Supermodels.

There are many different kinds of fierceness and ways to achieve the title fierce. However, the ultimate fierce title is BITCH PLEASE FIERCE. I first came across this term when I watched a certain model, Yogi Patterson runway walk. There was a level of fierceness that was undeniable and with every step, the attitude “bitch please” came through.
Fashion House of Rae Marie always encourages attitude on the runway. I remember the first time I did a show for Rae we did a workshop solely focused on walking with that bitch please step. At the end of the day, there was a “Walk-Off,” a first for me and although the competition was hot, I walked away with the title… in stilettos of course. ;) I’ve made it a point to study supermodels more fierce than I, just to keep my bitch pleasin’ sharp. One of my favorites is Supermodel, Coco Rocha. Not only is this girl fierce on the catwalk but in print as well. Here’s a compilation of some of her runway walks… Be sure to notice her crossover, how she uses her arms, the sway of her head and the intensity lying behind her eyes. (check out this video for reference)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtIzqq5OOvg

Of course all the ladies at V Secret know how to mesmerize a crowd. Although Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows tend to be a bit more, flirty and fun and less intense bitch pleasin’… Alessandra Ambrosio deserves the highest level of fierceness. I love how she keeps her head and eyes straight ahead and goes in and out of fierce and flirty, showing her versatility. Check out this video to see what I mean…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StkbklXVx-g

If a model is truly bitch pleasin’ while runway walking, you can see it even in a photo. One foot’s in front of the other, shoulders are back, there is solid arm movement and lastly, the eyes are full of attitude. This type of walk grabs people’s attention and makes you stick out on the catwalk. Look at Jessica Stam’s picture for example.

Some things help to inspire that bitch pleasin,’ like wardrobe. FHRM’s designs are made to make women feel powerful, independent and sexy. Some of my favorite outfit’s of Fashion House of Rae Marie’s that bring my bitch pleasin’ to a whole new level are…

Enough about me, my Colorado girls are bringing it more and more with each Fashion Show I see. Here are some of my favorites from Fashion House of Rae Marie’s shows… The girl who started it all for me… Yogi Patterson I love the way this girl sways her head back and forth, in perfect unison with her arms!
Lynn started it all of Rae Marie, in terms of models and her ability to be dynamic and walk to any beat or style thrown at her is astounding.
Although Niki’s a little shorter than most models, this girl walks like she’s 5’ 10,” has one of the best leg extensions I’ve seen and stellar stage presence.

Just look at Melissa’s eyes and expression and how she’s captivating the crowd!
Corina can somehow maintain an edge and intensity while looking incredibly long and elegant!

Simone’s form in this picture KILLS me. It is perfect. Her hands are delicate and gentle, but her arms are powerful, her crossover is shown perfectly and most of all her eyes are hypnotizing.

These girls are Rae’s regulars and kill it every time. Their walks are all strong, they extend their legs out to look as long as possible, their crossovers are beautiful and they have great expressions. All of those things are things I want to see more of in Colorado.
So all my models out there do your studying and find a Supermodel to watch. Practices, Practice, Practice, buy fierce shoes and then wear them everywhere! If you really want to be a good model, you should be runway walking at the grocery store, in the mall, to get coffee, etc. The goal is to be able to be recognized as a model wherever you are, and that only comes from confidence. Be willing to learn from those who are more experienced than you are!
All my non-models, please know that it is hard to get up in front of people, especially in stilettos, so be kind!
Write you next Week, be Bitch Please Fierce!
~Kaitlyn
If you want help to better your runway walk, learn new tricks, get instant feedback and learn different styles of walks and techniques, I teach a Runway class through Dress to Thrill. Email me for pricing and availability. kaitlyn@fashionsbyraemarie.com

Trend Watch On The Red Carpet 2

2011-01-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

In the Last Blog I focused on some major color trends that I saw on the Red carpet. Here are a few other trends that stood out to me as well.
Sparkle and Nude Tones were huge once again this season. Here are some of the starlets rocking this look:
Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham

Carrie Underwood, in Badgley Mischka

Milla Jovovich, in Armani Privé.

Another trend was Minimalism. This trend looked really beautiful on the Red Carpet. Here are some Starlets that did it really well!

