College Students Sell Graphic T-shirts

DENTON- UNT students that are graphic designers have invested their own money to create a small online business that sells their graphic t- shirts.
Sophomore communication design major Leah Hereford of Lautoka, Fiji has invested $1,200 of her money into creating an online business that sells her graphic t- shirts for $25.00 a piece. “I’ve always been interested in art, and fashion so I always knew this was going to be career goal of mine,” Hereford said. She designed the website herself http://www.hunae.com/ that took her two months to complete. As a child Hereford would draw and paint her favorite cartoon characters on her shirts so she decided to share her passion of animation to the world.
Other UNT students have started to sell their graphic t- shirts to pay for school expenses. Junior fashion design major Kristina Brown of Houston, Texas works all the jobs she can to help her pay for fabric that she needs for school projects and future runway shows she’s going to be in this fall. She describes herself as really an evening gown designer but she knows that college students wear graphic t- shirts so she knew they would sell. She started “Popular” this summer and you can purchase them online. She’s invested $200.00 to buy a Photo shop computer program where you can design graphics, and Brown has also spent $30.00 to print flyers to post around classes. “I’m just doing this to get my name out there, and to gain more experience in urban wear,” Brown said.
Fashion designers debut their fall and spring collections with runway shows by using models. Ashton Ace Brielle, junior fashion design has invested with her mother 10,000 into sewing machines, fabrics, and threads. Brielle doesen't sell graphic t- shirts she designs custom made dresses, swimsuits, and other garments, She has had two runway shows and more coming soon to the Dallas, and Houston area. Brielle has earned half of the money she and her money have invested into designing clothes, but she’s happier about getting the exposure. “It does not make ends meet just yet, but to gain exposure you have to me in the negative for a while,” Brielle said.
Although UNT designers who sell graphic t- shirts, and other fashions they create are not making millions from it yet, the money that they do earn while still attending school helps them finance their education.



Jazzy Baptiste

Model Profile: Kendal Kinslow

She was told she should be a model all her life, and now 21- year- old senior fashion design major Kendal Kinslow from Austin, Texas juggles both modeling, and college.
In the beginning stages of her modeling career Kinslow invested thousands of dollars into model training which is common for most beginner models. Kinslow began her training when she was 16- years- old. She’s the runway trainer for models at UNT in the organization M.O.S.E (models of style exposed) which are a group of aspiring models who attend UNT. “The members are lucky because the models get to do all the things you do at an agency for no payment,” Kinslow said.
She’s signed with DMG Model Management in Dallas, Texas and JG Models in New York City. Kinslow has been invited to modeling agencies in Singapore, Milan, and other agencies in New York.
Kinslow is a huge fan of pencil skirts, accessories such as huge cocktail rings, and red shoes. She admires models such as Jenny Shimizu, and Adriana Lima. “Shimizu is Asian, has a lot of tattoos, and is Asian and she’s been able to break barriers, and Lima stayed a virgin up until her mid twenties and I admire that,” Kinslow said.
When it comes to getting modeling jobs Kinslow relies on her confidence to win the clients over. “I have short hair and not every client wants that, but I also have blue eyes and pale skin and the client might want that look,” Kinslow said. She’s recently booked several jobs while in New York, and has done a lot of commercial work, and runway work for upcoming designers in the Dallas area. “You can be the weirdest look care, but if you have confidence no one will notice,” Kinslow said.
Some amateur models have been victims of modeling scams that require them to pay hundreds of dollars up to thousands of dollar upfront. When it comes to modeling the number one rule is if they’re asking you for a lot of money without interviewing you, having you show them your runway walk, or taking a snap shot when you meet them, then most likely it’s a scam. “Check your references and talk with other models who have worked for the agency to make sure it’s legitimate and not a scam”, Kinslow said.
Upon graduation Kinslow is moving to New York City to further her career in modeling, a cello player, an artist, and she want to attend culinary school.
Dealing with model stereotypes is a factor that Kinslow has already had to deal with since she’s started modeling. Models have been described as air- head, bulimic, or vain in many movies, blogs, and music lyrics. “I don’t tell people I’m a model when I meet them because I don’t define my self that way”, Kinslow said.
Kinslow shares her advice to break into the modeling industry to UNT students so they can also work as a model. “Grow a thick skin this is an industry where you’re judged completely by what you are on the outside, so you have to have a strong sense of who you are underneath that.” Kinslow said.
Making her marked as a supermodel in the making Kinslow is striving to walk in top designer shows such as Chanel, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Burberry, Chloe, and Versace. On a smaller scale she also want to do ad work with Urban Outfitters. With the confidence and hard work she’s already put forth Kinslow is a face you will flip through a magazine and see soon.

