Designing a Dream - Fashion Series pt. 2

Ever wonder how fabrics are hand-stitched and pleated into clothes we wear?  Babette's designers share this fascinating look at how it's done at their Oakland, CA workshop. (video by One Hundred Seconds) 

In Part 2 of my fashion series, designer Josephine Tchang shares why she's so passionate about Babette's signature textured garments PLUS an exclusive giveaway!

Shay:  Babette has been making fashion news since the 1960's - what's the secret to your success?

Josephine:  We produce clothing nobody else does. Our garments are not mass-produced - every piece has a story.  We also use very unique textiles.  We look for the best fabrics all over the world to find what works for our brand. 

We always try to improve our designs.  I have to ask, "How am I going to give my customer a fresh take and give her a fresh color story?"  We might be able to sell a pink color this season but next season it might be a mint color or it might be colors and textures combined in new ways. 

Josephine (l) and Babette buy fabrics in Paris

Shay:  What are some of your favorite pieces? 

Josephine:  I love the pleated pieces.  We actually buy the fabrics flat and create the pleats and textures ourselves.  I'll wear one of our pleated dresses as a tunic with skinny jeans for work, then at night take off my jeans, add heels and a handbag and I'm ready for dinner.

Babette's Santa Monica, CA store

Shay:  How has opening more stores affected the brand?

Josephine:  Opening stores in warmer climates like Santa Monica (California) and Santa Fe (New Mexico) definitely plays a role in the direction of our line.  Designing for Los Angeles is different than designing for New York.  As a general trend, clothes are more form-fitted, more colorful and playful.  As a designer, you have to listen to your customer so our line has diversified.
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Fasion designers work a year in advance so Josephine is already creating clothes we'll see on the runways soon.  Find out what inspires her designs in part 1 of 'Designing a Dream'  here.

FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY!
Babette has designed a one-of-a-kind scarf for a lucky fan!  To enter, simply like my new Facebook page and share today's post.  Sorry, this drawing is closed.

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Designing a Dream - Fashion Series

Fashion lovers!  I'm thrilled to give you a front row seat to one of Hollywood's emerging design hot spots.  Never dreamed of gracing the red carpet in a designer dress? Or, like me, live in yoga pants and flip flops?  No problem - anyone can appreciate this art.

The LA Times recently named Babette's newest store one of the LA's best places to shop.  The brand is known for its novelty fabrics and pleats.

Part 1 Babette's creative director, Josephine Tchang, tells how she went from working with IV needles to sewing needles.

Babette (2nd from left rear) and Josephine (2nd from rt rear) and the team

Shay:  How did you get started in fashion?

Josephine:  Before I went into design, my dream was to be a nurse.  My mom had a fashion school so I started helping her teach when I was 12 or 13 but I never wanted to get into the fashion world.

I went to nursing school and realized it wasn't my cup of tea.  A graphic artist friend said, "You have a good eye for putting things together. Why don't you try fashion design?" So I took some classes and absolutely loved it.

I got a job as Babette's assistant 21 years ago.  We had 3-4 employees so I got to do everything - from designing to learning the technical aspects of making a garment fit. I moved to go to New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and after I graduated, Babette called and said, "Come back." I've been designing ever since.

Shay:  I'm sure you get asked all the time where your inspiration comes from.

Josephine:  I'm very sensitive to textures and colors.  Babette and I travel to Paris twice a year and we're also art lovers. Inspiration comes from paintings, structures, architecture. Looking at the water or a sunset can give me ideas for a color story.  Fabric is an inspiration - I have to envision how to transform it into a garment.

One time I saw a roll of paper on the floor that had been stepped on and was folded in an origami way. I thought, "this is great texture for a new pleat." I tried it and it worked so inspiration can come from anywhere.

where it all starts - the pleating pattern

Shay:  What's your biggest design challenge?

Josephine:  Knowing when to stop.  When you design something, it's just like a painting - sometimes you over paint.  I try to make every collection different for my customer who already has a closet full of Babette. I need to pay attention to trends but I also have to ask, "Where is my customer going to wear this?"  All that can be challenging.

Shay:  How do you keep your designs fresh?

Josephine:  I try not to design for myself but for my customer. She doesn't want to buy just anything at the mall - she wants something unique.  She has a busy lifestyle, she travels. We capture that niche and design for that woman.  

When women try on Babette clothes for the first time, they fall in love. You don't have to work hard to look fabulous in our clothes; you feel beautiful and comfortable at the same time.  A lot of labor and love goes into each garment and every piece is made in the U.S. so that all adds up to create a great product.

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To read part 2 of 'Designing a Dream', click here.

FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY!