Emma Stone in Calvin Klein

Claire Danes in Calvin Klein

Nicole Kidman in Prada

There were a lot of Asymmetrical looks on the Red Carpet. It made the stars looks glamorous, seductive, fresh and Young. A few of my favorites showcasing this silhouette were:

Amy Adams in Marchesa

Julie Bowen, in Tadashi Shoji

Kelly Osbourne in Zac Posen

Amazing Job to all of these Stars that looked so fantastic!

These Pictures are not the property of Rae Marie and were courtesy of

http://www.style.com/

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Celebrity-Style/Gold-Standard-The-2011-Golden-Globes-s-Best-Dressed/(imageIndex)/7/(play)/false

http://wonderwall.msn.com/tv/golden-globes-2011-red-carpet-arrivals-10774.gallery#wallState=0__%2Ftv%2Fgolden-globes-2011-red-carpet-arrivals-10774.gallery%3FphotoId%3D44371

Trend Watch on the Red Carpet

2011-01-19T16:13:00.000-08:00

One Major thing that I noticed on the Golden Globes Runway, besides the beautiful celebrities, were the trends that were coming out this Spring! Not only does it help me formulate my next move as a fashion designer but it also allows me to watch for peoples responses to certain trends so that I can predict how those trends will evolve. Here are some of the Color trends that I noticed:
Emerald Green: Several leading ladies were this magnificent jewel tone! The great thing about this color is that it is flattering on a multitude of skin tones, it is dark enough to be sliming but still not black and it was a complimentary color to the red carpet. Stars that wore it included:
Mila Kunis in Vera Wang

Catherine Zeta Jones in Monique Lhuillier
Elizabeth Moss in Donna Karan
Black: This was a huge color once again. It looks so polished, chic and put together on any carpet. Stars that wore it included:

Julianne Hough, in Marchesa
Julia Stiles, in Romona Keveza

Jessalyn Gilsig, in David Meister
Vibrant Red: This is definantly a favorite color of mine and several stars looked fantastic in this color. Stars that wore it included:
Edie Falco, in Valentino
Christina Hendricks, in Romona Keveza,
January Jones, in Versace.

To Be Continued…
More trends to be visited in the Next Blog

These Pictures are not the property of Rae Marie and were courtesy of

www.style.com

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Celebrity-Style/Gold-Standard-The-2011-Golden-Globes-s-Best-Dressed/(imageIndex)/7/(play)/false

http://wonderwall.msn.com/tv/golden-globes-2011-red-carpet-arrivals-10774.gallery#wallState=0__%2Ftv%2Fgolden-globes-2011-red-carpet-arrivals-10774.gallery%3FphotoId%3D44371

And the Nominee’s Are…

2011-01-18T14:00:00.000-08:00

This weekend was the Golden Globes! And for some of you that generates more excitement than others, for me, I was dyeing to see who was wearing what on the red carpet! One of my dreams as a designer is to be fortunate enough to design gowns for the celebrities on the red carpet. Glamour, sex appeal, beauty… how can you not love it! So my weekend was full of star watching, dress scoping and review reading of who was the BEST Dressed and who Was the Worst! At times, I agreed, and at other times… well lets be nice and say that I strongly disagreed with the critics opinions! So for this week, I will be commenting on the Golden Globes Fashion. The Best Dressed and the Worst, the Trends on the Carpet and, of course, My vote for Best and Worst Dressed.
Let’s start with My votes for Best and Worst Dressed.
The Best Dressed Nominees are…
Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace. The color, the sparkle, it looks fantastic! I am loving the ode to the 40’s meets 80’s look with the high-waist gown with shoulder pads. It is Simple but has that extra oomph to keep it from being boring!

Anne Hathaway in Giorgio Armani Prive, which is a favorite of this Starlet. I love the bold statement of metallic and the backlessness of the dress is a definite show stopper. She looks incredible, confident and like she belongs on the Red Carpet! You go Anne!

