As the accredited fashion designer is awarded the prestigious Geoffrey Beene Lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion designers of America, its only seems fair to pay homage to the ingenious designer with an insight to his expedited success.

Without a doubt Marc Jacob has the midas touch with an array of eclectic collections under his stylish belt ranging from sandals to satchels, whatever he creates you can guarantee two things; it WILL be unpredictable and people WILL want to wear it!

Born in 1963, this New Yorker developed a close relationship with his grandmother who he later accredited with being “the biggest influence in life” and it was this proud Grandmother that kicked off his creativity and taught Jacobs to knit. At the tender age of 15 Jacobs had landed a part time position in the then trendy and forward thinking Charivari Boutique, it was here he meet the man that world truly sculpt his career Perry Ellis.

After graduating from Parson’s School of Design with the highest honors he became the youngest designer ever to win the Perry Ellis Gold Thimble Award, the Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award, and the Design Student of the Year Award. His first collection of hand knitwear was designed and sold in 1984 although it wasn’t until 1986 that his first self title collection was backed and the Marc Jacobs brand began production.

He designed radical grunge pieces for Perry Ellis who encouraged an influx of unlikely items created by Jacobs and in reciprocation Jacobs described Ellis as the embodiment of cool. It was this pairing that lead to his nomination and success of the Women’s Designer of the Year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 1992 although this also represented the end of the Jacob’s and Ellis’ business relationship and the Marc Jacobs inc was born.

Two years later with an award cabinet full of accolades Jacobs re-released his eponymous label with the support of some of the fashion industries most successful personalities, such as Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista. His rapid success of course led to new opportunities which included being appointed as the creative director of Louis Vuitton were he triumphed in the revamp of their stable accessory line.

This iconic designer now has free reign to have fun with fashion and he continues to strike lucky with all he touches. His extension into accessories has been as successful as his earlier work and his fragrances are always a huge hit regardless of whether he has a model appearing in the marketing campaign or a scantily clad lad from New York.

KJ x

I’m not sure if is the disgustingly dreary British weather and the yearning for a year round tan or all of the day dreaming about distant lands and warm sand that has spurred on a new obsession; either way I have been like a magpie to all things gold! With London Fashion Week currently rolling out displaying the new collections of established labels I have been digging a little deeper familiarising myself with some new generation talent that is a little less well known. I have not been disappointed.

As I sat typing at my desk I realised my rather sausage like fingers look much more appealing when dressed up a little. I was missing a cluster of stylish stacked rings, a piece of delicate fine jewellery or a contemporary costume design. So combining my new love for all things gold I have researched into finding the perfect highly wearable ring and filling the void in my jewellery box.

My initial search is for selection of stacked rings. Now I am not personally a huge fan of embellishment, I appreciate simplicity, strong yet elegant designs and statements ring. My ideal stacker ring would be individual to my taste, only a flash of colour allowing me to co-ordinate with all outfits and occasions.

This search has led me to Natasha Collis. Natasha’s signature is to work with hand melted, irregular gold nuggets which enrich a beautiful gem stones. The innovative designer claims she finds inspiration from the stunning sunlight of the Balearic’s as it dances and sparkles on the shores of the Mediterranean. A woman after my own heart!

The next stop is a delicate intricate piece of fine jewelry. I absolutely love the idea behind these delectable designs created by Solange Azagury-Partridge targeting the diamond shy ring wearer as an alternative to the traditional engagement ring. This says Marry me…

If all fails you can always replace it with this one…

My final item of lust is a customised piece of costumer Jewelry from Annina Vogel. Ingenious Annina re-works vintage item into contemporary pieces that are more relevant in today’s market. For something a little more classic, quirky and seriously collectible this is your girl!

Get imaginative with your jewelry make a statement and have fun. Remember imitation is the highest form of flattery, if you can’t get your hands on these golden tickets I’m sure there will be similar versions in your local stores. Now get decorating…

x KJ x

Whether this is your first time on this site or you are a regular here; this pertains to you. Our staff is looking to grow so that we can take the webmag and our vision to the next level. If you like what you see on this site and think you have the perfect voice to add to our webmag, then please write a “blog-style” article on a topic of your choice, and send it our way at contact@ivybetty.com

There’s no length requirement. We’ll be looking throughout all of February. We’re looking forward to hearing from all of you. Thanks everyone.