Josephine has designed a one-of-a kind Babette scarf for a lucky fan!  To enter, simply like my new Facebook page and share that day's post.  Sorry this drawing is closed.

www.facebook.com/shayholland  

Pt. 4: Tips to Look Like a Celebrity - Even if Your Budget Says '2 Broke Girls'

CBS Photo

This is the last part of my  2 Broke Girls series with celeb beauty expert Dana Waldie of A Makeover Muse.  Thanks so much for liking it over on my new Facebook page with 4,000+ views!

Part 4:  Take a cue from the First Lady to avoid expensive beauty mistakes & a pro's must-haves PLUS an offer from beauty retailer Sindulge!

Shay:  What do you recommend if we're in a transition that requires more focus on our beauty routine, maybe starting a new job?  But we're also like Michelle Obama - we don't want to spend a fortune if we can shop at J. Crew and look good. Same goes for a beauty routine.

Dana:  I feel less is more.  Some people overthink it.  Wash and moisturize morning and night and that's really all you need.  As you get older you might need anti-aging serum and an eye cream.

Shay: That's good to hear because it can seem so complicated. 

Dana:  I think priority is the key word.  My philosophy is your skin is like your canvas so if you're worried about the makeup,  you're not going to have a good application without clear, nice skin; it's like an artist painting on a canvas.  It's a lifestyle change, just like when you start working out and start changing your diet there are commitments.

Shay:  Many of us have made mistakes buying expensive products that don't seem to work.  What do you always have in your own makeup cabinet?

Dana:  I have three things I can't live without. First is concealer by The Balm.  I'll use it on a blemish because it has vitamins A, C and E for anti-aging. 

Shay:  That's an undereye concealer? 

Dana:  Yes, it never causes me to break out and the coverage is phenomenal. I use it on photo shoots and it's $15 so it's very reasonable and lasts forever.


Dana Waldie - A Makeover Muse

And then I'm obsessed with SPF.  I don't care if you're outside for 15 minutes, it's important everyday.  My favorite is Vera Bella SPF 45.  It smells like cucumber and doesn't have that greasy, obnoxious sunscreen feeling.  It has hyaluronic acid so it not only protects you from the sun but has anti-aging ingredients.

A newer product I can't live without is Suki Skin Care Sugar Scrub that's almost dangerous.  You wash your face with it and a little gets in your mouth and tastes good. I'm like, "I'm not supposed to be eating this."

Shay:  Sounds almost better than happy hour!  

Read part 3 of the '2 Broke Girls' series - tips to reduce dark undereye circles here.


SPECIAL BEAUTY OFFER!
Dana partnered us with retailer Sindulge for 20% off any beauty products until April 5th!

Sorry, this offer has ended.

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Pt. 3: Tips to Look Like a Celebrity - Even if Your Budget Says '2 Broke Girls'

CBS Photo

All week we're sharing tips to look like a celebrity - even if your budget says 2 Broke Girls!  We reveal secrets in my interviews with celeb beauty expert Dana Waldie of A Makeover Muse.

Part 3:  Dark undereye circles - can a potato really help reduce the look of them?  PLUS an offer from beauty retailer Sindulge!

Shay:  We have a question on my Facebook page about dark undereye circles.  Susan Wimmer says, "No amount or type of concealer seems to hide.  Hate looking like a raccoon - help!" 

Dana:  Undereye circles are genetic for the most part, people are born with that.  Obviously things like lack of sleep and other environmental factors are issues. 

Shay:  You said this is one of the most common questions you get for both men and women.  What are some things that can help?

Dana:  Products that contain vitamin K are really beneficial.  Dr. Dennis Gross has a great undereye cream (it is pricier).  And I learned from one of my mentors, a Russian skincare guru, that you can boil a potato, cut it in half and put that on your eyes in the morning and it helps get rid of dark circles.

Shay:  Does it work?  I'd be tempted to try that.

Dana:  I've had clients and friends who have tested it and said they've noticed a result.  Don't look for instant gratification, it's something you could do daily in combination with using eye cream. 

Also, beauty products containing caffeine help stimulation.  It's an anti-oxidant that helps with blood flow and circulation so anything with caffeine and vitamin K are phenomenal with dark circles. 

Dana has a blog post with more ideas to help. And if you want to know how to get that celebrity glow, click here to read part 2 of our '2 Broke Girls' series.


SPECIAL BEAUTY OFFER!
Dana partnered us with retailer Sindulge for 20% off any of their products until April 5th!

Sorry, this offer has ended. 

www.facebook.com/shayholland  

Pt. 2: Tips to Look Like a Celebrity - Even if Your Budget Says '2 Broke Girls'

CBS Photo

All week I'm sharing tips to look like a celebrity - even if your budget says 2 Broke Girls! Secrets with celeb beauty expert Dana Waldie of A Makeover Muse.

Part 2:  Steps to get that A-list red carpet glow - perfect for date night or girls' night out.  PLUS an offer from beauty retailer Sindulge!  