Sofia Vergera in Vera Wang looked so sexy and so great that it was pure sinful! This dress accented her curves in all the right places and is a little different from what we normally get out of Vera Wang! It was definitely one of my favorites!
Eva Longoria in Zac Posen, For such a little lady, Eva makes this dress look good. It has drama and sex appeal without doing to much. If you wanted simple on the red carpet, this is as simple as you should go!
Olivia Wilde in Marchesa Was a Sparkling Princess in a good way! She looked so beautiful! I loved this Dress! It is what makes watching the awards so magical! Amber Riley in Oliver Tolentino looked Smashing! Her curves were in all the right places and she pulls off this sparkley number flawlessly. She looks purely amazing. Glam suits her well! Christina Hendrick in Christina's Romona Keveza’s Gown looked stunning and Jessica Rabbit-esque! A Voluptuous Starlet who made a bold statement color and bold dress choice but she looks fantastic! More Red Heads should wear Red! Piper Perabo In Oscar De La Renta. This is how you do Oscar! She looked flawless and so effortlessly put together! I think that for someone who resurface, she blew me out of the water! This is definitely a great way to have a come back! The Worst Dressed Nominees are…
Halle Berry in Nina Ricci, This is what a Pretty Girl Dressed in an inappropriate dress looks like. IT is way too much, in a where’s my clothes sort of way… Plus it looks like Cat Woman shredded the bottom! Michelle Williams in Valentino. No, No, No that is really all I can say! This is so not appropriate for the Red Carpet! I don’t like it, and I don’t like it on her at all! Not very Flattering for her body! Just, No, NO, NO! Scarlett Johansson in Elie Saab. I am a fan of both Scar Jo and Elie Saab, but this combination is all wrong. The dress looks to grandma for this young, vivacious star and with her current break-up you would have though she would have vamped it out in Dolce and Gabbana or something!

Julianne Moore in Lanvin, Just not a great look, I wish it was better because in theory this dress could have been great. But in reality, it was just bad. I think maybe, It should stay on the Runways… Jennifer Love Hewitt in Romona Keveza. Not a Great look at all, It was like Prom gone wrong and was just not right. This dress really missed the mark, from details, to accessories, to styling, to the dress, it was just too Prom meets bridal wear. I was not a fan! Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs. What were you thinking? Did you even look at yourself before you came? Way too inappropriate… It is more of a Dress for the Hampton’s, not the Red Carpet. And the styling is awful! And I usually love what Heidi Klum has worn in the past... Mandy Moore in Monique Lhuillier, She just looks like she got tangled in her dress. I don’t like this on her. I just feel as though her hair is wrong, the color is a little off for me and she just could look better. On the Fence ...
JLO in Zuhair Murad. I am not sure whether to like this dress or not. I like the white dress but I am not sure about the sparkle poncho capelet. It kind of ruins the look for me. JLO doesn’t need to cover up anything, and we all know that when she wore that see through number a few years back. But this dress still has potential so I leave it in the middle. I mean JLO looks fabulous in almost everything! January Jones in Versace. January Jones definitely always takes a risk and for that I always enjoy seeing what she is wearing. I do like this dress a lot, I would tone down a little on the fringe, but the color and cut are beautiful. This definitely leans towards my Best list! Leighton Meester in Burberry Prorsum was at first one of those dresses that you think looks old and matronly but then these HOTT Jimmy Choos Peek out of this daring Slit and then your like… Oh That’s Sexy! Well I think that she is definitely leaning towards my best list. I mean, I love me some Leighton Meester! Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf. I love Natalie Portman and usually love what she wears. This dress is up in the air for me for a few reasons. I love the shape on her and the color compliments her pregnancy and skin tone, but that rose gets on my nerves. At first I liked the detail, then I didn’t and now I just don’t know if it looks like it was intentional. I almost wish it wasn’t in the center of the dress and then maybe I would like it more. AS of now… It is leaning Towards my worst list
Lea Michelle In Oscar De La Renta. In some lights this Dress works, I applaud her enthusiasm in wearing this dress and its originality in color. But in most lights, it just looks like a hot mess. Lea Michelle usually is one of my favorites, but this dress couldn’t top last years dress and was just a little too fussy with all the details and the train and construction… It screamed Runway but not Red Carpet. She is leaning towards the Worst List as well.

But I really just need to give all the Celebrities Their Props for Having the gust to be out on that Red Carpet where People like me are just waiting to judge what they are wearing!!

If you like my blog, Follow it please!

None of the above photos are the property of Rae Marie. They belong to various sites on the internet namely:

http://www.style.com/

In the Beginning there was a Man...