A message from the Peseta fashion team.

next week (from 27th to 29th) we´ll be in barcelona at the Primavera Sound festival, our favourite festival in the world.
this year we´ll be there happier than ever: we´ve been asked to design two special series of bags for them.
the one you see in the picture was made using cordura fabric and a traditional Madrilian lining. click here to see more pictures.
the other bag means more to us. we used our beloved costal fabric
and it´s dedicated to all the Primavera Sound family, because we
love them and because this year is the 10th edition of this wonderful event. click here to see it.
we just can´t wait to see the pet shop boys, pavement, superchunk…

I am a big fan of bloggers who give up and coming artists a podium to showcase. I’ve realized a long time ago that some of most creative artists are either underrated or undiscovered. I was on facebook and befriended this young lady. As I paid more and more attention, besides her striking beauty and the fact that she always had a coloful statement or question on her status, SHE WAS VERY TALENTED! I scrolled through her albums and noticed that she loves to create hand crafted jewelry. I also noticed how people were positively responding to her jewelry so I decided to ask if I could feature her on IvyBetty. Introducing Chee2 Designs. Enjoy…

Give me a little bit of your background:

Hello world, I’m Cheechee. Born and raised in a small town “Helena” in Arkansas. I’m a simple country girl with a big wild imagination. I’ve always had an eye for art. It runs in my blood. My father is an artist and my grandmother did lots of arts and crafts as well. You can say I picked all that up from them I’m a pretty open minded, random thinking, artistic, ocassionally weird person, who is very comfortable in the shoes I walk in or…decide to wake up and walk in. As Dove would say, “Love the skin you’re in.” Yea that definitely speaks for me. I love, love, love music of all genres except for gospel and country. Sorry, not my forte’. But I love dancing to drums, african drums to be exact. As for art….well lets just say I’m a walking canvas.

Q:Your jewelry creates such a bright and vibrant vibe, beautifully hand crafted. What or who inspires you?

A:I was inspired by a young lady named Ivy about a year or two ago. I adored her work and realized hey I can go ahead and put my “grandma given” talent to work. When my grandmother passed and I was given all of her leftover beads and jewelry, I then made a commitment to continue on making jewelry. Ideas just come to me. I’m inspired by everyday things I see and hear. Life is what inspires me.

Q:How long have you been interested in art and practicing your craft?

A:I’ve ALWAYS been into art for as long as I could remember. I know I first started doing fashion design sketches of women’s clothing in the 5th grade. Every day I’d pull out my book and begin to draw women in different clothing at school, home, and in my free time. Arts and crafts have always been a part of my life. As for jewelry, I’ve always been able to fix my jewelry when it broke or anyone else’s. It just came so easy to me. It wasn’t until 2008 that I decided to start making my own jewelry. Last year, I began to become more serious about it because making jewelry was something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.

Q:Besides accessories, what are some of your other talents and gifts?

A:I have the gift of motivation and inspiration. I inspire and motivate individuals in need of it. I can braid hair VERY well, I’ve been told I’m a great freestyle dancer. I can do sketch art. Mainly with color pencils, charcoal, and oil pastels. I’m not big on paint. I can design and style. I do poetry. I TRY to sing and freestyle. Humbly, I guess u can say I’m a pretty well rounded person. Certain things just come natural.

Q: What equipment, tools, or supplies do you use?

A: I use beads, glass, strings, wire, wood, drills, paint, pencils, paper, feathers, chains, saw, spray paint, fabric, stickers, etc. Pretty much anything I find attractive and inspired to use.

Q:Where can your work be found?

A:For the time being my work will be displayed on facebook. www.facebook.com/GoddesscheeOrgasmicCosmatic

Q:If someone was interested in purchasing pieces, how would you want them to contact you?

A:First step would be to email me directly at quoshrytris@gmail.com or check out my facebook.
www.facebook.com/GoddesscheeOrgasmicCosmatic

Q:Thank you for your time, do you have anything else you would like to add?

