Fashionable Passion

Link: https://www.facebook.com/KickAssFashions

My latest creations are a step away from my typical newsboy hats I've been making since 2008. I've been hit by some British inspirations...and I'm thanking Kate Middleton for wearing such amazing hats and fascinators.

It was a short time ago that the world watched in awe the Royal Wedding between Prince William and his college sweetheart, Kate Middleton. My best friend Sylvia and her 13-year-old daughter Paige woke up bright and early to watch the wedding in their theater style room while wearing tiaras and enjoying tea and biscuits. I, on the other hand, am going to admit that I am not a morning person, and rather set the DVR on my TV to record the occasion instead.

The talk around town was all the fabulous and not-so-fabulous ornaments that adorned the heads of guests at the Royal Wedding. I enjoyed the monochromatic head-to-toe styles and found myself giggling at the absurd styles of others. But the one thing I did respect was that no matter what style was worn, the ladies wearing the headgear were wearing it proudly. Go girls!!

I LOVE Kate's style and hope to bring some of that to Minnesota, no matter how difficult that challenge may be. I am always up for a good challenge. Let's bring back the hat! Derby, newsboy, fascinators, headbands, feathers, sinamay ribbon, buckram...you name it, I'll make it!

What an inspiration Christopher Straub is! He's a Minnesotan (like me). He has no professional training (like me). And he had the ambition and determination to show the world how talented he is by making it a lot farther than most designers do on Project Runway. Not sure I can match that, but someday I may just gather up enough courage to audition for my favorite television show too.

I attended the Christopher Straub Runway Show to premier his very first collection since being on Project Runway Season 6 at the St. Paul Hotel with my friends Kristi, Aly & Sara on Sunday, April 25. I must say it was very much worth the four hour drive from Bemidji to St. Paul. The "Bemidji Contingency," as we called ourselves, had VIP tickets which included a special pre-show cocktail party with Christopher and special guest Janice Dickinson (the 'original super model').

The pre-show gathering gave the girls and I a little time to check out Christopher's handbags and accessories. Oh, how we love to shop! Kristi, Sara & I bought ourselves each a Christopher Straub handbag. Love, love, love my new black zipper embellished bag! Then we sipped on champagne and enjoyed some lovely appetizers.

We took our seats for the show in the second row of the VIP seating and were thrilled to see what was in our swag bags. Fun stuff! There was a cute little blue wallet from another new designer and a gift card to Spalon Montage.

The lady who introduced the show was quite enthusiastic. She must have said Janice Dickinson's name twenty times while she was up on the runway stage. Then Janice got up on the runway to introduce Christopher, but instead called him "Christian Straub"...oops.

Christopher came out from back stage and announced that his show was inspired by "all things in the sky." Many of his designs reminded me of birds, with the look of feathers and wings. My most favorite of all the items was a long flowing chartreuse dress made from shiny vinyl pieces that looked like a multitude of feathers. We just had to ask Christopher what fabric that dress was made from after the show. It was absolutely gorgeous! I also liked the vests and jackets he had in his collection, and Aly loved the hand warmers. Those would be a hit in Bemidji where it gets a bit chilly in the fall and winter.

After the show, us girls stood in line to meet and get our photos taken with our favorite designer. Christopher was so sweet and thoughtful. We could tell he was so appreciative of all the support he had received from us. He signed our new handbags too. I was so impressed.

I told Christopher that I was also an aspiring designer and that I had thought about auditioning for PR. He told me "you should totally do it!" Just hearing him say that inspired me to keep working on my designs and someday take that next big step.

I am so totally inspired now. Thanks Christopher!

To see more photos from Christopher's show check out my album on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=420819&id=503190240&l=7fbc3489ee

Link: http://www.mylifetime.com/shows/project-runway

I am so excited about the upcoming season of Project Runway! I wonder who will be the next Irina, Carol Hannah, Althea, Christopher, Ra'mon, or Logan. Someday it'll be me, I just know it!

Good luck to the 2010 class of Project Runway! I'll be watching intently.