Shay:  TV host Samara Bay asks on my Facebook page: "How do we get that radiant celebrity look without throwing glitter on our faces?"

Dana:  I know, we're all envious.  I can't stress enough maintaining your skincare regimen.  Having regular facials helps.  If you can't go regularly, go 2-3 times a year.  If that's still out of your budget, try the Clarisonic Brush.  It's a little pricey but they offer different sizes and models from $115-195.  I've had mine since they came out about seven years ago and I can't tell you the difference in my skin.  It's glowing and hydrated, my products go on nicely, you can feel the penetration.

I also suggest masking weekly.  I do mine when I'm on the computer in the morning. I'll wash my face, put on my mask, let it sit for 10-15 minutes.  Use something according to your skin type.  If your skin's oily, maybe with camphor in it and if it's dry or acne prone, make sure to use something appropriate.


Dana Waldie of A Makeover Muse 

Also, exfoliate 2-3 times a week.  Don't overdo it because you end up stripping the skin of the natural oils and that causes breakouts.  Some people get a little nutty with exfoliating.  A newer product I don't think I'll ever live without is called Suki Skin Care Sugar Scrub.

Drinking lots of water is great.

Shay:  What about bronzers - will they work for all skin tones? 

Dana:  For the most part.  One of my favorite highlighters is by legendary makeup artist Kevin Aucoin.  Anyone who wants to become a makeup artist should get his book.  La Bella Donna Mineral Makeup has a great bronzer for face and body. It's very shimmery for the décolleté and it's mineral so it's healthy for the skin.  Girlactik is a Los Angeles makeup artist and her line is based on affordable shimmers and highlighters.

For drug store brands, my favorite is COVERGIRL Cheekers Bronzers.  It's great for contouring and comes in a little blusher kit for about $4-5. You can't beat it. 

Shay:  I need to come see you because I've never known how to use bronzers on darker skin.  Thanks for helping us get "glowy-faced and star-like" - those are Samara's words.

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For tips to stay younger looking without injections in part 1, click here. For tips to reduce undereye circles in part 3, click here.


SPECIAL BEAUTY OFFER!

Dana partnered us with retailer Sindulge for 20% off any beauty products thru 4/5!

Sorry, this offer has ended. 

www.facebook.com/shayholland  

Pt. 1: Tips to Look Like a Celebrity - Even if Your Budget Says '2 Broke Girls'

CBS photo

All week I'm sharing tips to look like a celebrity - even if your budget says 2 Broke Girls. From how to get that red carpet glow to banishing under eye circles, we share secrets and answer your questions with celeb beauty expert Dana Waldie of A Makeover Muse.


Part 1:  Today in my '2 Broke Girls' series - what to look for in anti-aging products PLUS an offer from beauty retailer Sindulge!

Shay:  We all want to stay younger looking. What can we do no matter what our age or budget?

Dana:  It's never too soon to start.  You want to be preventive, to preserve the skin.  It's the largest organ in the body so anything you can do helps.  Anything with vitamin A, C and E and hyaluronic acid is great for lines, plumper and filler - it's something your body naturally produces so it absorbs better.

Some anti-aging products I like:

• Prevage - bit more pricey
• SOMME Institute - great product line out of New York
• Miracle Skin Transformer Night Cream - newer product I've been testing and I'm really happy with it
• Vera Bella Skin Therapy - one of my personal favorites from a boutique spa in Beverly Hills, their products are reasonably priced

Shay:  What are these products actually doing for our skin?


Dana Waldie - A Makeover Muse

Dana:  It's going to penetrate, focus on lifting, tightening, firming, filling and plumping. Hyaluronic acid is a line plumper and filler.  Restylane, when people have injections that is actually hyaluronic acid and it's safe to use because our bodies absorb it.

Shay:  So that saves us from the needle?

Dana:  Exactly.

Shay:  Is it  really that bad to use regular soap on your face?  If so, what's best?

Dana:  Yes! It is bad. They usually contain fragrances and ingredients that strip your skin.  Burt's Bees has wonderful face washes that are affordable for every skin type.

Shay:  It's been great to get started looking like a celebrity. Red carpet, here we come!
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To read part 2 of our 2 Broke Girls series, click here.


SPECIAL BEAUTY OFFER!
Dana partnered us with retailer Sindulge for 20% off any beauty products thru 4/5!

Sorry, this offer has ended.

www.facebook.com/shayholland

Hollywood Love/Hate

In case you missed it, here's my article Camera Shy?  Tips to Photograph Like a Celebrity that appears in a Dartmouth alumni publication. Read it by clicking here.

I'm writing more articles, including Five Reasons to Stop Hating Hollywood so tell me what you love or hate about it and you may be featured in my next piece!

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