A:I would like to say for those reading this: First off…THANK YOU, and second of all please find what makes you happy and do it. Don’t be afraid to experience things. That’s what life is for, to experience. Release all fear and enjoy the little things in life. Find peace and know thyself. And last but not least, feel free to contact me for any jewelry. I do custom orders, I fix jewelry, and I also do jewelry for men and children. If you should have any old jewelry that you no longer wear and choose to give away, feel free to contact me and I will be more than happy to take any old, new, or unwanted jewelry off your hands. Thank you and please be on the look out for more things to come from Chee2 Designs. Peace

Here are just a few samples of her work:

I know prom season is almost over but I HAD to create this post. My friend suggested this site while I was in the process of planning my wedding and came across lines of dresses that were so extravagant, so creative, and so different.

When I was in high school and prom came around, it seemed as if everyone was looking for a dress that revealed this or showed that. If I found this site during my days, I definitely would have been the life of the party!

In my opinion, this dress “Jasz” covers and exposes just enough to give that “WOW” effect and not a “Did she really wear that?”

Now if you’re more subtle person who still wants a little bit of flair, they have they have that too!

If you’re looking for ball gowns, bridesmaid dresses, or prom dresses, CHECK THEM OUT: Peaches Boutique

I’ve always been a huge fan of the hit show “Project Runway.” I know that there has been numerous seasons but hey I’m a fan. I was thoroughly impressed with the wide range of creative flair designers possess. No two think or create the same. But Season 5, presented one of my faves…Korto Momolu.

Korto Momolu was originally from Liberia but migrated to Canada because of the civil war there. She attended design school in Ontario then moved to Arkansas with her family. After Season 5, I waited and waited hoping that I would see some of her work somewhere…ANYWHERE. Lo and behold, I catch her 2009 fashion line on BET “Rip the Runway.” She then released an accessory line at Dillards. Also you can check her out at:kortomomolu.com

Bravo Korto!

Okay so…I was just browsing one day online and stumbled across this website. I’m always the one open to new fashion ideas and I see that the “vintage” look is a very popular trend. As I was “screen shopping,” I fell upon some very cute mod and vintage styled dresses, cardigans, and accessories. Now I’m a hat girl…and what did I see? The cutest cloche hats ever! If you’re one of those vintage seeking, babydoll dress wearing, oh so cute “old lady” pumps rockin’ chicks…CHECK THIS SITE OUT!!! Apparel from this online store is definitely on my list of “Gotta Haves.”

SN: Whenever I check out the “New Arrivals” on the site, I can’t help but stop through the “About Us” page. The company was founded by two 17 year old high school sweethearts in 2002. How cute is that???

You can check it out at Mod Cloth

A little bit ago, there were posts on Levi’s x Opening Ceremony for their Cord’s collection they did together.  For anyone who liked the collection or found the collaboration to be interesting, check out this interview with the designer of the collection and see what she has to say about it: 

On Saturday, the Levi’s Cords by Opening Ceremonytour (if you will) roll’s into San Francisco. The founders of Opening Ceremony, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, are both graduates of UC Berkley. Given their Bay Area roots, it seemed appropriate for Levi’s to create “a home away from home” for the Levi’s Cords by Opening Ceremony Collection. To that end, Jay Carroll of One Trip Pass helped to create a “store within a store” at the Levi’s Flagship Store in San Francisco’s Union Square. This pop up space within the Levi’s shop will offer the collection as well as some other collaborative items.

Given the publicity of both collection and the “store within a store,” we decided to take some time and dig (a little) into the background of the Levi’s Cords by Opening Ceremony collection. We chatted with Aylin Beyce, designer of the collection, wishing to learn more about the collaborative process and Levi’s background in cordaroy.

Hit the jump to read her responses. (please note the above photograph is by Phillip King, and captures one of the launch campaign sites in San Francisco).
SL: Let’s start with some quickies – What’s your background in fashion?

AB: Like most designers, I have always been into making my own clothes but a few years back decided to try design out as a career. I enrolled in a school in Paris called Studio Bercot. I figured that if I didn’t like it, at least I’d learn French! My first job out of school was working on Jeremy Scott’s Spring 2005 collection. I then moved to Berlin for four months and worked for a German designer on an art / fashion project. I got a job with Levi’s soon after, and I have been here ever since.

SL: What’s Levi’s background in corduroy?