Jazzy Baptiste

Meet Madewell's '37s Jeans

Madewell 1937 introduced their new '37s jeans at Northpark mall 8687 North Central Expressway Dallas, Texas.

The invitation only event at Madewell offered 10% off the new '37s jeans, gift bags, and styling consultations.

Madewell has been around for more than 70 years with its classic and vintage inspired scarves, leather bags, blazers, and boots.

"My favorite Madewell item are the Italian leather boots, and I love how the leather gets distressed over time", said Antonio Anderson a Madewell employee and fashion merchandising major.

Whether you like the ex- boyfriend jean, rail straight, skinny low, bootlegger, slim slouch, or the skinny low Madewell has the jean that fits and flattering on any woman.

Jazzy Baptiste

Fashion Designer Q&A with Summer Douglas

A 4'll curvaceous, and petite Summer Douglas discusses her love for fashion. The bubbly young lady is a fashion designer you'll be hearing about in the near future.

Q.Who or what inspired you to become a fashion designer?
A. “I always had a passion for fashion and I also loved art and designing”. “I was inspired by my grandfather who was a designer and tailor for many years”. “He never had the chance to take his talent to the next level”.
Q. Who are your favorite designers?
A.” Diane Von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, and my two new favorites Versace and Roberto Cavalli”.

Q. What projects are you working on as of now?
A. “I’m working on a new fashion show, starting work on my boutique (store or online store) and I have decide to start up a fashion group on facebook and twitter”.

Q. What projects have you done?A.” I've taking time off to work on some of my major projects right now so I haven’t started on anything new”.

Q. I heard that you're working on your own clothing line is that true?A.” Yes my line is called “Remmus” which is my name spelled backwards”. “I decided to go with Remmus for the name because a lot of my designing and inspiration is my style and who I am”.

Q. Do you have signature pieces in the garments that you make?A. “Yes the signature piece I have right now is my Re-me tee which has my logo or the name of my line it comes in a variety of colors and should be available soon.”

Q. What are your favorite fabrics to play with?A.” I love knits fabrics they are so comfortable to wear, soft, and when used just right it can give you that illusion of a par or hourglass shape”. “I also like a good luxury fabric that is a silk, cashmere, or satin or sateen with a print or pattern on the fabric”.

Q. Why did you choose UNT to further your education as a designer?A. “At first UNT was not on my radar, but after really doing my research on the school and their fashion design program the fashion design program looked outstanding”. “They have some of the best teachers and many of their students have gone on to be very successful in the industry especially in New York and they had one of the biggest fashion shows in the Dallas area”. “Not only that the University itself is one of the top universities in Texas I knew then this was the school for me”.

Q. What are your goals after graduation?
A. “I want work in the industry for a few years, have more then one boutique open, and hope I have started to make a name for myself”.

Q. What kind of women do you want to design clothes for?
A. “Young women in their 20's to early 30's she has to love “Fashion” like to be sexy with a classic but modern style, independent, confident, has curves and/or petite. I‘m only 4‘11, petite, and I have curves”.

Q. What do you love about the fashion industry?
A. “The one thing I love about the fashion industry is that it gives you the chance to express who you are, what you are feeling and that other people can be apart of that and take a little of that with them”.

Q. Where do you go when you need to absorb inspiration for your collection?A. “I really get inspiration from just being at home because most of the time myself is the inspiration”. “If I do decide to go somewhere to get inspired or get inspiration I choice places that are quite, new, different, and beautiful”.