2011-01-14T12:52:00.001-08:00

So as promised I will be showing you my design process for this huge bondage show that I am working on. I haven’t set a date yet, but once I do, believe me, you will know. I have a lot of work ahead of me but I am super excited to see this collection into completion. I really have to dig deep since this theme has been visited by many before. So we will being with the origins of BDSM! Hang in there, it is a little brutal. I will explain the importance of all of this soon when I explain my concept for the show. It is questionable to whether the father of BDSM was a monster or simple misunderstood. Well, here is the story. In the beginning, there was a man named the Marquis de Sade…

The Marquis De Sade

The Marquis de Sade or Comte Donatien Alphonse Francois de Sade was quite a character! Born and raised in Paris France, he was definitely a man of privilege and wealth. He was even raised with a Royal Prince! He married rich but kept a mistress, whom both kept pretty loyal to him even after his brutal sexcapades started. Right after he was married, literally 5 months later, he was arrested for brutality on women in a brothel.

He was imprisoned but it was kept quiet due to his connections

and wealth. It was as if he created some sort of secret society. You would think that he would have learned his lesson, but nearly a year later, brothels had banned him from using their girls for his brutality. He went into hiding for a few years to escape being ostracized from society and took his mistress with him.

While in exile, he continued his sexcapades. He invited a beggar named Rose Keller into his house. She was beaten, terrorized, and cut with a knife. She escaped and reported the horrors of being whipped with a cat-o-nine rails and a knotted cord and also had wax poured into her wounds. The Marquise was given two short prison sentences and then spent the next 3 years in exile once more. During this time he seemed to have reined in his passion, he fathered 2 children with his wife and led a quiet normal life… until… To be continued…

NONE OF THESE IMAGES ARE PROPERTY OF RAE MARIE. THEY WERE FOUND ON GOOGLE.

Opinions are like assholes, everyone has them!

2011-01-13T09:50:00.000-08:00

I see so many blogs out there criticizing others for what they are doing and I constantly ask myself what is that going to solve? Why must people tear others apart in order to feel accomplished? Why does society think that it is appropriate to have a community of people with low self esteem? Putting your fashion on the runway is hard and makes you vulnerable and yes not everyone is going to like you, but what happened to constructive criticism?
The real problem in fashion is that too many people have too many opinions about it. Like art, it often gets clouded and convoluted by opinions of people that have no background in it, whether education or first hand experience, yet they want to offer their opinions. I definitely feel as though there should be a dialogue about fashion. That is what fashion is! But do not do it just to be mean.
Why do so many people have that mean girl complex? Does it make them feel like a bad ass to put someone else down for trying their dreams?
Yes, let’s be honest, many of those who try to make others feel weak are cowards and weak themselves. They say they are being honest, but they actually don’t have the guts to do what others do. They comment and seek approval from others and criticize to add value to their own self worth. Well let’s not do that anymore!
Yes, honesty is the best policy, but if you are going to criticize, make sure you are a valid critic or that you can offer constructive criticism. Have you ever asked what the purpose was for creating a line? Not everyone is going to create something that is commercial, if I was going to create a commercial show than I could do a catalogue. The nice thing about Runway is that I love to give a show! Am I as experience as John Galliano, who is my idol? Absolutely NOT! I am a young designer who makes all of my own garments. I am going back to get properly trained as we speak. And I am constantly trying to improve year after year, but it doesn’t happen over night.
The best way to learn is to do. I realize that now. If I wait until I learn everything than I will never ever make anything because Fashion is too much of an infinite learning nub to learn everything in one lifetime.
We need to create a healthy Fashion Economy! The only way to do it is to nurture it and help it grow. Yes offer ways to improve it but also love it. Don’t be one of those cruel mothers that only criticize the surface of it. That just creates confidence and self esteem issues. Colorado has proven to be a different and unique fashion nucleus, we are not New York or California and we will never be, because we are COLORADO!
But if we want to get there, to the levels of New York and Paris and California, I do agree that we need to step it up. But that is on all levels. Don’t just fault the designer. It is on all accounts! The Models as a whole need to be stronger walkers! Photographers as a whole need to be Stronger Photographers! Designers as a whole need to be strong Designers! We are a community and it takes a whole, not a part, to see results!
But at the same time, our community is young and we have the creativity and the makings of being a fantastic Fashion center of creativity and unique ideas. New York has been a Fashion Capital for Decades, Paris for centuries! We are still in our adolescences and learning, growing, changing and transforming.
Our designers are evolving; they are becoming more comfortable with techniques, their creativity and expressing themselves everyday. Photographers are becoming more individualized and passionate about their crafts. Models are becoming stronger, more confident walkers and posers. We are growing and becoming stronger as a whole, it just takes time!
So to all the haters of Colorado Fashion… Move! If you want something different than move! Or you can be patient and a little more nurturing… But also remember that your shit stinks too! But I guess I am one of those assholes too…
If you like my Blog, Please Follow it! And Thank you so much for your support!

