Summer 2011 NEW YORK CITY

Growing up in the South one could say I was very limited in the inspiration department when it came to fashion on the streets of North Carolina.  I am pretty sure no one has ever thought Charlotte, NC to be known as a fashionable city. As a child I use to sit on my patio with my notebook and colored pencils and sketch because I was so inspired by Tom Fords Gucci ads back in the mid-late1990's. I would tell my mother and grandmother that I would sketch them a dress and surprisingly they usually loved what I created. They both saw a spark within me and eye for putting things together  that I had yet to realize that I had. I was blessed by the universe because  my mom somehow managed to  receive stacks of Vogue's from a friend and she would give them to me. Forget Seventeen Magazine,  hell I had discovered British Vogue and American Vogue and I was only TWELVE!!! I would sit in my room for hours listening to music ( just in case you wondering...The Verve, Sneaker Pimps, Trainspotting Soundtrack) and ripping out the pages and using my wall as my canvas.

I imagined that my room reflected what it would look like inside the offices of British Vogue. My parents must have thought I was nuts. My room was covered with all the major models of the 90's, Calvin Klein ads, and some of my favorite fashion icons...Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and an oldie but a goodie Bianca Jagger. I have always gravitated to the 70's Boho Chic look but in contrast I love a good minimalist look also. When the two distinct looks are merged and done properly that's when I get excited.
   
Each picture and designer contributed to who I am today. After graduating with a degree in Communications from Fordham University I decided to pursue a career in styling. I love creating and  also displaying the wonderful art of fashion.  Currently I manage a boutique on the Upper West Side. Think downtown meets uptown chic. I wardrobe the twenty-something and thirty-something women who need an outfit for a hot-date out on the city and in New York City every BLOCK can turn into a fashion show. So I help these ladies stay on the A game! BTW  I will be posting clothes from my store on here shortly and also providing a link if you would like to purchase. 

 I have been lucky enough to travel all over the world and see Fashion being translated through various cultures...via London, Dublin, Paris and Barcelona. I thought London really lived up to its expectations. I have always been fascinated by the mod look from the swinging 60's and how that has been modified over each decade. I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of Paris that I could hardly focus on the people. Just the city itself was breathtaking. In Dublin I was more impressed by the men and their edgy street-style then the tired looks that I saw from some of the females there. It was almost as if they were stuck in like a really bad time warp...... Where fashion didn't exist. But I am sure there are some amazing Fashionista's in Ireland. Prove me right girls! This past Spring my best friend and I went to Barcelona. Another beautiful city.....I was really impressed how the women were featuring color and patterns in their wardrobe. Also they have wonderful and affordable street markets.

NEW YORK CITY.....  For the Summer of 2011 I am going to kick of my blog by focusing on three very different neighborhoods within the City and surrounding areas. I will be working on the...The Upper West Side,  hanging out on The Lower East Side and of course I have to feature my neighborhood.... Hoboken!

Thus Pastel Dusk....this blog is dedicated to the lady who I truly believe embodies style to tenth degree and that's my grandmother, Ella Jane.