Q. Do you think the recession has had an impact on fashion if so why?A. “Yes because a lot of customers have had to cut back or make adjustments in their lives because of the recession and the designers as well”. “Many designers make their living off the customer, and many designers have gone bankrupted or going to because of the recession”.
Q. What do fashion followers have to look forward to from you in the future?A. “Look for a fresh, sexy, classic, and stylish fashion line called “Remmus”

Jazzy Baptiste xoxo

Art and Fashion Design Majors are Inspired by Color

DENTON-Like any other fashion designer or artist, color is the rooted inspiration for a runway collection for fashion week, a painting for an art gallery, or a graphic design for a product or advertisement.
It’s the same inspiration for communication design majors, fashion design majors, and art majors at UNT. Some students are inspired by colors they encounter in their everyday life, and others are inspired by the colors they’re attracted to.
“When designing garments, the colors of nature around me inspires what I design,” said senior fashion design Major Kristina Brown. Brown is currently interning with Chloe Dao, a fashion designer who won season 2 of Bravo’s TV Project Runway. She’s getting hands on experience with color encountering different colors while working with Chloe “A hint of color can brighten the mood of an outfit.” Brown said.
Color has also had an influence on communication design students at UNT. Senior communication design student Treavor Wagnor is so inspired by the colors around him he may snap a picture of a color on his camera phone when he sees it. Wagnor has created graphic designs full of color from black to fuchsia. He’s currently working on his senior design portfolio which at first glance is inspired by the color blue. “Color definitely inspires and changes my mood, if I see a color combination I instantly sketch it out and start designing,” Wagnor said.
Some UNT designers are simply inspired by the colors that they personally wear. Junior fashion designs Major James Moore favorite colors are black and white. When you walk into Moore’s work area black, and white fabric are scattered across his desk. “Every color has its place in fashion from charcoal to chartreuse,” Moore said. He’s currently working for the GAP with hopes of becoming a designer. Moore’s ultimate dream is coming out with his own fashion line. “I’m a huge fan of neutrals clean, and simple colors like black and or white which I feel is my signature look”, Moore said. When it comes to color, some UNT design students create around it. From bold colors, to neutral colors the students capture, or document the color in their mind and the design is created.

Vivacious Verbano

Pre destined to be apart of the fashion industry, 23- year- old bronzed skinned, curly brunette Jessica Verbano has always had an eye for fashion since she was a little girl.
Verbano’s, who is Italian, paternal great- grandparents immigrated to America from Italy through Ellis Island. There Jessica’s passion for fashion elevated to a dream of becoming apart of the fashion industry. The youngest of four sisters, Verbano was born in Irving, Texas but moved to Trenton, Texas a small community right outside of North Dallas when she was in the second grade.
“I decided to major in Fashion Merchandising because I love clothes but I didn’t want to design them” Verbano said. The fashion merchandising program at UNT requires an internship for you to graduate Verbano knew a classmate who was interning with Abercrombie and Fitch, a clothing store that markets to college students, and introduced her to a recruiter. Verbano met with Candace a recruiter for Hollister, a clothing store that has California inspired clothes for teenagers, had an interview and got hired as an intern. After she interned for the summer Verbano was hired as the assistant manager.
Verbano is the head of visuals at Hollister and changes the entire store every time new merchandise arrives. Floor sets are changing the tables at Hollister replacing the old clothes with new clothes. She hopes that her retail experience will lead her to become a stylist or trend forecaster in the future.
Verbano describes her style as tough and risky chic. “I love taking my favorite pieces but adding unexpected twists like a ballerina skirt, a tailored jacket with nothing underneath it, and a pair of the tallest stilettos, fashion is all about pushing the envelope” Verbano said. When she’s not at work Verbano loves to vintage shop at boutiques, eat dinner with her grandmother, go out with her friends, and spending quality time with her boyfriend of three years Chris. Verbano is also a music lover and recently flew to Las Vegas, Nevada to see her favorite performer sing Brittney Spears. “Five years from now I see myself working as a stylist and hopefully married to my boyfriend” Verbano said.

Jazzy Baptiste xoxo

Androgynous B Scott stuns BET's red carpet

Androgynous YouTube sensation B Scott stunned the BET red carpet late Sunday night when he arrived in his Dolce and Gabanna black and white ensemble. His white high waisted pants are from the 2009 spring collection ($390) , button down shirt with white cuffs ($315), and gypsy necklace ($499). Scott paired it with a fall 2005 Prada bag ($1,499) and Pleaser Kiss platform stiletto es ($41.60). He always has his "love muffins" in mind as he blows them a kiss.

Jazzy Baptiste xoxo