AB: In the late 1970s and early 1980s Levi’s was as known for our colorful corduroys almost as much as we were for our beloved denim jeans.

At that time, we offered almost 20 choices of color in our corduroy jeans ranging from khaki, olive and white to baby blue and pink.

SL: What colors inspire you?

AB: I tend to love brights mixed with muted colors, as it is the combination of colors together that inspires me the most. There are colors that I am always inspired by: a vibrant, tomato red, an acid yellow or curry, and a yellow peach. Then there are colors that I am surprised by and inspired by for a period of time. Right now beach glass, nudes, soft yellow, navy and a sharp red are at the top of my list.

SL: Getting to specifics, taking from a classic cut, the 505, how do you rework it and keep the garments integrity while shifting the fit slightly?

AB: For the Spring 2010 collection of our ongoing work with Opening Ceremony, we used the 1967 505 fit block as our starting point.

The 1967 505 fit pairs a nice, slim shape with a more square top block.  We were also inspired by a specific pair of 505s from the 80s that had been washed to bits and was shrunken down.

The resulting Levi’s Cords by Opening Ceremony 505 fit became a hybrid of the two, with a nip in the waist and fitted seat and thigh.  The fact we were inspired by our own vintage garments, one of which had been so heavily altered through wash, wear and love by the owner, gives the updated, Opening Ceremony 505 fit a great deal of integrity and authenticity. Given this 505 silhouette is designed to be unisex also lends an innovative edge to the evolution of the fit.

SL: I might ask the same thing about shirts and jackets – what were your starting points here? What did you want to hit in terms of key detail?

AB: Since, the iconic 505 shape is a perfect slim straight fit, this opened up the idea of a collection of perfect, simple, iconic unisex fits. There was a general shrunken idea that inspired the collection’s fits, although it ends up looking great oversized as well. The shirt has a shrunken collar and slim fit. The jackets are tight and cropped, and the 505 was inspired a vintage garment that shrunk down over time and was worn undersized. 
  
SL: Given the nature of the collaboration, I’m interested in what you recieved as briefing. Was it difficult to balance the desires of both sides? Is there pressure given that the cord series kicks off a longer running set of collaborative production? 
  
AB: Humberto Leon, Carol Lim–the founders of Opening Ceremony–and Olivia Kim, VP of Creative Services for Opening Ceremony, were really into the idea of the 505, which mirrored the feeling that Levi’s design was also having at the time. The corduroy inspiration  was a mix of nostalgia, inspired by Humberto¹s memories of hanging out with  his friends in Northern California in the 90s, the carefree nature of Ryan  Mcginley’s photos, and feeling that the time was right for Levi’s to address 
the part that corduroy played in our pioneering history.

Opening Ceremony is so great to work with and they are true collaborators in every sense of the word. We both bring ideas to the table at the beginning of the season and have a lot of respect and confidence in eachother’s ideas and perspectives.

The design process is an ongoing back and forth throughout the season, where we are bouncing ideas off of them and vice versa, resulting in very fun and creative collections.

SL: With Opening Ceremony’s reputation and the other projects they’ve been involved in, it seems that a delicate balance also comes in needing to translate a unique identity of two strong brands. Clearly using the 505 helps. But, what other steps are required to adequately represent 
both sides?

AB: Both brands work from a genuine, authentic place. I think that this allows us to collaborate well and the balance between the brands almost organically and naturally  evens out. The collaboration also allows us a platform to look at our heritage in a really fun and youthful way.  And we are such huge fans of Opening Ceremony’s and they love Levi’s, so there’s a great deal of respect and admiration for all involved, making working together a very seamless, fun and inspiring process.

SL: Can you offer any teasers as to the future of the Levi’s for Opening 
Ceremony collections?

AB: I can’t say too much now but I can say that we will continue to play with the idea of unisex dressing for the Fall collection as well!

Source: Selectism

By far the most comfortable dress shoes around are hands down, Cole Haan.  Cole Haan presents their latest round-up of shoes with photography inspired by, and made possible in collaboration with the Selby.  The shoot features influential people and consists of new models of shoes that recently came out, as well as ones slated for a spring release. 

Visit the link for more pictures: http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/2010/03/08/cole-haan-presents-the-inspired-life-photographed-by-the-selby/