Pleasure as Pain, Pain as Pleasure…?!

2011-01-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Originally I thought that I wanted to do a large Bondage show for the Fashion House of Rae Marie Debut, but now I am questioning my decision. It isn’t due to a lack of confidence, it is more due to the fact that I think it has ran its course, and when that happens, writers block, or shall I say designers block, happens. I want this show to be fantastic so I am digging deeper than Bondage alone! I am going to its roots! You will witness a show like no other! I want you to feel dirty, excited and enthralled!
BDSM was originally rooted with the Marquis de Sade who often forced his indulgences on brothel women. Never killing them, but bringing them within inches of their lives, he would visit brothel after brothel seeking out his victims until he was banned. At first the victims participated willingly, but then he would bring out whips and use strangling techniques that were not so pretty. From there the story only gets darker so we will save it for the next Blog.
Now many of you may be asking why such a dark topic? Yes there are extremes and I definitely plan on visiting those extremes but there are also in between stages that the every day “Joe” can relate to, like hand cups and role playing and also very pleasant aspects such as the culture BDSM was born into. But my job as a designer is not to show you how horrendous BDSM is, but to actually allow you to see how beautiful, interesting, unique and terrifying it can be as well as enjoyable for many people who participate in this culture.
Now I have never myself experienced many of the forms of bondage, but I just find it so fascinating. Pleasure from pain, I mean don’t women experience that every time they put on a pair of sexy super high heels? Or that uncomfortable pair of underwear you wear for your man because they are cute? I am not saying they are exactly the same thing, but there are a lot of things that fall under this idea of pain for pleasure and pleasure for pain! This is one of the concepts I plan on exploring in this Bondage collection.
If you like my blog, please support it by following it… It would be greatly appreciated… Promise!

Hello, I am Rae Marie…

2011-01-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

At this point in my life I feel odd admitting to myself and others that I am going through a quarter-life crisis. You hit 25 and realize that you are no longer a young adult, but an adult with full responsibilities, bills to pay and you just swallowed a huge dose of reality.

You start thinking, what’s next and what do you want to do with your life. The “what to do with my life” part is easy, Fashion Design, but the “what’s next” is the hard part! I think that tons of people feel me on this! I am realizing that it is crucial to start making a profit in this industry before it becomes only a hobby! I need the right foundation, the right team, the right brand, marketing, promotion, reputation, etc, etc, etc… the list goes on forever! Plus I need the right image! Which is so hard in the land of the stick figures and perfection! Fashion is so brutal!

So like everyone else, I too need to make some new years resolutions! SO here it goes:
-Get better at blogging! Yes everyone says this, but man I really suck. It’s not like I don’t have the ideas in my head, but sometimes it is really hard to be vulnerable and put them out there for others to see…
-So not only do I want to get better at blogging, I also want to be real and honest with everyone! Sometimes I might be dry, sometimes over emotional, other times raunchy or bitchy! But that is who I am.
-Make a profit!

Yes, easier said than done, but not impossible. Everyone wants to get paid, same with designers! Here in Colorado, it is the land of “for trade”… everyone is trading and no one is paying… well designers can’t pay if they aren’t getting paid, and photographers can’t pay if they aren’t getting paid, and models can’t pay if they aren’t getting paid and so on and so on and so on…
-Plus Size Fashion: I need to represent! It is time to show them some love!
-Men’s Wear: Same as above…lol
-Get in shape… well that was a given lol!
So as I prepare to start a new year that has already started… I want to share some wisdom with everyone! F*%# New Years! LOL! Just DO YOU!