Kick Ass Fashions | Promote Your Page Too

Somewhere between all my sports broadcast duties at my new job at RP Broadcasting, I finally found time to finish a new hat for my shop. It helped that it was a three day weekend...Happy Labor Day!! While the rest of my friends were out enjoying a beautiful summer day, I was studying volleyball rules for my first high school broadcast while the television was tuned into "Bottle Shock." I decided that it was time to take a break from sports to do my other favorite thing...create! Well, it helped that I had changed the channel to Bravo and The Rachel Zoe Project was on. Just the inspiration I needed to get back into fashion mode.

The most wonderful thing happened while I was working on my new hat, "Burgundy Bliss." My husband said the greatest thing and I just have to share. He said, "You're not supposed to be able to do that, you're a sports play-by-play announcer. A seamstress, designer and sports announcer...You're so talented!" Those words are exactly the reason why I love my husband so much. My ego needed to be fed. Great timing, great husband!

Link: http://www.klbbradio.com

Just want to send a very special "shout out" to thank Karin Housley for having me on her radio show this past Saturday to talk about my hats and Kick Ass Fashions. Karin is one of my favorite radio ladies & owner of three of my hats.

I'm not sure if I can get my hands on a copy of our interview, but if I do, I will post it on here for all to hear.

Thanks again Karin!

I'm so excited to introduce my "Kick Ass" collection of hats. Please take a peek and let me know what you think. Click on the "Shop" button to the right of this blog post.

I will also be adding to my collection this fall with scarves, handbags and other hat styles.

I would love to help you accessorize. Email me if you are looking for something specific or special. I would be happy to create something just for you!

Kelly

What could be better than finding a cosmetic product that has a dual purpose? Finding out that the product was created by the author of two of my all-time favorite books.

Yes, my Facebook/Twitter friend is the one and only Karen Robinovitz of "How to Become Famous in Two Weeks or Less" and "The Fashionista Files: Adventures in Four-Inch Heels and Faux Pas." Those two books are the instruction guides for all want-to-be fashionistas. And now Karin is the "Creatrix" at Purple Labs in NYC where she has created a lip gloss collection that not only plumps lips (painlessly), but also contains an appetite suppressant (Hoodia).

I ordered Karen's new product "Huge Lips Skinny Hips" in the color "Lychee Martini" today at b-glowing.com. It'll be a couple days before I get it in the mail. I can't wait to try it! Please check back here for my official review in the coming week.

For more information about "Huge Lips Skinny Hips" check out their website.

Information about Karin Robinovitz

The sad news about the death of the "King of Pop" has been circulating over the Internet for the past 20 hours. We have lost a music legend who reached a global audience and who's music and style inspired a number of generations.

We have also lost a fashion icon. One of my first sewing projects happened while I was in grade school. I was a huge fan of Michael's and decided to create my own matching white sequin glove to match his. It's days like this I wish I still owned it, but I will always remember the impact he had both on my love for music and my love of fashion.

Rest in peace Michael, may God bless your soul. May your legacy live on through the artists and musicians who you have inspired.

See Michael Jackson's style through the years: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/michael-jackson-1958-2009-a-style-retrospective-480548/#photoViewer=1

One of my favorite seasons is right around the corner. Yes, I know what you're thinking...summer just arrived this past weekend and I'm already thinking about fall. I can't help but be very excited about the fashions for the upcoming Fall 2009 season. I love the idea of layering scarves, accessorizing sweaters, using bright colors in contrast to the earthy tones that fall brings as the leaves change color. Imagine finding that perfect handbag or hat to "cap off" your already favorite sweater and jeans. I will soon have just what you're looking for right here!

I've been super busy making lots & lots of hats just in time for the crisp, cold fall air of Northern Minnesota. Each one is individually created so you won't run into a friend with the same exact one. Plus there will be matching shoulder bags and wristlets to go with it.

And here's the really fun part about my hats & bags...some of them are "green" (meaning I've used recycled fabric from garments I've bought at garage sales and thrift shops). The fabric has been washed prior to creating each hat & bag so you don't have to worry about a thing.

As soon as my tech savvy husband, Brian, finishes the transfer of our new home computer server, I will have my photos and shopping cart ready to roll right here on http://www.kickassfashions.com. Stay tuned for that announcement in the next couple of days.