Colorful Bondage

2010-11-10T14:30:00.001-08:00

Lately I have been doing a lot of research for my newest collection called COLORFUL BONDAGE! I am so inspired! It has been a blast! This collection will really show an edgy yet sophisticated side of the Rae Marie Line. It is a movement away from what I normally do but it will be better! It is hard to change and scary. I want to share some of my research and sketches for the next few weeks leading up to the show. Please look at your own discretion! It is a bondage show and so some images are a little bit raunchy and Rated R or above so This should be viewed by Mature Adults. But it is nothing worse than what you can find on the internet! Enjoy!

Wow! It has been Awhile!

2010-10-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been Awhile!

Sorry, I have been away for so long! I have been super busy in a great way! Things are in place to take The Fashion House Of Rae Marie in a great direction, and yes I did say Fashion House, People we are an LLC! I have been super busy getting together an amazing Team! You will get to meet them all really soon! So look for their beautiful faces (Tyne, Michaela, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Jessica, Erik, Marya, Maria and Jamee) on the Website soon! Oh, and did I mention that the website has a new look! Make sure to check it out! It is to go with our new image for the Fashion House! We have been such busy bees. The House is coming out with several new labels to fit our clients needs, so we ask for you to be patient with us while we refocus our brand.
Our newest project is our Bondage Show for the Boulder FDSA Fashion Faux Pas show on December 3rd 2010. It will be in the UMC Ballroom at 7pm and is free! This collection will show snippets of all of the labels for the Fashion House and will also showcase some AMAZING PARTY DRESSES AND OUTFITS FOR THE HOLIDAYS (LIKE NEW YEARS EVE AND CHRISTMAS PARTIES) And for VALENTINES NEXT YEAR!!!! You definitely don’t want to miss picking your must have dresses for the seasons!
This show is based on the idea of Colorful Bondage and liberating sexuality. Sadomasochism has always been a feared and controversial topic in sexuality; often depicted as something dark and almost evil-like due to the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the people who participate in the culture. “Sadism is pleasure in the infliction of pain or humiliation upon another person, while masochism is pleasure in receiving the pain. These practices are often related and are collectively known as sadomasochism as well as S&M or SM. These terms may be used clinically, in psychotherapy, to describe mental illnesses, psychopathology or counterproductive coping mechanisms. Additionally, these terms may describe consensual practices—often sexual, but not necessarily so—within the BDSM community. (Wikipedia)” I want to focus on the consensual pleasureable side of bondage. What this collection does is it liberates the ideas of Sadomasochism by showcasing how relatable and beautiful it is, and like most other things, it can be an enjoyable act if not taken to the extreme. Many behaviors such as spanking, tickling, handcuffs, blind folding and love-bites which many people think of only as 'rough sex' are also thought to contain elements of sadomasochism, making it something that many people already partake in.
Please come and check it out! You definitely do not want to miss it!
Also for all of you interested in modeling, we are having a casting call this week! Here are the details:
Casting Call for December 3rd Fashion House of RAE MARIE Bondage themed High Fashion Runway Show in Boulder

Open Auditions on: October 30th, 2010
Time: 12:30pm-4:00pm
Place: Fashion Denver on 1070 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204

Looking for Models of multiple shapes, sizes and heights
Both Male and Female Models needed

Females: Please Wear High Heels (4 inch plus), very little makeup for a natural face, and body fitted/ conscious clothing.
Men: Wear Dress shoes and Body fitted/conscious clothing

Expect to Show us your walk and ability to pose.

Information on Fashion House of Rae Marie;
Rae Marie represents power, mystique, and head turning effortless, natural beauty.
We want our models to exude confidence and captivate an audience.
The Rae Marie clientele has a good body image of them self, is driven, independent, respected, sensual and thought provoking, So we want our models to represent the same ideals.

Thanks,
Fashion House of RAE MARIE Team
www.fashionsbyraemarie.com
SEXY........EDGY.......COOL
Creating One of a Kind Garments that will suit your One of a Kind Needs!
“Fashion is so energetic and inspiring! Everyone needs it even if they don’t think that they do! Fashion is a form of visual communication between people in a society. It allows you to make a quick impression on someone and to make a statement about you or the world. That is why I create fashion. I want to help others make a statement about themselves to the world!”

Labor Day Fashion Epic Weekend!!!

2010-09-07T15:33:00.001-07:00

Just got finished with a really crazy but beautiful weekend. I had the Fashion Show at the Beauty Bar, Photo Shoot at the James Studio and a Fashion Show at Suite 200 in just 4 short days. It was crazy, exhausting and stressful! But I wouldn’t have given it up for the world.
The Beauty Bar show was very successful! We didn’t exactly start on time but that is because I am over ambitious with the details of the show! I went for a Christian Dior Couture look for hair and make-up that took a long time. But Cassandra Garza (Make-up Artist) and Stephanie Barreau (Hair Stylist) pulled the looks together effortlessly! I was beyond thrilled with the results! Plus the Beauty Bar was surprisingly adorable on the inside and much bigger than it appears from the outside! I loved the space! Just wish we didn’t have to dress in the bathroom, lol. All of those who know me know how much I hate public restrooms! But other than that it was a fantastic experience.
These were the looks I was inspired by the most for the hair and make-up at the Beauty Bar show. I wanted the girls to look like a cross between aliens, anime characters and socialite ladies! It is a lot of look, but the Rae Marie girl can totally pull it off! And James with the James Studio captured the look magically! (Pictures from the show and videos to come soon)

Next it was on to the Epic Photo shoot with the James Studio, at the James Studio! For the theme of the shoot I really wanted to capture a Amazon Warrior feel. So I wanted the girls to be caught in action, in combat with one another wearing Rae Marie Fashion. We ended up with a 300 movie type of feel. And on set a few girls got some minor injuries but it was more funny than painful. At least we all had some great laughs! The hair and make-up was very tropical bird like with beautiful colored feathers, sequins and bold fun colors. Make-up was done by the amazing Lelle Mi and Sky-Marie Marshall who worked brilliantly as a team to achieve the magnificent looks.

Plus nothing looks better than beautiful girls fighting in beautiful clothing. One girl even had a stiletto mark in the center of her chest from the shoot. That is true dedication and the Pictures truly exemplify that! I can’t wait to show them to you!!!
(Pictures from the shoot and videos to come soon)

To Be Continued…

Career Opportunity with Rae Marie!

2010-08-18T08:55:00.001-07:00

Fashions By Rae Marie is currently Seeking Interns/Assistants who wish to work and learn with a Major Fashion House in Denver, Colorado. Ideal Candidates demonstrate passion for fashion, a yearning for learning and the ability to change and adapt in a quickly moving environment. Candidates will be helping with Sewing, Pattern making, Designing, Selling, Producing Shows, Working on Photo Shoots and Fashion Shows, Networking and Branding, Marketing and so much more! You will get a real look at how the fashion industry works and moves! Interviews will take place! If interested please submit resume at fashionsbyraemarie@gmail.com. We will then get back to you with an interview time and the rest of the application.

Casting for two shows!!!!

2010-08-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

I am now casting Models for tweo shows!

- September 5th, 2010 at Suite 200
- December 4th Couture and Theatrical Show!!!

Please email me at fashionsbyraemarie@gmail.com if you are interested!!!

I will respond with details!
Thank you so Much!

Rae Marie

RAE MARIE NEWS!!!!!!

2010-05-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

Check out the newest features on my website!!! Rae Marie now offers new SERVICES on

the website! http://www.fashionsbyraemarie.com/

Check out the newest features on my website!!! Rae Marie now offers new SERVICES

on the website! http://www.fashionsbyraemarie.com

2010-05-20T12:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys,

Just wanted to let you know of some events I am participating in this summer. Check my website soon for more details. Hope to see you there!

May 28th, Sex and the City themed Party and Fashion Show featuring Rae Marie's Collection!!! Show is at Gallery 22
821 22nd. Street Denver, CO.
Hope to See you There!!!!!!
June 5th Fashion Show at Sutra Featuring Rae Marie Collection @ 11pm... Check back for more details!
June 9th Candy Inspired Fashion Show at Jet Hotel Featuring Rae Marie Designs... Check back for more details

Lights, Camera, Fashion!!!!

2010-05-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

So I recently had a Fashion Show up in good old Boulder at the CU Campus. It was themed Lights, Camera, Fashion and so I decided to do an ode to the Romantic Rock Ballads in a collection entitled Romantic Rock and Roll. The collection featured strong, independent women with men as the accessories! I showed looks from bathingsuits to gowns! Here are some of the pictures from my camera. The James Studio Pictures will come in the future!!!!

2010-04-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

Rae Marie is super excited about the month of May and the summer up ahead. So many new things and partnerships to work on. Sex and the City themed fashion shows and parties, new Clothing items, A guys collection!, selling online, and so much more! This summer is bound to be super busy. Check out the new photo's I posted on my website! And keep an eye out for what will be happening this summer!!!! Until next time, SMOOCHES!!!

Fashion Denver Spring Market

2010-04-13T08:52:00.000-07:00

Stop by and See what Rae Marie is Selling!!!! Hope to see you there! Don't miss the Rae Marie Spring Clearance either!

Evergreen Promenade

2010-04-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

Long time no talk! Things have been super Busy with getting ready for my April 24th Fashion show, and the Fashion Denver Market and everything else happening this Month!!!! I am excited to be busy but also miss doing the little things in life like wasting time watching Law and Order or flipping through old Vogue Magazines while drinking coffee at Star bucks or even playing pokemon on my DSL or DSI, Whatever it is called... All I know is that it is pink!

Anyways, I just received some of the photos from the photoshoot on April 15th up in Evergreen CO. It's a pretty place but definitely not my cup of tea. I prefer my nature in a magazine! LOL! We took photos in a rustic barn for a promenadse shoot. (If you want to see more, more will be posted on my website soon!)

The shoot even came complete with a Cowboy!

Wrangle them up cowboy! Yee Hah!!!

Giddy-up Horsey!
(PS, never stand down wind from a horse when he raises his tail. I know from personal experience that the smells that can come from its arse is not pretty! Run if it happens!!)

In the Salon!

This is what I had to drive in to get there! Thank god it's Colorado and I didn't have to drive home in it!

Back to Old Faithful!!!

2010-03-09T09:11:00.000-08:00

I have to give it to John Galliano for Christian Dior. He has always been a favorite of mine, but this season, I think I want everything that went down that runway... and I am sure I am not the only one! Dior's Fall 2010 RTW Collection was equestrian-themed which was a blatant connection to the acclaimed Couture show in January. The opener, "a brown leather highwayman's cape over a ruffled pink chiffon dress and brown thigh high boots" (http://www.style.com/), was a show stopping piece that left fans wanting more! It was such a sexy, sophisticated and playful collection! I love Loved it!!!!

This (above) was the opening piece I had mentioned! The soft and hard elements of the outfits are to die for! This girl is so put together and FIERCE!

Who doesn't love a leather ruffled mini dress??? It's so Dominatrix!!!

That purse is fabulous and the jacket with the chifon floral print dress!!! Thats how you should wear floral print!

Orgasmic!! I don't know what else to say. Fur with Silk Dresses and leather accessories!!! I have died and gone to Dior Heaven!

And the finale piece still left me wanting more! Why did it have to end? Can't wait to see what Dior creates next show!!!

Spring is in the air and that means... Fashion (get your minds out of the gutter!)

2010-03-01T14:43:00.000-08:00

This just in... My new favorite designer of the moment is... drum roll please... (besides myself of course!)... is Alexandre Herchcovitch. His clothing is fun, energetic, youthful, sassy and of course FLOUNCY! It is purely... need I say... Orgasmic!

The use of textures it unbelievable! The head pieces are to die for! Sure, some of the pieces are more works of art than wearable, but if you love clothing enough... you will wear it anywear!
These pants are definitely attention getters paired with the sleek button up shirt!
No need for undergarments if you are wearing a sheer dress... bare it to the world!

Instead of fur lined boots, its time for fur lined skirts!

This jacket looks great both with pants and without!

The OMG Outfit! What more can I say except FABULOUS!

Night of Seduction Fashion Show Pictures

2010-02-16T14:03:00.001-08:00

Night of Seduction Fashion Show Pictures

2010-02-16T14:02:00.001-08:00

Night of Seduction Fashion Show Pictures

2010-02-16T13:59:00.000-08:00

Night of Seduction Fashion Show Pictures

2010-02-16T13:27:00.000-08:00